I couldn't put it better myself, Sir!

As per usual I am indulging in petty larceny from an excellent writer very much more erudite than me. even if he does sound a tad 'Oirish'!  I refer to a column at the National Review written by Mr. Michael Brendan Dougherty.  Suffice to say that I agree entirely with his view.

Four years ago, the most important political event in the Western World since 1989 happened: The people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.

Every single institution in Western public life was against Brexit. Of course, every single government in the European Union itself, including Britain’s own government, then led by David Cameron and his gang of “Tory modernizers.” The President of the United States was against it, intervening to say that a post-Brexit United Kingdom would be in the “back of the queue” when it came to trading with the United States. The international institutions were against it, with idiotic threats about permanent downgrades of credit, the disappearance of the financial sector from London, and immediate depression. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, predicted that a vote for Leave “could be the beginning of the destruction of not only the EU but also Western political civilization in its entirety.”

And what happens when the universities, the established Church, the government, the media, the leading figures of the opposition, and the bureaucracy of Brussels want something? They get it. It might take a second referendum in Ireland, or an end run around France. But you’ll vote until you turn in the Establishment’s preferred result, and then the question will be deemed answered for at least a generation. Maybe forever.

But democratic peoples can find a way.

The European Union is a utopian project, a series of endless corporate giveaways, and an escape hatch for failed politicians. So of course the entire fashionable oligarchy supports it.

Opposition to the European Union was deemed “populist,” which is the Establishment’s word for déclassé and illegitimate. But the vote four years ago proved that Brexit was not just a “populist” cause but a democratic one.

Democracy has its critics going back to the ancient Greeks. And many modern conservatives look at it with dismay. They fear that a rabble can, on a whim, overturn the great and often misunderstood customs and institutions that guard our liberties. That is sometimes true.

But the institutions in many Western nations have largely been captured by a self-seeking class that feels no duty to posterity, has only conditional loyalty to their respective nations, and respects no principle that gets in the way of attaining personal wealth. This is as true in Britain as it is in the United States. The same managerial class that would forbid Americans to criticize the mob for destroying America’s cultural artifacts is the same that forbids too-harsh criticism of China doing the same in Kashgar. The consultants at McKinsey will put up a #BlackLivesMatter post on Instagram and still party with the Chinese Community Party in the shadow of concentration camps. There’s no principle involved — except keeping a profitable status quo going.

This Establishment flatters itself as democratic even as it rages at the results of elections in Italy, Poland, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and America. But it’s not democratic, which is why those who lead it, whether prime ministers such as Tony Blair and David Cameron, presidents such as Barack Obama, or Chancellor Angela Merkel, constantly refer to the “direction” of history itself, and moral arcs of the universe. This is a rhetoric of inevitability, and iron laws, irresistible forces — it’s the rhetoric of Communism, really.

But Brexit is proof that a democratic mandate can overturn the “inevitable.” It’s a proof that democratic peoples still have free will. And it’s a sober proof that the Establishment is almost always projecting and lying. They accuse their opponents of their own misdeeds. Brexit did not sink the United Kingdom into Depression. In fact, the United Kingdom was growing faster than Germany until recently. Membership in the European Union is no prophylactic against disaster. The end of Western political civilization is still possible, and we’ll know it has come when democratic events like Brexit really are made impossible.

Well said, Sir, and your next pint of Guinness is on me!

 

 

 

Comments

[JK]

Seems an appropriate place to drop the news that "our" Dems are still right pissed at y'all Brit's temerity to start the ball rollin'

https://bigleaguepolitics.com/house-democrat-calls-for-dhs-investigation-due-to-nigel-farages-attendance-at-trumps-tulsa-rally/

Good job Nigel!

[JK]

Neither could I have put 'this' better, for you Bob!

https://www.courthousenews.com/dc-circuit-orders-judge-to-drop-flynn-prosecution/

I'll get a pdf of the order asap and you ought print it, shred it, put it in your pipe and smoke it. And be done with it.

[Bob]

JK,

Things have been headed in that direction for a few weeks. No surprise.

[JK]

It was most definitely a surprise to me Bob, frankly I thought it highly unlikely ... until yesterday as it happens (DoJ "discovered *lost* exculpatory documentary evidence" - which I think even you'd admit seems ... oh I don't know "fishy" perhaps?) But I was figuring that even that "new evidence" wouldn't be enough.

https://legalinsurrection.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/USA-v.-Flynn-Appeal-Court-Order-6-24-2020.pdf

See especially page 10 & Points 5 & 7 arguments against the dissent then; read the dissent itself. Concurring writing Judge's observation that, "Dissent swings for the fences" couldn't be more apt.

When an arm of government is weaponized Bob it poses clear and present danger not just for those who spend 'regular time' within government service it is rather, a clear and present danger to all of us.

[Bob]

JK,

It's probably over, but there's this:

"Sullivan did not immediately grant that motion and instead sought to hold hearings on the matter, angering Flynn allies.

The unusual move from Sullivan to keep the case alive despite prosecutors' wishes was preceded by an unusual move from the DOJ itself to drop the charges against Flynn even after he had pleaded guilty -- saying the FBI interview that led to his charge of lying to investigators about his contacts with Russia's ambassador had no "legitimate investigative basis."

It's unclear whether Sullivan could try to appeal to the full appeals court or even to the Supreme Court in order to keep the case alive. The next step otherwise would likely be for Sullivan to comply."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/appeals-court-orders-flynn-case-be-dismissed-after-years-long-legal-saga

I agree with you in general, but not in this case. However, it would be small of me not to congratulate Donny and his pet toad William Barr for keeping a perjurer and turncoat out of stir.

[Loz]

What a tosspot!

In fact, the United Kingdom was growing faster than Germany until recently.

Correct - under David Cameron while in the EU Blighty was growing at 3.2% and Britons had never been so prosperous and individually free in the history of Blighty. 28 countries to choose from for products, services, friends, lovers neighbours, and to live in.

Now look at the state of the place since this douchebag author's "take back control" "democratic decision" has come to be!

Every poll for the last 2 years up to the election showed Remain ahead of Brexit. The other people of Europe who were asked a second time demanded to stay. If they really wanted to leave why'd they not vote leave second time around?. Thankfully for them they had the chance to reverse their rash decision.

We had no second chance. BoJo won the election not because of Brexit but because he was not Jeremy Corbyn.

SoD

[JK]

"A turncoat"?

Explain.

In full.

Exhibits (admissible) greatly appreciated. As well as any "charges presented to the [any] Court to that effect" laid.

(You'll be aware Bob, as General Flynn was active for "a period" and under the jurisdiction of the UCMJ any such accusation should be searched for under that same UCMJ as well?)

Happy trails Bob, unless and until you can provide permissable evidence we're done on the subject.

[JK]

Oh and check US Code for [all] the definitions of perjury.

The chargeable definitions at any rate.

[Whitewall]

"Populism" being any organized effort by a majority of people that runs afoul of what ever the Global Ruling class wants.

[Loz]

Here's a pollster documenting the switch to remain ...

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/john-curtice-on-brexit-and-eu-referendum-polls-1-6714409

Those who didn't vote in the 2016 referendum declared for remain from Theresa May's fumbled 2017 election onwards, providing a small but consistent majority in the polls ever since then.

So much for "the will of the people", eh Gaffer?

SoD

[Bob]

JK,

"Flynn told investigators that he was instructed to engage with the Russians by senior members of the Trump transition team.

The plea agreement marks a major development in special counsel Robert Mueller's probe — Flynn is the first former senior official from the Trump White House to face charges. It also suggests that Flynn has information that may take investigators to the core question of their inquiry: possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia."

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/01/561238303/michael-flynn-sr-expected-to-plead-guilty-to-lying-to-fbi

This is the main reason Trump pushed so hard to get Flynn off. "Turncoat" might not be a correct legal term, but he conspired with a hostile foreign power. Since he was convicted there's a specific charge.

[JK]

"[I]s the first ... to face charges. It also suggests ... may ... question ... inquiry. Possible coordination."

"[H]e conspired with a hostile foreign power."

"Since he was convicted"

Harder Bob. Try harder.

[AussieD]

Totally off topic.

Normandy '44 by Holland arrived and it is a very good read handling the issue from both the Allied and German perspectives. My only disappointment is that it, like most histories of D Day, skips over the naval tasks and their complexity. To be fair handling that side of the campaign would necessitate a whole book on its own but I feel that is not going to happen.

Thanks SoD. Money well spent.

[Glesga]

Loz, you are right about Corbyn. Momentum gets more mention in Labour circles than does Labour Party. Corbyn was the Tory asset of the last decade. The Tories must finance the various Labour factions and it works.

[Loz]

OzD,

Blimey, that was quick! Glad you liked it - I haven't finished it yet so can't comment!

For a running top-up you could try James Holland and Al Murray's podcast as mentioned before.

If anyone's feeling a bit Covid / BLM low then just listen to this fella, one John Hamilton, who shot down a Stuka in his youth and these days goes to the gym 5 times a week AGED 101 !!! ...

https://play.acast.com/s/wehaveways/ad411840-3cbc-4269-83d5-4a590e34f08a

SoD

[Loz]

Here he is in the gym ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aawYoxsZPZI

Sometimes there are no words.

SoD

[Angelo Misterioso]

Flynn "conspired with a hostile foreign power"?

What???

He did no such thing, and was never charged with any such thing.

[AussieD]

SoD

Can you give me the podcast ref again please

[Loz]

Here it is, it's called "We have ways of making you talk" by James Holland and Al Murray ...

https://play.acast.com/s/wehaveways

SoD

[AussieD]

Thanks SoD