[Leifur]

Now the US is even backing out of establishing free trade agreements with Iceland, as promised during the discussions of the departure of the military, with some arbitrary excuses.

Iceland is though starting such agreements, first of European countries, with the Chinese:

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/12/04/afx3227465.html

Best wishes from Iceland, I am though still a staunch supporter of the US, even though that is not as general on the right as before,

Leifur

[Leifur]

Here is finally the answer to your question cloud, sorry for the time it took. It is part of a bigger post here.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The Althing is one of the oldest governments in the world.

[Indy Pendance]

My paternal grandfather was born in Iceland.

[Yaelle]

I have heard so many good things about Iceland from one of the top morning radio hosts here in Los Angeles who is American - non Icelandic heritage - but for some reason is a huge fan of Iceland and has been there a few times (Doug McIntyre).

My kids also love Iceland because of

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

What does Iceland have in lieu of a military? A defense force (as is the case in Japan)?

[GSlob]

How could Jon Arason, a [supposedly celibate] Catholic bishop, be everyone's ancestor? The late Renaissance and all that, but still...

[chilepepper]

when did iceland first come under the attack from the bjork?

[LongElegantLegs]

Iceland's most culturally signifigant export:

[CholeraJoe]

When did that bit about the age of consent for sex being 14 go into effect?

[TexasRepublic]

Our stupid and evil politicians will not even defend our own southern border from an Mexican invasion of illegal immegrants and drug smugglers, so it is no surprise they won't defend Iceland. Socialism is a contagious mental illness -- I pray that we all survive.

[muawiyah]

No doubt Island faces an imminent invasion from the Faroe Islands.

With the Democrats once again thinking they are in charge of America, or making noises in that direction, it is unlikely we will have any resources to help.

Best bet is to learn Føroyskt ~ you can start here: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/faroese.htm

[Rocky]

Great post!

[doc30]

It is sad that the U.S. would backstab Iceland by suddenly removing it's forces in violation of an international treaty with Iceland. This is the type of action that gives the U.S. a very bad international reputation. It's doubly bad because Iceland did allie itself with the U.S. in the Iraq war. And now that the U.S. is gone, I've heard reports of Russian fighters and bombers ,with impunity, violating Icelandic airspace.

[bassmaner]

2007: Iceland heads for general elections in the spring, but most projections predict that the current, long held coalition will lose its majority to the anti-american left

Don't know if it's an issue yet for Iceland, but if the left wins, be prepared for Europe's fate: ie. an overwhelming wave of Islamic nutjobs flooding into your country and attempting to subvert its institutions and culture.

[patton]

Well, why should I, as a resident of VA, pay for the defense of iceland? Nothing against you guys, but sheez. Can I keep even a fraction of my own money? Is iceland going to pay for my healthcare?

[ryan71]

"...but they eventuelly migrated to the left and became the basis of the communist movement here."

What a coincidence! They became communist here, too!

[philled]

Thank you for the brief history lesson. I have only been to Iceland once (a several day layover en route to London) but absolutely loved it. I plan on doing it again- Iceland Air allows you to do up to a two week layover with no additional charge. I believe that more people would quickly warm to Iceland if they were only to visit it...

In honor of a great place to visit, here's one of my favorite songs from 2005,
Tropical Ice-Land by the Fiery Furnaces:

Goat's head in the deli case
Oh, sweet angel, angel, bearded face
Papier maché parade on at night
That's what you're doing with no sunlight

In the tropical tropical
Tropical Ice-land
Tropical tropical
Tropical Icy Icy

Bleak church on a cold tundra
Mountain-glacier-glacier-glacier-stream
Black stone beach and a Black Death bottle
Is all me and my baby'll need

In the tropical tropical
Tropical Ice-land
Tropical tropical
Tropical Icy Icy

Take intermission at the movies
Freeze outside for one quick smoke
Take a klondike bar from the pop machine
Hey, it's ice cream, no not Coke

In the tropical tropical
Tropical Ice-land
Tropical tropical
Tropical Icy Icy

Let's meet in Kristiana next summer
Let's get out before we melt away
I've seen enough stray ponies and puffins
To get me through till the end of May

In the tropical tropical
Tropical Ice-land
Tropical tropical
Tropical Icy Icy

(backwards)And if you ever need some hash or weed (backwards)
You won't be gettin' it here
Just take a boat across the bumpy sea
(backwards)Go to Denmark, man, oh it's so near (backwards)

In the tropical tropical Tropical ice-land
Tropical tropical
Tropical Icy Icy

[Dead Dog]

Do as we are doing here. Buy a rifle, learn to use it (if you haven't already) and keep at least 1000 rnds on hand.

[Lee'sGhost]

Hey, you left out the part where the Vikings go on raids and steal the most beautiful women in England and other places. Which is why Iceland is full of the most beautiful blond haired blue eye women in the world.

Thank you for that, by the way.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Missed a big one:

1972: Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky in Reykjavik to become World Chess Champion, dealing a huge psychological blow to the Soviet Union at a critical point in the Cold War. ;)