Chicago Air Show practice is making me angry.

[Sannum]

Is it the excessive noise and pollution? Is it the mouthbreathing tourists who invade my usually quiet neighborhood with bad driving?

No. It is the cost of each of these "technological wonders". Eight fighter jets just flew by my window. Those are estimated to cost anywhere from 120 to 240 million dollars each. I see those planes out my window and each plane represents to me the government spending money on war toys and not healthcare, education or feeding and housing the poor.

We are told that Health Care for all is too expensive. We are told if you can't afford food, stand in a 5 hour line at a food bank and maybe you will get something before they run out. We are told to get an education, and in doing so putting ourselves into debt before we even get our first job.

Am I missing something?

[slackmaster]

1. Your precious health care, education, food, and housing will mean nothing

If we allow Canada to invade our country.

[Sannum]

3. Isn't that why Sarah Palin resigned?

She couldn't keep an eye on Putin's rearin' head AND Socialist Canada and govern Alaska at the same time.



Look at them!!! EVIL!!!

[Flying Dream Blues]

11. LOL! nt

[donco6]

2. Just don't mention how they remind you of NASCAR.

Oops.

Seriously, I experienced this last summer in Grand Junction, CO. All day they flew by our conference center and I just couldn't help but tally in my head the cost of fuel, salaries, wear/tear, insurance (kaCHING), and all the rest. All for a few hours of "USA! USA!" Bleh. Why not just have big marches in Washington dragging some nukes down the street?

[eppur_se_muova]

13. speaking of wear and tear ... the average NASCAR racer goes through 3,000 tires in a season.

NASCAR has recently begun *recycling* the tires, so they can make the sport "green". :eyes:

[Mopar151]

22. ????????

Could you please be more specific, or include a link? I would certainly like to know about an advance in tire recycling, which is a gawdawful thing to do - there are a multitude of materials (steel bead cables, several fabrics, several rubbers, and sometimes plastics)}, and they are devilishly hard to seperate.

I use some used (bias ply) tires from NASCAR's Modified division, and the best thing I can find to do with the dead ones is to make tomato planters out of 'em.
Also, FWIW, the #'s you quote are a drop in the ocean. There are plenty of MILLION+ tire piles around, and lots of nervous local fire chiefs to go along with 'em. Not to mention their skeeter breedin' potential....

[ensho]

4. I hate the airshows too - what a waste of money

and an addition to air pollution - and the use of fuels

the military/industrial Barons love and promote them

[Sannum]

6. They need to find the next generation to fight unnecessary wars.

They are recruiting exercises.

[AndyA]

5. And how much fuel do you suppose those expensive planes use?

What a waste. Of taxpayer money. Of natural resources.

You are spot on in your evaluation. We can afford the bright shiny stuff, but when it comes to the basic necessities of life, like clean air and water, adequate food, and decent health care...forget about it!

It sure seems like the priorities are screwed up.

K&R

[asdjrocky]

7. It's a recruitment tool.

And a very effective one. Boys and girls that grow up watching this join the service. At the Blue Angles shows it's my understanding that they have recruiters right there so you can get info and sign up. I'm not sure if I'm saying there's anything wrong with that, service to your country is honorable, but I do believe it's a manipulation.

Sure it costs millions to do these shows, but you can be sure Uncle Sam gets his moneys worth.

[slackmaster]

8. Yes, and I think the best way to look at it for those of us who are neither eligible nor interested

Is as pure entertainment.

You paid for it, you might as well get some enjoyment out of it.

[mopinko]

9. i hate it, too.

i wonder if those planes every even get used for military purposes, or if they are purely entertainment. more fun and games from the ministry of truth.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. I get your point but I rather enjoy air-shows.

But I'm a pilot and I love airplanes.

When the windows started rattling this morning I had to look at the schedule to see if we were being invaded.

Nope. Just the air show practice. Seems to me they are practicing early this year. They usually start Thursday.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Me, too.

I'm a pilot, too, and I really enjoy airshows. But I also understand the very legitimate concern about the cost. Still, it's fun to watch the really spectacular airmanship. Flying airshow maneuvers ain't beanbag.

[GoCubsGo]

24. Me, three...

One of the things I miss most about living in Chicago was the annual Air and Water Show. I always enjoyed seeing the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, as well as the other airplanes. Yet, seeing them never gave me the urge to join the military. I just happen to think they're cool. Just like I get a kick out of seeing trains and old cars. And, I couldn't agree more about the "spectacular airmanship". What those guys do while traveling at hundreds of miles per hour never ceases to amaze me.

[mitchum]

12. "Buzz-cut Alabamians spewing coloured smoke in their whiz-jets...

to the strains of "Rock you like a hurricane? What kind of country-fried rube is still impressed by that?"

[Joe the Revelator]

14. Some of you go through life so miserable

It really astounds me.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. "InvadeIran"? A question about airshows leads to a screed about Nancy Pelosi?

I think the pizza delivery guy might be on his way...

[EFerrari]

18. I feel the same way when the Blue Angels come here every year.

What they do is beautiful but on balance, I'd rather rent the DVD.

:yoiks:

[Milspec]

19. Each to there own

I enjoy air shows. An for the tourists, well I used to live in Hollywood across the street from the Chinese theater, tourists 24/7.

[dangdom]

20. agreed !

the noise. the noise. the noise.
did i mention the noise ?
it's very irritating ! i had to get some work done, and the noise is very irritating.
my dogs get freaked out by it and it makes your earwax pop.
& well, noise i can handle.
but the fact that we pay for this crap. how does this benefit our city?
this only increases our air pollution. & did i mention the tourist ?
oh, jesus christ ! very annoying, lake shore is traffic the whole time.
all the parking spaces are taken, and people are literally hungry for parking spots,
i don't mind this whole "air show" because i know some people like it,
but at least move it somewhere isolated and somewhere that there's actually no one you can bother, but the hungry fans looking at planes in the sky. & we have to deal with it everyyear -_-.

[AngryAmish]

21. God forbid someone has a good time that you disapprove of

If one insists that other people conform to their idea of entertainment then that makes one an uptight jerk. Per se example.

I'm not going this year but many people enjoy it.

Think about it: Gay Pride Parade is every June. Similar traffic problems. Do you condemn that? What about the Obama election rally?

Lighten up, Francis.

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. Benefit - you get to view the show for free from your porch