[Fists] FISTS vs. the ARRL

Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:53:22 -0700

Larry,

> Actually, it's a fairly large bus that can handle up to four wheelchairs,
> with adaptable seating for up to 16 ambulatory passengers.  Do you have a
problem
> with my chosen occupation?  I am also a retired USAF Master Sergeant.
Have
> any snide comments to make about that?

Yes I do, lets not make things out to more than what they are.  As far as
the USAF, well retired Navy Chief Petty Officer here, 20 years in aviation,
doing it, not watching.  Go to my web site to see a few details,
www.qsl.net/wb7rht.

Again, by your comments I see you are very dissatisfied with the way FISTS
is run, what you perceive they stand for and, the way FISTS members operate.
Then why not just move on and lets the "real" FISTS members have their fun.

All you are doing is bringing the membership down with your negative
comments.  Good or bad, now is the time for all members to stick together
and fight this thing.

Go Navy!

73 de Bruce WB7RHT

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 19:48
Subject: Re: [Fists] FISTS vs. the ARRL

> In a message dated 01/14/2004 12:23:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
> << Larry,
>
>  Why don't you do us all a favor and cancel your membership to FISTS.
>
> Bruce:
>
> Actually, my membership had lapsed for a few years; I just recently
re-joined
> so that I would have the opportunity to take an outspoken position on
FISTS
> reaction to WRC-03 from the standpoint of a present, paid-up, full member
of
> FISTS.
>
> With
>  members like you, I am sure we'll succeed with "our" fight to retain CW
>  testing in the ARS.  "...meaningless numbers," meaningless awards," why
the
>  hell did you join FISTS in the first place?
>
> I originally joined because I believed it's motto: "The International
Morse
> PRESERVATON Society."  I thought that "preservation" meant taking an
> affirmative and active stand on the Morse code testing issue, and using
the strength in
> numbers of the whole membership to proactively fight against proposals to
the
> FCC to reduce or eliminate code testing.  What it turned out to be was a
bunch
> of geezers (and the occasional, highly exceptional young person)
exchanging
> numbers on the air with their crappy "fists," mal-adjusted bugs,
run-together
> slop they call sending, and apparentl lack of ability to understand
concepts
> such as 2x1 call signs -- I used to be WR2F, and 98% of the time some
geezer on
> the FISTS frequency would send it back as W2RF!!!
>
>  I have been a ham over 25 years, as far as I remember there was no
>  "code-testing debate" until a few years ago.
>
> Then I guess you haven't been on the Internet, or it's predecesor,
FidoNet,
> very much in the last 12 years or so.  And, before then, I guess you never
read
> any editorials in the ham radio magazines.  The "debate" about code
testing
> goes back to the ARRL's "Incentive Licensing" fiasco in the late 60's.
>
> Yes, BPL is dangerous to the
>  ARS, but it is not the same debate as the no-code issue, lets not compare
>  the two.
>
> I definitely agree.  The BPL is much more important, at this time, than
> anything that has to do with Morse code.  Sorry, but that's just the way
it is.
>
>  "...bunch of mainly old-timer hams," I had a 30 min QSO with a 16 year
old
>  FISTS from WV on Sunday.  I am only 42, I wouldn't call myself and
old-timer
>  just yet.
>
> I've had enjoyable CW QSO's with hams as young as eight years of age, but
by
> far, they are the extremely rare exception to the rule that adio amateurs,
and
> CW ops in particular, are middle-aged (or older) white men.
>
>  I have been a ARRL Life member since I got my Novice ticket in 1977.
While
>  I don't always agree with them, I certainly do not publicly criticize
them,
>  as I feel their aims are usually in the best interest of the ARS, as are
>  FISTS.
>
> I publicly criticize the ARRL, FISTS, the NRA, the Republican Party, the
> Catholic
> Church, and any and all organizations of which I am a present or former
> member.  This, in spite of the fact that I usually do feel that these
organizations
> serve the best interests of their respective constituencies.  Moreover, I
> have usually found that said organizations are not only able to withstand
such
> criticism, but usually thank me for it when it is found that it has served
a
> constructive purpose.  I cannot explain your peculiar attitude.
>
>  Paratransit Operator, please, you drive a Van for the handicapped!
>
> Actually, it's a fairly large bus that can handle up to four wheelchairs,
> with adaptable seating for up to 16 ambulatory passengers.  Do you have a
problem
> with my chosen occupation?  I am also a retired USAF Master Sergeant.
Have
> any snide comments to make about that?
>
>  Go play someplace else!
>  Bruce WB7RHT
>  FISTS 8618
>  ARRL (Life)
>   >>
>
> I'll "play" wherever I damn well please!  Thank you for your concern.
>
>  73 de Larry, K3LT
>  FISTS 2008
>  ARRL (Until Death)
>
>