Of Pied Pipers and - Earplugs.
He advanced to the council-table:
And, "Please your honors," said he, "I'm able,
By means of a secret charm, to draw
All creatures living beneath the sun,
That creep or swim or fly or run,
After me so as you never saw!
And I chiefly use my charm
On creatures that do people harm,
The measuring and marking of humans has been a long standing problem with which even Solomon had some bother. In any 'isolated' situation, say aircraft operations, a man may be judged purely on his performance of the job skills alone. Enter a cabinet making competition, one piece of work which demonstrates a particular level of 'skill'. Walk to the dartboard and watch a wizard at work using four inch nails and marvel. On that one particular alone, it is an easy matter to declare that the bloke (or blokette) is a good egg and all around prince (or princess) - but; even so, be careful with that.
But, remove that one point of 'judgement' and you run into Solomon's problem; without a 'track record' and a complete 'history - you can never be absolutely sure of very much to do with character or 'personality'. For example; I have been party to five suicides; two were completely out of the blue and a great shock. Two were, with hindsight, possibly preventable (all things being equal) and one which, to this day I never once saw (or imagined) possible, let alone happening. One just never, not completely, ever, ever knows the workings of the 'machinery' of the human mind.
However: a long association with an individual, particularly to those who pay attention, can provide an insight. No guarantees of course; but in a forty or thirty year study, paying close attention to what 'was done' (just the facts; no dribble) then a better understanding of the 'man' behind the controls, the chisel; or,even the darts game becomes 'clearer'. Not complete you understand – but given 'fact' and a long associated 'observance' a personality appears. 100% accurate – never: but if you have to lay odds on a particular 'performance' then, the years of study become almost invaluable.
'We' being the 'senior' BRB & IOS members have paid close attention for three decades to the behaviour; and, more importantly, 'the actions' of one Jonathon Aleck. A close study, beginning with his acolyte servitude to one Peter Iillich. Add a very close scrutiny of performance in Senate Estimates; add the behind the scenes operations; add unpublished advice to both CASA DAS and Board; add the advice provided to ministers; all documented – and a fairly 'concise' appreciation of both character and 'intent' becomes clearer. How many DAS have been led astray; how many Ministers have been cleverly played, how many cases of serious moment have been derailed? It is, dear Senators a high body count; can it ever be proven? Not a cat in Hell's chance; but, IOO, more time spent with his remaining marbles would be a graceful end to a toxic substance preventing the healing of many wounds; for that has been the only 'constant' factor throughout the last three decades of 'legal' unrest within the aviation industry. Legal mind games and unlimited power to 'modify' a simple rule, to play even more complex 'legal' mind games is a radical cause of what the latest committee is trying to fathom.
It is way past the time for 'explanation' of motive or even reasoning to be explained. It is time the 'whispering' voice behind every throne was silenced, before it mauls another with good intent – (e.g. Skidmore) . It was a bad enough thing to watch and witness when all the marbles were 'in the bag'. Last performance in the Senate inquiry needs to be subjected to a psychological analysis against the publicly available 'facts', as in performance and intent. It is time the true architect of the bloody awful 'legal' (national and international) buggers muddle of Australian aviation law was gently sedated and taken home, (with his marbles) to 'rest' for a good long while.
Should the current committee fail to address this chronic, self evident flaw in the structure of 'the Act' and latitude for ' playing the system'; then, they should not be surprised when 'their' inquiry goes the way of the multiple, expensive, long running other 'inquiries' which have landed on their collective arse, as 'opinion' - in the bushes; and of neither practical or intrinsic value.
That is the verdict (opinion if you prefer) of the BRB – which will never be resiled. Handing over; and, do (please) try to remember the ending of the Pied Piper of Hamlelin:-
The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stood
As if they were changed into blocks of wood,
Unable to move a step or cry,
To the children merrily skipping by--
And could only follow with the eye
“That joyous crowd at the Piper's back”.
Toot – toot! Aye PWP.
He advanced to the council-table:
And, "Please your honors," said he, "I'm able,
By means of a secret charm, to draw
All creatures living beneath the sun,
That creep or swim or fly or run,
After me so as you never saw!
And I chiefly use my charm
On creatures that do people harm,
The measuring and marking of humans has been a long standing problem with which even Solomon had some bother. In any 'isolated' situation, say aircraft operations, a man may be judged purely on his performance of the job skills alone. Enter a cabinet making competition, one piece of work which demonstrates a particular level of 'skill'. Walk to the dartboard and watch a wizard at work using four inch nails and marvel. On that one particular alone, it is an easy matter to declare that the bloke (or blokette) is a good egg and all around prince (or princess) - but; even so, be careful with that.
But, remove that one point of 'judgement' and you run into Solomon's problem; without a 'track record' and a complete 'history - you can never be absolutely sure of very much to do with character or 'personality'. For example; I have been party to five suicides; two were completely out of the blue and a great shock. Two were, with hindsight, possibly preventable (all things being equal) and one which, to this day I never once saw (or imagined) possible, let alone happening. One just never, not completely, ever, ever knows the workings of the 'machinery' of the human mind.
However: a long association with an individual, particularly to those who pay attention, can provide an insight. No guarantees of course; but in a forty or thirty year study, paying close attention to what 'was done' (just the facts; no dribble) then a better understanding of the 'man' behind the controls, the chisel; or,even the darts game becomes 'clearer'. Not complete you understand – but given 'fact' and a long associated 'observance' a personality appears. 100% accurate – never: but if you have to lay odds on a particular 'performance' then, the years of study become almost invaluable.
'We' being the 'senior' BRB & IOS members have paid close attention for three decades to the behaviour; and, more importantly, 'the actions' of one Jonathon Aleck. A close study, beginning with his acolyte servitude to one Peter Iillich. Add a very close scrutiny of performance in Senate Estimates; add the behind the scenes operations; add unpublished advice to both CASA DAS and Board; add the advice provided to ministers; all documented – and a fairly 'concise' appreciation of both character and 'intent' becomes clearer. How many DAS have been led astray; how many Ministers have been cleverly played, how many cases of serious moment have been derailed? It is, dear Senators a high body count; can it ever be proven? Not a cat in Hell's chance; but, IOO, more time spent with his remaining marbles would be a graceful end to a toxic substance preventing the healing of many wounds; for that has been the only 'constant' factor throughout the last three decades of 'legal' unrest within the aviation industry. Legal mind games and unlimited power to 'modify' a simple rule, to play even more complex 'legal' mind games is a radical cause of what the latest committee is trying to fathom.
It is way past the time for 'explanation' of motive or even reasoning to be explained. It is time the 'whispering' voice behind every throne was silenced, before it mauls another with good intent – (e.g. Skidmore) . It was a bad enough thing to watch and witness when all the marbles were 'in the bag'. Last performance in the Senate inquiry needs to be subjected to a psychological analysis against the publicly available 'facts', as in performance and intent. It is time the true architect of the bloody awful 'legal' (national and international) buggers muddle of Australian aviation law was gently sedated and taken home, (with his marbles) to 'rest' for a good long while.
Should the current committee fail to address this chronic, self evident flaw in the structure of 'the Act' and latitude for ' playing the system'; then, they should not be surprised when 'their' inquiry goes the way of the multiple, expensive, long running other 'inquiries' which have landed on their collective arse, as 'opinion' - in the bushes; and of neither practical or intrinsic value.
That is the verdict (opinion if you prefer) of the BRB – which will never be resiled. Handing over; and, do (please) try to remember the ending of the Pied Piper of Hamlelin:-
The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stood
As if they were changed into blocks of wood,
Unable to move a step or cry,
To the children merrily skipping by--
And could only follow with the eye
“That joyous crowd at the Piper's back”.
Toot – toot! Aye PWP.