I had a relatively quiet day doing a few loads of laundry. Lucia called early this morning to cancel our session so time opened up. The babes spent the day sleeping and trying to follow me to the laundry in the basement. They are not allowed down there because they won't help folding and they leave fur all over the clean laundry. The weekend looks quiet too.
Short Takes
The New Yorker — Across the United Kingdom on Friday, Britons mourned their long-cherished right to claim that Americans were significantly dumber than they are.
Luxuriating in the superiority of their intellect over Americans’ has long been a favorite pastime in Britain, surpassing in popularity such games as cricket, darts, and snooker.
But, according to Alistair Dorrinson, a pub owner in North London, British voters have done irreparable damage to the “most enjoyable sport this nation has ever known: namely, treating Americans like idiots.”
“When our countrymen cast their votes yesterday, they didn’t realize they were destroying the most precious leisure activity this nation has ever known,” he said. “Wankers.”
In the face of this startling display of national idiocy, Dorrinson still mustered some of the resilience for which the British people are known. “This is a dark day,” he said. “But I hold out hope that, come November, Americans could become dumber than us once more.”
Oh Andy! And here I thought that English football (soccer) was the most precious leisure activity. Although now that I think about it, football is a calling . . . almost a religion! Let's hope that the final British wish does not come true.
Alternet — In a stunning and historic move, citizens of the United Kingdom voted Thursday to leave the European Union—a decision colloquially dubbed the "Brexit"—making the U.K. the first country to voluntarily withdraw from the 28-member political and economic bloc.
The vote is seen as a referendum on globalization, combining the economic impact of EU trade regulations with the fearful refrain about immigration, which, for many pro-Brexiters, is bolstered by the Schengen visa agreement that allows those who have gained entry to an EU member state to move freely among other EU countries. Supporters of the Brexit cited the EU's onerous regulations, dissatisfaction with Britain's recovery after the 2008 recession and concerns over immigrant access to Britain's strained resources as their top reasons for leaving. …
For Britons, those perhaps most impacted by the Brexit vote are the people who wanted it the least (a trend paralleled in the United States as young voters overwhelmingly declare their hatred of Trump's nationalistic bloviating). An incredible majority of younger voters opted to stay in the EU. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 75 percent voted to remain, according to a YouGov poll, as did a majority of voters aged 25 to 49.
I have seen a number of petitions asking the British government to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the referendum. The younger groups of voters are the ones that will have to deal with the results of leaving the EU. In a Think Progress article which I read earlier, those most affected by the Brexit decision will be the working class. Yet it is to those same people that the leave side sold the idea of increasing fortunes after leaving the EU.
"Ultimately, the British economy has suffered alongside much of the E.U. over the course of the past few years, and those most affected have been blue collar workers. The 2008 financial crisis dealt a hard blow to working families, who still earn £40 less per week than they did before the crash. They have also faced growing obstacles to higher education and increasing challenges when eyeing upward mobility. Questions about the impact of globalization, single markets, and inequality are all fair and long overdue — but so far, it’s clear that Brexit was marketed to voters as something it is not."
Another point it made was that the leaders of the leave side, like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson, are wealthy individuals, not working class. The article is well worth reading.
Think Progress — As House Democrats fed up with Congress’ lack of response to America’s gun violence epidemic continued their #NoBillNoBreak sit-in into the wee hours of Wednesday night, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) came down to the House floor to confront them about what he perceives to be the real problem.
“We are talking about radical Islam! Radical Islam killed these people!” Gohmert shouted …
Orlando aside, many recent mass shootings haven't involved Islam at all. In fact, a recent study found that Americans are seven times more likely to be killed by a right-wing extremist than they are by a Muslim terrorist.
Thursday morning, Gohmert went on Fox News to talk about the House floor confrontation. Instead of discussing the role he believes radical Islam plays in American gun violence, he decried gun free zones and immigration, saying, "If this administration would protect us from people coming in, then we wouldn't have to worry" as much about terrorism. (None of the nearly 800,000 refugees settled in the United States since September 11, 2001 has been involved in plotting a credible terrorist attack.)
Barf Bag Alert! Barf Bag Alert! Barf Bag Alert! Barf Bag Alert! Barf Bag Alert! Barf Bag Alert!
I had originally thought to include this video in a dedicated story about gun control but given the fast moving events this week, I'll forego that article and put it here. Sam Bee is always good to watch. If you want to read the base article see Politico.
Why is it that Americans are so obsessed with guns? After all the shootings such as Colorado, Orlando and Sandy Hook, just to name three of the many, there have been calls for action. But lawmakers seem to be paralysed by fear of the NRA or their vision is clouded by other special interests and their money. I watch with dismay as common sense gun control laws are tossed aside in favour of anyone having a gun at any time . . . or at least that's how it seems to this Canuck. According to Mass Shooting Tracker, there have been 295 deaths and 707 wounded in US mass shootings thus far in 2016. Do you think there is a problem here? In Canada, where gun laws are stricter, a Conservative MP wants to see AR-15s removed from the restricted class of weapons. Total lunacy!
My Universe — This was a gift from the Napster (Lona) today. These guys are just so cute! . . . and they remind me of how my 3 often sleep, although without the plant. Thanks Lona!
5 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 24/06/2016”
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Brexit Effects:
$160 billion dollars was wiped out of existence shortly after the British Market opened this AM.
2.1 trillion dollars was "lost" world wide..
USA's share of the loss is $830 billion dollars.
Rachel Maddow gave an excellent historical account on European countries getting together in the aftermath of WWI and WWII. forming the European Union. Winston Churchill also is featured.
PM Cameron resigned in disgrace.
THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 6/24/16
UK roots deep in 'United States of Europe'
Rachel Maddow looks back at the devastating effects of two world wars in Europe and Winston Churchill's call for a "United States of Europe" that was eventually followed by the United Kingdom's participation in what would become the European Union. Duration: 15:26 http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/uk-roots-deep-in-united-states-of-europe-712583235511
The economic realities will be felt for years to come with Europe & Britain.
A global recession.
.
NYer: Funny, but sad, Andy!!
AN: What Jim said in his comment. Thank you. Sad to see this happen, pretty grim, imho. Song @end of John O's video says it all.
TP: Good Lord, he's been out in the Texas sun too long! He's 'outrageous'!!
Sam Bee is so awesome!
My Universe: Thanks, Napster for picture! How adorable! Mine likes boxes, preferably shoe boxes, and will play with them for hours. And nap in them too.
Hope that you have a relaxing day & evening. Thanks, Lynn.
I am shocked – shocked! – that your furbabies are trying their best to decorate your clothes to give you a well-turned-out appearance, and you won't let them!
New Yorker – I hope I don't spoil this very funny take by pointing out that, as a nod to English English, Harold Dorrinson, who so often appears in Andy's articles, has become "Alistair." It may not give anyone but me a cuckle – but at least it isn't scary.
AlterNet – It may not have been quite so obvious till now, but Britain has just been handed proof that angry and frightened people vote; less angry and reasonable people, not so much. I hope they can pick up on that and take steps to reverse it faster and better than we have. (No more Austrian bureaucrats, no matter how intelligent.) You know, if instead of Boris (excuse me, just how British is HIS name? Sounds Red Russian to me) and Nigel (oh, now, THAT's a British name; several Agatha Christie murderers have worn it), you used photos of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, could anyone tell the difference?
TP – I really do not like the way he almost punched Corinne Brown to "make" this point, either. It would help us considerably if we could communicate long enough and loud enough that Radical Islam IS right wing that it would get through to people. How does the G OP do that anyway?
SamBee – Actually, Americans are not obsessed with guns. A small but very visible and very loud minority is obsessed with guns, to be sure. But other nations have those people. Inthe UK they vote Brexit. No, it's not gun obsession that's keeping our gun laws batshit crazy. It's money. Money from gun manufacturers and sellers, whose income goes up every time someone in America is shot and killed. Money which goes direct from them to the NRA (which many honest gun owners are leaving; it's not just the high profile ones; butthe NRA doesn't need no stinkin' members – they got money). Money which goes directly from the NRA to the pockets of politicians.
Universe – Oh, gosh, how adorable. Lona, I could use some catnaps here!
Enjoy your leisure time while it lasts, Squatch. Take it easy on the dreaded task, though. Not too many trips to the basement, otherwise your knee will play up again.
TNY: Let me guess, Andy is not jubilant about the Brits opting out of the EU. I do hope it becomes clear very soon that this Brexit has disastrous consequences and that some Brexeteers are starting to realize that, so America can shake off this virus of hyper-nationalism that Drumpf is spreading on your side of the Atlantic before the elections.
Alternet: So it must be official, really ff-ing official, 52% of the 72% of Brits who voted is bats hit crazy. And they're backtracking already, but the (economic) damage they have done to Europe (and even the world through stock market falls) but especially the damage they've done to themselves can't be undone. The damage done within the country, the riff it has caused, cutting straight through the different layers of society, the poison left behind in the arteries of British society by the debate, all that can't be undone by backtracking. The Dutch (and perhaps you too) have a saying: If you burn your ass, you'll have to sit on the blisters. And oh, what blisters they are.
One additional note: the article showed Drumpf telling the press on how he endorsed the Brexit right on one of his revamped golf courses in Scotland he "just happened to personally reopen when the referendum was held" (snark). He obviously thought it was a great and very inexpensive advertising opportunity to hold his press conference as presumptive Republican nominee on his Scottish golf course, but the "great" businessman was completely clueless about the fact that the great majority of Scots (62%) voted to stay in the EU and are considering breaking away from the UK as he spoke. I hope that this will come back to bite him in his business ass and that the Scottish golfers boycott his courses and let them go bust.
TP: It doesn't say much for Faux News that they have to resort to dragging he village…, sorry…the House idiot, in front of the cameras to decry gun control. I'm sorry for your troubles, Squatch, but I couldn't be bothered to watch it; I value the lining of my stomach too much. Sam Bee however I did watch, as she's always so disrespectfully spot on.
And I have to see this Cheese Head shares your view on gun control, or the complete lack thereof, Canuck. Not that it matters much what foreigners think when the Republicans won't even listen to 90% of their own citizens, but only to the money the NRA is pushing their way.
My Universe: You're welcome, Squatch. Enjoy.
OOPS! Great minds fell in the same ditch!!
Typical
Sam did it again!!
Should I ship up Killer Dawg to help with laundry.