# What's the Deal with the Falkland Islands? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 25, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629 "2012-01-25T19:49:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**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 15, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/361 "2013-03-15T20:19:30Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Of course, if Argentina goes to war over las Malvinas, again, it’ll be the first war in history where we _actually_ know which side God is on. I was musing about the Borgias and poison rings and political Popes. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/362 "2013-03-15T22:25:50Z")
Do they still have food-tasters in the Vatican? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/363 "2013-03-15T22:31:48Z")
Have you seen some of those cardinals? They’re positively rotund. They’re tasting plenty. 😛 ---
**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 16, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/364 "2013-03-16T23:27:08Z")
Re-posted from a very old thread asking about keeping [Cardinals as Pets](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=131202&cardinals): > [@cardinals as pets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinals-as-pets/124359/2): > > There’s a lot of problems associated with keeping cardinals as pets. First of all, there’s the plumage. Those scarlet gowns, the lace, the red caps and hats - doesn’t come cheap, you know. And the feeding! Have you seen some of them in pictures? Been hitting the local pasta shops pretty heavily, I’d say. And then there’s the migration patterns for the rituals associated with a new pope - you’d have to let your pet go on the drop of a triple tiera, with no assurance he’d be coming back - next thing you might hear, your former “pet” is now speculated as the “papabile” of the moment, or may even be seen perching on the balcony of St. Peter’s, waving to the crowds - that one’s never coming back. > > Bishops are a much easier choice, or, if you’re concerned about the costs, try for a nice Franciscan or Dominican. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/365 "2013-03-17T00:39:16Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Re-posted from a very old thread asking about keeping [Cardinals as Pets](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=131202&cardinals): I think I’d go for one that does ritual fasting, as he would be cheapest. The ones that do self-flagellation would be more amusing, but you’d probably have heavier medical expenses. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/366 "2013-11-29T17:22:15Z")
On a more serious note, Argentina is now threatening any companies which help drill for oil in or around the Falklands: [http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/business/argentina-uk-falklands-oil/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/business/argentina-uk-falklands-oil/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/367 "2013-12-01T13:55:06Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The Spanish government disagrees. They said they ceded their rights of the mainland territory to Argentina but that did not include the Falklands. Spain recognizes the Falklands as a British possession. I believe this is not correct. [Taringa! - Inteligencia Colectiva](http://www.taringa.net/posts/info/13902252/Postura-espanola-en-las-malvinas-1982.html) In 1982 Spain’s position was - Return of the Falklands/Malvinas to Argentina - Colonialism is a source of conflict / tension - Opposition to the use of force - Resolution by peaceful means ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/368 "2013-12-01T15:11:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > On a more serious note, Argentina is now threatening any companies which help drill for oil in or around the Falklands: [http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/business/argentina-uk-falklands-oil/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/business/argentina-uk-falklands-oil/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) Kirchner is just jealous of Maduro in Venezuela and wants to surpass him in having the title for the most disfunctional government in South America. About a year ago Argentina nationalized/expropiated Repsol-YPF, a Spanish/Mexican oil company doing business in Argentina. At any rate, the notion that there is somehow a side who is right and a side who is wrong is just incredibly naive. If instead of Argentina it was China or the USA or some similar powerful country those islands would have ceased to be British long time ago. Nobody cares what the inhabitants think or feel. It is just empty posturing for one’s own choir. Autodetermination only applies when it favors your side, not otherwise. America and Britain are often in favor of autodetermination but only if it favors them. Historically they never really asked those who were about to be invaded if they were in favor or not. The argument rings very hollow. If the islands were off the coast of China they would already be Chinese. On the other hand the Chinese government(s) have shown a lot more common sense than Argentina. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/369 "2013-12-01T15:29:31Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > In 1982 Spain’s position was > > - Return of the Falklands/Malvinas to Argentina > - Colonialism is a source of conflict / tension > - Opposition to the use of force > - Resolution by peaceful means Spain signed the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 though, and that confirms that the Falkland Islanders are EU citizens. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/370 "2013-12-01T15:53:32Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Spain signed the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 though, and that confirms that the Falkland Islanders are EU citizens. I fail to see how one thing contradicts the other. Spain also recognizes that British nationals are living in Gibraltar but does not recognize Gibraltar as British. (Or rather, they do recognize it as de facto British, they just want it back.) ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/371 "2013-12-01T15:58:52Z")
So as far as I can tell, the Falklands conflict boils down to: Argentines get depressed when they look at a map, therefore they should own the islands. (“It’s right there, dude!”) Does that mean Canada has a moral right to Greenland and Alaska? ---
**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:** [December 1, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/372 "2013-12-01T15:59:23Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > I fail to see how one thing contradicts the other. Spain also recognizes that British nationals are living in Gibraltar but does not recognize Gibraltar as British. (Or rather, they do recognize it as de facto British, they just want it back.) That reminds me of the Romanov claimants. They pretended to recognize each other. Supporting the other guy’s claim means that he will support yours. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/373 "2013-12-01T16:07:39Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > So as far as I can tell, the Falklands conflict boils down to: Argentines get depressed when they look at a map, therefore they should own the islands. (“It’s right there, dude!”) I think it’s not quite like that. I think it’s more like Argentinians look at the newspaper and get depressed and their government says to them “Don’t waste your time with newspapers, look at this map!”. And the sad thing is it works the same in Argentina as it does in the USA or in any other country. It is the oldest trick in the book and people always fall for it. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/374 "2013-12-01T16:56:01Z")
Its interesting to note that Spain has been getting quite silly about Gibraltar. Look, if as a nation you make plans and attempt to forcibly invade and occupy another country, you should not be surprised if you lose to expect your opponent to take some sort of trophy, and if that trophy has a strategic value, you probably would be naïve to expect your opponent to show goodwill and return it - to the victor go the spoils. So I imagine you will get a certain amount of tacit Spanish sympathy for Argentina, a nation that has never ever had possession of the Falklands, and probably never will until it grows up and matures - bloody kids with no sense of history or a sense of action and consequence. My suggestion to both Spain and Argentina, grow up, merely shouting a lot and smearing diplomatic excrement all over the international stage is never going to get what you seem to feel entitled to own, its internationally extremely childish - you need to feel the back of my hand and get off our Commonwealth lawn - damned nascent democracies they have no respect for their elders. They need a few centuries in their backs, do a little bit of international housework such as peacekeeping in a few shit holes - get their hands a little dirty and earn the right to be treated with respect and equals - meantime both nations will continue to whine, it’s so not faaaaaair! ---
**Author:** ![AHarris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@AHarris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHarris)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/375 "2013-12-01T17:41:46Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > So as far as I can tell, the Falklands conflict boils down to: Argentines get depressed when they look at a map, therefore they should own the islands. (“It’s right there, dude!”) > > Does that mean Canada has a moral right to Greenland and Alaska? Returning most of the Alaskan panhandle would be a good start: [Alaska boundary dispute - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_boundary_dispute) 😉 ---
**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:** [December 1, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/376 "2013-12-01T17:47:39Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > you need to feel the back of my hand and get off our Commonwealth lawn 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/377 "2013-12-01T17:55:16Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > So as far as I can tell, the Falklands conflict boils down to: Argentines get depressed when they look at a map, therefore they should own the islands. (“It’s right there, dude!”) > > Does that mean Canada has a moral right to Greenland and Alaska? There are active boundary disputes on both issues, and also the lower 48. I.E. the boundary on the arctic ocean between Canada/NWT and the USA/Alaska, a wee island between Canada and Greenland, and Seal/Machias Island in the Bay of Fundy. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/378 "2013-12-01T19:05:02Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Its interesting to note that Spain has been getting quite silly about Gibraltar. It is interesting to note that the UK has been getting quite silly about Gibraltar. Picardo is an embarrassment to the UK who, I am pretty sure have told him to tone it down. He is a clown who is poking Spain witha stick and expects the UK to back him. Then he ran to the EU who backed Spain. What a clown. He cries against Spain but lives in the Costa del Sol. If I were the Spanish government I would tell him to stay in Gibraltar and not come into Spain. What a clown. But that is another thread. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/379 "2013-12-01T19:06:36Z")
Its more than wounded pride-the Falklands are rich (fishing rights and oil leases). Argentina is broke. What better way to: -seize some valuable property -get some (potentially vast) oil reserves -divert the attention of a restive population Unfortunately for Argentina, the Brits are not going to give them up. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629/380 "2013-12-01T19:56:10Z")
The scary thing is that the UK now has no seaborne air power, so retaking the Falklands would be very difficult. And they know that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-falkland-islands/610629.md?page=20)