Don’t mind me, I’m feeling a bit upset by the upset that appears to be happening in Colombia right now. A slow process has been working toward this moment for years, with numerous compromises and negotiations between the government and the FARC militants aimed at finally ending the 50+ year civil war in that country. It was widely assumed that Colombians would seize this opportunity, and that peace would finally come that country, for the most part. However, it now appears that voters have rejected peace, and although no one can know what will happen, it appears that the war will resume.
The first thought that came into my mind when I read this was Brexit. Here was another nationwide election on a topic of great importance, where a logical and superior option was widely assumed, that ended in victory for the wrong side. And from that thought, my mind veered to the realization that in fact, we ourselves are faced with a parallel situation in our presidential election. If bad things come in threes, we have Brexit and now Colombia as preludes to November.
It really brings home that there is something bizarre in the electoral winds. Old assumptions, loyalties, and alliances no longer seem operative. Pundits and voters on the ground have become untethered and unpredictable. In spite of the seeming ridiculousness of the idea, President Donald Trump (like Yes on Brexit and No on peace in Colombia) could actually arrive.
Sigh.