A world of hurt.
Coming off the excellent P2 research HERE – “Just saying - But how's that working out for you, oh carefully manicured & coiffured miniscule for NFI?”
I reckon we are all grown up enough here to realise that there is more to being a ‘government’ than just running the place in a peaceful, prosperous manner. To form a ‘government’ is a twisted, complex Gordian knot, deals within deals, promises within promises and favours; both owed and due. I can, sort of, live with that. But when it comes to the selection of ‘ministers’ there should/must be a line drawn between ‘politics’ and patronage. OK, you have ‘obligations’ to others – fine. But then government ministers do have a far greater responsibility, to ‘the people’ which should/must transcend petty alliances and favours owed.
Aviation is a perfect example of why it is essential to select ‘ministers’ carefully; or, at least prudently. When a new start apprentice first enters a busy workshop they do not place the apprentice in sole charge of a complex, dangerous, expensive, vital machine – doesn’t happen for what should be self evident reasons. Yet they bring in some smooth talking, professional ‘vote catcher’ who used to be a snake oil salesman; plonk him in a big office somewhere and gift him the ‘transport’ portfolio – just like that. It’s bollocks.
To ‘assist’ in ministerial decision making, with the big office comes a team of ‘advisors’. Now in the aviation case; there is much to hide. Hundreds of millions down the pipes, incompetence, intransigence, total unaccountability, and they do own a gift from the ‘gods’ – the mystique of 'safety'. Our lucky, smooth talking swain has just landed on a very comfy Lilly pad, in the middle of a very dangerous swamp, filled with some of the vilest creatures known (and some yet to be identified). The secret to survival is to sit very, very still and under no circumstances go swimming. For to trespass in those dark, dank, smelly waters is lethal. So, there it sits, knowing that in time another passing Lilly pad, heading down stream to a greener, cleaner, much safer pasture will turn up. Just do as ‘advised’ – sign here – all good – thank you minister.
‘We’ cannot change this; not a cat in hell's chance. What we can/must do is ensure that the next CASA DAS, head of ATSB and; for pities sake, the next head of the ASA are the ‘right stuff’ and will provide the Snake oil salesman with sound, honest advice which will help this ailing industry escape the fowl swamp. It is up to industry to ‘keep-‘em-honest’ – if not industry, then who?
Selah.
Coming off the excellent P2 research HERE – “Just saying - But how's that working out for you, oh carefully manicured & coiffured miniscule for NFI?”
I reckon we are all grown up enough here to realise that there is more to being a ‘government’ than just running the place in a peaceful, prosperous manner. To form a ‘government’ is a twisted, complex Gordian knot, deals within deals, promises within promises and favours; both owed and due. I can, sort of, live with that. But when it comes to the selection of ‘ministers’ there should/must be a line drawn between ‘politics’ and patronage. OK, you have ‘obligations’ to others – fine. But then government ministers do have a far greater responsibility, to ‘the people’ which should/must transcend petty alliances and favours owed.
Aviation is a perfect example of why it is essential to select ‘ministers’ carefully; or, at least prudently. When a new start apprentice first enters a busy workshop they do not place the apprentice in sole charge of a complex, dangerous, expensive, vital machine – doesn’t happen for what should be self evident reasons. Yet they bring in some smooth talking, professional ‘vote catcher’ who used to be a snake oil salesman; plonk him in a big office somewhere and gift him the ‘transport’ portfolio – just like that. It’s bollocks.
To ‘assist’ in ministerial decision making, with the big office comes a team of ‘advisors’. Now in the aviation case; there is much to hide. Hundreds of millions down the pipes, incompetence, intransigence, total unaccountability, and they do own a gift from the ‘gods’ – the mystique of 'safety'. Our lucky, smooth talking swain has just landed on a very comfy Lilly pad, in the middle of a very dangerous swamp, filled with some of the vilest creatures known (and some yet to be identified). The secret to survival is to sit very, very still and under no circumstances go swimming. For to trespass in those dark, dank, smelly waters is lethal. So, there it sits, knowing that in time another passing Lilly pad, heading down stream to a greener, cleaner, much safer pasture will turn up. Just do as ‘advised’ – sign here – all good – thank you minister.
‘We’ cannot change this; not a cat in hell's chance. What we can/must do is ensure that the next CASA DAS, head of ATSB and; for pities sake, the next head of the ASA are the ‘right stuff’ and will provide the Snake oil salesman with sound, honest advice which will help this ailing industry escape the fowl swamp. It is up to industry to ‘keep-‘em-honest’ – if not industry, then who?
Selah.