Marcus – a touchstone.
I expect that when 'living-the-life'- in a protected environment; with plenty of money, mortgage and cards all paid on time, full (free) and 'safe' access to testing of whatever 'illegal' substance you (illegally) bought; to enhance your 'personal 'time to relax'; the woes and cares of those who live outside of the 'bubble' don't signify too much at all.
“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.”
Except, my 'spirit' is troubled. When I 'look things in the face' and actually 'know' them for what they are; then it is no wonder that as Christmas approaches, as I see the smiling faces and expectations of children and Grandchildren looking forwards, in so much hope and trust, that it turns my thoughts toward a family now bereft of their child.
ABC - “The family of a 12-year-old girl killed in a helicopter crash in Broome three years ago is calling for drastic changes to the regulation of tourist flights and private pilots after a scathing report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau outlined a series of failures in the lead-up to the crash.”
Amber Jess Millar- Requiescat in pace. We all hope that this 12 y.o. child does; but what of her parents?. Can you imagine – a bright, happy, 12 y.o. Thrilled with the notion of going for a ride to the beach – in a chopper – Wow!! But what a chopper? No serious safety conscious, professional pilot would even risk his own life on a 'test'. A fight to determine the root cause of the 'vibrations' in the environment proposed.. Indeed if the 'engineers' own qualified pilot declined to attempt a high power, vertical take off, given the flight path restrictions clearly visible. Why then, next day would the flight have even been considered: Why? – Well, the rest is history now. But will this event prevent the great Christmas down tools in Canberra? No. Not a duckling chance; the media have now got a 'villain' to sell to advertisers; a couple of mutts (numb nuts?) out hunting croc eggs – and, some kind of micro media 'personality' to flog the story with, to a fare-thee -well and beyond. So its all camera's out and focus on an event CASA simply allowed to happen. But what of the Broome event?
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
Seriously; the aberrations, the blatant disregard or lack of respect for 'the rules' which must be (under criminal code) followed by all operators (or else) have been pissed on, repeatedly, over time, from a height, by a back yard operator who literally got away with a 'murder' of the rule set; thumbed his nose at the legislative code and even charged people for the privilege of his illegal operations. Then killed himself and a bright young lady, who simply went along for a ride, trusting that 'the system' made it safe; Hell's bells,even her parents trusted in it. They really should be able to do that. Alas..
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
And so they should – Alas; not only did 'the system' fail them; but all attention is now focused on another 'operation' – one completely out of any constraint or scrutiny; one which even managed to hoodwink the CASA board into a joy flight (at no charge). Seriously? Can you believe this? Despite the money, the 'hands – off' government approach; the endless assertions that we are 'all safe as houses” that this type of complete 'cluster duck' – now years old – could actually slide by CASA? A CASA which went to extraordinary lengths to completely destroy a dying man; Bruce Rhodes -for an entirely demonstrable 'accident'. It don't make any sense; not operational, not 'safety' or even any 'legal' sense. But no matter; the Press have their artificial 'rabbit' to chase while the powers that be slope off on holiday at tax payer expense; unscathed.
“One of the hardest things in this world is to admit you are wrong. And nothing is more helpful in resolving a situation than its frank admission.”
Did CASA know; or even been made aware of the antics of this aeronautical hooligan in Broome?– Of course they did. Was the 'general aviation' community aware - course they were; were the local, licensed operators aware of the 'business' being rifled from them? - Course they were. Every man and his bloody dog knew – so why did our 'fearless' authority not step in and put an end to it all, before someone (or two) got hurt. Nope; it has all been carefully manipulated to shine a bright light on the 'Croc- Idiot'. The 'resident evil' has passed away from that light; shuffled off this mortal coil and taken a young life with him. So, Act 1, scene two, the 'great diversion'. A fully approved CASA operation under the spotlight; press all 'agog' and rabid for details; except how the Hell the operations all passed muster- for years, without either let, hindrance; or, even sensible questions being asked by 'the' doyen of aviation safety. Oh. FCOL - give me break.... But: (pay attention now) the deeper, more terrible story of incompetence, negligence and blatant avoidance of all responsibility; despite the billions paid to ensure 'oversight' and 'safety' go unsung, almost unnoticed and worse; remains unchallenged by the bright, greedy young things chasing the 'Wrangler' about the court front entrance. Investigative journalism – Bollocks and shame on that pack..
“I believe that nothing in newspapers is ever true," said Madame Phoebus. "And that is why they are so popular," added Euphrosyne; "the taste of the age being so decidedly for fiction.”
But then. Some decisions matter. Normally, at week's end, the tool belt is emptied of pencil 'bits', errant screws, the odds and sods stuffed in during the course of a week. Not today; I'll get to it in due course, but, from today I declare shift over. I did a quick scratch though the log books, (five of) and decided that far too many Christmases have been spent away from home,with a lump of machinery strapped to my ageing nether regions. So, FWIW – the tool belt can stay where it is and I will, this year, do the whole Christmas thing – soup-to-nuts. Staring now; but how am I to deck the halls (ain't got one) with boughs of Holly (in Australia?) etc. Not too much chance of snow either – 40°C here today – Frosty the Snow man? – Not a chance; no matter, we shall 'improvise' and make do..The big question is, do I want to wake three sleeping, heat weary animals sprawled on the stone floor. Probably not, and the prospect of a cold Ale is enticing. No brainer really..........
Selah.
I expect that when 'living-the-life'- in a protected environment; with plenty of money, mortgage and cards all paid on time, full (free) and 'safe' access to testing of whatever 'illegal' substance you (illegally) bought; to enhance your 'personal 'time to relax'; the woes and cares of those who live outside of the 'bubble' don't signify too much at all.
“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.”
Except, my 'spirit' is troubled. When I 'look things in the face' and actually 'know' them for what they are; then it is no wonder that as Christmas approaches, as I see the smiling faces and expectations of children and Grandchildren looking forwards, in so much hope and trust, that it turns my thoughts toward a family now bereft of their child.
ABC - “The family of a 12-year-old girl killed in a helicopter crash in Broome three years ago is calling for drastic changes to the regulation of tourist flights and private pilots after a scathing report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau outlined a series of failures in the lead-up to the crash.”
Amber Jess Millar- Requiescat in pace. We all hope that this 12 y.o. child does; but what of her parents?. Can you imagine – a bright, happy, 12 y.o. Thrilled with the notion of going for a ride to the beach – in a chopper – Wow!! But what a chopper? No serious safety conscious, professional pilot would even risk his own life on a 'test'. A fight to determine the root cause of the 'vibrations' in the environment proposed.. Indeed if the 'engineers' own qualified pilot declined to attempt a high power, vertical take off, given the flight path restrictions clearly visible. Why then, next day would the flight have even been considered: Why? – Well, the rest is history now. But will this event prevent the great Christmas down tools in Canberra? No. Not a duckling chance; the media have now got a 'villain' to sell to advertisers; a couple of mutts (numb nuts?) out hunting croc eggs – and, some kind of micro media 'personality' to flog the story with, to a fare-thee -well and beyond. So its all camera's out and focus on an event CASA simply allowed to happen. But what of the Broome event?
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
Seriously; the aberrations, the blatant disregard or lack of respect for 'the rules' which must be (under criminal code) followed by all operators (or else) have been pissed on, repeatedly, over time, from a height, by a back yard operator who literally got away with a 'murder' of the rule set; thumbed his nose at the legislative code and even charged people for the privilege of his illegal operations. Then killed himself and a bright young lady, who simply went along for a ride, trusting that 'the system' made it safe; Hell's bells,even her parents trusted in it. They really should be able to do that. Alas..
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
And so they should – Alas; not only did 'the system' fail them; but all attention is now focused on another 'operation' – one completely out of any constraint or scrutiny; one which even managed to hoodwink the CASA board into a joy flight (at no charge). Seriously? Can you believe this? Despite the money, the 'hands – off' government approach; the endless assertions that we are 'all safe as houses” that this type of complete 'cluster duck' – now years old – could actually slide by CASA? A CASA which went to extraordinary lengths to completely destroy a dying man; Bruce Rhodes -for an entirely demonstrable 'accident'. It don't make any sense; not operational, not 'safety' or even any 'legal' sense. But no matter; the Press have their artificial 'rabbit' to chase while the powers that be slope off on holiday at tax payer expense; unscathed.
“One of the hardest things in this world is to admit you are wrong. And nothing is more helpful in resolving a situation than its frank admission.”
Did CASA know; or even been made aware of the antics of this aeronautical hooligan in Broome?– Of course they did. Was the 'general aviation' community aware - course they were; were the local, licensed operators aware of the 'business' being rifled from them? - Course they were. Every man and his bloody dog knew – so why did our 'fearless' authority not step in and put an end to it all, before someone (or two) got hurt. Nope; it has all been carefully manipulated to shine a bright light on the 'Croc- Idiot'. The 'resident evil' has passed away from that light; shuffled off this mortal coil and taken a young life with him. So, Act 1, scene two, the 'great diversion'. A fully approved CASA operation under the spotlight; press all 'agog' and rabid for details; except how the Hell the operations all passed muster- for years, without either let, hindrance; or, even sensible questions being asked by 'the' doyen of aviation safety. Oh. FCOL - give me break.... But: (pay attention now) the deeper, more terrible story of incompetence, negligence and blatant avoidance of all responsibility; despite the billions paid to ensure 'oversight' and 'safety' go unsung, almost unnoticed and worse; remains unchallenged by the bright, greedy young things chasing the 'Wrangler' about the court front entrance. Investigative journalism – Bollocks and shame on that pack..
“I believe that nothing in newspapers is ever true," said Madame Phoebus. "And that is why they are so popular," added Euphrosyne; "the taste of the age being so decidedly for fiction.”
But then. Some decisions matter. Normally, at week's end, the tool belt is emptied of pencil 'bits', errant screws, the odds and sods stuffed in during the course of a week. Not today; I'll get to it in due course, but, from today I declare shift over. I did a quick scratch though the log books, (five of) and decided that far too many Christmases have been spent away from home,with a lump of machinery strapped to my ageing nether regions. So, FWIW – the tool belt can stay where it is and I will, this year, do the whole Christmas thing – soup-to-nuts. Staring now; but how am I to deck the halls (ain't got one) with boughs of Holly (in Australia?) etc. Not too much chance of snow either – 40°C here today – Frosty the Snow man? – Not a chance; no matter, we shall 'improvise' and make do..The big question is, do I want to wake three sleeping, heat weary animals sprawled on the stone floor. Probably not, and the prospect of a cold Ale is enticing. No brainer really..........
Selah.