Back when Hollingswoth was at the enforcement section, character was a big deal. These were like conduct unbecoming violations.
And while Hollingsworth did quite a bit to take out the trash, one could also argue that character is subjective. Just because someone isn't liked does not mean they should be denied privileges because someone isn't popular. If they follow the rules, so be it. Use your VFO accordingly.
FCC is only interested in making money of violations I feel.
I don't disagree with that. They, like many law enforcement agencies, will go after what is the least path of resistance, and has the greatest impact.
But the reputation of members in trhe hobby have got something to do how we as members are protrayed. .
Again, this is subjective. Time are changing. Anyone can become a criminal. Past behavior isn't always indicative of future behavior. Turn on the news. Everyday, "upstanding citizens" with no criminal history are being popped for child porn, molesting children, stealing from their employers, etc.
One should be judged on their merits and what they bring to the table. This hobby is no different.
Some of the organizations we support now are doing background checks and some are being weeded out. Not out of hobby but out of their volunteer pool.
No problem there. Amateur radio isn't here to be a sole source for volunteer organizations. Organizations, both public and private, are free to have whatever qualifications they feel necessary to conduct their missions. They are free to include or exclude as they feel. None of this should impact one's ability to obtain an amateur radio license, or renew an existing one, if they have not violated any FCC rules, nor been convicted of any crime involving the criminal use of radio communications, in my opinion.
Now credit checks that some organizations did bothered me. No criminal violations, just credit checks. Hams were not appling for a loan.
I don't disagree with you totally, but private organizations can ASK for whatever they wish as a requirement. Doesn't mean they will get it. If you don't want to submit to their requirements, than don't volunteer with them. If the organization is too far reaching, the "volunteer market" will force them to loosen their requirements if they want to fill the slots badly enough.
I feel sexual Perversion violations are over the top, and licenses should be pulled..
I disagree. Blanket license pulling is a slippery slope. The basic problem is that many states lump all sexual offenses together. Every case is unique. For example in Georgia, a young man at 17 years old was convicted for having consensual sex with a 15 year old. He got convicted and got a 10 year prison sentence. No prior criminal history and not a violent offense. He did something that 99 percent of young men do in high school. He got a conviction for aggravated child molestation, which places him on the registry as a "sexual predator".
Wilson v. State of Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
His case made history as showing how ridiculous and arcane some of our states laws are. Did this young man do a "bad thing"? Depends on who you ask. Do I think he is a "sexual predator" and deserved a 10 year prison sentence and being branded for life? HELL NO.
He is not the same as someone who is 40 years old and gets on the Internet and entices young middle school aged boys like you see on "To Catch a Predator". Yet until recently, in my state, the two would be punished the same.
Outright disenfranchising people is not the answer. If someone IS indeed THAT MUCH of a threat to society that you wouldn't even trust to be a ham, than maybe they shouldn't be released from prison?
That's the answer right, make everything a felony and build even more prisons. :roll:
Nevermind the fact that amateur radio can be a
PRODUCTIVE and CONSTRUCTIVE hobby that might give someone a chance at correcting their past behaviors.
I say give them a chance and unless they screw up or misuse their privileges, then they are welcome.
It's not like they can use AES-256 encryption on the ham bands and pass secret messages to the few young people that are on the air. Everything on the air is out in the open for the public to hear.