Not in my backyard!

That phrase and the idea that accompanies that phrase has to be the bane of America. Everyone wants all these benefits, but no one wants to accept any responsibility or even the slightest inconvenience for these benefits? What's next, free lunches for everyone?

Now, the latest hue and cry coming from these armchair protesters is regarding flight paths.

"The plan by the Federal Aviation Administration, in the works for nearly a decade, would simplify the paths taken by aircraft landing at airports in the New York and Philadelphia areas and provide more routes for takeoffs.

The agency expects the plan to result in delays that are 20 percent lower in 2011 than they would be if there were no change in how the air space was being used.

More direct flight paths and steeper takeoffs, which get jetliners into thinner air more rapidly, would curb fuel usage and save $248 million a year, the F.A.A. said."

Hmm ... less delays, less fuel usage, so far this seems like a great plan to me. Oh, and there's another benefit to steeper takeoffs.

"The F.A.A. contends that fewer people would be subjected to noise, in part because planes taking off more steeply would mean fewer low-flying aircraft near homes. But if takeoff routes were varied, people unaccustomed to such noise would start hearing it. Home values, among other considerations, could be affected as flight paths shifted."

And here's where the ugly truth comes out:

"David Neeleman, chairman of JetBlue Airways, which operates from Kennedy Airport, said neighbors near his Connecticut home are upset about the F.A.A. plan, which they believe would redirect flights over well-to-do suburbs not used to such noise."

Ah ha! So it's better that flights continue on their current flight grades causing great inconvenience to a small number of unfortunate (often also referred to as less-fortunate) citizens rather than adopt steeper and varied flight paths that would cause lesser inconvenience, but affect more people.

Hmm ... so take all these problems and subject them to as small a demographic as possible. That's the American way!

Never mind that people from these well-to-do suburbs in Connecticut not used to such noise are probably the business travelers that created this mess in the first place. The last thing a wealthy businessman needs to hear when he gets home from his trip abroad is the sound of planes flying overhead. It's best that those inconveniences be left to the persons residing in the ghetto who just see and hear planes, rather than fly in them.

And lest you think it's just flight noise that affects these suburbanites, there was an article in the NY Times a few months back as to how New Jersey suburbanites were protesting a windmill one of their neighbors erected in their backyard and the noise it created (which at 60 db was similar to moderate traffic). Clearly for most people in this country, things such as fighting global warming are meant to be preached from their bumper stickers, but not practiced in the course of their lives.