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"What am I missing?"
You are missing a familiar (solar system) simple visual model which
illustrates (notice I did not say explain) many features of an atomic model.
I'm not
sure it makes sense to denigrate models that working physicists use
productively.
In addition, precisely because the model explains some of the key features
of the phenomena yet is inadequate in ways that can be talked about, it
provides another useful opportunity to talk about the role of models in
physics, a topic that alas is nearly absent from most physics instruction
at all levels yet is absolutely central to the discipline of physics, and
the aspect which is arguably the most important thing we have to offer to
STEM students.
However a quicker solution might be to, at every level, decide what
features of the atomic model should be taught. Then make a large effort to create
a good, widely applicable, visual image illustrating those features (at
every level), Publicize your results.
Another difficulty is that introductory students are more familiar with
particles than they are with waves.
Although I agree with John Denker here is a reference for a counter-argument.
McKagan, S. B.; Perkins, K. K.; Wieman, C. E. (2008)
Why we should teach the Bohr model and how to teach it effectively
Physical Review Special Topics – Physics Education Research
Volume: 4, Number: 1, Pages: 010103
URL: http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRSTPER/v4/e010103