All the AOA is/was trying to do (admittedly, rather ineffectively) is protect the 49.
Capt U, a policy that doesn't work is worse than no policy at all. A policy that is actually counter productive (by dilluting the AOA membership base with a now very large group of pilots who will not be eligable for membership.) is even worse.
If there is nothing to be done for the 49ers it is tragic but unavoidable. The current position is that the AOA will not do ENOUGH to help them, but will pursue something that WON'T help them in some sort of concious salving, blame shifting exersize.
Creating more victims is in nobodys best interest.