tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319172106392132510.post4738829208504947421..comments2023-09-24T08:05:04.868-04:00Comments on The Pilgrim Underground: The European Establishment, Brexit and US ImperialismProtoprotestanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18217567607160768261noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319172106392132510.post-20798478162035412972016-09-25T22:39:04.840-04:002016-09-25T22:39:04.840-04:00I'm also waiting to see if a 2nd referendum ha...I'm also waiting to see if a 2nd referendum happens. But there's the other problem... if it fails and leads to a snap election, there's the risk of a Corbyn government. His Labour victory has seriously undermined any agenda in this regard. There are some very ticked off people in London right now.Protoprotestanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18217567607160768261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319172106392132510.post-77060685848676535192016-09-25T22:36:18.946-04:002016-09-25T22:36:18.946-04:00I'm waiting for the book to be written on Came...I'm waiting for the book to be written on Cameron. Right now I'm inclined to think this all backfired and got away from him. He let the genie out of the bottle. If it was indeed a bluff, he totally misread the situation but it doesn't seem like he was alone.<br /><br />It would seem the Anglo-American Establishments have underestimated the social forces at work. They're being channeled into both Left and Right movements... although mostly Right at present. That's why I posted the Trotsky piece. I found his analysis of Hitler's ascent to be a fascinating parallel to our present day Right resurgence.<br /><br />As far as Washington goes.... in time the Obama State Department might come under scrutiny, even from centre-left historians. At this point I would argue his foreign policy has been misunderstood. I think he's not as clueless or amateur as he's being accused of and yet clearly from the standpoint of certain Establishment elements he hasn't been properly pro-active and aggressive and insuring the integrity of old alliances nor pushing US prerogatives abroad.<br /><br />I'm afraid 'weakness' is a term that is applicable whether viewing him from the standpoint of the Establishment, the nationalist or for that matter the Left. His apologists will argue (and with some reason) that he has been neutralised in a way never seen before. There's no doubt that's true but I think it's also true that he failed to utilise the power of his office and has proven a somewhat poor leader. Labour in the UK has tried to pin this on Corbyn for Brexit but the blame clearly belongs on Cameron. It is Cameron that failed to campaign sufficiently and let the narrative be hijacked.<br /><br />I say this as one who has no stake or real interest in his (or any of these figures) success or failure. I view it from the standpoint of the social currents and what they mean for the Church both in the US and overseas. I am interested but don't share any of the assumptions.<br /><br />What's worse for the Church... more of the same, the devil we know or the wild card factor? That's the question before me as I watch the Great American Reality Show of 2016.<br /><br />And of course the way I answer that question is completely different from how someone within the Christian Right would respond.<br /><br />I think the statement about in-fighting is accurate and its clear Europe is trying to make a move. Britain has been left out in the cold and the door is open for the first time since the early 1990s.<br />Protoprotestanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18217567607160768261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319172106392132510.post-17213627142996021732016-09-24T17:08:11.026-04:002016-09-24T17:08:11.026-04:00I think your question partly assumes that the outc...I think your question partly assumes that the outcome of the Brexit referendum was a foregone conclusion. I don't think anyone seriously anticipated that result.<br /><br />What's telling, perhaps, is that shortly after it was over, there were already major news outlets featuring stories of people who "regretted" voting in favor of leaving the EU, as if they were "hung over" or didn't fully understand the issue. It was also telling that crowds of people confronted Parliament demanding a second referendum and that to this day, that is still a serious (and likely) possibility.<br /><br />Me? I'm biding my time waiting for the upcoming presidential debates. Should be good for a laugh.<br /><br /><br />A.P.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319172106392132510.post-91880742647904945542016-09-23T18:33:08.268-04:002016-09-23T18:33:08.268-04:00If Brexit was a gash in Washington's European ...If Brexit was a gash in Washington's European strategy, why allow a brainless lapdog like Cameron a chance to enact this? Was it a bluff to diffuse growing right-wing tension that, if successful, would calm down the population? That seems kind of reckless. Perhaps things just got out of control Washington handlers couldn't respond, or were ignored. I'm curious more about this part of the story. It was a staggering defeat for pro-EU Tories. Perhaps this represents factional infighting over the future of American foreign policy. I'm sure there are some people who have some vision of a US-led Europe that involved this sort of seeming debacle. <br /><br />I'm curious for any additional thoughts.Cal of Chelcicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04274276191242967318noreply@blogger.com