A brief history of Iceland - Vanity

8.12.2006 | Leifur

[Leifur]

Wow, thank you for this, I truly appreciate it, I sure will buy some of these online. I am a great fan of Cox and Forkum by the way, although they are are objectivists.

Some of these books seem to be a rather heavy reading though. It surprises me a little how little emphasis is on economic matters on the list though. Did you say that it was not your list, but a list by someone posted on Amazon.com? How did you find it there? Are people posting such lists there?

[hinckley buzzard]

One thing you may wish to consider: In the technological environment of the 21st century, the US may not need to have troops and resources physically stationed in Iceland in order to honor its treaty commitments. I recognize the economic hit of having a bunch of American Military and dependents pull out, but that is not the same as military abandonment.

Much of Western Europe is having to face up to the same reality--the security umbrella is one thing, the incidental and no doubt considerable economic benefits are quite another. I doubt we have any treaty obligation to see to the domestic prosperity of Iceland or any other nation.

[Truth29]

No, it is not my list, but one that was posted on listmania on Amazon.com. It seemed much more complete than anything I would quickly post. I found it by going to google and searching under conservative reading list which then linked to Amazon. You can also search directly on listmania within Amazon. This is but one list. I am sure that conservative economic books would also come up under another search.It also does not include any of the works of Ann Coulter, one of our more clearcut and very explicit conservative writers.

[fnord]

thanks for the reply.

of course I meant cost of living, not standard of living, but you got the gist anyway. I suppose the summer months would be the best to visit, weather-wise. One of the benefits of being retired is having lots of time, I will definitely put Iceland on my wish list.

thanks again.

[Leifur]

The current implementation of the Bilateral treaty is based on this fact. But still, we don´t have airdefences, or the power to chase away unvelcome aircrafts, and despite all technology, nothing can replace that from afar, except continues presence of airplanes on site.

The issue about the military was never about the economic side, at least not for the last 20 years or so, because our economy has grown so strong we are actually in dire need of workers. And although proportionately the effect is somewhat in the local community, the growth of that community and the Capital area, and better transport there between (half hour driving) has made it all into a single work area, thus making the economic effect of the departure a non-issue.

Many even see a lot of opportunities on the former base site, those are now beeing prepared to be implemented.

[Leifur]

I will have to look into this listmania.

I must admit I am very vary of Coulter, she seems to much of a hothead for me. She is of course widely ridiculated here, but I allways get the impression of her that she is allways just ranting and having an empty rethoric or at least heavily inflated one, just to make headlines, to cash in on the conservative movement by selling her ranting books.

Maybe I should though give her a change. Is there any one book of hers in particular you would recomend to read first?

[Leifur]

The summer is the most popular time, and thus maybe a little bit more expensive. Yes, I thought you would need more information about the cost of living than standard of living, althoug I am proud to point out the results of our market reforms by the government for the last 15 years or so, that is very high standard of living.

It has allways amazed me how early americans tend to retire, but of course as you save for it your whole working career, and take a lot less vacation time as europeans tend to do, it is your right. In state run pension systems, it is the same age for everyone. Our system is not exactly state run, but not completely free either. But one of the main demands of older people here is the right to work as long as they can, but allready Icelanders work one of the longest into their old age than most Europeans.

[Truth29]

Yes, reading Ann Coulter is something of an acquired taste. She believes in the rant and writes for shock value as well as to impart information. She tends to have a choppy style much like bullets. Determining which of her books is the best is very much of a subjective exercise, but you might start with "Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism."

[SunkenCiv]

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Note: this topic is from 12/08/2006. Thanks Leifur. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.