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Thursday 23 June 2016

Brexit - on the countdown with Mel

Not being a Pom, I don't get a vote. But I do have an opinion, as does COGservative blogger Melvin Rhodes.

Earlier James McBride of COGM issued his encyclical on the matter. To give James fair credit, he is a Brit and has a right to express an opinion, however misguided.

Melvin begins his June 21 commentary thusly:
The street murder of Jo Cox, a British Member of Parliament (M.P.), a few days ago, is having a big impact on the Brexit vote due on Thursday.

Until the murder, the “Leave” campaign was winning in the polls; now the “Remain” vote is gaining steam.

The killer, a middle aged white man, was motivated by politics, making this an assassination. He shouted out “Put Britain First” as he was killing her.
That's a fair and accurate introduction. But look where he goes next.
His action showed the frustration of many people his age who are concerned that they are losing their country, that England is being taken over by migrants and its independence seriously threatened by the European Union.

Jo Cox was in favor of Britain remaining in the EU; she was also very supportive of Britain taking in more Syrian refugees. At the same time, she seemed oblivious to the grooming of young white girls by older Muslim males in her own backyard, a scandal that has received a great deal of coverage in the press.

This is a classic example of “The Dream and the Nightmare,” the dream being the social engineering of the liberal-leftist Establishment; the nightmare the frightening consequences that ordinary people have to live through as they try to cope. The politicians behind these decisions live in their affluent suburbs away from those consequences and never have to face the reality.
I know Mel will bridle at the suggestion, but this is clearly blaming the victim. This neo-fascist creep had - according to Mel - justification for his loathsome act. Jo Cox was to blame for holding views that both the murderer and Mel share in common. It's then a cheap shot at the "liberal-leftish Establishment", and the inference that Jo Cox was living a sheltered existence far from the realities that are so obvious to insightful geniuses such as Mel.

Reality check: the current "establishment" in Britain is Conservative (both with and without the capital letter) to the core. British PM David Cameron is anything but "liberal leftish".

And Jo Cox was a Labour MP, not traditionally associated with the affluent, entitled classes. Her constituency is quite a diverse one. A sheltered existence you say? She spent time working for Oxfam before entering Parliament, which is no country-walk, and was something of an authority with lots of real-world experience on the Syrian refugee situation. She certainly knew a lot more about it than Mel. All of that Mel dismisses in favour of a few parroted armchair talking points.

Now Mel is naturally entitled to his view, but it's a blatantly one-sided one. He goes on to blather about largely irrelevant historical matters ranging from Charlemagne to the Treaty of Rome, then delivers the coup de grace.
These revivals of the Roman Empire were actually prophesied in the Bible. Students of the Bible are aware that there is to be a final resurrection of the Roman Empire. You can read about it in Revelation 17:12-14. This passage shows that ten kings, or nations, will come together to form this final version of the ancient Roman Empire. It will clearly be the final revival as the Kingdom of God is established shortly after it. Also note, it’s not going to be the 28 countries that form the EU.

In the event of a Brexit on Thursday, perhaps we will start to see the EU unravel, to be replaced by the ten-nation union that the Bible talks about.
No, the EU is not a resurrection of the Roman Empire. Revelation 17 is not about modern Europe. There is no ten-nation union "prophesied" in Europe. Mel would know this if he invested in a decent academic commentary on Revelation, or sat down with a book that explained the genre of ancient apocalyptic literature. Seems he could never be bothered. His views on Brexit haven't been fashioned through sober, objective analysis; too much like hard work and conducive to headaches in the noodle. No, they've been predetermined by his fundamental (it's tempting to add lazy) misunderstanding of the Bible.

Which is not to say that Mel isn't a fine fellow, generous to small children and kind to companion animals. I've been informed by private email that Mel is in fact a good listener and can be a compassionate counselor. That's commendable. Politically though he's a danger to anyone who takes his views at face value or assumes they're based on fact rather than lurid exegetical fantasy. His "weak tea apologetic" for the brutal murder of a remarkable woman is simply vile. His dragging in of eighteenth-century biblical interpretation to pontificate on these events is deplorable.

However people vote tomorrow in Britain, one can only hope (and perhaps pray) that they don't take fanatical prophecy peddlers seriously when reaching their decision.

26 comments:

Byker Bob said...

I wonder if these people realize that the British Isles were part of the original Roman Empire, following conquest by Julius Caesar. The only reason this exit vote is important to Armstrongites is that HWA taught that somehow, during the tribulation, Britain would no longer be one of the ten nations. If the vote ends up being in favor of leaving, the COGlodytes are going to go coo coo for Cocoa Puffs in their outlandish prophecies, and timelines. Frankly, it would be more of a concern if Germany left to pursue its own culture and agenda, but I doubt that that has occurred to anyone who has imbibed of the Armstrong Kool Aid.

BB

Anonymous said...

BB : The only reason this exit vote is important to Armstrongites is that HWA taught that somehow, during the tribulation, Britain would no longer be one of the ten nations.

Actually if the Brits take the hike out of the union, many others will follow and the union will turn to crap. That is my hope. The fun will start when false prophet Bobby Thiel throws his incompetent spin on the events.

Byker Bob said...

You are probably correct, O.

Also, the Brits leaving would definitely have a profound effect on the global economic markets, and especially on the British economy.

BB

Kathleen said...

If I remember my Gerald Waterhouse sermons correctly, wasn't Britain ("Ephraim") only supposed to leave (the ten-member) EU in repentance--and toward the end of the Great Tribulation--for having persecuted his brother, the United States (Manasseh)? I never was any good at understanding prophecy, even though, as a child, I sat through Waterhouse's four-hour sermons. Stories about those are not apocryphal.

For those who have wondered about recent events, here's a cram course: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/how-did-uk-end-up-voting-leave-european-union?CMP=share_btn_fb#_=_
Sorry, I don't know how to link that in html.



nck said...

At this pivotal moment in history all scenario's are open.

In 15 years I could see parts of England become a part of Canada which will blend as a state with the USA.

Scotland, and Wales will be part of Europe and Northern Ireland will seccede and unite with Ireland and thus Europe.

I even foresee that the City of London will not even be a part of England since it legally is a Company.

nck

nck said...

Of course the Brits could also quickly organise another referendum to correct this one.
Then the impoverished nation will be granted forgiveness because "they did not no what they were doing". Of course on far worse terms than they had presently negotiated.

In any case, today we have seen the end of the Great Nation of the United Kingdom the last remnant of the Empire, which legacy deluded them into this very arrogance of "going it alone".

Europe will now quickly find a way to strenghten its ties, especially under pressure of the soon to be elected loon as leader of the Western World.

nck

Kathleen said...

By the way, Gavin. As always, I appreciate your clarifications. I don't covet much, but I'd give a lot to have your brain power.

nck said...

And with a LOON I mean the person who steps out of his helicopter on his scottish golf course, tweets congratulations to the scottish people for their, "freedom" while the majority of that people voted to stay in the EU.

Now I was completely free from Armstrongist tenets, but with leaders like that I can see even Armstrongist prophecies come true (in one way or another)

nck

Anonymous said...

nck,

Are you smoking crack? Good god, the speculation of the now Brexit reality has drove you into the prophecy business. Put the pipe away, sober up, throw your bible away and start to read widely and educate yourself. I'd call you a moron but Gavin might decide to be politically correct and censor me.

nck said...

I'm glad you admit to be opinionated. You are indeed as opinionated as a Habsburg empire aristocrat, a Russian aristocrat or a Soviet apparatchik. Of course there world cannot be rocked by the realities presented to them.

If you heed your own advice and "read widely" you would have known that my "little compilation" is an eclectic mix of current affairs items and opinions that are published in the best of media. It is my arrangement and timetable that must have caught you by surprise.

Although I have no inclination to explain or annotate anything to people who call me a moron I cannot resist the vain temptation of reminding you of the US senator (was it Phil Gramm) who during the Nafta negotiations hinted at a British membership of that organisation out of EC. Of course the Scottish and Northern Irish cases must be in your local newspaper by now. And the ridiculous Trump tweet are being corrected by scottish pop stars even. And I could go on and on on the competition Canada is facing with China and Kazachstan n its mining operation.

But no, calling others a moron and be opinionated while stuck in a present reality that is the easy way to go.

My advise is just regard my posting as funny until your local hairdresser start talking about just one of my points in the compilation, then come back and ask me to provide some more material on that specific topic.

The word of the use crack indicates to me that perhaps you might be American. But I may be mistaken. Your arrogant remark is as arrogant as the British Tories at the moment thinking they can dictate the pace of the coming negotiations on their terms (on their dates october after the Torie party concress). It is total arrogance they do not realize who they are dealing with.

They are out, as out as flailing husband saying "I love you, but I love the other too, I don't know... " Well the reaction of the woman scorned is swift and blunt. Out!
And if you are ever to return it is not on your conditions anymore.

Just in one hour British companies lost more value than 31 years of EU contribution.
This is the legacy the older generation has left the younger with. I saw the young cubs crying in the street.

nck

nck said...

Ah opinionated I just read your 10:32 posting.
I see you "hope" the EU falls apart. This puts you in the category of "believers" and to me the same as Armstrongites.

You will be surprised with the swift and flexible reaction of the Union to this matter.

In the past the Colonies deserted Britain. Now it is like Britain leaves the Empire.
A shame that those that voted for Brexit will soon find they were swindled into this and will be the hardest hit when the Asian automobile factories and the banks will comply with European Union Law and leave the United Kingdom taking their jobs with them.

The Queen was complaining about the rude behavior of the Chinese diplomats during their presidents visit. Soon the Chinese will not even bother visiting the UK and set up their local subsidiaries within the legal framework of their biggest market.


nck


nck said...

Since I just remembered it is the sabbath of our previous association I will end this on a positive note.
Since we are all incognito here you can never be certain if I am 100% sure if what I am saying will play out or if I am just provoking you to provide me with information that will lead and convince me into buying companies that just lost a 3rd of their value.

So what I am saying even if I categorized you as a "believer" and an "impolite one even", your opinion might still be of value to me.

nck

Byker Bob said...

I'm waiting to hear what Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, and Eric Clapton have to say on Brexit. Then we'll know what is real.

LOL!
BB

nck said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
nck said...

BB,

On a serious note. Mick Jagger is an economist (london school of economics). (He didn't get to graduate but still, he didn't take no stupid pills regarding his financial affairs.

The Rolling Stones, U2 and more Rockbands are all registered Dutch (EU) Bands (for tax purposes).

It is not the strongest but the most adaptable species that survive.

I'm waiting for 007 (Sean Connery) to speak out on another referendum for Scottish exit.

Other people from the entertainment industry were mad as hell, since they were not allowed to vote. They were registered on tax haven Isle of Man which is technically not a part of the United Kingdom but falls directly under the Queen of England.

This person who called me a moron should for fun purposes investigate the legal status and statutes of the City of London (corporation). The real world is just not what it seems if you only read the local newspaper.

nck

The Skeptic said...

By way of perspective, U.S. markets lost approximately 3 1/2% of value yesterday. Britain -3%, Germany -7%, Japan -8%, Mexico -0.16%. Everyone else dropped somewhere in between.

Declines, yes, but hardly "a third". And hardly what we experienced in 2009 after Lehman Brothers crashed. Plus, I'd bet there will be a partial bounceback on Monday - any takers?

WCG used to declare disaster at every bump in the road, only to turn out to be wrong later. Perhaps some of us still have this tendency?

Byker Bob said...

Actually, I did find Mick's comments. He said that twenty years from now, exit might turn out to have been a good thing in many ways.

People might think that my wonderings regarding those three musicians' opinions was tongue in cheek, but all three have proven over the years to be highly intelligent, and their comments insightful.

BB

nck said...

-As I said: Micks assets are in Euro holdings very different from the worker in the Toyota factory that will be laid in moving their plants to the required Euro country. (Poland or Rumania perhaps)

-Skeptic
You might be right short term. Although all analysts are recalculating this weekend and the next.
-Banks lost a third. That is because of expected lesser income in the long term.
-Lehman was different, That was like an explosion on the electric switch board. Brexit is more like your next door neighbor declining to pay city tax. Will be the loser of the block in some years.

-The score so far

-Euro politicians are pushing for a rapid exit (except benign Germany)
-1 million petitioners to put a new referendum on the parliament agenda
-100.000 petitioners to put an independent London on the parliament agenda

-Scotland is pushing for a rapid vote on leaving the UK and rejoin the EU
-Irish Politicians are inviting their Northern brothers to apply for passports.
-Trump opening golf course in Scotland
-6 original founders of EU meeting in Berlin to discuss Europe of different speeds. (blocs)

nck



Byker Bob said...

The Scots are the equivalent of the Jews in the Anglo Saxon world. It's too bad the people in the less cosmopolitan areas of the UK didn't take their cue from the Scots and the Londoners, the business-orientated, and financially savy.

Actually, there are many around the world who, like the "leave" voters, fear that the UN, through treaties, will eventually usurp the sovereignty of member nations, the citizens of which will not get to vote on these treaties. The UN is perceived as being an agent of the New World Order, and the EU (Brussels) has been functioning as an intermediate step towards that. The challenge humanity faces is that it has become very obvious that certain problems (such as those with the ecology) are best managed globally. So, how do we balance it all out? Some sort of loose and benign management will ensure peace and prosperity, and equitable treatment of world citizens, but citizens of privileged nations do not want to make inordinate sacrifices for the common good. Basically, it's why we need Jesus, or someone very, very like him. One of the reasons why I was hoping Eric Clapton would weigh in is that he is Christian.

BB

nck said...

"The Scots are the equivalent of the Jews in the Anglo Saxon world."

Whats up?
Have you been catching up on the Declaration of Arbroath again, or been watching Braveheart?

The Scots in the Diasporah. Such a shame that the pay out ratio for sheep/wool was higher than the average impoverished Scottish hamlet during those empire years.

The question you raise on the need of some sort of World Order I have been pondering all my life.

I see great awareness among the youngsters today to face the world problems. I am not saying I agree with Bernie Sanders, but his rise is a facet of that awareness.

I found the wars between the City States of Florence and Milan and Pisa to be preposterous and am glad a greater entity called Italy provides its citizens with relative stability. I have found the EU to have also contributed to peaceful cohabitation (until recently).
Perhaps EU and USA will enter into TTIP. In Asia similar arrangements are being prepared.
Technology makes it possible to have information from all over presented in an understandable way in the palm of my hand.

Even if Eric Clapton would weigh in on European or World Affairs the fact is that Citizens of the World have to come to a modus of cohabitations with hindu, muslims, christians, atheists and all cultures that hail from these greater philosophies.

I sure hope Eric will find a cure for his current ailments.
But it makes my day to realise that labs all over the world can now cooperate through technology to find cures for those ailments.

The problem starts when the greater populace starts to get the uneasy feeling that they are in fact the rats in the labaratories themselves. Most of our politicians have failed to explain the upside of cooperation and sped up the great social experiment too fast for human lifespan which has doubled. The brain cannot process such speedy change in one lifetime.

They have rationalized and economized everything.
The other day on one of the blogs I was talking of change and people quickly jumped on me as a prophet of "The brave new world."

Perhaps take it from someone prettier than me.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/247738/makers-and-takers-by-rana-foroohar/9780553447231/

nck











The Skeptic said...

Well, whaddayaknow? The S&P 500 index has bounced back and recovered all of its post-Brexit losses. So has the FTSE 100 in London. So much for the initial panic reactions.

The xCG churches hope that every news event will mark the beginning of the end ... and Christ's return. I would hope we can learn not to get caught up in their hysteria.

The truth is, Christ never rose from the dead, he's not living in heaven and he's not going to return. Meanwhile, mankind's management of this green earth, while far from perfect, is improving over the long term. We need to take a macro view not a micro view.

nck said...

Skeptic, it seems we think alike on the macro side of things.
The micro is a difficult subject. Of course Rome did not fall on a certain date at a certain moment because some tribe thought, today is a good day to invade Rome. This was a long process of atrition perpetrated by the Romans themselves over a longer period of time.
A bit like someone thinking, hey let's remove BI from the list of doctrines not realizing that the whole edifice would collapse in removing the cornerstone of the foundation.

I'm still heavily into Big Oil, don't buy the short term green economics of oil prices. However I am preparing to get rid of those assets long term and maybe quicker than expected. Because as you say the imperfect managers of the wave will have it so. (as decided in Paris)

Speaking about FTSE short or long term, one should take into account "relative to what."
What good is it for a dollar investor to have invested in a 3% rising British company while the pound fell 10%. One lost 7% of the initial investment. But ok, this is short term micro thinking. I like macro processes more.

nck



The Skeptic said...

nck,

Agreed, micro is difficult or impossible. The short term is based more on psychology than fundamentals. Also agreed, for a U.S. investor who hadn't hedged the FTSE had a very bad week.

Big oil? Middle-term I think we can expect a partial bounceback. Long-term the economic trends are against big oil. Natural gas is cleaner and getting cheaper, while green technologies are finally starting to become cost-effective even without government incentives.

Christ's return? Now THAT is a sucker's bet.

nck said...

Let it be said let it be heard. I found common ground. I've been drilling for it. Ill keep Isin RDS.

Nck

nck said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
nck said...

Always look at the bright side of things.

It's good to loose a few pounds just before the summer!

nck