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This week saw US President Barack Obama in the UK supporting the official British government view that that nation should vote to remain within the European Union. Readers of Sparrow Chat will be aware that the writer also supports that view, though perhaps for somewhat differing reasons from either the UK government, or Barack Obama.

President Obama has been one of the most glib and polished presidents of recent years. His popularity, particularly among young people, verges on legend. But a way with words, an ability to charm, does not necessarily prove the worth of the person behind the speeches and smiles.

In many ways Barack Obama oozes a similar charm to the once British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Blair was able to woo the British electorate sufficient to retain power for ten years, yet has become living proof of the corrupting effect such elevated status can bestow.

In a carefully worded speech to the British people, President Obama lithely spelled out the virtues of remaining ‘European’, while adding just a soupçon of warning. A ‘No’ vote could mean repercussions drastically affecting the “special relationship” between the two nations.

It was all said with a smile and much intermittent hand-shaking between the president and the UK Prime Minister, but the threat was sufficient for the BBC to carry this main headline on its website for two days:

“UK-US trade deal could take years – Obama

The UK could take up to 10 years to negotiate trade deals with the US if it leaves the EU, Barack Obama has said.
In a BBC interview, the US president said: “It could be five years from now, 10 years from now before we were able to actually get something done.”
Britain would also have less influence globally if it left, he added.^[1]

Just what are the trade deals to which he refers, and how will they effect the UK and Europe?

Yesterday, Saturday April 23rd, in excess of 30,000 people marched through the streets of Hannover in Germany, to protest over the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). President Obama arrives in Germany today. He is to hold talks with Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in an attempt to move forward discussions on that very Trade Agreement.

It’s the second part of Obama’s crusade to create a World View trade agreement between the US and the rest of the planet that will have serious repercussions for us all if it succeeds.

The first segment, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), has already been provisionally signed by twelve nations, including Australia and New Zealand, Canada, and of course, the United States, despite huge protests by the citizenry of these nations.

The TPP is being backed by Big Business, which stands to benefit enormously from the treaty. In a totally undemocratic and underhand manner, allowing no consultation with democratic watchdogs (or even the US Congress), the TTP is going ahead. It has Barack Obama’s full backing. On October 5th 2015, then Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, stated he expected:

…signatures on the finalized text and deal early in the new year, and ratification over the next two years.”

It seems that, at least for those nations on the Pacific rim, democracy is taking a back seat to corporate power. If European leaders are persuaded to act similarly, against the wishes of their citizens, a similar fate will await Europe.

The demise of democracy in America is plain (for all those who take note of such things) to see. Corporate power is king, and the US Congress bows the knee to its reign. US politicians are like a football team, long time holders of the title, but now relegated to the lower divisions.

Today we are seeing the first corporate to make a bid for the US Presidency. Donald Trump may cut a comic figure to many, he may well never make the final cut, but it can only be a matter of time before the Office of President of the United States is held by a Trump, or a Zukerberg^[2], or a Koch.

One can only hope we Europeans are not sold off in a similar manner to the highest corporate bidder.

It is, perhaps, a forlorn hope.

^{[1] “Post-Brexit trade deal with US could take 10 years, Obama warns” BBC, April 23rd 2016}

^{[2] “How Facebook plans to take over the world” Guardian, April 23rd 2016}

On his visit to the UK, US President Obama has stated his opinion that Britain is stronger within the EU than outside it.

Opponents of EU membership, notably Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith, call him a hypocrite:

… Vote Leave’s Boris Johnson said President Obama’s view was “a breathtaking example of the principle do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do”…[and] described Mr Obama’s argument as “inconsistent” and “downright hypocritical”.
“The Americans would never contemplate anything like the EU for themselves or for their neighbours in their own hemisphere. Why should they think it right for us?”…

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, who is also part of the Vote Leave campaign, also accused Mr Obama of double standards.
“I can imagine no circumstances under which he would lobby for the US Supreme Court to be bound by the judgements of a foreign court,” he said.
“Nor can I imagine any circumstances in which he would accept that laws should be made for­- or taxes imposed on­ – the people of the United States without the approval of Congress.”^[1]

These people will say anything – and twist any situation – for their own gains. They totally ignore the fact that the United States has its own version of the EU. It’s called the UNITED States – a central (federal) government overseeing separate state governments under a single Constitution.

That is exactly how Europe should be run.

It’s time Britain, and the British, realised they are no longer a nation with an empire. It’s time they stopped regarding themselves as better than the Germans and French because they beat the former, and liberated the latter, in WW2 (with a little help from the Americans!). If the French can forgive the Nazi atrocities imposed on their countrymen eighty years ago and work together with the Germans to build a better and more united Europe, then it’s time the British gave up their arrogant swagger towards Europe and adopted a more cooperative attitude.

UK politicians talk blithely about Britain’s strength, and how it should be in the forefront (read: leading) Europe, but conveniently forget that both the French(5th) and German(4th) economies are ranked above Britain’s(6th).

One has only to note the supercilious smugness towards their hosts of many Brits living in France, to wonder how the French put up with it. They do because, in general, they’re more tolerant, more accepting, and frankly better mannered than the British.

Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith have their own political agendas and would, no doubt, benefit in the short term from a UK exit from the EU. Johnson is favourite to become prime minister and leader of the Tory party should David Cameron be forced to resign after a UK pullout.

It’s easy to feel ashamed of one’s fellow countrymen.

^{[1] “Barack Obama visit: UK more effective at fighting terror inside EU” BBC, April 22nd 2016}

Every year, just prior to midnight on December 31st, the world gathers to welcome in a new beginning – a New Year. For most it’s just a grand excuse for a knees-up, the opportunity to drink the night away, and forget troubles.

December 31st 2015 was no exception. Unfortunately, reality has to return at some point – usually around January 2nd – and the long, dark, drawn-out, trawl through to spring can prove a depressive way to start any year, at least in the northern hemisphere.

There’s been one bright spark to light our way to spring 2016, though, in the form of Donald Trump.

Idiot, loudmouth, hairdressers’ nightmare, however one thinks of Donald Trump since his arrival on the political scene he has been, above all, an entertainer. Trump has proved a clown above clowns, a jester to rival Lancelot Gobbo, or King Henry’s irresponsible companion, Falstaff.

Throughout his run for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump has left us gasping with disbelief, shocked at his vociferous outpourings, but always tempered with a certain belief that he was never, ever, going to make it. Not in a thousand years. His own party hates him. The rest of the political world despises the man, together with his ever more despicable views.

How could we have been so wrong? With his huge win in New York this week, suddenly it seems that Trump cannot lose. It’s now looking more than just ‘likely’ that the US Presidential campaign will feature Republican nominee, Donald Trump, versus Democratic nominee, Hilary Clinton.

But, of course, Clinton is bound to win – isn’t she?

It seems we cannot underestimate the “Trump phenomena”. Sick of career politicians contaminated by Washington corruption, American citizens appear happy to vote for anyone not wearing the ‘Establishment’ shirt, and Hilary Clinton is, undoubtedly, Establishment.

On the US political scene, at least, 2016 looks forward to being an interesting year.

Sadly, although the year is only four months old, it’s already claimed three of the United Kingdom’s greatest personalities and entertainers, taken swiftly and without warning.

January saw the loss of Sir Terry Wogan. He brightened the morning for millions with his long running radio show. Cancer claimed him in a matter of months at the age of 77.

Ronnie Corbett passed away on the last day of March. He was 84. One of the UK’s most brilliant and long-running comedians, he will be sadly missed.

Most recently, just yesterday in fact, we were informed of the sad and premature death of comedian, writer, and entertainer, Victoria Wood, yet another victim of cancer. She was a mere 62 years old.

Let’s not forget Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Paul Daniels, and David Gest…..and, news just in, Prince!

Such talent is irreplaceable.

Not to be too sad, however, because there is a bright side –

– in February the world lost Antonin Scalia, too.^[1]

And to think it’s only April.

Happy New Year 2017…anyone?


^{[1] “What Antonin Scalia’s Death Means to the People I Love”}