Brexit: Reading the Tea Leaves

With Thursday’s referendum looming, it looks like even money that the UK may leave the European Union. Even the tragic murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a pro-Brexit assassin hasn’t changed that. There’s much at stake, but British nationalism and xenophobia are running high, and it can be hard for those not directly involved in finance or trade to discern the benefits of EU membership and the high costs of Brexit.

And your normal British bloke just doesn’t feel very European. He might like bit of pastry and a cuppa for brekkie, but he can’t even butter a crescent-shaped croissant. The UK’s Tesco supermarkets finally gave up and stopped baking traditional curved croissants and straightened them out for the native-born. Can those even be called “croissants,” “cornettos”, or “cuernos”? Shudder. Could this be a sign of impending Brexit?

More:

“British Retailer’s Straight Croissants Leave Some Bent Out of Shape,” Dan Bilefsky, New York Times

“In a twist: Tesco’s decision to stop selling curved croissants sparks debate,” Damien Gayle, The Guardian

Straightened-Out Croissants and the Decline of Civilization,” Adam Gopniok, The New Yorker

“French mock Tesco over decision to only sell straight croissants because customers cannot spread jam properly,” Caroline Mortimer, The Independent

Zygote Liberation Front Loses in North Dakota

On Tuesday North Dakota voters did not approve Measure One, which would have amended the State Constitution by adding one sentence: “The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.”

The North Dakota pro-life group behind this fetal personhood proposal didn’t like it called a “personhood” proposal, but that’s what it was. It would have outlawed not only abortions, but also other procedures such as in vitro fertilization. As one medical group observed, Measure One would have granted constitutional legal rights to fertilized eggs.

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‘Little Green Men’ Keep the Peace in Crimea

They came from Russia Outer Space, perhaps. Silently, in the dead of night, thousands of heavily armed masked men appeared on the streets of Sevastopol‎, Simferopol‎, and Yalta.‎ Their green uniforms bear no markings, and they’re not talking. Observers speculate that the Federation of Planets sent them as poll watchers, to ensure a free and fair vote in today’s Crimean referendum.

More:

“OSCE evidence lifts lid on ‘little green men’ in Crimea,” Peter Felstead, IHS Jane’s 360

“Crimeans vote on Russia referendum,” Carol Morello and Pamela Constable, Washington Post

“Why the Crimean referendum is illegal,” Lea Brilmayer, The Guardian

“Crimea as consolation prize: Russia faces some big costs over Ukrainian region,” Will Englund, Washington Post

UPDATES:

“Crimea Votes to Secede From Ukraine as Russian Troops Keep Watch,” David M. Herszenhor, New York Times

“Crimea votes to secede from Ukraine in ‘illegal’ poll,” Luke Harding and Shaun Walker, The Guardian

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Maryland Chooses Love

In a remarkable act of decency and understanding, the voters of the state of Maryland approved legal status for same-sex civil marriage. In a political year marked by hate speech and fear-mongering, it’s a significant triumph for tolerance and love.

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Warren Buffett’s Message for Maryland Voters

Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett, to MBA students at the Richard Ivey School of Business:

“On my honeymoon I traveled out west. When I visited the casino and saw all these smart well-dressed people participating in a game with the odds against them, it was then that I realized ‘I won’t have a problem getting rich!'”

— “The Moment When Warren Buffett Realized Getting Rich Would Be Easy,” Gus Lubin, Business Insider

Something to think about on Tuesday, November 6th.

Related:

“University of Maryland launches problem gambling center,” Chris Korman, Baltimore Sun

The High Price of America’s Gambling Addiction,” Sheryl Nance-Nash, AOL Daily Finance

“Gambling more of a problem in U.S. adults than drinking,” Kathleen Blanchard RN, eMaxHealth.com

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Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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North Dakota Racism Referendum

In a referendum yesterday, North Dakotans voted to retire their state university’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname and symbols. We cannot confirm the rumor that University of North Dakota teams will henceforth be called the “Fighting Space Aliens” (above: new team logo?).

The North Dakota state legislature had passed a law directing UND to use the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo in perpetuity even though many constituents feel the practice is racist. “Sioux” is derived from an Ojibwe term for the Lakota people, many of whom live in the state, and is often regarded as an insult. The NCAA considers racial and ethnic logos and mascots “hostile and abusive” and sanctions teams for their use, and UND is one of the last holdouts. Perhaps this referendum will convince the National Football League to change the name and logo of the “Washington Ethnic Slurs.”

North Dakota ballot measure results here.

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Image “North Dakota Fighting Space Aliens”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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