[P7_TOM]

Sympathy? – No way. Understanding – perhaps, just a little.

The smart thing bright people do is acknowledge their limitations – subject to what they aspire to and their ability to realise 'reality'. For instance I can, by hand, accurately trim almost any type of timber to within a thousandth of an inch; I can with some certainty land an aircraft on almost any runway at a speed, on a spot, pre selected. Can I do brain or heart surgery; can I drive a race car? No: that is the short answer. Could I learn to do these things; No: is, once again is the answer. Well, howzabout the law, or international competitive skiing; or, Olympic gymnastics; or, Americas Cup sailing; or even Red Bull racing; or, championship shooting; or, even climbing one of the 'big' ten mountains? Within my limitations I can understand and manage aviation law - on a practical level, I can ski; gymnastics not too shabby. I can sail a boat, I can manage aerobatics, I can shoot; and I have in my time climbed some 'named' mountains. All jolly good fun; but, I learned my limitations; and, to be happy with them and accept them. The reason for that happy acceptance is I tried, tested and decided what I could do very well. And what I could not – evidence based.

Now then – a Pinocchio Class Puppet (PCP); like McDoNought, who weaselled his way into a political job (well he did) – with precious little life 'experience' bar being a third string 'journalist' on a local rag and living in a make up world of Elvis imitation – (FCOL) suddenly becomes not only a federal politician; BUT the deputy leader of this nation, ultimately responsible (by law) for aviation. What possible grounds or qualification can there be for that extravegance? Experience; transport background; natural intellect; a natural leader, statesman of note? BOLLOCKS. 

I would love to see an independent, impartial examination of just who holds the strings operating this puppet. Aviation is a 'strange' - to other business models – animal. Much like all the other 'world class' disciplines; if you can't breathe it and revel in just getting near an aerodrome – then you will never; not ever, understand it. Fair enough, but so it is.

To be suddenly thrust into that world as 'minister' it is understandable that 'advice' from experts must be obtained. Much like climbing the Eiger; or, racing in the America's Cup; or doing brain surgery – remotely, but on Wi-Fi, through Google.

Yes; the older fool does have a point; one which is easy enough to fathom. The AOPA series of 'interviews' is slowly, but very surely, revealing just how far a crown minister has been led astray. I can understand that – but the thing which evades me is how come someone can be so fundamentally 'dopey' and easily led. What happened to native whit; self survival or even his 'bull-shit' meter? How much longer can this aimless, noisy village idiot keep living in absolute 'denial' of the evidence placed in front of him? Will whoever owns this stray, lost, bemused owner of the 6G's (for genuine) award please collect him and spare Australia the embarrassment and aviation the heartburn of frustration (in the legal sense). Impeachment – on the cards – and soon.

Just my thoughts and opinion – well perhaps not just mine – but I will stand for them. That's why they pay me the big bucks – Ha, ha Ha. (Ahem, excuse me).