#simeonstylites

[russianicons]

Saint Simeon Stylites was a Christian ascetic most famous for living 37 years on the top of the column near Aleppo, modern-day Syria. The Saint was expelled from the monastic community because of his excessive austerities, which made him a hermit. During his life on a pillar, he converted many people to Christianity and was a helpful hand for those who sought spiritual counsel, protection, and relief from sickness. After his death, the column became a pilgrimage site.

https://russianicon.com/eastern-orthodox-saints-simeon-stylites-and-nikita-stylites/

[darksideofaquarius]

Simeon Stylites

Saint Simeon the Stylite chose to separate himself from the world and rise up to Christ by living atop a stone pillar. His reputation for holiness attracted people from all across the Roman Empire seeking his wisdom and prayers.

[travelwithflere]

Qaalat Siman Church, Syria. 5th century. Location of Simeon Stylite pillar. #watercolor #arthistory #syria #aleppo #simeonstylite #byzantinearchitecture #aquarelle #histoiredelart #fredericlere (at Church of Saint Simeon Stylites)

[theotherjourney7]

“The argument about whether the tragic death toll in the UK is more or less than Italy completely misses the point.

Whatever the correct basis for comparison, the number of deaths in the UK is a catastrophe.

It should be entirely unobjectionable to conclude that grievous mistakes have been made - not least the impact and spread of the virus but also much of the initial advice, the lockdown timing, provision of vital resources incl tests and PPE, and the care homes tragedy.

Mistakes, errors of judgment and approach, are endemic.

And not just in the vital areas.

Consider also the ‘lost emails’ EU procurement fiasco.

The farcical and unhelpful testing target hit and misses.

Confusing advice regarding masks.

The woeful international comparison chart (only recently improved).

You might be forgiven for thinking that the government is more about comms than substance but even the comms are shambolic.

The daily briefings to the nation are eerily symbolic of the malaise. Set against an unintentionally facetious wooden backdrop, a wooden political address is followed by a dry exposition of the slides, and then questions of variable quality answered evasively if at all.

A slow learner such as myself has only recently appreciated the purpose of the briefing is not in fact to brief. The purpose of the briefing (and bear with me now) is in fact not to to say anything at all of any incremental substantive interest.

If we want to be briefed on the direction of government policy then we must rely on unattributable briefings and leaks to journalists.

This is no way to run a country, let alone a country in the grips of this terrible virus.

Michael Gove’s recent performance before the Brexit Select Committee provides another dismal data point.

In the midst of an unprecedented crisis no one needs a master class in question escapeology.

Blithe assertions about business certainty or preparedness, presented without supporting evidence, are not good enough.

We want and we deserve clear, information replete, analysis based briefings and answers to questions.

And no more politics as usual.

Yes we are still at an early stage of the crisis and while it is not possible yet to identity precisely who is to blame, and the complex reasons for this terrible situation, we cannot seriously debate that mistakes have and continue to be made.

And, yes, this is not entirely fair.

Sunak and Hancock have done a decent job.

The increase in testing is praiseworthy, though self-petarded by the ridiculous target.

The direction of policy has improved.

But the government’s performance has been sufficiently woeful that it is entirely valid, indeed necessary, to question its fundamental competence.

If we put competence before politics, does anyone think Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, even May, Gauke, Hammond, Stewart, Hunt, Tugendhat, Boles, Benn, Cooper, Phillips, Clegg, Cable and many others would not have done better?

But why this incompetence?

My sense is that its roots are buried in the post Cold War absence of an obvious existential threat, the growth of a politics of unseriousness (because politics doesn’t matter so much)...

Compounded by the pursuit of populist narratives (partly to make politics matter again), which lead not just to Brexit, but, worse, to its blight, the warping of good decision making.

But whatever the roots of the malaise we are where we are and good decision making is of paramount importance.

It is no exaggeration to say decisions made over the next month will impact the country for generations.

We must insist, we must demand government adopts the most rational, transparent, apolitical approach, led and implemented by the best people.

We deserve no less.”-The Columinst @SimeOnStylites

[accidentlyprofoundlyhuman]

Tweeted

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this! https://t.co/pphopNRSWW

— HelpStopBrexit (@HelpStopBrexit) October 14, 2017

[aileanamoore-blog]

Tweeted

https://t.co/qXFoCJvqYz Great post SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalR… https://t.co/RDqwfvV04b

— AILEANA MOORE (@AileanaMoore) October 14, 2017

[travelwithflere]

Qaalat Siman Church, Syria. 5th century. Location of Simeon Stylite pillar. #watercolor #arthistory #syria #aleppo #simeonstylite #byzantinearchitecture #aquarelle #histoiredelart #fredericlere (at Qalaat Semaâne)

[accidentlyprofoundlyhuman]

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this!

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this! http://ift.tt/2ie63E8 #StopBrexit

[accidentlyprofoundlyhuman]

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this!

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this! http://ift.tt/2yo6z85 October 14, 2017 at 07:57AM

[accidentlyprofoundlyhuman]

Tweeted

Great post @SimeonStylite Let me just add #StopBrexit! Hope everyone at the #12RegionalRallies spots this! https://t.co/cOJHb330g0

— Alison Murray (@AlisonKMurray) October 14, 2017