Comments on: South I: I say Falklands. You say Malvinas. I say Falklands. You stab me with a table knife.

By: Stefan

Stefan — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:10:33 +0000

I thought this piece was quite funny.

Observations:

Laundryman, as held traditionally by Chinese in the RN for centuries, is a proudly held position. Your mocking is in poor taste.

Oil exploration took place in the late 70s when siesmic data indicated significant reserves. It wasn’t economically viable to recover it at the time given the price of oil, and technological impediments. Both are now conducive, which is why companies are acting on that original data.

By: Geoff Lemon

Geoff Lemon — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:39:27 +0000

Haha, yes! That is most excellent and pleasing to hear. Anytime I write about someone I’m always a bit worried about what their reaction will be, but it’s brilliant when they enjoy it. I had fun writing it, too. The memories. Seriously, that post-excursion conversation we had at dinner about Dino’s Fish n’ Chips/Disco was one of the funniest I’ve had in my life. I remember laughing until I was crying and struggling to breathe and my face had become the approximate shade of the borscht.

By: Mark Hastie-Oldland

Mark Hastie-Oldland — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:50:34 +0000

I’ve just read this, and it made my day. Has been circulated all around the Home Office and it brought a grin to many-a-face

By: » Keith Richards arthritis heathen scripture

» Keith Richards arthritis heathen scripture — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:19:45 +0000

[...] the funniest part? The funniest part is the Falkland Islands again. Since I wrote my post bagging the Falkland Islands for being freezing, dull, and inhospitable, I [...]

By: Geoff Lemon

Geoff Lemon — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:01:28 +0000

Oil drilling is starting now, though they still haven’t found anything. But you might note I was talking about a conflict that happened thirty years ago. How much oil exploration was going on in 1982? And what was the attraction back in 1833, when the squabbles first began?

Darwin described them as “these miserable islands” with “a population of which rather more than half were runaway rebels and murderers.” I still can’t see why such a prize would inspire a 180-year grudge.

By: tom

tom — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:35:46 +0000

strange you say they are worthless just as the oil exploration starts – I’d have a draft retraction on hand.

By: Simo

Simo — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:55:37 +0000

so jealous. want a research spot on South Georgia/Antarctica.
you bitch…you adorable bitch.

By: Geoff Lemon

Geoff Lemon — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:47:05 +0000

Heheh. It’s called humour, John. Being facetious. Maybe even a touch of satire. Pull up a deckchair and chill out with the rest of us.

And don’t fret, it’s a bit out of the way for me to be planning a return yet.

By: JOHN

JOHN — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:09:10 +0000

What a terrible way of describing the Falklands. Many facts you state are wrong…and those that are correct are written in such a arse about way…! Please don`t bother returning…nor, really…I mean it!!

By: Geoff Lemon

Geoff Lemon — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:58:04 +0000

I think you’re right, Noreen, though I haven’t studied this war in any depth. Because the islanders wanted to remain British, yes. Also there was a lot of political capital to be won (it did turn around Thatcher’s weak electoral position completely), and potentially a lot to be lost if she did nothing. Essentially it was Britain deciding whether it had declined enough as a power that it was prepared to be pushed around by lesser powers. And in the end Britain went for ‘no’.

Also it was cut and dried: everyone’s claims to the Islands were as spurious as each other’s originally, but there was a British community there in 1982, and Argentina did invade unprovoked.

Argentina have already re-claimed sovereignty recently, Britain have officially reaffirmed their claim and commitment. Oil could make things interesting, but they’ve been looking for it for years without luck.