Of Pop-Guns and Battleships.
'Tis a ramble – no mistake, no apology. But, we may begin here:-
Sandy “It’s been called the art of the possible. This Senate hearing is surely showing what’s not possible.
Many, many years ago, 'shooting' was taught to me; the first lesson, provided by an ex military gentleman (turned poacher) was a simple one. He walked away from where I was deposited about 100 yards and pinned the Ace of Spades to a stump. “Hit that” said this worthy – just the card will do for now. I took six shots – the worthy then ambled away, stopped ten yards short of the daemon card and picked up my rounds. From his pack he produced a flask of tea – sat on a log – and showed me six pristine 'bullets'. “On line” say's he “but whats the lesson for today?”. “They didn't make the distance” say's I. “Correct” say's he; “now bugger off and think about it”. End of number one shooting lesson. Next came 'pipping the Ace”. It is an old, old game – back when the USA was but a wasteland – it was a game which involved 'driving' a six inch nail tacked into a tree, at maximum range – or, taking out the Ace 'pip' with a single shot at maximum effective range. Try hitting treble 20 three times. Not easy; not easy at all. The point my taciturn friend was making – before I'd even learned which end the smoke came out of was simple, eloquent and completely accurate. In short; you cannot stop a battle ship with a pop-gun – no matter how good you are (or imagine you are). But, my first lesson was the most instructive – if you cannot deliver 'the load' with enough energy and accuracy then you are wasting your time trying to hit anything – bar fresh air. Again, try hitting treble 20 three times; or the stumps on a wicket with a ball twice the size of the stumps from slips – it is all about speed, accuracy and the momentum of 'delivery'. So; what is the fool banging on about this time?
I actually got my 'I-pad' to work today (miraculous I know) so I could work and listen at the same time to the 'Estimates' session. Back to guns again – shotguns spray a load over a wide range, but a short distance. You cannot stop a Battleship with a 'spray'. They worked this out back in the cave – when they only had rocks. IMO there were two 'submissions' which had the potential to do some damage – real damage – of the lasting kind to 'the Beast' from Sleepy Hollow.
Phil Hurst – what can I say – brilliant, aware, fully plugged in and lethal. Fact, data, track record, credentials, experienced, and a completely honest assessment of life's little realities in aviation world. He should be the next DAS. Accuracy and payload delivered; Bravo that man. Expert? Oh, you bet. Thank you.
McDermott – another. Bang on target, lucid, rational, controlled and an absolutely brilliant, accurate assessment of where the problems he is willing to assist in solving reside. Expert? Oh, you bet. John ain't got his Tim Tam cupboard key yet – but it is on it's way. Thank you.
Both men have seriously contributed; and, continue to offer real, valuable, practical, sensible 'solutions' to the obvious problems. If the minister has two parts of a brain to rub together (alas) then he would beg, on bended knee, for blokes like Hurst and McDermott and etc. to assist him – rather than scampering about for 'photo – ops' with the likes of SOAR aviation.
These two blokes should be advising the minister, not the bearded Billy Goats posing as experts. Did you ever hear the likes of the Aleck waffle today? I turned it (the I-Pad) off; due a shortage of buckets.
You do realise dear Senators, that the solutions are fully and freely available. Industry has many such expert, experienced, qualified men and women who could be, if asked, of great assistance in sorting out the unholy travesties the likes of Aleck, his monolithic ego and his new best 'mates' have created. Don't care what it costs – get rid of 'em all – now would be acceptable (in Spades).
The emotional shot-gun blasts, spraying shot over a short distance, cannot and will not penetrate the thick hide of the beast from Sleepy Hollow. For that you need accuracy, control, the right load, and wisdom. The true 'experts' are within industry; they live and breath in it; risk all in it; - use 'em, or; be damned as just another wet lettuce leaf costing taxpayers a small fortune every second year or so. Get on with it - or get off the hustings.
Toot – toot - (Aye, it's been a long day - Oak). M MTF.
'Tis a ramble – no mistake, no apology. But, we may begin here:-
Sandy “It’s been called the art of the possible. This Senate hearing is surely showing what’s not possible.
Many, many years ago, 'shooting' was taught to me; the first lesson, provided by an ex military gentleman (turned poacher) was a simple one. He walked away from where I was deposited about 100 yards and pinned the Ace of Spades to a stump. “Hit that” said this worthy – just the card will do for now. I took six shots – the worthy then ambled away, stopped ten yards short of the daemon card and picked up my rounds. From his pack he produced a flask of tea – sat on a log – and showed me six pristine 'bullets'. “On line” say's he “but whats the lesson for today?”. “They didn't make the distance” say's I. “Correct” say's he; “now bugger off and think about it”. End of number one shooting lesson. Next came 'pipping the Ace”. It is an old, old game – back when the USA was but a wasteland – it was a game which involved 'driving' a six inch nail tacked into a tree, at maximum range – or, taking out the Ace 'pip' with a single shot at maximum effective range. Try hitting treble 20 three times. Not easy; not easy at all. The point my taciturn friend was making – before I'd even learned which end the smoke came out of was simple, eloquent and completely accurate. In short; you cannot stop a battle ship with a pop-gun – no matter how good you are (or imagine you are). But, my first lesson was the most instructive – if you cannot deliver 'the load' with enough energy and accuracy then you are wasting your time trying to hit anything – bar fresh air. Again, try hitting treble 20 three times; or the stumps on a wicket with a ball twice the size of the stumps from slips – it is all about speed, accuracy and the momentum of 'delivery'. So; what is the fool banging on about this time?
I actually got my 'I-pad' to work today (miraculous I know) so I could work and listen at the same time to the 'Estimates' session. Back to guns again – shotguns spray a load over a wide range, but a short distance. You cannot stop a Battleship with a 'spray'. They worked this out back in the cave – when they only had rocks. IMO there were two 'submissions' which had the potential to do some damage – real damage – of the lasting kind to 'the Beast' from Sleepy Hollow.
Phil Hurst – what can I say – brilliant, aware, fully plugged in and lethal. Fact, data, track record, credentials, experienced, and a completely honest assessment of life's little realities in aviation world. He should be the next DAS. Accuracy and payload delivered; Bravo that man. Expert? Oh, you bet. Thank you.
McDermott – another. Bang on target, lucid, rational, controlled and an absolutely brilliant, accurate assessment of where the problems he is willing to assist in solving reside. Expert? Oh, you bet. John ain't got his Tim Tam cupboard key yet – but it is on it's way. Thank you.
Both men have seriously contributed; and, continue to offer real, valuable, practical, sensible 'solutions' to the obvious problems. If the minister has two parts of a brain to rub together (alas) then he would beg, on bended knee, for blokes like Hurst and McDermott and etc. to assist him – rather than scampering about for 'photo – ops' with the likes of SOAR aviation.
These two blokes should be advising the minister, not the bearded Billy Goats posing as experts. Did you ever hear the likes of the Aleck waffle today? I turned it (the I-Pad) off; due a shortage of buckets.
You do realise dear Senators, that the solutions are fully and freely available. Industry has many such expert, experienced, qualified men and women who could be, if asked, of great assistance in sorting out the unholy travesties the likes of Aleck, his monolithic ego and his new best 'mates' have created. Don't care what it costs – get rid of 'em all – now would be acceptable (in Spades).
The emotional shot-gun blasts, spraying shot over a short distance, cannot and will not penetrate the thick hide of the beast from Sleepy Hollow. For that you need accuracy, control, the right load, and wisdom. The true 'experts' are within industry; they live and breath in it; risk all in it; - use 'em, or; be damned as just another wet lettuce leaf costing taxpayers a small fortune every second year or so. Get on with it - or get off the hustings.
Toot – toot - (Aye, it's been a long day - Oak). M MTF.