David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.


04 February 2016

An Australian Drawing Lesson


Up the pole
Prime Minister Turnbull 
Next election comin' into sight...

Yesterday, very butch indeed
Impress th' right wing -
Those hard liners!

Asylum Seekers    
Mr VARVARIS (Barton) (14:06): My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's steadfast commitment to keeping Australia's borders secure?
Mr Husic interjecting
The SPEAKER: Member for Chifley, if you interject again you will be leaving the House.
Mr TURNBULL (WentworthPrime Minister) (14:06): Nobody should ever doubt the resolve of this government to keep our borders secure, to prevent the people-smuggling racket, to break their business model and keep lives safe, to prevent drownings at sea and to protect vulnerable people from being exploited by ruthless criminal gangs. Twice in our history, coalition governments have acted decisively to ensure that the pernicious, criminal trade of people-smuggling cannot succeed. Our commitment today is simply this: the people smugglers will not prevail over our sovereignty. Our borders are secure. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and it is drawn at our border.
I note today that a very significant judgement was handed down by the High Court of Australia. By a six to one majority, the High Court rejected a challenge to Australia's offshore detention arrangements, and it upheld the existing framework as legally and constitutionally valid. Now, we will consider the judgement and its implications carefully. But what I can say is this: our system of deterrence remains robust and has recently been reinforced to deal with immediate and enduring threats to our maritime security and sovereignty.
- extract from Hansard : 
Questions without Notice , 3 February 2016 (full extract here)

High Court finds offshore detention lawful (here)
Nicole Hasham, The Age
3 February 2016 


End offshore detention of refugees now (here)
Editorial : The Age
4 February 2016
       
For deport to Naura :

       
Canberra Lineman

with apology to Glen Campbell
       
I am the lineman for this country and I drive the main road
While searchin' on the sea for another boat overload


I hear you singin' in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Canberra Lineman is still drawing the line

I know I need our re-election, it's coming all too soon

If those tow-backs were all known could we ever stand the strain

And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Canberra Lineman is still drawing the line

     [Slave Guitars - 
Instrumental Interlude]


And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Canberra Lineman is still drawing the line


     [Slave Guitars - Instrumental to end]
         
For deport to Naura :

 detail
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