Posted on 07/22/2006 1:11:16 PM PDT by Mobile Vulgus
The Telegraph newspaper apparently cannot believe that America is gauche enough to take it upon itself to evaluate its own distribution of military forces in the world. How DARE the USA think that, in this era of unrest in the Mid East and terrorism, it can do what it wants to do with its own military!
In an article by David Rennie titled American pullout leaves Iceland defenceless, America is reported as "tactless" for its need to reevaluate keeping forces in Iceland, forces that were originally posted there for fighting the Cold War.
Apparently, many in Iceland, not to mention the offices of the Telegraph, have not caught up to the news that the Cold War is over.
In a classic example of ingratitude for years of free service, Iceland is all aghast over the United States' decision that its armed forces are best stationed in other places in the world than the land of ice.
As a result, according to the Telegraph, the USA is being nasty to the good people of Iceland.
"The United States, which had assured Iceland's defence for decades, stunned the country in March when it announced that it would be closing its bases on the island, withdrawing its F-15 fighters and thousands of servicemen in the space of just six months.How DARE those evil Americans!This bombshell was dropped in a single telephone call from an underling at the State Department, followed by a letter from the US ambassador."
Apparently the Telegraph found at least one Icelander that agrees with them that America is just being a big poopyhead. Björn Bjarnason, the minister for justice and ecclesiastical affairs, who oversees the coastguard and police, is not very happy.
"The situation could one day require the 'tactless' Americans to be invited back, Mr Bjarnason thinks."Well, THAT cinches it. We need to double the U.S. military presence. We don’t want to be thought of as jerks by ol' Björn, do we?
That is what they called the fish.Do you remember the smell of the drying fish during the daylite months? That was hard to get used to.
Remember the smell of the burning fish from "Kef-kadie"? LOL! I saw people actually throw up as they walked outside.
We still called it the same thing in the 80s.I spent most of my time working on the Alert site lanching on the Bears and Bison,we got a close up wiff of that stench.
I spent many an hour at Alert there. Wish we had crossed paths darnit. By the mid 80s, I was working for NASA.
I hated the place at the time, but when I look back I did enjoy that asignment.Retired in 92 at Mt Home Id,man I loved those military years.
I don't believe it.
You don't believe what?
It is nice - if you think of 60 deg F as a hot, sweaty summer day. There is plenty of snow in the winter, and damn little sunlight. Add in lot of wind, and no one in their right mind would live/invade there.
And it isn't as tho a few jets were going to make a big difference anyways - they could be back in less than 24 hours, if needed.
When I lived in Iceland, they depised Americans.
This bombshell was dropped in a single telephone call from an underling at the State Department, followed by a letter from the US ambassador."
That I have no idea.
I too miss my military years. A ret. LtCol friend (who I served with) and I were reminiscing about the camaraderie that we don't see as civilians. I miss that greatly. After pulling many a 24 hour alert and then tossing down a few bears, you make close friendships! Especially when you know if you go to war your base will become dust in the first salvo.
Good to remember and hard to forget.Would not change a thing if I could.Loved those F4s.Great talking with you.Gotta get going.
It's all about money. The pullout pulls hundreds of millions of dollars out of the local economy. I'll also bet that there are some significant payments to the government that will also dry up. That means that not only does the economy take a hit for the loss of dollars spent by the service men and women as well as the loss of local jobs due to the closing of the bases the local tax bill will go up.
Take care FRiend! Good to meet you!
Well, during World War II and the Cold War, whatever power wanted to dominate the North Atlantic with air power.
It's all a matter of location, location, location.
Imagine yourself as a German or Soviet surface warfare admiral, and imagine the ulcers you would get trying to figure out how to get your surface fleet into the Atlantic with Iceland as an unsinkable aircraft carrier in Allied hands.
My, what an interesting place! All that, and the "Yule Cat", too... :-)
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Yankee, Go Home!"
"Wait!!!! You can't Leave!"
Damn, you guys were hardcore. We usually just had a bit of booze afterward.
ROTFLMAO! OMG; LOLOLOLOLOLOL!
(damn typos) hehehehehe
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