Re: Aluminum. Yes, aluminum is resistant to corrosion due to the oxide layer (harder no, that's a bulk property, not surface). The ions in salt spray penetrate the oxide layer and lift it off or crack through it, thus exposing more bare metal. The bare metal then oxidizes and the process repeats until the aluminum is gone.
Stainless does ok in salt spray, but nothing is impervious. What you really want for salt spray is some alloy with a VERY high nickel content.

^Agreed. The argument presented in this post is a named logical fallacy called the "fallacy of relative privation".

Well said @lehughes2442

see: Stroboscopic effect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroboscopic_effect

It's cool. No worries! :)
@smitty At least you're consistent. ;)

Fixed version: http://funsubstance.com/fun/294040/dark-side-of-the-needle/

"There's never been a rock off that I've ever lost!"

You have to detect the presence and identity of the disease before you can treat it.