# Icelandic politics revisited (and this weeks wow-moment) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 23, 2009, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626 "2009-01-23T13:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/61 "2009-01-26T14:50:31Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Hence why the govt has fallen I assume? Really that is just insane. Not only that. **Elendi’s Heir** linked (in the current Iceland Feud) to this [article](http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/01/26/iceland.government/index.html)on CNN which covers the fall. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/62 "2009-01-26T15:31:28Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > Quite correct. And it’s most of the companies as well. > > But wouldn’t you be happy if your mortgage increased 70-80% in a year, while your salary decreased by 10%\* ☹ But why did it become common to borrow in a foreign currency? Not only it is risky (as demonstrated) but also…it’s just a weird idea to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/63 "2009-01-26T15:56:42Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > But why did it become common to borrow in a foreign currency? Not only it is risky (as demonstrated) but also…it’s just a weird idea to begin with. The interest rates were lower abroad than in Iceland and with the ISK valued really high (as this [graph](http://www.tititudorancea.com/lib/fx/eur_to_isk_since99.png)shows) it was loads cheaper to take a loan in foreign currency. Inertia, then made everyone (companies included) lack the foresight to foresee an adjustment downwards in the value of the ISK. The banks were actually among the first to do this. Loan money abroad at a lower exchange rate and then buy high-rate Icelandic CD.s. Obviously, it didn’t work forever… ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/64 "2009-01-26T18:52:56Z")
Just so know, the first new item tonight on the Franco-German TV channel “Arte” that I usually watch on the evening was about you guys. You’ve never been as famous. This supposed crisis is actually an elaborate PR scheme, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/65 "2009-01-26T18:59:23Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > You’ve never been as famous. This supposed crisis is actually an elaborate PR scheme, I say. But who needs PR crowing, [Look how far in hock we went!](http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/577305)? ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/66 "2009-01-26T19:06:17Z")
Yup, very elaborate! The image of Iceland 2.0 is based on bankrupcy and turmoil… that’ll draw a lot of tourists 😃 ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/67 "2009-01-26T19:15:25Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > Yup, very elaborate! The image of Iceland 2.0 is based on bankrupcy and turmoil… that’ll draw a lot of tourists 😃 Well..The tourism image of Iceland is already very positive. Adding “cheap” will be a plus. When I think about it, what about making money with “[Icelandic brides](http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&hs=LUC&q=iceland%20girl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi)”? It worked for the Russians. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/68 "2009-01-26T19:34:34Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > “[Icelandic brides](http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&hs=LUC&q=iceland%20girl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi)”? Ummm… hello? :: perks up :: ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/69 "2009-01-26T19:36:44Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > When I think about it, what about making money with “[Icelandic brides](http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&hs=LUC&q=iceland%20girl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi)”? It worked for the Russians. I’m _completely_ satisfied with mine. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/70 "2009-01-26T21:12:27Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Well..The tourism image of Iceland is already very positive. Adding “cheap” will be a plus. > When I think about it, what about making money with “[Icelandic brides](http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&hs=LUC&q=iceland%20girl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi)”? It worked for the Russians. I’m working on it… but for some reason they don’t take that well to it when I suggest it. I need a new tactic 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/71 "2009-01-26T21:20:25Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > I need a new tactic 🙂 It’s time to harness the power of ideas! Explain your revolutionary philosophy of national self-reliance through hydroponics, geothermal energy, and insulated-mass construction. Describe how it builds on things Iceland was already doing before it got led astray, and how it will liberate Iceland from the clutches of a global money system gone mad. Then just mention in passing that there happen to be a few people on other continents who know a bit about this and would be happy to help… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/72 "2009-01-26T21:21:37Z")
And I work cheap. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/73 "2009-01-26T21:54:12Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > It’s time to harness the power of ideas! > > Explain your revolutionary philosophy of national self-reliance through hydroponics, geothermal energy, and insulated-mass construction. Describe how it builds on things Iceland was already doing before it got led astray, and how it will liberate Iceland from the clutches of a global money system gone mad. Then just mention in passing that there happen to be a few people on other continents who know a bit about this and would be happy to help… 😃 I’ll give that a try on Saturday night. No promises though… and I might have to try the goods myself before they get shipped off. Just to be certain they fit the quality standards 😃 ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/74 "2009-01-26T22:03:23Z")
and you could legalise weed…you can grow it in your new geothermal powered hydroponic greenhouses, that should really attract the tourists, just don’ t legalise prostitution too… that’s our thing ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/75 "2009-01-26T23:21:53Z")
> [@willthekittensurvive](#): > > and you could legalise weed…you can grow it in your new geothermal powered hydroponic greenhouses, that should really attract the tourists, > > just don’ t legalise prostitution too… that’s our thing And what will happen when they’ll begin to flood the international markets with greenhouse grown tulips? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/76 "2009-01-27T00:40:16Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > And what will happen when they’ll begin to flood the international markets with greenhouse grown tulips? At least they’ll know when to get out of the scheme, right? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/77 "2009-01-27T00:51:13Z")
Denamrk released a press statement simply saying, “No returns, all sales final.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/78 "2009-01-27T02:56:18Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Denamrk released a press statement simply saying, “No returns, all sales final.” Who cares what he thinks? What does _Denmark_ say? BTW, did the British ever apologize for their uninvited occupation of Iceland during WWII? I understand their reasoning, given the Nazi threat and all, but I mean, really, how rude! Still any hard feelings by Icelandic folk towards Brits today because of that? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/79 "2009-01-27T05:21:23Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > When I think about it, what about making money with “[Icelandic brides](http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&hs=LUC&q=iceland%20girl&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi)”? It worked for the Russians. Why is it always brides? Why aren’t there ever **grooms**? _feeling grumbly_ Morgyn ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626/80 "2009-01-27T05:56:48Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Why is it always brides? Why aren’t there ever **grooms**? Shall we change that to ‘prospective spouses’? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-politics-revisited-and-this-weeks-wow-moment/482626.md?page=5)