"... The challenges that everyday is faced by any average citizen ... etc, etc are completely strange for them. That simply is not the real world."
You want to take
that away from them .....
. I don't know, CharlesBronson, I don't know. You've described the exact situation that exits on other islands such as the Hebrides, Faros, Shetlands etc. etc. These island populations of Celts and Anglo Saxons may be living in a bubble(s) but why would you believe that should change ....
? or believe that the population would
want it to change. Are the Falklanders arrogant? Do they make racial taunts at Argentina. Do they look down at y'all on the mainland ....
. I don't know. I
do know that islanders can be very prickly ...
, and in this case we're talking islanders standing up for smaller islanders. Couldn't be more of a red flag ...
.
I do not mean to be dismissive, unkind or generally ignorant. I would love to visit Argentina .... my niece (a climber living in Chamonix, France) toured your country in a blue Ford Falcon station wagon and climbed in Patagonia a decade ago. She loved it.
But - that said - I feel about the Falklands the way I feel about Formosa/Taiwan. And that is: RESPECT AND PROTECT THE WILL OF THE RESIDENTS (if they are not hurting others or making trouble).
I'm not a socialist
. I don't believe that distributing the misery is any more desirable than sharing the wealth. Anybody can use force to coerce or to impose submission -- the art lies in winning respect and loyalty without coercion.
I do not believe David Cameron
sought-out confrontation now any more than I believe Margaret Thatcher sought out confrontation 30 years ago. In both cases a political leader in Argentina picked open an 'issue' that was there ..... under the surface .... waiting to be picked like a scab. It is exactly that kind of political play that was employed in the streets of Germany in the 1920-30's. Sorry to say that, my friend, but there it is.
Oil is
a business and
an opportunity to reset history ... Norway, Newfoundland, two examples. I strongly suggest what I have suggested from the outset -- and even referenced in private email to you. Co-operation is a win-win for Argentina and for the Falklands. Two half-full glasses make a full glass. Two half-empty glasses make AN EMPTY GLASS
.
Thanks for your frank and thoughtful reply
, CB.
Chairs from the Great White North
MM