1.A The reserve is to stop the idiots who don't plan from slamming into the ground.
1.B In the area that i live (lots of rivers and lakes and mountains) fog can be extremely localized, not saying its a good idea to plan a flight with an alternate a few minutes away.
1.C Remember, your saying there is nothing foolish about making a 20 min hop without reserve.
2. Yeah, thats the point, you want to take as many holes out of the swiss cheese as you can, and if that means a rule-of-thumb "catch all" for the once a month $100 hamburger people, then i am all for it.
P.S.
Thanks for clarifying
(but yeah, this is kinda OT)