Concern Over Cost of Air Shows

* We were all saddened by the fiery death of jet pilot James Gregory at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station air show.

Yet, remarkably, the public address announcer commented that this was something that happens once in a while and not to worry. Recognizing that this individual was under considerable pressure to speak under highly emotional circumstances, this nonetheless seems to reflect the general diminishing value placed on human life in our society.

What appeared to be of importance was that the show must go on; certain prices must be paid for entertainment. These air show crash deaths are not rare; they are inevitable. What has happened to our values?

Beyond that, however, there is in my view another significant area of concern--the extraordinary waste of national resources for these shows. The millions of dollars spent on fuel alone for practice sessions, approaching billions annually when aircraft, pilot and performance-related costs are totaled, is an extravagance that our government cannot afford.

While these shows are without a doubt spectacular (one needn’t be a Marine’s daughter like myself to think so), how can we reconcile such “pleasures” when illiteracy, starvation and disease abound and our country is staggered with debt?

If the popular demand for the shows is so great that discontinuation is out of the question, make the shows self-supporting by charging admission.

Let’s get our priorities in order. Maybe we could fuel the economy instead.

JUDY HORNADAY

Mission Viejo