Yea it's really sad that stupid people may ruin things for all the great folks I've met being a part of this hobby. There are literally some of the nicest, most intelligent folks I've met involved in this hobby and it would be a tragedy to see all this great work and all these great times grounded for good.
I've mentioned it already but latley I've still been conciously taking extra time if I see folks that seem interested, to try and educate and show them first hand what it is we do and why we do it. Many have all these ideas of us zooming in on their lives or silently stalking anything we want. By showing them my display and explaining that these aren't quiet and these cameras at least don't zoom in, even the skeptics warm up and are interested and impressed after a short 5 or 10 minute discussion. I'd urge everyone in the hobby to give it a shot, yes it's easier to just go fly, get your footage and move on, but it's well worth the extra few minutes to help change public perception of the evil "drones" that they keep being told to hate or fear on TV.
I'm still fairly new to the hobby, a bit over a year in aerial so please don't take it like I'm preaching, far from it but if we do nothing the op is right things will only get worse for us. I'd love to be able to be one of the experienced guys here one day teaching folks new to the hobby the tips and tricks that are being passed to me every day I get on this site. This hobbies full of great people and is a great way to keep younger folks busy and out of trouble or off the streets. It would be awful if all this was taken away from us because the stupid decisions of people that aren't even in the hobby most likley and simply bought a multi to use as their latest way to be a moron.
Everybody have a great holiday fly safe there will probably be a lot of people out all weekend so let's be smart and attempt to change their minds about the "drone" while we still have the opportunity to do so.
Thanks
AD