“Its good to be King.”
Unlike poor old Canute; who did get his feet wet, our very own 'Dolores Umbridge' competition winner never seems to even get damp, let alone dabble in the murky waters of the real world. Saved from consorting by a veritable army of highly paid Dementors and Death Eaters to defend the cone of silence from the Ministerial palace.
I have tried, once or twice to count the 'defenders' in the mind numbing video of Estimates; but lets say there were lots and lots; all on good salary and expert in the Dark arts of obfuscation, deflection and deferring anything 'awkward' to the endless 'on-notice' answers; which have a highly evolved skill in vanishing into 'nothingness'. We even get Voldemort done up as Betsy the sacred guru cow. However, should you manage to keep count of the acolytes and vacant faces, then multiply that number by the cost, per hour of the great deflection show; you will arrive at a truly staggering number; before you add in the 'staff and the Senators. I've no quarrel with a democratic process; non whatsoever; however it does seem like a shed load of money for non answers, delayed answers, obfuscated answers from the svelte, well heeled cohort; and a stony silence from the top floor office.
![[Image: umbridge-at-her-desk-600x0-c-default.jpg]](https://media.harrypotterfanzone.com/umbridge-at-her-desk-600x0-c-default.jpg)
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
A long (long) weekend of 'baby-sitting and watching every Harry Potter movie is not too bad a shift; but, it also provides 'time' to reflect on the aviation accident rate. The 'types' of event we see and hear of all seem to have an element which, at least on surface level, seem to highlight 'holes' or gaps (for wont of better descriptor) and in some cases 'sketchy' operational practice. I wonder how much of this comes down an “Oh, bugger the CASA and their endless bloody arse covering, expensive paperwork and two edged rules”. One may see this effect 24/7 on any city road. There is hardly a drive without at least one head shaking event; watch some of the Dash-Cam video for even more proof. No doubt a friendly shrink could explain better than I; and, we've all done it. With aviation accidents one of the most often raised questions in a Pub discussion is “why”? Why did a promising, bright young lady descend into a valley into cloud which was orthographically lifting? Why did an non instrument rated pilot plough on in ice forming cloud, in an aircraft which was not equipped; why would a CPL run out of fuel on a routine job; why was a sling operation allowed to continue despite the clear and present dangers: why was a private helicopter operation allowed to operate until a fatal event claimed a young life. Why? I believe we need to at least try to answer those questions. If the mountain of rules cannot prevent these events; then other solutions must be found. Can't prosecute a dead man..I wish, we could manage it better. Shit does happen; often the worst, unpreventable kind, but for a large part, mostly, these 'events' could have been prevented. Not having a magic wand to wave for an instant fix; we are stuck with the way things are. Ramble endeth (hallelujah).
“I do have confidence that we're gonna be able to get it right. But it's not gonna be overnight. And there's no silver bullets to this. The fact of the matter is, is that we are suffering from a massive hangover from a binge of risk taking.”
Aye well, my Harry Potter inspired ramble has run it's course. Kids all gone, just me, the dogs and the residents of the stable; stove burning, Ale cold, peace reigns, for a little while at least.
Selah....
Unlike poor old Canute; who did get his feet wet, our very own 'Dolores Umbridge' competition winner never seems to even get damp, let alone dabble in the murky waters of the real world. Saved from consorting by a veritable army of highly paid Dementors and Death Eaters to defend the cone of silence from the Ministerial palace.
I have tried, once or twice to count the 'defenders' in the mind numbing video of Estimates; but lets say there were lots and lots; all on good salary and expert in the Dark arts of obfuscation, deflection and deferring anything 'awkward' to the endless 'on-notice' answers; which have a highly evolved skill in vanishing into 'nothingness'. We even get Voldemort done up as Betsy the sacred guru cow. However, should you manage to keep count of the acolytes and vacant faces, then multiply that number by the cost, per hour of the great deflection show; you will arrive at a truly staggering number; before you add in the 'staff and the Senators. I've no quarrel with a democratic process; non whatsoever; however it does seem like a shed load of money for non answers, delayed answers, obfuscated answers from the svelte, well heeled cohort; and a stony silence from the top floor office.
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
A long (long) weekend of 'baby-sitting and watching every Harry Potter movie is not too bad a shift; but, it also provides 'time' to reflect on the aviation accident rate. The 'types' of event we see and hear of all seem to have an element which, at least on surface level, seem to highlight 'holes' or gaps (for wont of better descriptor) and in some cases 'sketchy' operational practice. I wonder how much of this comes down an “Oh, bugger the CASA and their endless bloody arse covering, expensive paperwork and two edged rules”. One may see this effect 24/7 on any city road. There is hardly a drive without at least one head shaking event; watch some of the Dash-Cam video for even more proof. No doubt a friendly shrink could explain better than I; and, we've all done it. With aviation accidents one of the most often raised questions in a Pub discussion is “why”? Why did a promising, bright young lady descend into a valley into cloud which was orthographically lifting? Why did an non instrument rated pilot plough on in ice forming cloud, in an aircraft which was not equipped; why would a CPL run out of fuel on a routine job; why was a sling operation allowed to continue despite the clear and present dangers: why was a private helicopter operation allowed to operate until a fatal event claimed a young life. Why? I believe we need to at least try to answer those questions. If the mountain of rules cannot prevent these events; then other solutions must be found. Can't prosecute a dead man..I wish, we could manage it better. Shit does happen; often the worst, unpreventable kind, but for a large part, mostly, these 'events' could have been prevented. Not having a magic wand to wave for an instant fix; we are stuck with the way things are. Ramble endeth (hallelujah).
“I do have confidence that we're gonna be able to get it right. But it's not gonna be overnight. And there's no silver bullets to this. The fact of the matter is, is that we are suffering from a massive hangover from a binge of risk taking.”
Aye well, my Harry Potter inspired ramble has run it's course. Kids all gone, just me, the dogs and the residents of the stable; stove burning, Ale cold, peace reigns, for a little while at least.
Selah....