Hegemony? – accurate; if subjective.
Curse you Thorny. Ramble follows. Spot on as it happens; IMO at least – (well barring Gramsci).
TB – “Just the way it is in Australia now, you can't beat the Big End of Town; and, unfortunately for Mr Buckley - he was not a member of that club.”
Yeah, but it all began back in the cave days. There have always been ‘class/clan’ distinctions; be it the best hunter; boat builder, trader or even Gypsy tinker. Power = money/ Money = power. Be it in Shells, Dates, Water or even metal. Dynasty’s have grown and fallen in pursuit of both. But, definition of which of the two elements is ascendant is clearly writ in history. ‘Tis power. Fortunes have been made and lost; but for those who failed to make one through wit, nerve and skill there was always the ‘subjective’ servile role. For example; in day’s of Yore, the man who emptied the Kings chamber pot was not rich; not by any means. But power, within ambit, was almost immeasurable; to those who depended on the influence of the man 'privileged' to take the King’s piss pot out. Yup: those ‘in service’ to and money and power had a position - on the back of house staircase.
We see it today writ large. The public service being a natural development of those who are ‘associated’ with money and power, without needing or having the balls and brains to go out and wrest their own. Why bother? A perfectly comfortable, safe, rewarding existence may be had, without risk, by simply emptying chamber pots. Progress from chamber pot emptier to ‘advisor’ or key keeper on the coattails of those who actually hold power is not a road which demands much in the way of ‘risk’. Civil servitude and a willingness to carry the chamber pot, with a happy smile is about as much talent as is needed. Aye, the steady rise to power is often negotiated on the back stairs, favour for favour; boon for boon; and if a convenient back to knife presents; or an opportunity to safely rise in favour over another – well then.
You may see this in the local golf club, even in the workplace. Small cliques of like minded folk bonded in mutual pursuits. The pinnacle of this ‘mentality’ is seen in the ‘public service’. Take ASA, ATSB or CASA as the quintessential example. A minister’s democratically bestowed ‘power’ clandestinely usurped by those who would have the ‘real’ power amicable to their own ends. The money rolls in – no problem; but – when the unmentionable hits the whirligig; who gets it in the neck? You guessed – the man who won the power in the first place. Off with their heads. Who’s? Well you may ask; not the man who emptied the King’s own chamber pot; nor those who coveted the position. MacDonaught’s chamber pot is overflowing; will he empty the thing himself?
I think not. He dare not touch the stinking thing – not without the guidance of ‘expert’ help. I doubt he even knows where the garderobe is; or, what to do when he gets there. The power of the man who empties the pot; clearly defined.
Whew; now that children, was indeed a ramble worthy of “K”. I shall retire to the bar area and attempt, with fluid assistance to restore my ‘sang-froid’. Cheers……..
![[Image: Untitled%2B2.jpg]](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm_HajunJBQ/Vuc7mMGoOSI/AAAAAAAAISU/PLJPRoRPvKUtliZvp7KwgHIZKQm9J3TpQ/s1600/Untitled%2B2.jpg)
Curse you Thorny. Ramble follows. Spot on as it happens; IMO at least – (well barring Gramsci).
TB – “Just the way it is in Australia now, you can't beat the Big End of Town; and, unfortunately for Mr Buckley - he was not a member of that club.”
Yeah, but it all began back in the cave days. There have always been ‘class/clan’ distinctions; be it the best hunter; boat builder, trader or even Gypsy tinker. Power = money/ Money = power. Be it in Shells, Dates, Water or even metal. Dynasty’s have grown and fallen in pursuit of both. But, definition of which of the two elements is ascendant is clearly writ in history. ‘Tis power. Fortunes have been made and lost; but for those who failed to make one through wit, nerve and skill there was always the ‘subjective’ servile role. For example; in day’s of Yore, the man who emptied the Kings chamber pot was not rich; not by any means. But power, within ambit, was almost immeasurable; to those who depended on the influence of the man 'privileged' to take the King’s piss pot out. Yup: those ‘in service’ to and money and power had a position - on the back of house staircase.
We see it today writ large. The public service being a natural development of those who are ‘associated’ with money and power, without needing or having the balls and brains to go out and wrest their own. Why bother? A perfectly comfortable, safe, rewarding existence may be had, without risk, by simply emptying chamber pots. Progress from chamber pot emptier to ‘advisor’ or key keeper on the coattails of those who actually hold power is not a road which demands much in the way of ‘risk’. Civil servitude and a willingness to carry the chamber pot, with a happy smile is about as much talent as is needed. Aye, the steady rise to power is often negotiated on the back stairs, favour for favour; boon for boon; and if a convenient back to knife presents; or an opportunity to safely rise in favour over another – well then.
You may see this in the local golf club, even in the workplace. Small cliques of like minded folk bonded in mutual pursuits. The pinnacle of this ‘mentality’ is seen in the ‘public service’. Take ASA, ATSB or CASA as the quintessential example. A minister’s democratically bestowed ‘power’ clandestinely usurped by those who would have the ‘real’ power amicable to their own ends. The money rolls in – no problem; but – when the unmentionable hits the whirligig; who gets it in the neck? You guessed – the man who won the power in the first place. Off with their heads. Who’s? Well you may ask; not the man who emptied the King’s own chamber pot; nor those who coveted the position. MacDonaught’s chamber pot is overflowing; will he empty the thing himself?
I think not. He dare not touch the stinking thing – not without the guidance of ‘expert’ help. I doubt he even knows where the garderobe is; or, what to do when he gets there. The power of the man who empties the pot; clearly defined.
Whew; now that children, was indeed a ramble worthy of “K”. I shall retire to the bar area and attempt, with fluid assistance to restore my ‘sang-froid’. Cheers……..