Falklands war your views

[NefariousKoel]

I'd prefer to put things in my own perspective.

I didn't care much at the time since I was all of approximately 6 or 7. Also, I'm an American.

That being said, first of all, I don't and wouldn't have cared since it's one of our closest allies. Sorry, my Argentinian brothers, but a country that's stuck with mine for a long while... you're on your own.

But most notably: The Falklands were a UK protectorate. Not forced to be one, but voluntarily part of that country by repeated popular vote. I would relate the situation (currently) as Puerto Rico (a US protectorate) being invaded by Haiti.

The people there were part of that nation and still wanted to be. The Brits were fully justified in their response.

From what I've gathered, the Falklands still wants to be part of the UK since last reading the complaints they had about their banks being outsourced to African customer service a few years ago. There was a lotta bitchin' that's for sure.

[BladeHeart]

[quote=bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

.........
Of the three mk 8's fired two hit and exploded, sinking the Belgrano, one missed the cruiser and hit a destroyer, but failed to exploed! ( The argintinians heard it hit their ship, later examination found the dent and marks from impact.)

...and I thought it was just those G7s on my boat!

On a more serious note. Regardless of what may or may not have been the political motivation of and manipulation of Maggie Thatcher, as far as the British people were concerned at the time the Falklands were an obscure part of the UK populated by "Brits" who wanted to be "Brits". Then someone tried to take it away by force rather then "ask for it" ( I know I was around at the time).

UK public psyche 101
1. UK society sets its moral standards on the utopian equalitarian principle; fair play and being reasonable.
2. The UK thinks that it should be a morally correct society; often confused with polically correct.
3. Ask and we try to oblige, push and we push back; we don't like bullies.
4. There is a difference between gentleness and weakness.

Even the likes of Blair could not give the Falklands away for at least a generation or so.

[kurtz]

[quote=BladeHeart]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

...and I thought it was just those G7s on my boat!

On a more serious note. Regardless of what may or may not have been the political motivation of and manipulation of Maggie Thatcher, as far as the British people were concerned at the time the Falklands were an obscure part of the UK populated by "Brits" who wanted to be "Brits". Then someone tried to take it away by force rather then "ask for it" ( I know I was around at the time).

UK public psyche 101
1. UK society sets its moral standards on the utopian equalitarian principle; fair play and being reasonable.
2. The UK thinks that it should be a morally correct society; often confused with polically correct.
3. Ask and we try to oblige, push and we push back; we don't like bullies.
4. There is a difference between gentleness and weakness.

Even the likes of Blair could not give the Falklands away for at least a generation or so.

Beautifully put!

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by August

Well I don't have much an opinion of Thatcher one way or the other, but I thought her handling of the Falklands situation was excellent. The RNs slow deployment down to the Falklands gave time for world opinion to turn against Argentina, which your government was very convincingly able to cast as being in the wrong.

It reminded me of your countries efforts to turn US opinion against Germany and in favor of the Allies in WW1. It was very well played by Britian, especially for a country that, back then, was still thought of more as a former enemy than as a friend.

You have to hand it to a country that spent hundreds of years developing a systematic way of handling political spin and pumping up a patriotic media machine when it wants to. Without making it look like the government an civil service are actually doing it.

[Kapitan]

If your trying to say the UK is in the wrong your far mistaken, the argentines invaded british terratory to which resulted in a retaliation strike by the british.

The sinking of the belgrano was one of a tactical nature she posed thee most threat to the british fleet than any other vessel around at that time, hence she was sunk.

[Marcantilan]

Well, one could argue about the british invaded first, back in 1833, so the argentinians were retaking own land. But´s not the point: my truth, your truth. The sad thing is the loss of life and the incompetence of the governments to avoid it.

And about the ARA General Belgrano thing, I don´t think the sinking was a "war crime" (as lot of people say here and abroad). She was a legitime target, a big cruiser in a "hot" zone.

But (always a but) the tempo of Mrs. Thatcher decision (sink the cruiser) was wrong, specially with a peace proposal over the table (offered by the peruvian government).

[Kapitan]

Peru couldnt have done squat if it tried the only diplomatic cure is to see the war out and win that way they would over through the argentine leader which they done thats why the british carried on i believe.

[kurtz]

Originally Posted by Marcantilan

Well, one could argue about the british invaded first, back in 1833, so the argentinians were retaking own land. But´s not the point: my truth, your truth. The sad thing is the loss of life and the incompetence of the governments to avoid it.

I don't think you could argue that we settled the islands. We never attacked anyone to get them. There is no justification for the Argentine agression there, they were just trying to be macho and when they didn't have the balls to pull it off started bleating to the 'international community' about being hurt.

[Marcantilan]

Well, HMS Clio kicked argentinian governor Vernet and all of the habitants of the islands January 3, 1833.

And they don´t asked politely...

Anyway no offenses here, just point of views.

[ASWnut101]

[quote=BladeHeart]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

...and I thought it was just those G7s on my boat!

On a more serious note. Regardless of what may or may not have been the political motivation of and manipulation of Maggie Thatcher, as far as the British people were concerned at the time the Falklands were an obscure part of the UK populated by "Brits" who wanted to be "Brits". Then someone tried to take it away by force rather then "ask for it" ( I know I was around at the time).

UK public psyche 101
1. UK society sets its moral standards on the utopian equalitarian principle; fair play and being reasonable.
2. The UK thinks that it should be a morally correct society; often confused with polically correct.
3. Ask and we try to oblige, push and we push back; we don't like bullies.
4. There is a difference between gentleness and weakness.

Even the likes of Blair could not give the Falklands away for at least a generation or so.

Umm, I didn't write that... (check your quote name)

[bookworm_020]

I wrote the thing about the Mk 8 Torpedos, ASWnut101 did the thing about the UK psyche. Just want to make sure credit goes where credit is due.

[ASWnut101]

I'm sooo confused. I can't remember writing any of that.