“TAKEITBACK AIRBAGS” by Des Kelly

Oops, sorry about that. eLanka readers, all, if you notice it, my fraudulent “title” to this story, does contain this “dangerous” tidbit that is a big part of “supposedly-safe” vehicles of our modern World. Takata-Airbags, have the letters “T A K A T A” clearly noticeable in my ” heading”.

Millions of them, from all over the World, have been now recalled. Originating from Japan, there was a time, and I remember it well, when we, in Ceylon received a “gift, made in Japan, we thought of it as a “bonus” because the Japanese always seemed to produce “superior-stuff”, but now, we have to make certain that everything is made in Australia. After all, who would want to install “air-bags” in their cars/vehicles, that explode on impact ? Bad enough that you are in a bloody accident, but then, when shrapnel shoots out at you, as your air-bags burst, what hope have you got ?.

This is a very serious topic folks, but as recently as 1993, when I “retired” from my 3rd part-time job (I already had 2 full-time jobs, as well (one in the am & one in the pm).

I bought myself the “top” Hyundai limo at the time, and even this supposedly-superior vehicle had NO airbags at all.

I was then under the impression that ALL AIRBAGS existed only in Canberra. Canberra is full of airbags, in the vehicles, over there, I hasten to add, so let us hope that Japan pulls up it’s socks and fix up all the faulty airbags that are now being “air-lifted” to them. One good thing about this is the fact that there will now be less vehicles on our roads, for a while. While these vehicles are being repaired & hopefully safe airbags fitted, there is one other little thing that the Japanese mechanics will have to check. Some “wheel-nuts” are also a bit loose. In Australia however, there are more “nuts” behind the “wheel”, so please, Haruto, yuto, yuki or Haruki (all Japanese Mechanics), please check ALL the nuts as well.

Getting back to Canberra, for just a minute. Folks, Aunty A.B.C. presents a television show every Sunday titled “Insiders” The “Host” is a good-looking dude who grows “wrinkles” on his wrinkles. I thought I had never ever seen a more “lived-in face” until I saw our Prime Minister on television this morning. What used to be a youthful smiling face as smooth as the proverbial baby’s bum, is now getting a wrinkled brow which reminded me very much of good old Barry Cassidy, and Barry only “talks Politics”.

I could go on & on, I suppose, but I have to leave my readers with a ligh-hearted look at a very serious problem.

The sooner this is fixed, the sooner the “nuts” will be able to get behind the wheel again. Drive safely, my friends.