First of all, one freakin question on an application is meaningless. Pilots get asked the "you ever tested positive for drugs/alochol." And "are you under the influence of drugs now" questions, but still, the airline makes them take a piss test and blow test. That's the real meat of the matter, the real proof.
So you agree the commission of a crime is the only real way to ascertain an individuals propensity to commit a crime. Interesting.
[/QUOTE]And second,
"Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective (which includes a determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that you are a danger to yourself or to others or are incompetent to manage your own affairs) OR have you ever been committed to a mental institution?"
Mental institutions are almost non-existant. I don't think the Germanwings FO ever was institutionalized. And the other part is about being adjudicated defective by a court/board/commision/law.... in other words, not in a medical office or hospital. Law is entirely different! I could go to a doc who says hey, you do have a mental defect and you probably need medication and help. Go do this and this otherwise you might be a threat to yourself and others." And no courts are ever involved, and no judge/commission/board knows anything.[/QUOTE]
Very interesting, you assert there is a mental health care problem, which we all agree on. Would it be better to tackle this issue with humane solutions than scream at each other over non solutions and inanimate objects literally millions of Americans safely use daily for responsible, legal uses?
[/QUOTE] sheer fact that gun nutters think that Question 11F. is the thing that is supposed to stop the mentally sick from buying a gun......... should probably get themselves examined first.[/QUOTE]
Wow, we're getting somewhere here, so people who commit crimes, do so even though the law says it's a crime, and it carries penalties? Further, people who might be sick will hide said illness from authorities if it may tend to prevent them from making a living, or accessing a civil right? Particularly when help is nonexistent to difficult to get, and costly?
Personally I'd rather have pilots continue to fly and gun owners spending a day at the range who are seeking treatment and receiving effective monitored care rather than being driven underground with their demons for fear of losing everything.
Good to know you agree with us, solutions are out there, like fixing the mental health system and working to change the stigma of receiving care. Good too is you recognize criminalizing harmless behavior does nothing to prevent criminality and merely creates more criminals, and effective solutions are not found in more laws but in fixing difficult social problems.
See, we agree.
