The man at the back of the room.
I wonder; how many folk affected by Senate Estimates and those who are obliged to be there, sit through, listen and comprehend the 'game'. Seriously; P2 provides before an Estimates session' a list of the various departments required to attend. It is a long list; and, every department turns up with a both a front and back row (s) 'crew'. The entire production presented to the nation via a backroom crew. Do the math, the cost per hour, to the nation, is a truly 'big' (scary) number.
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. (Buecher).
And so, the show begins; but who is actually watching? I can't imagine the top dogs in big business sitting around the boardroom TV glued to the screen and drinking in the performance; and why would they? I can't imagine the CEO of a corporation tasking a Junior exec to follow up to the endless list of QoN to check out the obfuscated answers to questions posed by half briefed Senators. It is, for the most part, a pointless exercise; the Chair clearly disinterested; bored and working to a time frame; the Senators mostly struggling to frame questions well outside their ken or interest base; and the massed defence sullenly determined in the protection of rice bowl, avoiding direct answer and protection of their peers. It is farce on grand scale; which, stand alone, would almost be a comic version of a tragedy if it was not so bloody serious.
“I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.”
The last session of the worst show on TV – presents a 'classic' moment. I hasten to add this is but one of the many. Many classic examples, freely available to those with time and patience to watch. Sen. Roberts in a no nonsense manner asks a question; one which, if treated correctly in a better world, would see some massive, much needed changes to the way aviation is 'governed' by the (ahem) Authority. This not an isolated example of the common act of Embuggerance; but one of the many, watch as the Ministerial defence force play defence for the castle and the ministerial rear end. HERE – begins at the 00:57 minute mark. Aye, small potatoes in the big world; but everything to the man affected.
“The next day, the Daily Prophet reports that the Ministry of Magic has appointed Dolores Umbridge as "High Inquisitor," giving her extensive power to arbitrarily impose new rules and regulations at Hogwarts.”
![[Image: download.jpg]](https://auntypru.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/download.jpg)
Usually, historically even; Ministers have kept a judicial distance from the scuffles and rows between Authority and the unwashed Hoi-Polloi. But not so in the Buckley case. I wonder if any of the Senators sat at Estimate dare ask the question, even dare challenge the hubris of the sacred Betsy, to ask why a local member was barred (ordered?) not to deal with the Constituent. It is a fair question; supported by written evidence and it remains unchallenged. I wonder why.
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Aye; the world can reach the dark side of the moon (Bravo) but Spence when asked about Australia's space business is like a rabbit in the headlights; confounded by drone laws and drowned in obfuscation; the Queen of the QoN. Chance of change is an odds on bet 1000::1 for the brave or the gullible. Alas; they are all far too comfortable down there in the bubble.
It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones. ”
But enough of my bile. Early Autumn; my second favorite time if the year; time to prepare for the 'winter'; the lidless fuel drum is full to busting with 'shavings' the off-cut' bin is full; branches collected now sawed and spit, tidy under the eaves. All ready for the 'pot-belly' in the old chimney. Even gave the old comfy chair a hit with the vacuum cleaner. A time to retrieve the old, favorite sweaters (rescued many times from domestic tyranny) sleepy evenings, toasting and reading by the fire, an Ale, good book and the quiet company of four legged friends. Cold mornings, melting frost on wings and the crackle of engines working with cold, dense air.
“Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
This is no flattery; these are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am.”
Selah.
I wonder; how many folk affected by Senate Estimates and those who are obliged to be there, sit through, listen and comprehend the 'game'. Seriously; P2 provides before an Estimates session' a list of the various departments required to attend. It is a long list; and, every department turns up with a both a front and back row (s) 'crew'. The entire production presented to the nation via a backroom crew. Do the math, the cost per hour, to the nation, is a truly 'big' (scary) number.
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. (Buecher).
And so, the show begins; but who is actually watching? I can't imagine the top dogs in big business sitting around the boardroom TV glued to the screen and drinking in the performance; and why would they? I can't imagine the CEO of a corporation tasking a Junior exec to follow up to the endless list of QoN to check out the obfuscated answers to questions posed by half briefed Senators. It is, for the most part, a pointless exercise; the Chair clearly disinterested; bored and working to a time frame; the Senators mostly struggling to frame questions well outside their ken or interest base; and the massed defence sullenly determined in the protection of rice bowl, avoiding direct answer and protection of their peers. It is farce on grand scale; which, stand alone, would almost be a comic version of a tragedy if it was not so bloody serious.
“I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.”
The last session of the worst show on TV – presents a 'classic' moment. I hasten to add this is but one of the many. Many classic examples, freely available to those with time and patience to watch. Sen. Roberts in a no nonsense manner asks a question; one which, if treated correctly in a better world, would see some massive, much needed changes to the way aviation is 'governed' by the (ahem) Authority. This not an isolated example of the common act of Embuggerance; but one of the many, watch as the Ministerial defence force play defence for the castle and the ministerial rear end. HERE – begins at the 00:57 minute mark. Aye, small potatoes in the big world; but everything to the man affected.
“The next day, the Daily Prophet reports that the Ministry of Magic has appointed Dolores Umbridge as "High Inquisitor," giving her extensive power to arbitrarily impose new rules and regulations at Hogwarts.”
Usually, historically even; Ministers have kept a judicial distance from the scuffles and rows between Authority and the unwashed Hoi-Polloi. But not so in the Buckley case. I wonder if any of the Senators sat at Estimate dare ask the question, even dare challenge the hubris of the sacred Betsy, to ask why a local member was barred (ordered?) not to deal with the Constituent. It is a fair question; supported by written evidence and it remains unchallenged. I wonder why.
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Aye; the world can reach the dark side of the moon (Bravo) but Spence when asked about Australia's space business is like a rabbit in the headlights; confounded by drone laws and drowned in obfuscation; the Queen of the QoN. Chance of change is an odds on bet 1000::1 for the brave or the gullible. Alas; they are all far too comfortable down there in the bubble.
It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones. ”
But enough of my bile. Early Autumn; my second favorite time if the year; time to prepare for the 'winter'; the lidless fuel drum is full to busting with 'shavings' the off-cut' bin is full; branches collected now sawed and spit, tidy under the eaves. All ready for the 'pot-belly' in the old chimney. Even gave the old comfy chair a hit with the vacuum cleaner. A time to retrieve the old, favorite sweaters (rescued many times from domestic tyranny) sleepy evenings, toasting and reading by the fire, an Ale, good book and the quiet company of four legged friends. Cold mornings, melting frost on wings and the crackle of engines working with cold, dense air.
“Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
This is no flattery; these are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am.”
Selah.