HI Doc and Scott,
I certainly have no answer, and you know that we are all going on speculation as far as the other thread goes. You are directly involved with the AMA, and you know that they are going to set the rules. You and I both know that when they are set we have to follow them. We also know that a rule could actually make everything we have used in the past as far as lines, handles, bellcranks, etc., etc., obsolete with one stroke of the pen. And none of it has to make sense to us, or even have to do with any "practical usage". I am not flaming the AMA, I am just cognizant of how "disputes" are settled in our society these days. I hope that those in charge will actually take into account what is safe, and has been proven save in thousands or possibly even millions of uses. I have just become gun shy of situations where a distinction could be made that renders only one or two items "illegal" and instead wipes the slate clean so that no one can complain that the decision is "unfair". And if only one item is deemed illegal, SOMEONE WILL CRY "UNFAIR"! This day and age that outcome is a certainty. And 99% of those making decisions do not want the hassle. Look at what occurred with the "Interpretation", made on the spot, when there was rumors of multiple protests about what is/was illegal or not a couple years ago. That occurrence was unique in itself.
Speculation is fun, but nothing comes of it. And often it leads to noting but further speculation, rumors become truths, arguments brew, hard feelings develop, friendships are lost, and nothing positive is accomplished. Only when a decision is made will we have any concrete conditions to operate with.
Understanding the situation isn't even an issue now. We aren't even sure what the issue is! And even if we understood what all the fuss is, in the end it wouldn't matter since we are not making the decisions. For all we know, right now, there might not be ANY changes made.
Bill