Of course.
Yeah, I've wondered the same thing. Also, regarding the race question:
1. The satellite League did invite Black Lightning to join, in a story, though I think editorial nixed him joining. (Which is why Meltzer included him in his version)
2. John Stewart was a reserve Leaguer in the 1970s, and filled in for Hal Jordan at least once.
The offshoot discussion about the core DC characters being "too white" is interesting. And of course it's true - they are all white. Certainly, reflecting our modern world is important, and whites now "only" make up 75% of the US, down from 85% in 1975.
But does that mean 75% of the JLA should be white? Or that we can't ever show a group of 5-7 characters of the same race together onscreen? At least if they're white, anyway?
Or - has the social media platform given too much power to the "snowflake generation", who get uncomfortable - and expect others to acquiesce to their various "sensitive" preferences?
There are no easy answers. But I do think history is what it is. So can we celebrate the JLA's past? Of course. But should the new stuff be presented as reflective of our world today? Yes. These are not mutually exclusive ideas.