Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 08:07:16 -1000 From: Frank Kenisky Message-Id: <5GzwrB0.fkenisky@delphi.com> Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Subject: AKA or not to AKA (what a stuipid question) Hi there Krazy Kite Komrads, Mr. Nasty here. Just a few notes. A few weeks ago someone, probably a half witted over abusive drunk with no direction, wanted to have me banned from the net. Ha! I laughed. Now I hear that a very close relative of that same twit wants to have my American Kitefliers Association (AKA) membership revoked. Oh by the way for those of you who are currently considering becoming a member, this might be of some interest. It is now time for the AKA to tabulate the ranking for the past year. Who will be invited to compete at the AKA annual convention? (Yea, I know what you think Mark, shut up.) Have my membership revoked. Now that's an interesting thought. Let's see what am I getting as a member of the AKA? Before I ponder this question let me also say that I have been a member for over five years. Within that five years I have tried to be very involved. I have participated as a contestant in both single and multi-line events. I have founded the local kite club. I have created the South West Sport Kite Conference (SWSKC), (Oh stop already). Several years ago I noticed that there were some irregularities within the international rules. I also noticed that there were some major disparities with the "ranking/qualifying" system. The AKA agreed. But when put to task the AKA only resorted to one of the methods they use so well. "If you can't baffle em with brilliance, befuddle them with bull". I also noted a problem with some of the high tech scoring programs used at events. There is no random flight order. You might think there is, but your a bigger fool for believing that you're being treated fairly. (Don't even try this one publicly.) What about how events, outside SWSKC, follow the rules book? Are they consistant? Hell no! Most "HEAD Judges" use the rule in the front of the book, which basically says, make it up as you go along. When I first got involved with the AKA, a friend of mine said, "Why should I get involved, nothing I do is going to change anything". (He doesn't vote either.) I didn't believe him, then. In my attempts to work with the group, I have only become cynical and frustrated and realize that this is a group of individuals, who are an elisits bunch of snobs. They have no right to be so selective, as they head to the field for another toke. But let's look at the good things you also benefit from membership in the AKA. First off you get a 10 0iscount at your local kite store. Which if your a regular customer you can probably get 200r more if you know when there having sales. Even better subscribe to a few magazines, which will provide a number of outlets which are more competitive. You are covered by the AKA insurance plan. (Here we go Bill C., pass that all encompassing Health Plan.) It covers you in case of an accident while you out flying your kite. Of course if you have a decient homeowners insurance policy or health policy your covered anyway. (How stuipid!) Oh here's a great one, the newletter. (Wait, I have to laugh!) Yes, the newsletter "Kiting" which comes out six times a year with all the information about the kite events which you have already missed, and absolutely no information about the events which are coming up just down the road. Oh and let's not forget about the moronic babble in the back pages >From someone who calls himself, "The Big Kahuna" or something like that. He can't seem to keep straight what his point is or isn't or was or might be or something like that. Whatever, it's even boring in the bathroom. And finally the one thing that doesn't cost the AKA, or anyone else for that matter, one cent and probably the only reason to join. There are a few individuals with whom you will meet which posses a few grams more than an Ultra-Lite of grey matter. These are the folk that make it worth the $20. The bottom line here friend is that the AKA is govened by some not so swift aging hippies who can't find steady work. But for the most part, don't bother with that. Just do like most and enjoy the folk and fly. My friend was right, one person cannot make a difference, but what the hell, you only live once. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =