Hello from London! I'm currently visiting, and doing my best to gain insight about the details of the Brexit. Today's digest is short with just two links, trivia, and of course a furry friend. I will add that I follow international politics closely, and I see plenty of flaws in the EU. Problematically, anyone who has payed attention to Europe over the past century will have no issue finding FAR worse alternatives than imperfect cooperation. And it seems that Europe is trending in the wrong direction once more...
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
1914 - Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated in Sarajevo. The Archduke's assassination was the event that finally sparked WWI, but unbeknownst to many, the Archduke was highly unpopular in Austria, and his death was more of an excuse to start a war that had been building for over a decade, and had almost broken out on numerous previous occasions.
Timely, since the EU that Britain wants out of was established after WWII to prevent Europe from tearing itself apart a third time.
Not a Good Look
I wasn't privy to any of the campaigning, but from everything I've heard it was even uglier than America's current election. Apparently the pro-Brexit party relied on racist and bigoted rhetoric. I can't verify that, though it seems highly probable. What I can say is that it's not a good luck when one of Europe's most outspoken racists pens an op-ed in your defense (from NYTimes).
Marine Le Pen is a fascist plain and simple. Though she couches this op-ed in the language of freedom, it is only a thin veneer for her contempt for international cooperation. Underneath the hollow cries of sovereignty, it is quite easy to see the mindset that propelled people like Hitler.
I Don't Want to Say I Told You So, But...
But actually many people did. The Economist, one of Britain's most respected and historic conservative publications predicted every disastrous economic and political outcome. It's like if someone told you that if you shoot yourself in the foot, you won't be able to walk, and then you shot yourself in the foot anyhow (from the Economist).
Sadly, the pro-Brexit leaders have already begun walking back their campaign promises, and re-evaluating their positions. They've revealed that the number they said Britain sent to the EU was overstated and that the savings would not or could not be used as promised, they've admitted that they may not be able to fully staunch immigration from the EU, and now they're demanding the EU treat them fairly in trade talks. It's like if Donald Trump were to get elected and was unable to build a wall...
Just Me and My Happy Place
Straight out of Colorado (but definitely not there in this pic) comes Bo! Bo lives with his human Katherine in Denver, and enjoys the access to the great outdoors his city provides; he's an avid hiker and mountain climber, but every dog needs a break, and Bo certainly deserves his time in the sun and sand. Big thanks to Katherine for sharing Bo!
Will's Weekly Trivia!
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TRIVIA!
Last Week:
1. Who coauthored the Communist Manifesto along with Karl Marx? ONE POINT
2. What year did the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia begin? ONE POINT
3. Which Soviet premier oversaw the fall of the USSR? Who followed him as the first democratically elected president of Russia? ONE POINT APIECE
Answer:
1. Friedrich "why does Marx get all the credit" Engels co-authored the Communist Manifesto.
2. The Bolshevik Revolution began in 1917.
3. Mikhail Gorbachev was the final Soviet Premier, and Boris Yeltsin was the first president of post-Soviet Russia.
This Week:
1. Which countries made up the Central Powers in WWI? ONE POINT
2. Who is the current Prime Minister of Britain who announced he would resign after the Brexit vote? ONE POINT
3. How many wars did France and Germany fight between 1870-1945 (HINT: more than two, but fewer than eight)? ONE POINT
LEADER BOARD The race for first is tightening! Check your spot on the leader board HERE on Willful Intent.
