The Harpiocracy

[Cú ChulainnParticipant 3910]

‘Harpy’ has always been a favourite description of mine for a particular type of feminist. Older, lots of body hair, vegan, cat herder. I believe we live in a ‘Harpiocracy’. When I used to watch TV, there wouldn’t be a talking heads panel on any cultural, news, current affairs or political program, without some old Harpiocrat laying down the bats~~~ feminist/leftist viewpoint. Usually wearing ‘problem glasses’, and with a face like a bulldog licking p~~~ off a nettle. Now these creatures are in the ascendancy. They call they shots.

I was thinking about this earlier, and Virgil’s Aeneid came into my head. I was wanting to reaffirm where the term ‘Harpy’ originated. So here’s a few lines from his epic poem, from Book Three, where the wandering Trojans first meet the forerunners of these loathsome creatures.

Now saved from the sea,
I first came ashore on the coast of the Strophades Islands.
These Strophades (called so in Greek) are islands that stand
In the great Ionian sea; here dreadful Celeano
Dwells with the rest of the Harpies, now that the house
Of Phineus is bolted against them, and they in their fear
Have left behind them the tables that fed them of old.
There is never a monster more baneful, never a plague
Fiercer, nor agent of heaven’s dread anger more cruel
Ever rose from the waters of Styx. Bird-bodied they are,
With the faces of women, and foul is the filth of their droppings;

Old Virge got it spot on in my book. Horrible old Harpies, you’ll find them running many things these days. Harpiocracy, I’m claiming that right now.

[ViciouscunningtreacherousParticipant 823]

That stuns me with its depth and accuracy.

For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

[Author]

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