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In the Land of Cod, A Big Corporate Fish is Floundering a Bit
Wall Street Journal ^
| July 11, 2006
| Craig Karmin
Posted on 07/13/2006 11:31:20 AM PDT by Truth29
click here to read article
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1
posted on
07/13/2006 11:31:25 AM PDT
by
Truth29
To: Leifur
2
posted on
07/13/2006 11:35:07 AM PDT
by
Truth29
To: Truth29
Iceland is remarkably xenophobic and racist, as any totally homogeneous society tends to be. The local women traditionally refused to associate with any US Navy personnel who were not white officers. Last I heard, there was no naturalization to become an Icelander. Just like Japan and so many other societies. Iceland's 18th century mindset is its biggest hurdle.
3
posted on
07/13/2006 11:37:17 AM PDT
by
pabianice
To: Truth29
4
posted on
07/13/2006 11:40:24 AM PDT
by
Red Badger
(Is Castro dead yet?........)
To: Truth29
>Once a poor country known for cod production
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow (and cod)
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow (and cod)
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green,
Can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now youd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day
Despite of all your losing.
To: Theoden; Dixie Yooper; DustyMoment
6
posted on
07/13/2006 11:43:05 AM PDT
by
Truth29
To: pabianice
Things must have changed. I can't tell you the details, but Iceland does have a naturalization process and it can be accomplished fairly quickly. Regarding their societal views, Iceland, like the US has a broad diversity. However, I have found them to be open and friendly for the most part. Regarding Keflavik AFB, there was tension from some quarters, but there were equally strong defenders and the government was a staunch defender of the base and personnel.
7
posted on
07/13/2006 11:48:07 AM PDT
by
Truth29
To: pabianice
Iceland has a population just short of 300,000 people. They are homogeneous and xenophobic, but they need to be that way if they want to survive as a people. They have every right to want to stay as they are, but those of them who are outwardly racist, do go too far.
They are the last people who speak a language very close to old Norse. They pride themselves as being a purely Viking society. Other Scandinavians are not always treated highly there as well. I am surprised that there are some who even date American officers.
Their culture, language, ethnicity, and way of life can very easily be overwhelmed, just by numbers alone. I don't tolerate racism, but I do agree with a moderate level of xenophobia and avoiding multiculturalism. Iceland is not an immigrant nation like the US, Canada, and Australia. Multiculturalism creates far more bad situations than good ones, IMO, and is what can lead to the death of small nations like Iceland.
8
posted on
07/13/2006 12:06:14 PM PDT
by
Theoden
(Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum europe vincendarum)
To: Truth29
9
posted on
07/13/2006 12:06:35 PM PDT
by
Theoden
(Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum europe vincendarum)
To: Truth29
Iceland in recent years has transformed itself into one of Europe's richest and most dynamic economiesIf this is true, why are they so upset that we're removing our base and forces ?
10
posted on
07/13/2006 12:09:48 PM PDT
by
cinives
(On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
To: cinives
They don't need the money, the country is quite affluent, but they have almost no domestic defense capability at all. They were offering to transition to Icelandic support for the base cost and to start a buildup of their own forces. It is the suddenness of the closure that is the major issue.
11
posted on
07/13/2006 12:15:35 PM PDT
by
Truth29
To: Truth29
I was kicked in the cods once.
12
posted on
07/13/2006 12:16:43 PM PDT
by
Crawdad
(So the guy says to the doctor, "It hurts when I do this.")
To: Truth29
Who might they need to defend themselves against in the immediate future ?
Yes of course every country needs some kind of defence force - but - against whom ?
13
posted on
07/13/2006 12:25:58 PM PDT
by
cinives
(On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
To: Truth29
Is Iceland a member of NATO ?
14
posted on
07/13/2006 12:27:02 PM PDT
by
cinives
(On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
To: cinives
Yes. There have been some conversations about having some sort of NATO quick reaction force that would fly in if needed. As far as I know, those discussions have not reached any conclusion yet
15
posted on
07/13/2006 12:32:47 PM PDT
by
Truth29
To: Theoden
I understand the women are unbelievably beautiful. I wish someone would post some pictures!
16
posted on
07/13/2006 12:36:49 PM PDT
by
MBB1984
To: Truth29
I lived and went to university in Norway for a year (many years ago). At the University of Oslo cafeteria there was always a huge contingent of NATO officers - Norwegian and otherwise.
Norway has a pretty anemic defense force, yet their NATO membership allows them to be defended and still spend their cash on things other than defense.
17
posted on
07/13/2006 12:37:20 PM PDT
by
cinives
(On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
To: cinives
There are no obvious immediate threats, however, the Russians have been conducting naval exercises in the North Atlantic near Iceland. The Keflavik AFB also provided a significant long range sea rescue service that is needed in the North Atlantic. A country of 300,000 population is inherently more vulnerable to external destabilizing forces.
Another factor is that the country seems to be fairly evenly divided between pro US and anti-US forces and the pro US government has a narrow majority. It is likely that our decision will affect the next election and may result in an overall reorientation of the country.
18
posted on
07/13/2006 12:39:17 PM PDT
by
Truth29
To: Crawdad
19
posted on
07/13/2006 12:45:15 PM PDT
by
razorback-bert
(Rush was a victim of profiling)
To: Truth29
You have to love those type of people - they want us to spend our money protecting them, yet they want to hate us as well.
Typical libs...
20
posted on
07/13/2006 12:45:56 PM PDT
by
cinives
(On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
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