Tag Archives: Brexit

WWI, They Shall Not Grow Old… and a few thoughts on Brexit

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Lest we forget

It is nearly the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, which ended on 11/11/1918 at 11:00. And a brand-new film has just been released: They Shall Not Grow Old. Directed by Peter Jackson, the film uses original film from the war recovered and colorised. Its sound track draws on period music and recordings made by historians after the war in conversation with WWI veterans. It is a technological marvel and an incredibly compelling story. IMDB has given the film a rating of 8.9/10, which is extraordinary. Check out the trailer here!

I have just had the most amazing experience at a special showing of the film, here in Greenwich (London). This was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. The theatre was packed and once the film started you could hear a pin drop. The film really brings you into the scene, with all of the horror, fear, laughter, and terrible conditions. It is stunning. And, after it ended, there was silence as folks stayed until the end of the credits. Some 700,000 UK soldiers died (a kill rate of more than 1 in 10). Another 200,000 died from other parts of the British empire. Of course, this was a just a small fraction of the 19 million who died overall in WWI across Europe.

An interesting footnote is just how many of the British veterans had fond memories of the Germans captured. They got along well. In the insanity of the war, front line soldiers on both sides could not understand why they were fighting each other. Perhaps some other true enemy, but why the Brits and Germans with their shared history?

Every year, I buy a poppy from the UK veterans association in November. It is a way to honour of those who have died and the other UK veterans who have often fought alongside us Americans (e.g., in Iraq and Afghanistan). I certainly felt solidarity with folks in the theatre today.

European disunion

The film definitely registered with the audience. One of the sad points of Brexit is that — outside of Scotland, London and Northern Ireland — many folks in UK seem to have forgotten why the EU was founded. This was, in part, to prevent such tragedies as WWI and WWII from happening again in Europe. Depending on the poll and the day, perhaps 50% of Brits still want to go it alone. Though, admittedly, an increasing share are having doubts.

From my childhood, I have known folks who were alive at the time of WWI and heard their stories. During holiday visits, my grandfather would tell me stories from his time during the war in the US merchant marine traversing the North Atlantic. My wife’s great aunt Coressa impressed me with her memories of the local support in North Carolina for Woodrow Wilson during the war and his peace efforts afterwards. Mom’s uncle Joe died in France during WWI, a point that was still hard for the older generation to discuss when I was a kid. I have been to Belleau Wood in France, where the freshly arrived Americans scrambled in 1918 to plug a hole in the front line and stop the German assault on Paris. There are still bomb craters and twisted metal to be seen there.

From various conversations, first hand observations, and histories and economic studies, it seems clear that Europe is better off united than it was when it was divided.

November Poppy

Reflections on lavender, white-tailed bumblebees and Brexit

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Of lavender and British bees …

Thank goodness for lavender and white-tailed bumblebees. As the UK drifts toward Brexit with a strange sort of national complacency, and the social divisions and lack of strategic approach become increasingly evident and glaring, the lavender and white-tailed bumblebees in my backyard provide me with solace.

White-tailed bumblebee

Lavender and a white-tailed bumblebee in my garden

Each summer we have a lavender patch in our garden. And, from time to time I take a few minutes to stop and meditate nearby, enjoying the herbaceous atmosphere and watching the bees at work. I admire their industry and collaboration. Bees do seem to proceed joyfully in this labour. They simply love lavender. Here in the UK, I have grown to eagerly await the annual return of the white-tailed bumble bees. They are giant and awkward and focused in their efforts.

… and Brexit

This year, my lavender and white-tailed bumblebee meditations have helped me keep centred in the face of the national political craziness. As the tone of the Brexit discussions becomes darker, leading pundits are speaking of national humiliation (e.g., Gideon Rachman in the FT, 10 July 2017) and “calamity” (e.g, Martin Wolf in the FT, 13 July 2017).

While I do think that remaining in the EU is the best option economically and socially, the fact that Brexit is advancing should not yet lead to despair. It is too soon to give up on efforts to limit the damage. But, time is pressing. With just 20 months to go before Brexit (March 2019), avoiding the worst will require a strategic approach and urgent action. Where do the Brits want the UK to be in 2 years?

There are marginally costly Brexit scenarios like staying in the European Economic Area (single market) and there are costly cliff-edge, car-crash scenarios of a hard Brexit with no deal with the EU. Let us not wring our hands and watch the car crash unfold before us. Advocacy and action are required now.

But, meanwhile, the lavender and bees are here to keep things Zen for me. After another crazy week, I am hanging out in the garden and staying centred. And, thank goodness, if we do go over the cliff edge, then I know they will be here to help take out the sting.

Fine British white-tailed bumblebees at work in my garden