Very well said!

I've been thinking about it a lot today (day off, spent it at the flying field) and I think I have to give the FAA some credit here. The media has caused public hysteria about these evil flying machines. The FAA, under lots of outside pressure is forced to "do something" to make it look like they are in control, and are keeping the public safe. Voila, mandatory registration. Now, the news can run a bunch of sensational stories about how the FAA has begun to regulate the evil drones, and the public can sleep soundly once again.

I'm beginning to think they are actually doing us a favor here. Other than costing me $5 every 3 years, I am otherwise unaffected (for now). I know that the FAA reauthorization bill in 2012 included a handy little snippet about the FAA not having the authority to regulate recreational model aircraft, hopefully that will keep some sanity in this, going forward.