Friday 13 th. Darts and a funeral.
For some reason (don't ask), it's a BRB tradition to host any darts challenge match on a 13 th, preferably a Friday. Anyway, the latest challenge to BRB supremacy came from a team of Englishmen, visiting firemen – (you know who you are).....One of their 'lads' is reputedly colour deficient, didn't seem to affect his ability to separate the green doubles from red trebles at will though and with some precision; mutterings of bollocks and 'ring-in' were heard often, at least during the first few rubbers.
Anyway, so much for the darts match, now to the mock funeral, held in the pubs' back yard. We buried, in effigy, with gravitas and solemnity the Australian reputation for courage, leadership, integrity and a fair go. We even borrowed a mouth organ for the last post...
Eulogy : After the commonwealth funded Dennison hearing, Australia led the world with a new benchmark for CVD pilots, courageously the medical guru's adopted the findings and a new era of hope for CVD pilots and wannabe's dawned. After 25 years we have stopped holding our collective breath and can, backed with empirical evidence support the Dennison findings. We could with a little courage, take the 'exercise' to the next logical level. But, instead of presenting the argument to the ICAO, instead of gathering the data, research and evidence and taking it to the grown ups for consideration, we regress. Australia was known as 'first rate' and could have won concessions, on credibility alone. A new star could have been born. Headline – "Australia clears the way for CVD pilots citing a 25 year safety study".
There was real, international kudos in that option. Do we take it, no; alas, what 'we' do try through very murky, devious, cowardly, unpalatable methods is to strip away those hard won concessions. Australia could have breathed hope for countless CVD, around the world by persuading ICAO that these CVD pilots have proven not to be a safety liability, but an asset.
The data is there, for example, deterioration or improvement over time could have been measured, new benchmarks set from refined analysis (for or against), hell there was probably a PhD in it for someone if done properly. The data may have proved or disproved the case: who knows. A quarter century worth of research important data left laying in the mud, alongside regulatory reform – makes you wonder don't it; just a bit.
ICAO could, (with suitable rump protection devices installed) have sanctioned an easement (for those who had the balls to try it) of CVD discrimination. Now that boys and girls, would be an achievement to be proud of.
The incontinent antics of the CASA in this latest embarrassing, cowardly, despicable actions make me ashamed. It's to be hoped our troops, sportsmen and business folks don't catch the same disease, be a hell of a mess. Can you imagine a – "Wallabies chicken out of match – competition too tough", - headline. Nah, it's too unnatural, for the true blue, ridgy didge to even think about.
Gold for Australia ?– NO. The cup of Dross and Shame is the prize for Australia in the Shambollic stakes. A.K.A. The race to the bottom.....
Flags at half mast on the houseboat, 'til morning tea. Muffins this morning I'm informed, must be, the elephants are lining up at the galley window.
Heigh ho.
Last edited by Kharon; 14th Jun 2014 at 20:32.
Reason: Late arrivals