Steal the coins from a dead man’s eyes.
The idiom has but one meaning and makes for a clear one. “Bit grim and dark on the old Gazette today” says P2. “I know” says I; "but, when you are faced with people who would, cheerfully steal the coins from a dead man’s eyes, it is difficult to remain sanguine and all cheery like.” - “I had to get it off my chest; what else can you do?" "This poor benighted industry is running on fumes and in enough trouble, without the establishment having a tame Senator running the only chance a meaningful reform effort has, through the RRAT committee and there’s Sweet Fanny Arbuckle we can do about it etc." “Yeah but” chimes in a wise owl "Turnbull is within a year of an election and knows, full well, that even the hint of a perceived conflict of interest scandal could and would be used against him.” Anyway, we wrangled around the topic for a while before on to lighter matters.
Dick Smith did well down there in the DPM's electorate - and it all made perfect sense. There is not a man, woman or child in this land who will not benefit from ‘reform’ of matters aeronautical. The CASA budget alone is obscene – particularly on a value for money basis – and considering the small and reducing industry they ‘over-sight’ - - - . Bureaucratic Obesity, it is said, that once one becomes obese, it is almost impossible to loose weight and keep it off. Time we had a slimmer, fitter more able aviation department, backed up by accountability, a constitutional Act and a rule set which was not only comprehensible, but easily and economically complied with. A few less ‘criminals’ to pursue would help reduce the outrageous legal costs CASA run up every year. We look to the Senate committee to make this happen – and what do we get? Enough said, except for well done Dick Smith.
The little party in Wagga was a far cry from the Tamworth bun-fight and probably even achieved something –although, just what that ‘something’ is we have yet to discover. If it was a ‘one off’ then it has been an entertaining amusement. If it is the beginning of a concerted effort then, my goodness, it has been worth the efforts made. Everyone, from Qantas down to the lowliest flying school and Australia would benefit from that reform; one simple, singular change would do the trick – and yet it seems impossible to get a united front. Even the pilot and engineers unions must see the sense, even if it is just the protection of their members from ‘criminal’ prosecution. I know,(sigh) I know: I’m banging on again; but even those with vested interests must see the fiscal benefits attending ‘reform’.
Of course when we had a RRAT committee which was actually trying to undo the knots binding aviation to the ground, there was at least the slim hope of reform. However, lately, we have come to realise that the dynamic has changed and not (IMO) for the better. Have a read through P2’s post – HERE – Yes, it is a long one, but go right through the whole thing – then draw your own conclusions; we have. Doing anything about it is a bridge a little too far – we shall seek some advice; but I fear that without some serious political support, we are stuck with the opposition running any inquiry for proposed changes and doubling the already extensive ‘waiting period’ for any results to filter down to the grass roots. Sad though, ain’t it?
“Common sense prevails” – Oh, how I wish…The laws of Unintended Consequence hold sway – with some highly paid assistance.
Toot - toot.
The idiom has but one meaning and makes for a clear one. “Bit grim and dark on the old Gazette today” says P2. “I know” says I; "but, when you are faced with people who would, cheerfully steal the coins from a dead man’s eyes, it is difficult to remain sanguine and all cheery like.” - “I had to get it off my chest; what else can you do?" "This poor benighted industry is running on fumes and in enough trouble, without the establishment having a tame Senator running the only chance a meaningful reform effort has, through the RRAT committee and there’s Sweet Fanny Arbuckle we can do about it etc." “Yeah but” chimes in a wise owl "Turnbull is within a year of an election and knows, full well, that even the hint of a perceived conflict of interest scandal could and would be used against him.” Anyway, we wrangled around the topic for a while before on to lighter matters.
Dick Smith did well down there in the DPM's electorate - and it all made perfect sense. There is not a man, woman or child in this land who will not benefit from ‘reform’ of matters aeronautical. The CASA budget alone is obscene – particularly on a value for money basis – and considering the small and reducing industry they ‘over-sight’ - - - . Bureaucratic Obesity, it is said, that once one becomes obese, it is almost impossible to loose weight and keep it off. Time we had a slimmer, fitter more able aviation department, backed up by accountability, a constitutional Act and a rule set which was not only comprehensible, but easily and economically complied with. A few less ‘criminals’ to pursue would help reduce the outrageous legal costs CASA run up every year. We look to the Senate committee to make this happen – and what do we get? Enough said, except for well done Dick Smith.
The little party in Wagga was a far cry from the Tamworth bun-fight and probably even achieved something –although, just what that ‘something’ is we have yet to discover. If it was a ‘one off’ then it has been an entertaining amusement. If it is the beginning of a concerted effort then, my goodness, it has been worth the efforts made. Everyone, from Qantas down to the lowliest flying school and Australia would benefit from that reform; one simple, singular change would do the trick – and yet it seems impossible to get a united front. Even the pilot and engineers unions must see the sense, even if it is just the protection of their members from ‘criminal’ prosecution. I know,(sigh) I know: I’m banging on again; but even those with vested interests must see the fiscal benefits attending ‘reform’.
Of course when we had a RRAT committee which was actually trying to undo the knots binding aviation to the ground, there was at least the slim hope of reform. However, lately, we have come to realise that the dynamic has changed and not (IMO) for the better. Have a read through P2’s post – HERE – Yes, it is a long one, but go right through the whole thing – then draw your own conclusions; we have. Doing anything about it is a bridge a little too far – we shall seek some advice; but I fear that without some serious political support, we are stuck with the opposition running any inquiry for proposed changes and doubling the already extensive ‘waiting period’ for any results to filter down to the grass roots. Sad though, ain’t it?
“Common sense prevails” – Oh, how I wish…The laws of Unintended Consequence hold sway – with some highly paid assistance.
Toot - toot.