bLOGOS/HA HA: that was now | this is then

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.

05 January 2020

that was now | this is then | never before seen

Australian PM Scott Morrison to curb ‘selfish’ climate action

The Times (UK) / Bernard Lagan, Sydney

2 November 2019

The prime minister of Australia, the world’s biggest coal exporter, has vowed to punish climate protesters after days of clashes outside a mining conference.

Scott Morrison accused environmental activists of “economic sabotage” and warned that Canberra was drawing up laws to limit damage to businesses.

“A new breed of radical activism is on the march,” he said. “Apocalyptic in tone — brooks no compromise — all or nothing. Alternative views — not permitted.” In 2017 Mr Morrison brandished a lump of coal in parliament, telling MPs not to be “afraid” of it.

As Australia Burns, Its Leaders Trade Insults
The New York Times / Damien Cave
Published 13 Nov. 2019 - Updated 2 Jan. 2020

Credit...

Matthew Abbott for The New York Times

Australia Is Committing Climate Suicide
As record fires rage, the country’s leaders seem intent on sending it to its doom.

Richard Flanagan / New York Times (Opinion)
3 Jan. 2020

BRUNY ISLAND, Australia — Australia today is ground zero for the climate catastrophe. Its glorious Great Barrier Reef is dying, its world-heritage rain forests are burning, its giant kelp forests have largely vanished, numerous towns have run out of water or are about to, and now the vast continent is burning on a scale never before seen ...

... “Australia is a burning nation led by cowards,” wrote the leading broadcaster Hugh Riminton, speaking for many. To which he might have added “idiots,” after Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack blamed the fires on exploding horse manure.

Such are those who would open the gates of hell and lead a nation to commit climate suicide...