# Falklands referendum: Islanders vote to remain British **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 12, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675 "2013-03-12T02:19:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/21 "2013-03-12T20:52:18Z")
What would be really cool now is if some Falkland residents started getting really mouthy about it and embarrassed the asshole politicians in Argentina who are riding this publicity wave. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/22 "2013-03-12T21:52:35Z")
Have they said how far off the coast is the Falklands from Argentina? I’d understand the conflict better if I knew the distance. 10 miles? 20 miles? 50 miles? ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/23 "2013-03-12T21:56:28Z")
310 miles according to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkland_Islands). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/24 "2013-03-12T22:00:25Z")
That makes a difference then. I thought the islands were within or just outside Argentina’s territorial waters. Reaching out 300 miles is quite a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/25 "2013-03-12T23:20:12Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Have they said how far off the coast is the Falklands from Argentina? I’d understand the conflict better if I knew the distance. 10 miles? 20 miles? 50 miles? Have who said? It’s not like it’s a matter up for debate, or some secret knowledge. Perhaps you can use a map, or a globe, or the internet. You clearly have unsupervised access to the last of these. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/26 "2013-03-13T00:27:40Z")
You’d think a key geopolitical topic would be part of any responsible news report. News reports are supposed to inform and enlighten the reader. I shouldn’t have to do independent research. That’s what the reporters get paid the big bucks to do while I’m doing my own job and feeding my family. I’ve read news reports thirty years ago when the war took place and a few news articles recently. Not much has changed in thirty years. Same rhetoric today as it was when I was in college. I mentioned earlier it makes a massive difference whether the islands are just off the coast or way off in the ocean somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/27 "2013-03-13T01:11:21Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Were the three votes against a protest or a joke or something? “Friends don’t let friends vote drunk.” ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/28 "2013-03-13T01:41:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I mentioned earlier it makes a massive difference whether the islands are just off the coast or way off in the ocean somewhere. To a certain extent it does, to another extent it’s not relevant. The islands as far as I’ve read _never_ had a significant Argentinian population who thought where they were living was an integral part of Argentina. Its claim has always been a claim based on legal interpretation rather than population, democratic will of those who actually live on them. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/29 "2013-03-13T01:59:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > You’d think a key geopolitical topic would be part of any responsible news report. News reports are supposed to inform and enlighten the reader. I shouldn’t have to do independent research. That’s what the reporters get paid the big bucks to do while I’m doing my own job and feeding my family. I’ve read news reports thirty years ago when the war took place and a few news articles recently. Not much has changed in thirty years. Same rhetoric today as it was when I was in college. > > I mentioned earlier it makes a massive difference whether the islands are just off the coast or way off in the ocean somewhere. Did you miss the map at the link in your OP? I mean, you are bothered enough to start a thread, but not enough to scroll to the lower part of your link? It’s even got a handy scale measurement on it. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/30 "2013-03-13T02:50:03Z")
> [@Srsly\_Dad](#): > > OK, so what was the other 1 vote for? Becoming Canadian? > > Inquiring minds want to know. They meant to vote for Gore. I’m, not convinced that Argentina wants it for any other reason besides nationalism/resentment, and I don’t generally come on the side of Britain in territorial matters. A related conflict is over Liancourt Rocks aka Takeshima aka Dokdo, where the main incentive for the Japanese and South Koreans claiming it is “fuck the other guys, that’s why” (plus some history). Maybe off topic, but a fun example of a contested territory is Bir Tawil, where Egypt and Sudan both _ **don’t** _ want any rights to possess it. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/31 "2013-03-13T03:02:48Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I’m, not convinced that Argentina wants it for any other reason besides nationalism/resentment, and I don’t generally come on the side of Britain in territorial matters. A related conflict is over Liancourt Rocks aka Takeshima aka Dokdo, where the main incentive for the Japanese and South Koreans claiming it is “fuck the other guys, that’s why” (plus some history). That’s been part of it, certainly, but now there’s believed to be oil under the waters around the islands. A British company is set to spend big money exploring there in the next couple years. Natural gas has already been found. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/32 "2013-03-13T10:01:30Z")
I thought 2,000 British soldiers encamped there were also allowed to vote (none of this is true, by the way.) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/33 "2013-03-13T10:38:36Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > I thought 2,000 British soldiers encamped there were also allowed to vote (none of this is true, by the way.) Plus all those illegal immigrants who each voted multiple times for Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/34 "2013-03-13T11:16:31Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > You’d think a key geopolitical topic would be part of any responsible news report. News reports are supposed to inform and enlighten the reader. I shouldn’t have to do independent research. **That’s what the reporters get paid the big bucks to do** while I’m doing my own job and feeding my family. [emphasis added] Don’t know many reporters, do you? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/35 "2013-03-13T13:13:33Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Were the three votes against a protest or a joke or something? My bet’s on teenage rebellion. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/36 "2013-03-13T15:31:57Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I mentioned earlier it makes a massive difference whether the islands are just off the coast or way off in the ocean somewhere. No, it doesn’t make any difference whatsoever. The Bahamas are 55 miles off the coast of Florida, and this doesn’t give the United States a claim to the Bahamas. There are a gazillion cases in the world (St. Pierre and Miquelon, the Channel Islands, the Greek Islands, Trinidad, Singapore) where offshore islands lie under a different sovereignty than the nearby mainland. The Falklands were uninhabited when settled by Britons who want to remain British, and that should be the end of it. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/37 "2013-03-13T15:42:06Z")
> [@Srsly\_Dad](#): > > OK, so what was the other 1 vote for? Becoming Canadian? > > Inquiring minds want to know. Oddly enough, he voted for Pat Buchanon. And for Prell to go back to the old glass bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/38 "2013-03-13T17:12:10Z")
While I don’t feel the islands should be handed to Argentina or anything, I had to switch off the footage of the islanders all dressed up in Union Jack garb and whooping it up. If you’re so British, where’s your restraint? Pricks. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/39 "2013-03-13T17:19:19Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > If you’re so British, where’s your restraint? Pricks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675/40 "2013-03-13T17:31:34Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > If you’re so British, where’s your restraint? Pricks. Yeah, without restraint and shitty food, it just doesn’t\* feel \*like Britain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-referendum-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/652675.md?page=1)