From: DDoyle9570@aol.com
Date: Fri Sep 10 2004 - 11:29:14 PDT
Over the years through this list I have made many friends, and have learned many things about the private ownership of military vehicles. I hope to remain in private contact with these friends over the coming years.
However, it seems that private ownership of military vehicles in the US is doomed.
Many of these historic machines are larger and heavier than the average passenger car, and an abundance of caution must be used in their operation to insure the safety of the general public. The public, and of course their elected officials, well remember the devastation caused by an unlawful operation of a stolen M60 a few years ago, and only a few months ago the tragic accident involving a pair of privately owned deuces garnered media attention.
All of this points to the importance of the MV collector's community using great prudence and caution when operating our vehicles.
The first step in safe operation of these vehicles is reading AND FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS on the dash placards, and in the comprehensive operator's manuals. This is indeed what dooms the hobby. Based on the recent postings on this list, there are many people in this hobby who are either too stupid to understand plain, simple brief instructions, or have a "this doesn't apply to me" attitude. This will surely lead to senseless accidents, and the tragic loss of life or injury, and in turn the banning of the "dangerous" vehicles from private ownership to protect the general citizenry. The rest of us in the hobby will loose because of the stupidity or arrogance of the few.
As evidence of this foretelling trend I point to the overwhelming number of off-topic, political posts on this list. Who here is so stupid that they cannot understand the simple list rules, agreed to upon registering, which include NO OFF TOPIC DISCUSSIONS? Or, are these posters so arrogant as to think they are above these rules, or so arrogant as to think that the rest of us give a rat's a-- about who they intend to vote for, or why?
There is no other explanation, it must be stupidity, or arrogance.
So, when the drive with the same "who give's a darn about the rules" attitude and whiz through a stop sign (That traffic rule doesn't apply to ME, I'm special, and post and drive as I please) and into a school bus, or park their tank on the lawn of the state capitol because they can (just like they CAN post whatever suits their fancy to the list), we will all suffer for it. Just like we all suffer through their political rantings.
Yes, I could hit delete, but why should I have to? Why should I (and countless others) have to suffer and work because an ignorant, arrogant few believe themselves to be above the rules?
Kiss your MVs goodbye boys, the dopes among us will undo our hobby.
Regards,
David Doyle
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