The Dowager Countess Goosenberry
The past three days have been nonplussing at best, as voters in the UK have decided to leave the European Union. I was fortunate enough to catch up with my dear friend, The Dowager Countess Goosenberry by phone. She was exceedingly animated during our conversation and I fear given to the drink again while we were talking. Here is an excerpt she has allowed me to share.
Michael, I must tell you that at first, I had no idea what Brexit was. In fact, I was talking with my dear son Tarquin ( still a lovely bachelor, ladies), and he cleared it up for me. You see, I thought Brexit was some new type of American breakfast sandwich. Michael, I mean no disrespect, but you Americans seem so bent on vulgarizing everything you touch.
I hear a long pause. Countess, are you still there? Oh goodness, I fear we Brits no longer have the moral high ground, do we? Our departure from the EU, motivated out of ignorance, fear, and outright racism, seems to put us in the same category of Swiftian Yahoos.
I must confess, I have not been a fan of the EU, but leaving it just never made sense to me. Then I started seeing that awful racist, Nigel Farage talking about UKIP. Well, Michael, at first, I thought he was making some deranged command for us all to take a nap … and Farage does tire me. Finally, my dearest Tarquin explained to me that Farage and the UK Independence Party (UKIP) were pushing for the vote to leave the EU.
I hear a long and dramatic sigh from the Countess, when she resumes: Michael, I will tell you candidly, I did vote for David Cameron, which I regretted, and my Tarquin was quite vexed with me, but now I find myself having to actually defend Cameron.
I have been both laughing at and feeling sorry for you over there across the pond with Donald Trump as a presidential candidate, but now we seem to be the target of much similar, well deserved ribbing. It is all I can bear to have to look at Boris Johnson. As my Tarquin says, ‘Johnson is Donald Trump without all of the orange base makeup gone wrong.” Is there such a thing as an albino cheeto? Michael, can you tell me is it true that your Mr. Trump has appointed right wing Christian fanatics and homophobes, such as Michele Bachmann and Jerry Falwell, Jr? Oh my! Well, I do suppose we are not quite as bad off as you are there.
My hope is that your country will learn from our mistake. While the dissolution of the middle class is real, and we have overwhelming evidence of the negative impact of neoliberalism, this is not a time to yield to fear and hate mongering and to racism. Indeed, your Mr. Trump seems to thrive and give voice to racism, homophobia, and misogyny. As you know, Michael, the wave of regret is currently washing over the population here about leaving the EU. I hope your Yahoo Doodle Dandy Trump and his live reality television campaign do not prevail.
I hear ice rattling in a glass during another pause. Finally the Dowager returns. Do forgive me, Michael, but I must dash. I’m heading to my Scottish property for a bit of fresh air. Whoever thought the Scots would get politics right?! Best of luck with your election…
Social Justice For All 
The Dowager Lady Ursula’s homemade gooseberry wine should never be served on the rocks, Michael. She must have taken to stronger drink since I last saw her. Clearly, she has even begun to think that Hyacinth’s son is her own. Nevertheless, I believe that the challenges with Britain’s participation in the EU started well before the recent unpleasantness. While I have only visited three times since they first joined the EU, it struck me that they were really not “all in.” Certainly many important changes have happened, but even the biggest EU fans dragged their feet on issues like currency and immigration.
I believe that the distinction that I make here is important as we consider our own embarrassment about La Trump. Most of his fans have never been all in on civil rights, social justice, equity, or engagement in the world stage as a partner state. Our limited focus on winning elections instead of winning hearts and minds is biting us in the ass.
Thanks for commenting here, Gary. Yes, I fear our Dowager has proven a great friend of the juniper berry as of late. I think you may be a bit confused though regarding her son, not to be confused with our Hyacinth’s son whose name is Sheridan.
Sadly, both the UK and the US are proving how fear, racism, homophobia, and misogyny are merely creating deeper systems of oppression. Peace, Michael.
Reblogged this on Central Oregon Coast NOW.
Nancy, thank you for reblogging this. Peace, Michael.