Mad Mark
Hear what you are saying, but is an anonymous forum for rumour and "a little inter service banter", the place where you need the support, or where Flight Safety matters are resolved?
Wether you consider it whinging or not, airing your views on this forum is hardly going to get your long suffering hardships changed is it?
What is requierd it seems is less "its the superiors/politicians fault" and more "no I'm not doing that sortie because of insufficient rest IAW the rules". If your lords and masters are truly so hung up on promotion, they will surely react pretty darn quick to that! The rules are there for your protection.
So why not stick to the rumour, conjecture and banter here, and if something needs changing cos its wrong, use the rules and official channels.