I think people are taking it negatively because of the accusatory tone taken by the releases.

I think people are taking it negatively because the releases hint that action will be taken against Fleets that do both Hobie one design and are associated with open Fleets.

I think people are taking it negatively because some good alliances have been formed that will have to taken apart due to the above.

Mary - you are right that most people like one-design. As for the other comments, I don't think anyone is mad because they can't do the equivalent of racing a Snipe in a Laser race - get real folks, nobody said that. They're mad because if a Fleet wants to hold a Hobie one-design regatta they can't also have their friends from other classes have a start without bringing on the boogeyman. Or go on a fun sail, or be associated...

Other classes all do this? Hell, I crewed on a Flying Scot in a regatta where International Canoes had a start on the same course. Most of the dinghy clubs around here support multiple Fleets with multiple manufacturers. Would an established mono club supporting one-design Fleets of several manufacturers be able to add Hobie-16s to the Fleets they support? Sounds like they couldn't. And if that situation already exists, change may be necessary. Clubs that host Laser Fleets also host Optimist Fleets and 420 Fleets and so on. And they often have regattas where all the classes race. None of those manufacturers are telling the clubs that they cannot support other Fleets.

But it is true that it is opportunity for all involved. Some will sink and some will swim. Maybe just by shaking things up it will provide an overall benefit.