The 'Spence' gambit.
A 'gambit' (in Chess) is an opening move – risk taken – to a purpose. This supposes that the game is 'new' and both sides have the same number of pieces in their place and the game may begin. But Spence ain't at the start line; the opposition has had decades to consolidate and position their pieces; many of their sacrificial Pawns have been used and the back row is beginning to look decidedly 'light on'. If this were a game of Chess, the Spence game would be in serious trouble; but, alas it ain't. To paraphrase 'Wilde' - “to lose one Bishop may be seen as unfortunate, but losing both might be perceived as a lack of attention or responsibility”. Spence has no such problem; two Bishops lost, easily replaced and no questions from the umpire? Or was there? The department of 'funny coincidences' (a.k.a. The BRB) thought it passing strange that the almost secret ICAO audit (quite a read) preceded the sacrificial offerings.
“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.
The problem with the simple explanation is of Gordian proportion; perhaps a sharp sword could solve the 'problem'. Are the dynamic duo (McKenzie and Fawcett) the right tool to set matters to rights? Aye, questions, questions and more questions; mostly without clear definition, let alone 'one stroke' solutions. Take the 'Broome' / 'Croc Wally' imbroglio as an example.
"a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,"
The 'riddle' part is the least complicated; there is only one question begging answer. Why the wide disparity in treatment of individual cases. John Quadrio, a sensible, respected, talented pilot hung, drawn and quartered on a very 'shaky' evidence of 'dangerous' flying; provided by a witness of dubious reputation, promoted by an 'investigator' with little on the credit side of the ledger. Or; take the Bruce Rhodes event; or the Andy Pascoe case; Buckley, or anyone of another dozen 'cases', where a small alleged 'infraction' has resulted in all manner of 'action' being taken in the name of 'safety'. Then consider the events in Broome over a longish period of time. Take the time to read through the P2 data – HERE - . To lose one helicopter may be 'unfortunate' etc. But the accident and hull loss history ending in the death of a young lady was inevitable and should never, not ever ever been allowed to happen. And yet, there are the bare facts – a litany of high risk, unsanctioned operations which should have been the subject of CASA attention; all waived off and ignored. Why? All of this occurring while the Croc Egg foolishness was allowed, like 'Topsy' to keep growing. Then there is the 'money' angle; take stock of the inventory, the cost of that equipment and the income streams supporting. It may make sense to a forensic auditor, but to the ignorant layman – it is a mystery. The enigma rests within the WA Police raft of photographs of the operations.
No matter; in the grand scale of the morass the Australian aviation industry is slowly, but inevitably sinking, the affairs 'up North' are but a pimple on the arse of the Elephant. The large one; rudely parked outside Parliament. It carries the remnants of a once world class accident investigation outfit; the tattered remains of a once functional air traffic control system and the few remaining scraps in the controlling 'Authorities' sanity and integrity; now, long bereft of any semblance of global or domestic respect.
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Aye; tomorrow will do, today would have been better; and last year may have saved an innocent young life. But will that be enough to trigger the reforms we so desperately need? Even an alignment somewhere close to ICAO compliance would be a good place to begin the reform. That reform will not be found in more regulation or treaty, or even Senate Estimates. It must, in the new year come from within the government, a will to set to rights the complete shambles the governance of an essential industry has become. McKenzie and Fawcett could (and should) at least grease the wheels and get this wreck off the tracks. Pulling down the Essendon DFO would be a good place to begin; or, failing that, an inquiry into the many (many) unanswered questions beginning with the Broome fiasco. Don't care what, but for Ducks sake – do something........
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
I like to keep the North country tradition of the 'first foot'; it is old. The 'first foot' across the threshold (midnight) is always the youngest, dark haired child, carrying firewood, candle, bread (cake) drink (ginger beer) to bring warmth, light, food and drink into the home for the new year. Always great fun and an excuse for the menfolk to have a quiet drink (or two).
Happy New Year to all.. Selah....
A 'gambit' (in Chess) is an opening move – risk taken – to a purpose. This supposes that the game is 'new' and both sides have the same number of pieces in their place and the game may begin. But Spence ain't at the start line; the opposition has had decades to consolidate and position their pieces; many of their sacrificial Pawns have been used and the back row is beginning to look decidedly 'light on'. If this were a game of Chess, the Spence game would be in serious trouble; but, alas it ain't. To paraphrase 'Wilde' - “to lose one Bishop may be seen as unfortunate, but losing both might be perceived as a lack of attention or responsibility”. Spence has no such problem; two Bishops lost, easily replaced and no questions from the umpire? Or was there? The department of 'funny coincidences' (a.k.a. The BRB) thought it passing strange that the almost secret ICAO audit (quite a read) preceded the sacrificial offerings.
“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.
The problem with the simple explanation is of Gordian proportion; perhaps a sharp sword could solve the 'problem'. Are the dynamic duo (McKenzie and Fawcett) the right tool to set matters to rights? Aye, questions, questions and more questions; mostly without clear definition, let alone 'one stroke' solutions. Take the 'Broome' / 'Croc Wally' imbroglio as an example.
"a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,"
The 'riddle' part is the least complicated; there is only one question begging answer. Why the wide disparity in treatment of individual cases. John Quadrio, a sensible, respected, talented pilot hung, drawn and quartered on a very 'shaky' evidence of 'dangerous' flying; provided by a witness of dubious reputation, promoted by an 'investigator' with little on the credit side of the ledger. Or; take the Bruce Rhodes event; or the Andy Pascoe case; Buckley, or anyone of another dozen 'cases', where a small alleged 'infraction' has resulted in all manner of 'action' being taken in the name of 'safety'. Then consider the events in Broome over a longish period of time. Take the time to read through the P2 data – HERE - . To lose one helicopter may be 'unfortunate' etc. But the accident and hull loss history ending in the death of a young lady was inevitable and should never, not ever ever been allowed to happen. And yet, there are the bare facts – a litany of high risk, unsanctioned operations which should have been the subject of CASA attention; all waived off and ignored. Why? All of this occurring while the Croc Egg foolishness was allowed, like 'Topsy' to keep growing. Then there is the 'money' angle; take stock of the inventory, the cost of that equipment and the income streams supporting. It may make sense to a forensic auditor, but to the ignorant layman – it is a mystery. The enigma rests within the WA Police raft of photographs of the operations.
No matter; in the grand scale of the morass the Australian aviation industry is slowly, but inevitably sinking, the affairs 'up North' are but a pimple on the arse of the Elephant. The large one; rudely parked outside Parliament. It carries the remnants of a once world class accident investigation outfit; the tattered remains of a once functional air traffic control system and the few remaining scraps in the controlling 'Authorities' sanity and integrity; now, long bereft of any semblance of global or domestic respect.
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Aye; tomorrow will do, today would have been better; and last year may have saved an innocent young life. But will that be enough to trigger the reforms we so desperately need? Even an alignment somewhere close to ICAO compliance would be a good place to begin the reform. That reform will not be found in more regulation or treaty, or even Senate Estimates. It must, in the new year come from within the government, a will to set to rights the complete shambles the governance of an essential industry has become. McKenzie and Fawcett could (and should) at least grease the wheels and get this wreck off the tracks. Pulling down the Essendon DFO would be a good place to begin; or, failing that, an inquiry into the many (many) unanswered questions beginning with the Broome fiasco. Don't care what, but for Ducks sake – do something........
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
I like to keep the North country tradition of the 'first foot'; it is old. The 'first foot' across the threshold (midnight) is always the youngest, dark haired child, carrying firewood, candle, bread (cake) drink (ginger beer) to bring warmth, light, food and drink into the home for the new year. Always great fun and an excuse for the menfolk to have a quiet drink (or two).
Happy New Year to all.. Selah....