My Writings

TITLE: They Left? They Really Left!
SUMMARY: Reactions to Brexit. Analyzing both sides.
KEYWORDS: politics, brexit, nonfiction
WRITTEN: June 24, 2016

I’m actually surprised. I thought the “Remains” would take it.

Well, not entirely. I don’t live there. I don’t know what people really feel. My hunch is many just don’t like what they feel is a foreign body governing their country. Sure, that’s not really the case, but again, it may “feel” that way. And we can perhaps relate. Didn’t our colonial dads and mums get a little tired of a certain country bothering us and taxing us from across the pond?

Truth be told, I’m happy about this--albeit for selfish reasons. The GBP dropping against the USD is good news for my travels in August (and perhaps vacations the future). Granted, Wall Street is predicted going to go into conniptions once the opening bell sounds.

Ah, well. Not like I had anything to do with all this. I just watched (and hoped).

This could be the start of others dropping out as well. It’s not entirely hypothetical that the EU may eventually dissolve due to this action. I can’t really say if that’s bad or good. As I say about every big change or decision: pros and cons, pros and cons.

But why do I want the “Brexit.”

I remember being a student in London years ago, and one class was on the EU. The professor was going over the history of that establishment and said, “One big reason in forming the EU was simply to compete against you guys (America) and not be bullied in commerce and trade.” Yes, strength in numbers and all that good stuff. That’s understandable. America can act like a bully on occasion.

But bottom line is that I’m American and I have to put my country’s interests first (Again, I’m as sideline a person in this as can be. We all are. I didn’t vote or influence even one Brit--or Scot) I’m only hoping to reap benefits of this unprecedented change.

There’s a “LOST” episode entitled “Whatever Happened, Happened.” I’ve always remembered that title (I remember a lot of them; they have great titles). And I’ve always liked it. We can’t change what has taken place. One downside I see is that the vote was so close. It’s a shame that almost 50% are having to side with something they did not want; however, that’s the reason the voting took place: to stop the arguments and finalize a decision. A 75/25 split would have been easier. I imagine many are pulling their hair out exclaiming, “Argh! If only...” But no. No “if only’s,”

Whatever happened, happened.

My last time in Europe was in April, 2015. I visited Bruges, Amsterdam, London, and a few other places, and yes, I suppose it’s easier not exchanging money in each location--although I had to go from Euro to Pound to Euro, and remember which currency each United Kingdom country used (ended up “broke” at the port of Dublin because I guessed poorly). Beats the time I was in Asia and used five currencies in two weeks.

But I also loved being in Rome back in 2000 and having my lira notes. The exchange rate was a little insane so $1 got a great deal of Italian moola. I liked that. I liked bringing the notes home as souvenirs and I even tried to use 1,000 in a poker game once. The others said no, not evening knowing its worth. Such narrow-minded thinking!

It’s hard to say if the EU is really removing independent identities from countries. Probably not. It’s mainly about streamlined and unified economics. That’s not a bad thing--though small town farmers or fisherman may see it otherwise, and England is as much their country as it is for a Londoner.

Sadly, terrorism probably played well into the voting for many. When terrorism occurs by people from foreign lands (or by people from different races or religions), there’s a natural reaction to shun outsiders or “others” (another “LOST” reference). A tendency to want to put up gates and walls and ensure “those” people don’t enter. Of course “those” people are the vast minority. In most countries, you find good, honest, kind people who have more to contribute than to take away. A shame that the majority suffer for the evil acts of a few twisted and forgettable people. Terrorists often hurt their own people more than anyone else, no matter the body count. They can’t seem to understand that.

And from what I’ve witnessed, Englanders are not any more prejudiced or biased than anyone else. Heck, they’ve been spending a great deal of time making up for crimes of the past with numerous charity organizations. Guilty much for colonialism? They also stopped slavery long before we ever wised up to that abolition of inhumanity. But you see horrific things in the news, and you want to protect your own wife, husband, and children. So I’m certain the recent events affected the votes of many people across the UK.

It had to.

We can’t be too shocked by all this. How many times have we seen the idea of breaking up the United States? I mean, if you really analyze the identities of some states or regions from others, it’s easy to see vast differences in opinions, values, religions, and so forth. True, it’ll never happen in our lifetime. Economically, America needs to stay intact--if for no other reason than that.

Plus, we’ve never really been anything else (after the incubation period at least).

I write all this at 10:50 at night. The opening bell is still about eight hours away. Could be massive financial carnage. I may wake up and check my stocks (Yes, you may advise and do otherwise, but that’s just my modus operandus--I check my stocks first thing in the morning) and find that 2008 is back upon us, or maybe it’s another 200-point gain day. We shall see. Can’t change anything.

Whatever happened...happened.

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