quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Other than that. Is that the only reason? I'm not saying that's not important, but I'm trying to wrap my head around this issue.

Sheep farming for high-end wool, ship resupply, fishing areas, and future oil exploration. Quick source data here. Not mentioned is national pride in the UK and the political desire to keep the islands.

I recently finished the book "One Hundred Days" by Admiral Sandy Woodward who was the UK Battle Group Commander during the Falklands War in 1982. A very interesting read because the focus was not on the historical facts but rather his thoughts and reasons for the decisions he made. Although not specifically addressed in the book, my biggest takeaway was that it's much easier to initially defend your territory against invasion than try to get it back. This is especially true when the lines of logistics are over 8000 miles.

That said, I just reviewed a few sources for current Argentine Air Force aircraft inventory. I think they have less capability today than they did 41 years ago to take back the Falklands by force. And even if the sale of 38 Dutch F-16s to the AAF eventually happens, the Brits have time to create even better defenses on the islands than what they have now. The UK will not be asleep this time if Argentina makes a military move on the islands, and I highly doubt the Brits will ever give it away in diplomacy.

Back in ‘82 I was studying Political Sciences and International Relations in Brussels when the Southern Unpleasantness started. Caught me by surprise. Suddenly everyone around me became hostile.
Turned my attention on the subject and spent the following 5 researching every subject related to the dispute from every source I could find in Europe, the US, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, France, UN, Vatican and every other nation involved in this over 5+ centuries , etc. Historically, Economicat, Socially, you nane it.

Eventually I realised that at bottom line, the interest for countries like the UK lies on the future exploitation of the South Pole and the claims based on presence over time.
UK had no major concerns about the welfare of the Falklanders before Argentina gave it the opportunity to use that argument.
The UN mandated “talks” between both countries were just that, talks. Nothing wlse, nothing more. Moronic argentine diplomats were happy to attend and collect cash money for rhose trips once a year and show no results.

The War was an unforgivable waste of lives. Can not justify the death of a single sheep….Boys? Unforgivable.

In my honest and questionable opinion, my country is a failed one. How will i personally benefit from recover the islands? Have no clue but guess the answer is i will not. Why would/should i impose our failure as a society on others that have a better way of life? No good reason, really.

This is just my opinion. Once i considered myself an authority on the subject. A subject abandoned longtime ago. Probably collected the largest bibliography ever gathered in my country on this matter and when i went to our Foreign Affairs Office willing to donate it they couldn’t spare someone to walk 1 1/2 blocks to pick it up.
But they come up strong once a year when it is time for the UN mandated talks….

Sad but true.

We have as much iterest in military going back to the islands as to having all our teeth pulled from our asses.

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Originally posted by 83v45magna:

quote:

Originally posted by airsoft guy:
The news is just outrage and panic porn. If we don't trust them when it comes to things we know a lot about (such as guns), why would you ever take them at face value when they report on anything else?

Hear! Hear!

Yep. As most of YouTube as well. Clicks and views equal money.

Fight now, he's just feeling his oats. And he is being questioned and challenged by reporters from all over the world.

So while he mentioned this, that doesn't mean he is going to war. This is contrived stuff being paraded around by liberal 'journalists.'

Let me know when he takes military action.

Otherwise, I ain't buyin' it.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Is there a strategic reason or some other reason Britain needs the Falklands?

Access to resources in the islands' offshore exclusive economic zone, including fish and oil. It's also an exporter of wool and lamb meat.

It also houses a decent sized airbase, extending Britain's power projection capabilities in that region of the world.

But yes, the more important issue is that it's culturally and ethnically British. In the last referendum in 2013, 99.8% of the voters wished to remain British.

How would you want your finances and earnings provided, in British Pounds of Argentinian Pesos.

If Santa had a nickel for every time a politician vowed to do something, then he’d never be called Saint Nicholas again.

Things that will not happen for 1000 Alex!

I suspect his statement was just excitement babble. He’s soaring because of his win and just throwing thoughts into the wind for the fun of it. When he sobers up and gets down to the nuts and bolts of government, this fantasy will evaporate. I imagine if I won a top national election, I might say I plan to neuter the NFA, 68 GCA, Hughes Amendment, 94 AWB etc. Don’t expect I’d be very successful unless y’all were willing to coronate me as king for life. Wouldn’t be so bad except Mrs DF would be queen and trust me……..you don’t want that.

press will trash him - msm press is still scum regardless of the equator

Love that hair. Beat Boris Johnson by a long shot. Not a wig. He used to play in a band that played Rolling Stones songs. Hopefully there is some video. I can clearly see him singing Street Fightin Man. The idea of making a legal market of human organs sounds interesting as well. To hell with our boring leaders.

They won't do anything. The UK now has two supercarriers with F35s. In the 80s, they had 2 much less capable carriers even for the day. In addition, the UK still has a top notch submarine fleet. Finally, the loss of the General Belgrano to a British sub still smarts. This is simply posturing for the crowd.

For Argentina, the Malvinas are their way of recovering what was lost; being a pre-eminent economy in the world back in the 19th century. For the British, holding on to the Falklands has the same meaning.

Possession is 9/10ths of the law here.

I've broken bread in the home of an Argentinian family, the father of which fought in the Falklands as a young man. His teenage son and I hiked to their small town's memorial to the fallen (every small town there has one). I'll share here what Edu told me "we fought not for us, not for Argentina but for the Generalissimos who needed to legitimize their illegitimate government back in those days". Well said.

(My dad was active duty US Navy and support to the Brits at the time...stationed at HMS Dryad).

Well said. I would just say that argentines were conned by the military to fight for the Junta’s failures. Certainly not for an spontaneous burst of violent nationalism. We were absolutely dupped into it.

Most of us will voice a claim that we were repeatedly told over and over like a mantra since our early age But patriotism is not part of our standard education baggage. Matter of fact, most of the History we learn on our way of adulthood is a pact of lies. First class bullshit. Some learn differently as they grow up and expand their horizons.
Those who know better also will keep their mouths shut rather than present a few facts that cast a shadow over our tailored official version of our past. Not that it is terribly shameful, just that its full of fantasy rather than facts.

Don’t rhink praising Maggie as one of the greatest contemporary politicians is disgraceful, on the contrary. Might not suit our feelings about the Southern Unpleasantness but that is another story.

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