Of 20/20 Hindsight and all that.
We, and I do include myself, have, on occasion allowed ourselves the indulgence of 'losing it' once in a while; always regretted later in varying amounts, depending on the amount of 'destruction' left behind in the aftermath. It could be argued that provided the damage was limited and of a personal nature; then matters can be resolved – almost. But – the memory of the event can, will and does reside in the memory of those you 'lost it' with. It ain't so bad on a personal level; the air cleared and the friendship can continue on a revised basis – provided the 'recipient' is willing to let bygones be 'bygones. But; and this one matters; when there are many people depending on an outcome – when your actions affect the many; deeds and words matter. This is why diplomats and the like are very careful about what they say; to whom they say it; and, the possible repercussions their 'words' may invoke. This, it seems to me, is particularly important when dealing with a situation where an 'enemy' contra position is, without doubt, the preferred, preordained, option. I sought 'Google's' help for sage advice on dealing with 'tricky' potentially lethal diplomatic situations (not having much of my own)– in the time honoured diplomatic sense: herein, is what I found:-
“Diplomacy is the velvet glove that cloaks the fist of power.”
Which brings me to Master Morgan, CEO AOPA (Australia), CASA Avmed and the wee dummy spit Morgan had recently at a 'working group' sit down; without a 'fist of power' and and no sign of a velvet glove. Now (and this is important) we only have Morgan's version of 'the facts' – there are no minutes of meeting freely available to the industry. No doubt, many of the points raised in the Morgan tirade ring true and facts support the outrage he has expressed; for it is true that Avmed and the TWG 'pilot medical' system is a fixed fight. The outcome of the 'happy-clappy' sit and nod is preordained; and, as totally bloody useless as a 2000 kg limit, against any sensible notion espoused by the FAA or the UK CAA.
“But it doesn't take a thousand men to open a door, my lord." - "It might to keep it open.”
Wise words - Morgan had the door open – right there, at the table, with 'fact and evidence' to kick the 2000 kg limit out of the paddock. But no, Manderson, with an open target (gifted) redirected the shot and; unfortunately – the Morgan nether regions caught it. Never to darken the doors again – not ever. I am certain that many 'diplomats' have been at the point of 'losing it' in some fairly heavy duty 'meetings' but – 'not losing it' – well those are the 'arts and skills' of that trade; not a game for amateurs: not when it matters – a lot – to the many .
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
Alas – rather than persisting on a solid line of proven logic; one which could 'encourage' a reluctant CASA Avmed to 'get with the universal program' i.e. the unassailable 'advantage' of a world class, gold standard, proven system was, like the baby – was tossed out with the emotive bath water. The counter to the CASA restrictive argument is, almost globally. now writ large and freely available; along with a small mountain of supporting; irrefutable evidence.
Result – the only 'arse' which received a bullet was Morgan's – self inflicted at that.
“Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.”
There: IMO, is the great failure – not only did Morgan present 'the enemy' with ammunition; he then demonstrated how to execute the act. This self inflicted injury has not only damaged his ability to 'act' on behalf of the GA population; but made his participation in any and all discussion of the future for GA untenable. He simply has taken himself out of the game – never to be invited to another gabfest. Counterproductive at best - but to gift the weapon of 'justified exclusion' to 'the enemy' is unforgivable. From that 'pregnant moment' in history the colossal repair work required will need skill, time, patience and some pretty nifty 'diplomatic' footwork, to be allowed back at the table. You cannot score runs sitting in the pavilion.
“You have no idea how much it contributes to the general politeness and pleasantness of diplomacy when you have a little quiet armed force in the background”
Again, wise words – and that 'quiet armed force' is not only freely available; but willing to enter discussion with and bring some semblance of reality to the CASA Avmad ensemble, the nodders and those who simply go along to get along; for wont of 'proper' advocacy. AOPA Australia needs to call on the global fraternity and kick the CASA twaddle into a cocked hat – with logic and evidence. But, I can't see the USA or UK weighing in to support an association which presents, as 'the voice' of Australian GA, a fellah who gets himself excluded, no matter the justification or insult, from any and all future discussion, without scoring a single run against the opposition. Don't make any sense to me; but then, I ain't that bright...However:-.
“If you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.”
Aye, and there's the trick alright – seems Morgan, like it or not, is well and truly neutered; best to jump before pushed methinks. But then I've been wrong before - 1956 from memory. But, at the end of the day; when all said and done – fill in the blank – HERE.
No matter; non of it. The important news is that I have had a small victory over 'the Mog'. I have managed to finish the table – (looks great) but I need to apply 'the finish' base for the expert and venerable 'french polishing guru'. So, I applied a coat of 'Shellac' to a fairly substantial 'off cut' and left on the bench – turned away to make a coffee and, low and behold (look surprised) – Mog went for an amble on it. I watched with mixed emotions and some small sympathy as she tried to clean up her sticky paws; my table is now safe from incursions and never again will the smell of shellac entice a wander on a finished surface (four hours of plane and scraper work saved).
No prizes for guessing what comes next; dogs, night air, illicit smoke and fresh air to waft away cares. Away dogs– let us begone and be done with this infernal keyboard which can't spell for nuts.
Selah-.-
We, and I do include myself, have, on occasion allowed ourselves the indulgence of 'losing it' once in a while; always regretted later in varying amounts, depending on the amount of 'destruction' left behind in the aftermath. It could be argued that provided the damage was limited and of a personal nature; then matters can be resolved – almost. But – the memory of the event can, will and does reside in the memory of those you 'lost it' with. It ain't so bad on a personal level; the air cleared and the friendship can continue on a revised basis – provided the 'recipient' is willing to let bygones be 'bygones. But; and this one matters; when there are many people depending on an outcome – when your actions affect the many; deeds and words matter. This is why diplomats and the like are very careful about what they say; to whom they say it; and, the possible repercussions their 'words' may invoke. This, it seems to me, is particularly important when dealing with a situation where an 'enemy' contra position is, without doubt, the preferred, preordained, option. I sought 'Google's' help for sage advice on dealing with 'tricky' potentially lethal diplomatic situations (not having much of my own)– in the time honoured diplomatic sense: herein, is what I found:-
“Diplomacy is the velvet glove that cloaks the fist of power.”
Which brings me to Master Morgan, CEO AOPA (Australia), CASA Avmed and the wee dummy spit Morgan had recently at a 'working group' sit down; without a 'fist of power' and and no sign of a velvet glove. Now (and this is important) we only have Morgan's version of 'the facts' – there are no minutes of meeting freely available to the industry. No doubt, many of the points raised in the Morgan tirade ring true and facts support the outrage he has expressed; for it is true that Avmed and the TWG 'pilot medical' system is a fixed fight. The outcome of the 'happy-clappy' sit and nod is preordained; and, as totally bloody useless as a 2000 kg limit, against any sensible notion espoused by the FAA or the UK CAA.
“But it doesn't take a thousand men to open a door, my lord." - "It might to keep it open.”
Wise words - Morgan had the door open – right there, at the table, with 'fact and evidence' to kick the 2000 kg limit out of the paddock. But no, Manderson, with an open target (gifted) redirected the shot and; unfortunately – the Morgan nether regions caught it. Never to darken the doors again – not ever. I am certain that many 'diplomats' have been at the point of 'losing it' in some fairly heavy duty 'meetings' but – 'not losing it' – well those are the 'arts and skills' of that trade; not a game for amateurs: not when it matters – a lot – to the many .
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
Alas – rather than persisting on a solid line of proven logic; one which could 'encourage' a reluctant CASA Avmed to 'get with the universal program' i.e. the unassailable 'advantage' of a world class, gold standard, proven system was, like the baby – was tossed out with the emotive bath water. The counter to the CASA restrictive argument is, almost globally. now writ large and freely available; along with a small mountain of supporting; irrefutable evidence.
Result – the only 'arse' which received a bullet was Morgan's – self inflicted at that.
“Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.”
There: IMO, is the great failure – not only did Morgan present 'the enemy' with ammunition; he then demonstrated how to execute the act. This self inflicted injury has not only damaged his ability to 'act' on behalf of the GA population; but made his participation in any and all discussion of the future for GA untenable. He simply has taken himself out of the game – never to be invited to another gabfest. Counterproductive at best - but to gift the weapon of 'justified exclusion' to 'the enemy' is unforgivable. From that 'pregnant moment' in history the colossal repair work required will need skill, time, patience and some pretty nifty 'diplomatic' footwork, to be allowed back at the table. You cannot score runs sitting in the pavilion.
“You have no idea how much it contributes to the general politeness and pleasantness of diplomacy when you have a little quiet armed force in the background”
Again, wise words – and that 'quiet armed force' is not only freely available; but willing to enter discussion with and bring some semblance of reality to the CASA Avmad ensemble, the nodders and those who simply go along to get along; for wont of 'proper' advocacy. AOPA Australia needs to call on the global fraternity and kick the CASA twaddle into a cocked hat – with logic and evidence. But, I can't see the USA or UK weighing in to support an association which presents, as 'the voice' of Australian GA, a fellah who gets himself excluded, no matter the justification or insult, from any and all future discussion, without scoring a single run against the opposition. Don't make any sense to me; but then, I ain't that bright...However:-.
“If you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.”
Aye, and there's the trick alright – seems Morgan, like it or not, is well and truly neutered; best to jump before pushed methinks. But then I've been wrong before - 1956 from memory. But, at the end of the day; when all said and done – fill in the blank – HERE.
No matter; non of it. The important news is that I have had a small victory over 'the Mog'. I have managed to finish the table – (looks great) but I need to apply 'the finish' base for the expert and venerable 'french polishing guru'. So, I applied a coat of 'Shellac' to a fairly substantial 'off cut' and left on the bench – turned away to make a coffee and, low and behold (look surprised) – Mog went for an amble on it. I watched with mixed emotions and some small sympathy as she tried to clean up her sticky paws; my table is now safe from incursions and never again will the smell of shellac entice a wander on a finished surface (four hours of plane and scraper work saved).
No prizes for guessing what comes next; dogs, night air, illicit smoke and fresh air to waft away cares. Away dogs– let us begone and be done with this infernal keyboard which can't spell for nuts.
Selah-.-