Goddamn kookaid drinkers.

/Thought it was Bush.
//Retards

In before "People shouldn't be afraid of their Government.."

Q : What's the difference between Ireland and Iceland?
A : One letter and about 6 months.

Amsterdamaged: Q : What's the difference between Ireland and Iceland?
A : One letter and about 6 months.

Q: Whats the capital of Iceland?
A: About £8.23p

Did I miss the sale on their hot chicks?

Ah... I RTFA and I have to say this.

So it begins...

/Everybody Panic!
//Shotguns and canned goods!
///People are monkeys!

woo maybe next election they'll finally elect the left wing candidate for PM

So, when we bang pot and pans in front of Chairman Obama's limo, he will get the point?

No Taxes please?

Where was the Sseicret Ssaervis?

God, talk about human emotion.

/too obscure?

Nero Kalem: God, talk about human emotion.

/too obscure?

You mean Human Behavior?

I was thinking Hunter....

Like Iceland has any control over the economy, stupid protesters.

Has anyone been following what's happened to Iceland's economy in the past six months or so?

They're farked. Farked. I really do feel bad for them. It's awful.

zephyy: woo maybe next election they'll finally elect the left wing candidate for PM

You can bet on it but I'm not sure what the world thinks it's going to gain by shifting left.

Well, as the saying goes, when in Iceland, do as the Icelanders igbort dar bink norgblanger yecch.

This is the part that amazes me:

"Chief police inspector Johann Thorisson said the force had not detained anyone after the attack on the prime minister's car on Wednesday because he had not been physically attacked.

'There is still turbulence, but we are going to try and take it easy and not arrest anyone. Now they just throw snowballs, banging on drums and making noise.'"

Can you imagine this in the US? People couldn't even approach the President's car, let alone pound on it, without being taken down in a hail of gunfire.

mistersnark: This is the part that amazes me:

"Chief police inspector Johann Thorisson said the force had not detained anyone after the attack on the prime minister's car on Wednesday because he had not been physically attacked.

'There is still turbulence, but we are going to try and take it easy and not arrest anyone. Now they just throw snowballs, banging on drums and making noise.'"

Can you imagine this in the US? People couldn't even approach the President's car, let alone pound on it, without being taken down in a hail of gunfire.

Iceland has different concerns than the US. These people weren't going to hurt the PM. In the US, if such a thing happened the Secret Service would have good reason to suspect the crowd meant harm. A hail of bullets would be warranted.

mistersnark: Can you imagine this in the US? People couldn't even approach the President's car, let alone pound on it, without being taken down in a hail of gunfire.

Well, I'm not aware of any organized paramilitary group with an overriding interest in assassinating the Prime Minister of Iceland.

I agree with your general point; it's a bad thing we don't have this sort of personal access to government, and it's certainly interesting to see. I'm just sayin'...

A lot of other countries in Europe will soon be following in Iceland's foodsteps, (Hungary, Ukraine, Spain, Greece, UK..).

Could happen in the US too if China decides to stop buying our debt.

theigorway: A lot of other countries in Europe will soon be following in Iceland's foodsteps, (Hungary, Ukraine, Spain, Greece, UK..).

Could happen in the US too if China decides to stop buying our debt.

If China stops buying our debt the entire world tanks. Right now China stands to make good money in the long run if they keep the capital flowing, but if they pull out all their previous investments become worthless. The Chinese government might not even consider itself stable enough to risk that (not that they would ever admit that).

mistersnark: This is the part that amazes me:

"Chief police inspector Johann Thorisson said the force had not detained anyone after the attack on the prime minister's car on Wednesday because he had not been physically attacked.

'There is still turbulence, but we are going to try and take it easy and not arrest anyone. Now they just throw snowballs, banging on drums and making noise.'"

Can you imagine this in the US? People couldn't even approach the President's car, let alone pound on it, without being taken down in a hail of gunfire.

One thing you have to remember about Iceland is that its population is all of 300,000 or so. For the whole country.

So really it's just like if this happened to a medium sized cities mayor...

winterwhile: So, when we bang pot and pans in front of Chairman Obama's limo, he will get the point?

No Taxes please?

You had your middle eastern fun time but now you have to pay off the credit card bill for it.

I'd pelt her car with my snowballs.

IfyaknowwhatImean.

f4rmerbob: If China stops buying our debt the entire world tanks. Right now China stands to make good money in the long run if they keep the capital flowing, but if they pull out all their previous investments become worthless. The Chinese government might not even consider itself stable enough to risk that (not that they would ever admit that).

China could organize something with India and Japan, if Asia could pull a Europe and put aside centuries of strife. There is lots of money, manufacturing and resources in Asia. The world is just used to it all flowing towards America.

Bored Horde: China could organize something with India and Japan, if Asia could pull a Europe and put aside centuries of strife. There is lots of money, manufacturing and resources in Asia. The world is just used to it all flowing towards America.

A lot of manufacturing, yes. A lot of people, yes. A lot of resources? Problem. India, Japan, and China would have problems feeding themselves. Polluting and overpopulating take their toll on that ability. Energy resources? Not nearly enough. Maybe China's military can take over defense duties for the Saudi royal family. That might last for a while, although it's in decline.

Honestly, in food and energy terms, the US or US/Canada could practice autarky better than most. That is, if we pushed the hyperinflation 'nuclear button'. (And, I'm not convinced W didn't push it on the way out the door), wiping out debts and trade. It won't be a "Happy Motoring" future. But, it might be enough to hold off revolution. China, India, et al? It gets a lot uglier.

Once again proof that Americans hit the jackpot. Even if there is a global depression, the United States can still fully feed its population. And as long as the majority of people aren't losing their homes, there won't be huge turmoil.


Even in a depression. If you can feed, shelter, and cloth your population. You will come out on top. And America has enough infrastructure to do all of that.


/Also: Location, location, location!

I farking love Nordic countries! Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway. If it weren't for their insanely high tax rate I would sereiously consider ex-patriating to one of those countries (probably Finland)

winterwhile: So, when we bang pot and pans in front of Chairman Obama's limo, he will get the point?

No Taxes please?

Don't forget free ponies for everyone!

I know the economy in Iceland is pretty farked right now, but I'm not sure what the PM can do in a country that small that could offset the damage they've taken from the global system....

/listening to Sigur Ros

FlyPanAm: Nero Kalem: God, talk about human emotion.

/too obscure?

You mean Human Behavior?

I was thinking Hunter....

D'oh! Yes, that's what I meant....

Couldn't be happier at Iceland's plight.

/Be sure to watch the Iceland: Special Edition episode!

chaos731: Well, as the saying goes, when in Iceland, do as the Icelanders igbort dar bink norgblanger yecch.

We say what now?

Necrosis: I know the economy in Iceland is pretty farked right now, but I'm not sure what the PM can do in a country that small that could offset the damage they've taken from the global system....

/listening to Sigur Ros

They managed to make it much worse than it could have been. That's why a lot of people are angry.

Necrosis: I know the economy in Iceland is pretty farked right now, but I'm not sure what the PM can do in a country that small that could offset the damage they've taken from the global system....

/listening to Sigur Ros

Prospero424: Has anyone been following what's happened to Iceland's economy in the past six months or so?

They're farked. Farked. I really do feel bad for them. It's awful.

Maudite: Like Iceland has any control over the economy, stupid protesters.

Iceland had three major banks. With limited opportunities to loan money in a country of 300,000 the banks loaned money worldwide. When the world credit crunch set in, the cumlative debt of the three banks was more than the GDP of Iceland. The Iceland Central Bank had little resources available to solidify the banks. Iceland had voted earlier to keep their own currency instead of adopting the Euro. Consequently, the Krona was devalued against other currencies almost to the point of being "worthless". It's tough to do business when the world demands payment in a currency other than your national currency and no one wants to exchange your currency at any exchange rate. Iceland has received loans from the IMF and some European countries. Their economy is still in dire straits.

Americans are concerned about their 401K's and what the future holds. However, Americans are looking at a bailout that is a small percentage of GDP and they don't have to worry about the cash in their bank accounts being worthless.

thatmanfromtexas: Necrosis: I know the economy in Iceland is pretty farked right now, but I'm not sure what the PM can do in a country that small that could offset the damage they've taken from the global system....

/listening to Sigur Ros

Prospero424: Has anyone been following what's happened to Iceland's economy in the past six months or so?

They're farked. Farked. I really do feel bad for them. It's awful.

Maudite: Like Iceland has any control over the economy, stupid protesters.

Iceland had three major banks. With limited opportunities to loan money in a country of 300,000 the banks loaned money worldwide. When the world credit crunch set in, the cumlative debt of the three banks was more than the GDP of Iceland. The Iceland Central Bank had little resources available to solidify the banks. Iceland had voted earlier to keep their own currency instead of adopting the Euro. Consequently, the Krona was devalued against other currencies almost to the point of being "worthless". It's tough to do business when the world demands payment in a currency other than your national currency and no one wants to exchange your currency at any exchange rate. Iceland has received loans from the IMF and some European countries. Their economy is still in dire straits.

Americans are concerned about their 401K's and what the future holds. However, Americans are looking at a bailout that is a small percentage of GDP and they don't have to worry about the cash in their bank accounts being worthless.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to correct you a little bit here. We never had a vote on adopting the Euro and we haven't even had any discussion with the EU about joining. There has been some talk recently about unilaterally adopting the Euro or the US dollar but little has been done in that regard.

That's actually pretty funny. I got the impression walking around there that you could just waltz right into any of the government buildings, they're all non-conspicuous, no fences, no nothing. Wouldn't know what they were if someone didn't tell you. Try that in Washington.

ptelg: zephyy: woo maybe next election they'll finally elect the left wing candidate for PM

You can bet on it but I'm not sure what the world thinks it's going to gain by shifting left.

--Doctor, it hurts every time I do this!
--Then stop doing it!

wikipedia says that in Iceland people would address even prime minister using his/her first name. that is awesome. and all that naming thing with paternal names. they are all related anyway.


guess they'll go back to fishing if need be. badass cold country on volcanic rock, therefore they're tough folks

Bloody vikings!

I'm happy (in a sad way) to see they're banging the pots and pans. I hope this catches on. The sound of worldwide pot banging would be sweet.

That one guy needs a stronger pot, though. He seems to have banged his pretty much flat.