The Falkland Islands

[AleHop 0]

I do not know much about the history of Las Malvinas but I do know a lot about the war in 1982. I have learnt that the war divided Argentina's public opinion in many ways. I have listened many hours of Argentinian veterans talking about the war through "Misión Malvinas", I've read a few books and lately I have watched some very good documentaries, one of them about an intent of sabotage in Gibraltar.

It was a crazy war but Argentina was few Exocets away of winning it. Even with the lack of those extra French missiles, UK won thanks to US and Pinochet's help. I am not belittling the Royal Navy, what the Argentinian pilots did with the planes they had at their disposal is in the books of the Military academies around the world (3 out of 4 down). Military History is only a hobby and my memory don't always serves me well.

Swap Galtieri and Thatcher and the outcome would have probably been very different, the war could have even been avoided completely.

I can't multireply for some reason so I leave my comment about the recent events here. I think it was George who didn't see anything remarkable on UK sending a warship and a Royal Family member to Las Malvinas, they don't do it for him to see something wrong but for making clear his position about Las Malvinas. Whatever UK or Argentina do about Las Malvinas is something very carefully planned.

I would agree about listenint to the landers' opinion if one of the countries in conflict were a dictatorship, a theocracy... There's a similar problem between Spain and UK with Gibraltar. The landers say they want to be part of UK because they've got some financial privileges, in fact Gibraltar is considered a tax haven. I don't know the situation in Las Malvinas but I'm sure the landers can live a peaceful life whatever agreement make UK and Argentina.

Ah, the Irish!!!

BTW, there's a flag on that video they think it's British but it's the old Spanish flag.

EDIT: to make the point clearer about the Exocets.

EDIT2: They're right on the video about the flag in 1806.

EDIT3: No idea the old Irish flag was so similar to the old Spanish flag.

Old Irish flag:

Old Spanish flag:

EDIT4: I mean the flag on the video is Spanish.

Sorry for so many edits.

[HandyNZL 1]

So when are they having a Formula One race?

[dribbler 6]

Now I want the Island of Wight! (Is it any good?)

The music festivals used to be good there. I'm thinking specifcally 1970, one of Jimi Hendrix's last ever live performances.

But I digress. Ultimately it's an island full of weirdos. You would fit right in. Claim it.

[dribbler 6]

If you think we are too peaceful try to have a heated argument with Steve, he'll tear your intestines apart and feed them to Paul!

I suspect Paul would find they taste like sh*t, being from Rotherham and all that.

[Quiet One 15]

Well, I think this settles the issue: Roger Waters said that the Islands belong to Argentina (I only have an article in an Argentinian newspaper, mentioning an interview he gave to the Chilean press...perhaps you can find a better source!)

Now, you wouldn't dare questioning Waters' opinion, would you?

[Grabthaw the Hammerslayer 4]

Well actually(looks around), I'll let you into a little secret. The Isle of Wight is actually a sub-tropical paradise off the coast of England. The government deliberately publishes misleading information and photos on it to prevent the risk of Argentinian invasion. It is also a tax haven for ex PMs and senior civil servants.

Nestled beneath the volcanic cone are areas of lush forest and white coral-sand beaches. The cuisine is excellent too, fresh lobsters, foie de gras, etc.

Its a bit like Barbados.

Even modern phrasing in the UK, like "I'm alright" comes from the ancient "All Wight" meaning "I want to live on the Isle of Wight".

But shhh, don't tell anyone. But Andres. tell you what - we'll do a deal. You can have the Isle of Wight if we can keep the Malvinas, OK?

[Grabthaw the Hammerslayer 4]

...and don't be fooled by pictures of Isle of Wight on official tourist pages or Wikipedia. This is part of the disinformation campaign by the UK Government.

The seedy, run-down pictures of a flat landscape are actually from Milton Keynes - that undesirable coastal resort cum prison. If you recall in the 1700s and 1800s, the UK shipped all of its hardened criminals to Australia. Since then they have sent them all to Milton Keynes.... (just ask Steve )

Anyway, the idea of an Argentinian-run Isle of Wight is appealling, I mean just think how the price of Corned Beed will plummet?!!!

And thankfully, the authorities on the island have largely dealt with the tiger problem. b#####d things kept coming into towns and emptying all the waste bins. And now they are being culled, it might allow the northernmost penguin colony to recover.....

[Rainmaster 7]

Well, I think this settles the issue: Roger Waters said that the Islands belong to Argentina (I only have an article in an Argentinian newspaper, mentioning an interview he gave to the Chilean press...perhaps you can find a better source!)

Now, you wouldn't dare questioning Waters' opinion, would you?

Of course not! The only problem is I refuse to agree with Sean Penn on anything.

[Quiet One 15]

Of course not! The only problem is I refuse to agree with Sean Penn on anything.

Oh yeah, I read Sean Penn's comment, too. And...I was just commenting a few days ago, certain actors I can't stand no matter how good they are. Sean Penn is one of them. I will never like the guy no matter what. Don't ask me why.

[HandyNZL 1]

Why?

[Quiet One 15]

Why?

Because...hey!

[Wixy 0]

Oops, sorry! Did I just suggest it has to do with oil? I meant of course it's to do with what's best for a handful of insignificant Brits a few thousand miles away.....

The UK defending it the last time, when it was nothing but an insignificant little rock. London will defend it because it's a part of the British Overseas Territories, the people on it want to be British and they will stay British. It's the same reason America defended Pearl Harbor.