Dick for PM

[YouKnow.Whatever]

As it stands he is going to try and unseat the polly who has been doing the most for aviation in recent years, in terms of patronage at least. A lot of charter companies would be nervous!

[dhavillandpilot]

Dick do the senate, I'll definitely vote for you along with just about everyone else I know in aviation.

[topdrop]

every ATCer

Given his past statements about ATC, I think that is unlikely. But I do wish him all the best.

[Horatio Leafblower]

ATCers

Yeah I know what you mean - given his past statements about "airline pilots preferring to read the newspapers rather than actually look out the window to see and avoid" I am quite sure he has alienated 90% of the working aviation population at some stage.

Nevertheless...

I am quietly confident that Dick will stick to his personal strategy of threatening to run a high-profile and well-funded candidate against the incumbent in the House of Reps. It's what he did against John Andersen and threatened to do against others.

[Band a Lot]

Leaf blouse, I can easily list 6 things Mr Smith has done for aviation with hand on heart.


Mr Palmer ownish a plane that is 1 thing, can you list 5 other things Mr Palmer does?

None for aviation and a few daughters short.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Rubber Banned,

I am not attacking Dick. It is just the way I have observed him working in the 35 years I have been aware of him. I offer no judgement on weather that makes him a good person or otherwise.

Dick has done some wonderful things for many people including me, and many people including me are grateful for the things we have been given through the generosity of Mr Richard Smith.

He has, in my humble opinion, based on observation, managed to shoot himself in the foot with statements in the style of that I have (loosely, very loosely) quoted above.

If he is serious about garnering an "Aviation" vote then these historical facts and (mis?-)perceptions will need to be dealt with, and avoided in to the future.

Such is politics.

A single-man "party" attracts single-man issues and single-man press coverage, with single-man media coverage of single-man grievances. We have seen no end of this crap from the media over the last 10 years or so.

All the best to RHS, I assure you my admiration for the man outweighs my frustrations.

...and btw I am not sure where the other fat goose comes into it

[Band a Lot]

Rubber Banned, I like it cheers.

[The Green Goblin]

I do have to ask Dick, where did all that carbon dioxide locked in the ground come from in the first place?

Wouldn't be the atmosphere would it? A true scientist would say we are in a carbon dioxide starved environment.

The atmosphere has been much warmer and colder with varying levels of carbon dioxide.

The sun drives climate variability which in turn drives the atmospheric composition.

Anyway I wish you luck. I quite admire bronnie, but it's probably time for her to enjoy her retirement. Let's hope if you get in office you can disband casa and adopt the FARs. Or better still, use the FAA to administer aviation in Australia and pay them to do so.

[mostlytossas]

Would be pointless for Dick to be in the House of Reps in my view. His opinion on anything would be ridiculed by the major parties unless it was a hung parliament,and only then because they need his vote. Senate would be similar but a better chance of being minority government held chamber.
Really though Dick had his chance to change things when he headed up the then CAA years ago. If I recall correctly he got frustrated with it all and quit,which I suspect he would do as a politician.
Time to move on,his day has come and gone.

[poteroo]

Dick, you must run for the Senate. Forget the Reps - they are just party political hacks of little account.

I believe that experience in business counts for lots, and you've certainly done just that. As well, despite the petty sniping that you suffer on this forum, you have a very good knowledge of general aviation in Australia.

Go for the Senate and you'll make a real difference.

Good luck,

[gerry111]

So Dick..
What are you actually planning to do, politically?
I'm thinking, perhaps nothing? Please prove me wrong, for a change?
(Hopefully, not lots of your usual puff but without any really good stuff.)

[tail wheel]

mostlytossas

Really though Dick had his chance to change things when he headed up the then CAA years ago.

Short memory or not around when Dick was in CASA?

"Anyone other than Dick Smith who joins CASA, becomes “infallible" DICK SMITH, August 1998.

"That's the way the system works. They think: "We are powerful and we are totally unaccountable."' DICK SMITH, August 1998.

I think it is fair to say he tried very hard, but.............

[Duck Pilot]

Aviation Hall of Doom

Nothing has changed, infact it's probably a lot worse now days.......

Says a lot for progress?????

[gerry111]

Hi Dick,

Bronnie and Tony are now apparently standing for the endorsement of the Liberal Party to recontest their seats at the next Federal election.
(I somehow suspect approval may be a simple pen stroke for both.)

So which seat will you be contesting as an independent?


I've said it before and I still consider you to be a shameless self promoter.

[Stanwell]

I think we heard you the first time, gerry.

[Bull at a Gate]

Whats wrong with being a self promoter when you have something worthwhile to promote? I want more politicians who have achieved something outside of politics, people like Dick.

[tail wheel]

Try sucking on the honey pot instead of chewing on lemons Gerry, it may make your posts a tad more palatable to the rest of us!

[Lead Balloon]

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

H. L. Mencken

[Flying Binghi]

With Presidential candidate Smith ready to act we can see why turnBull has gone cold on the Republic...




.

[gerry111]

Please rest assured, Tail Wheel that I do know how to smell the roses.