Anger
The birds wheeled high in anger now. Nobody interrupted their timeline without paying a very high penalty. Curses already rained down upon the perpetrators. They would live in sorrow forever, in their tiny, dismal lives, and be gone in suffering.
The temple would be built. History, for much hung on that particular history, would not be denied.
No matter what they said. No matter what they did. No matter how wide the circumference of their power.
You embolden not.
The eagle plucking grubs from a rotting corpse and smashing them against a wall was now flying in anger high in the sky, amidst the other flurries of animal spirits and attendant fates. Nothing would change what was about to happen.
These were once in a generation, millennial events. They would not be deterred by infidels or disbelievers, by the obsequious little vermin infesting the timeline, by the nasty little voices polluting this soundscape, by the pockmarked spirits which were destroying the country once known as Australia.
The Prime Minister, that worshipper of false gods, had left his smouldering ruin of a country for what one could only hope was a valedictory tour, off to visit a geriatric President who was equally overseeing the destruction of the Americas, of the European peoples. All supported by the labours of the working poor, those toiling masses for whom they had so little respect. Gazing out a window burning thousands of dollars an hour, in a mode of transport barely a century old, with the wraiths who screamed in anger and the gods who abandoned any pretence at kindness all waiting for their moment to arrive.
These things would come to pass. Those who tried to stop them would be destroyed.
It was a simple story, of parable and deceit, in those terrible, dishonest times.
He had found the place where they would come, not a grazing of two worlds but a profound visitation, there at the edge of an ancient forest, a clearing where the amplifying power of the forest and the vortex of the surrounding cliffs all served a purpose.
Where, as the spirits gathered in power, for, as he had said so often, it was a geospatial phenomenon, it required time, it required a place, it required patience, humility and respect before a power torched beyond human imagining, and he had begun to go there each morning; with the future smell of incense and the chant of priests beginning to form in the primitive clime.
This was the future they were beginning to create, a blessing which would provide prosperity and wealth for generations to come, and ultimately lead to one of the greatest flowerings of civilisation in the short history of man; beginning two centuries hence, and ending in crisis 407, now 406 years into the future; where the messaging originated.
He cared not one little jot how mad any of it might seem to an outsider; these stories were not for the likes of them.
He had found, one morning, a pair of cheap plastic Ray-Ban replica sunglasses on the path to the future sanctuary; already this ground taking on the feel of a sacred place, next to a sacred forest.
Those who had placed them there knew his habits. His maternal grandfather had been a beachcomber, and so it was he leant down and picked them up.
Back at the house, he had heard the operatives, the conflicting groups who watched his every move, 24/7, talking about the glasses; and the next day, in that modern-day equivalent of a chariot, he had looked at them again, to see what was of so much interest.
There appeared to be nothing. They didn't look like a piece of surveillance tech disguised as an ordinary household item. They looked exactly like what they were, a cheap pair of plastic glasses imitating a high end brand.
And so he thought no more of it, until one morning, in the midst of his prayers, with the powers gathering and the air already deep in flux, a dog, an old border collie cross, appeared at his feet and surprised, he leant down to pat the animal, which curled around his feet in affection, as animals did when these states took hold.
Shortly thereafter a woman appeared, with two other dogs.
There was no reason to be in that place. It was not a path to anywhere. He had never seen anyone there before.
Anyone who stood in their way would be cursed, it was as simple as that.
He made some comment, as he always did to dog owners, about how nice their creatures were, and she asked: "Have you seen a pair of sunglasses?"
"Yes," he said, "they're in my car. I found them the other day."
She pretended surprise or delight; pretended to have lost and been searching for them, although they had been placed carefully and centrally on the path.
So he interrupted his ritual, like Buddha he had become comfortable with the mesh between heaven and Earth, with the grand sweep of sacred visions and the profanities of the material realm, and cheerfully said he would go and fetch them from the car.
She and her dogs joined him, truly, there was no reason why anyone would visit this place, certainly not a woman walking her dogs alone, and they walked together back down the 100 metres or so of the path to where his vehicle lay prominently parked at the closed gate.
He found the sunglasses in the side door of his vehicle, and handed them to her.
She expressed great delight, and donned the cheap five dollar glasses as if they really were originals, really were worth hundreds of dollars.
During their conversation he had expressed his utter frustration at the lockdowns destroying the country, the blizzard of absurd diktats destroying all normal life, and said he didn't even know if it was legal for him to be there.
So fed up with the blizzard of bullshit parading from a truly corrupt government, he couldn't bring himself to even check what the current regulations destroying his and everybody else's lives actually were.
According to one radio report, health regulations now ran to more than 50 pages, and had been changed more than 50 times.
But he knew from the whispering of the Watchers on the Watch, the inground keepers and the tedious Neighbourhood Watch types, that he was in breach of the latest regulations.
There had been a limit of 10 kilometres from your LGA, Local Government Area, and he had heard them whisper repeatedly that he was seven and a half kilometres outside the zone, and therefore in breach of the law.
"I'm not even sure if I'm illegal," he confessed to the woman.
"Where do you live?" she asked, as if she didn't know.
"Oak Flats," he replied.
"You are, actually," she replied; explaining that the 10 kilometre limit had been reduced to five.
"Don't dob me in," he said light heartedly, for the absurdities of the evil enveloping Australia knew no limit to its minutiae.
"I won't," she said, in a pretence at warmth, a dog lover after all, but warned him that there were police in the area.
They said their pretend farewells.
He had no doubt if she saw his vehicle again she would report him to the authorities.
And he would face a hefty $5000 fine.
Another piece of the jigsaw, the nightmare destroying the country.
She, and those on whose behalf she had so innocently, in appearance, come before him, those who had attempted to deceive him, would never breath another happy breath.
Those for whom he acted as a messenger knew not mercy.
Not for the likes of them.
For their own banality of evil.
There was no use even asking.
Do not stand in our way.
NEWS
Victorian government to shut down construction industry after clashes at CFMEU office
Posted 3h ago3 hours ago, updated 1h ago1 hours ago
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The Victorian government will forcibly shutdown all construction sites in metropolitan Melbourne and all other locked down local government areas in response to violent protests on Monday.
Key points:
Construction sites in metropolitan Melbourne and all other locked down LGAs in Victoria will close for two weeks
Union leaders have blamed "extremists" for the violent protests
Building industry groups have criticised the government's handling of the industry
The Andrews government engaged in crisis talks on Monday night with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, following the heated brawls outside the union's Elizabeth Street offices in Melbourne's CBD.
Protesters rallied against the Victorian government's mandate requiring all construction workers to have at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by September 23.
Victoria police deployed crowd control equipment and arrested several in attendance.
Complete shutdown
All construction sites in metropolitan Melbourne, and the local government areas currently subject to lockdown restrictions [City of Ballarat, City of Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire] will be shutdown, effective from 11:59pm on Monday evening.
The shutdown is scheduled to last for two weeks.
If regional LGAs emerge from lockdown in sooner than two weeks, construction sites will be allowed to reopen and operate as normal.
The only permitted exception to the lockdown will be to ensure the safe closure of a site and to conduct urgent and unavoidable repairs.
An amnesty will be put in place so limited numbers of workers can attend construction sites in order to shut them down safely.
Sites will only be permitted to reopen when they can demonstrate compliance with the public health orders.
Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said the move came as a direct result of poor behaviour from sections of the industry.
"We've been clear: if you don't follow the rules, we won't hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread noncompliance across the industry and that's why we're taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian," Mr Pallas said.
"We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation."
The Victorian Opposition has called for the state government to immediately reverse its decision to shutdown the industry.
Shadow Minister for Industry Bridget Vallence said there is no justification for the 'panicked decision' and argued it should be targeted at the areas that represent the most risk in the industry.
"Where is the health advice that supports this decision? Why was construction safe a day ago, but not safe now?" she said.
"This is a drastic move that will put tens of thousands of Victorians out of work and cost billions in lost productivity."
Ms Vallence said the entire construction industry should not be punished for the actions of a 'very small minority'.
Union reaction to protests
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus condemned the violent protest that occurred outside the CFMEU office.
She blamed the protest on "extremists and conspiracy theorists" who she said were "endangering the lives of their fellow citizens."
Ms McManus said she believed the protests were organised by people outside of the construction sector.
"We know from social media networks that the same people who were at the rallies on the weekend were asking people to come to these ones and to dress up in high vis," she said.
"That's not to say that there weren't people there who were also construction workers, there were.
"But the people organising and orchestrating it were people with other motives," she said.
Ms McManus said people at the CFMEU protest were not wearing a mask and she worried it could become a super spreader COVID event.
She blamed the industry's shutdown on groups which she said had "undermined" health advice.
"We don't want any industry shut down but it is a pandemic and if you can't make an industry safe, well this is what medical experts are doing," she said.
"This is very unfortunate, unions have worked very hard to try and keep construction safe."
Building industry group slams government approach
The Victorian Building Industry Group of Unions released a statement criticising the government's "unrealistic and blunt approach" to COVID regulations, saying it has undermined the vaccination rollout.
"The Building Industry Group of Unions maintains the view that the construction industry would have voluntarily reached high levels of vaccination without a heavy-handed approach," a BIGU spokesperson said.
"This heavy-handed mandate by the Chief Health Officer, which was implemented with no notice, has only served to drive many people towards the Anti-Vax Movement."
The group pleaded with the state government to reconsider the measures and facilitate a way to get workers back onto work sites.
"We call on the Andrews Government, Chief Health Officer, and the Department of Health to come to a sensible return to work scenario that accommodates the reality of our industry and respects the workers who have built this city."
Bottles, crates thrown in violent protest
More than 500 people gathered outside the CFMEU's Elizabeth Street office to protest mandatory vaccinations for construction workers on Monday.
Union secretary John Setka tried to speak to the crowd but when some in the crowd grew agitated, he asked workers, "Do you want to shut the whole building industry down?"
The protesters started chanting, "shut it down, shut it down," and throwing insults at Mr Setka.
Tensions rose further and Mr Setka had a crate and bottles thrown at him.
Security guards were forced to take him inside and the doors to the headquarters were locked.
Mr Setka told 3AW on Monday that he believes the CFMEU is being unfairly targeted for decisions made by the Victorian government.
"We're virtually being blamed for everything which is totally untrue. All we've ever done is try and keep our industry working safely," he said.
On Monday Premier Daniel Andrews said it was an "illegal gathering" but he did not conclude that a sizable number of construction industry workers had no respect for coronavirus restrictions.
"What I would say is that protests don't work. Getting vaccinated works, following the rules works. That's how you stay open, that's how you get open if you're not open now," he said.
***
Victoria set to shut down construction for two weeks after anti-vaccine mandate protest
State government held crisis talks Monday night after Victoria police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to move crowd outside CFMEU office
Zena Chamas and Australian Associated Press
Mon 20 Sep 2021 10.34 BST
The Victorian government is set to announce a two-week shutdown of the construction industry after a protest against mandatory vaccines for workers in the sector became violent.
The closure across metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire was decided on Monday night after the CFMEU building was damaged and riot police deployed in chaotic scenes in the CBD.
There is expected to be some exceptions for work to continue on special projects.
The Master Builders Association of Victoria informed members of the development in a Facebook post, saying the government was concerned about “an increase in Covid-19 transmissions in the building and construction industry, combined with the riots in Melbourne today”.
They said the shutdown would be in place from 11.59pm Monday.
There is a 25% cap on the industry’s workforce in Victoria, with tradies required to have had their first dose of a vaccine by this Thursday in order to be allowed back to work.
Earlier, the CFMEU said the protest was overtaken by “neo-Nazis and right wing extremists”, rather than union members.
Victoria police say several people were arrested as the crowd “grew increasingly hostile” during the protest that began before 9am on Monday.
Hundreds of construction workers wearing hi-vis, and their supporters, stormed the building, protesting against new mandatory vaccination rules for the building industry.
The protest escalated when two union officials, including Victorian construction branch secretary John Sekta, came outside the Elizabeth Street office to speak to protesters just before midday.
Setka was met with boos and insults from the crowd, while some protesters hurled bottles.
“Please calm down. Can you at least give me the respect to talk? We’re not the enemy, I don’t know what you have heard,” he told protesters.
“I have never, ever said I support mandatory vaccination.”
Once Setka went back inside, the protesters smashed a glass door to the building.
Later bottles were thrown at the already smashed glass entrance doors, as those protecting the entry sought refuge indoors.
Protesters also appeared to turn against each other, with a number of small fights breaking out within the crowd of bright orange and yellow.
The Victorian branch of the union released a statement just after 4pm, saying it has always supported freedom of choice regarding vaccination.
“We are not going to be intimidated by outside extremists attempting to intimidate the union, by spreading misinformation and lies about the union’s position,” the statement said.
“The CFMEU will always advocate for safety, jobs, and freedom of choice.”
CFMEU national construction secretary released a statement on Monday night accusing the crowd of being “infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right wing extremist groups”.
“It is clear that a minority of those who participated were actual union members,” he said.
Chanting “fuck the jab”, those protesting are against having to show proof of their vaccination to be allowed back on building sites, with some saying they would rather the entire construction industry be shut down.
Rain and hail did not deter the protesters, many still rallying in the streets until dark.
Some said they would come to the CFMEU office every day until the union bows to their demands.
It is unclear whether all of those protesting are construction workers, after a message on the Melbourne Freedom Rally Telegram group encouraged anti-lockdown protesters to join them.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the protests were “not smart, they are not safe”.
“Protests don’t work. Getting vaccinated works, following the rules works. That’s how you stay open, that’s how you get open,” Andrews said.
Monday’s rally comes after construction workers set up plastic chairs and tables in the middle of streets across Melbourne on Friday, protesting against lockdown restrictions that included shutting down tea rooms for morning breaks.
***
Protests turn violent as construction workers fight COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Victoria
A rally over mandatory vaccinations in the construction industry has turned violent as riot police clashed with tradies. Water bottles and bread crates were allegedly thrown and flares lit late in the afternoon.
David WuDigital Reporter
3 min read
September 20, 2021 - 6:00PM
A rally over mandatory vaccinations has turned violent outside the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) offices in Melbourne.
Hundreds of construction workers and members, dressed in high-vis and maskless, gathered on Elizabeth St in the city on Monday morning calling on the union to stand up for the workforce.
CFMEU state secretary John Setka tried to calm the angry crowd who were calling him "Dan Andrews' b****".
"Everyone, please calm down," he yelled. "I am willing to listen to anyone."
But his pleas were ignored with shocking social media footage showing tradies shouting over union representatives guarding the door before water bottles and bread crates were hurled towards them.
Punches and kicks were allegedly thrown with one person allegedly using a loud speaker as a weapon, striking workers who attempted to force their way into the building.
But the rally turned destructive later in the afternoon with protesters blocked in by two lines of police in an attempt to stop people getting into the CMFEU building or join the crowd that was increasingly getting frustrated.
Riot police soon arrived in an attempt to calm the group which had grown, with reports anti-vaxxers in surrounding areas turning up to support the construction industry members.
The front door of the office was smashed in and projectiles were hurled at members and flares were lit just after 5pm.
Workers inside attempted to push the angry mob back by spraying water from hoses through gaps of the damaged entry.
Police later managed to push back protesters, allowing those trapped inside to escape.
Protesters earlier in the morning could be heard chanting "stand up, or stand down" with a number of police officers standing by monitoring the crowd.
Tensions eventually calmed down with members of the CFMEU closing the doors and tradies cheering as they turned away.
Members have reportedly warned they will be back "every day" until their pleas have been answered.
It's believed the protest was organised by the same group, dubbed "Melbourne Freedom Rally", who were involved in previous demonstrations in the city.
Construction workers will need to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by Thursday if they want to continue working.
Tea and break rooms were also banned last week after the Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton warned they were becoming "one of the most dangerous places" at a workplace for coronavirus transmission.
A similar but peaceful protest was held on Friday with tradies setting up tables and chairs on tram lines during their breaks.
Premier Daniel Andrews warned he did not want to shut down the construction industry after a number of infections in Melbourne and regional Victoria were linked back to work sites.
"I would simply say that protests do not work against this virus. Protests are not smart, they are not safe," he said during his Monday COVID-19 press conference.
"This industry is open at 25 per cent (capacity). We want to get it to 50 and 57 per cent. Being vaccinated is an incredibly important part of that."
He said the restrictions brought into place was to help the construction industry operate safely, adding Victorians currently out of work would be confused as to why they were protesting when thousands could not go back to their jobs.
"I have nothing but respect for the people who do the building of our city and state as a government we have supported and built that industry more than any other in the history of this state," Mr Andrews said.
"But there would be a whole bunch of people at home because their industry is shut and they would be scratching their heads about why anyone would be protesting about being open.
"It has to be done safe though, otherwise the industry will have to operate under different settings and no doubt I would get advice that it had to be closed. I wouldn't want to do that."
