Up yours, Iceland. (And you, too, Iran?)

[Stinky The Clown]

Rumsfeld's Five Sided Fortress-on-the-Potomac has announced they are withdrawing US forces from Iceland. This in the face of a 1951 pact we signed - and which remains valid - to provide for Iceland's security. So, while it is true that Iceland is not of any particular strategic importance to us anymore, we just think its time to ignore them.

The base has a measley four jets and a few helicopters. Largely, they provide Iceland with some air-sea rescue capabiltiies. I mean, how much does it cost us to keep this base?

But oh no. We can't honor treaties with friends that are in force but no longer suit us. Better we take that base down and recall the troops. So they can go to ......... ?

You listening, Iran?

Uncle Sam wants YOU!

U.S. to withdraw troops from Iceland

Updated Thu. Mar. 16 2006 12:49 PM ET

Associated Press

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — The United States, which has long provided Iceland with its only military force, has decided to withdraw most of its service members and all of its fighter jets and helicopters from the country later this year, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday. Iceland's government, which had recently offered to pay some of the cost of its defense to try to keep U.S. forces here, said it regretted the decision.

In an interview with The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Carol van Voorst said she and Nicholas Burns, the U.S. under secretary of state, had told Prime Minister Haldor Asgrimsson and Foreign Minister Geir H. Haarde of the unilateral decision on Wednesday. But Washington also said it would continue to honor its 1951 agreement with Iceland requiring the United States, under the auspices of NATO, to provide this country's defense. U.S. and Icelandic officials were to hold talks about how that will be done, Van Voorst said.

"Icelandic authorities regret this decision by the United States government," Haarde said in a statement Wednesday.

In it, he informed Icelanders that the four U.S. jet fighters and several U.S. helicopters used in search-and-rescue missions would leave by the end of September.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060316/iceland_troops_060316/20060316?hub=World

[central scrutinizer]

1. If they aren't with us, then they're against us

If there are no Icelandic troops in the "coalition of the billing" then fuck them - let them defend their own goddam asses. <sarcasm off>

[FSogol]

2. Stupid. At the very least, give them the aircraft and some training.

Are we cutting and running?

[FSogol]

3. Fortress-on-the-Potomac? You mean Rumsfeld's

Fortress of Ineptitude?

[DBoon]

9. The satanic pentagram

oops, pentagon?

[northernsoul]

17. AKA Mordor

n/t

[MadMaddie]

4. Just when you think that they can't do anything worse

than their previous screw up.....We can't leave 10 military vehicles there for search and rescue...those vehicles are being pulled to go to Iran....

Those troops should stay there...Rumsfeld is intentionally putting the US in a no win situation...
the few allies that remain are going to start watching their own backs...and kicking US troops out...

[AnnieBW]

5. I'd Be More Concerned

With the loss of SAR capabilities than the fighter jets in Iceland.

[Withywindle]

6. I guess we desperately need all four of those jet fighters

...for Iran.


Maybe there's a weird vendetta against the letter I. Watch out, Indonesia, Ireland, and Iowa!

[BigYawn]

10. The armada for attack on Iran is being assembled as we spreak...

which is why those 4 jets were needed.

[havocmom]

7. Anybody wonder if that may risk some piracy in the North Atlantic?

How does it help OUR security, or NATO's if we have less eyes on a piece of ocean that has a lot of shipping lanes?

Gee, think what could be managed with a hi-jacked cargo ship or two...

[MadMaddie]

11. You would be implying that the * cabal would employ

actual thought of mitigation planning.....and we all know they never plan past their desired action....they are utterly incompetent!!!

When cargo ships start getting cargo-jacked the response from the * cabal will be ....

wait for it....

wait for it....

Who would have thought that someone would cargo-jack ships from those Iclandic shipping Lanes!!!:banghead:

[havocmom]

16. I don't think they are incompetent at all. They know what they are doing

they just aren't doing anything for the US or world. To accuse them of being merely incompetent is to find some excuse for their decisions. I truly believe they are 100% aware of what they are doing and the worse things get for the world, the happier they are about their job performance.

There are people THAT bad.

THEY want things to go to hell. Greed is all they have and they will sacrifice anything to the alter of profit.

[Bridget Burke]

12. Perhaps our forces in Iceland were really a way ....

To keep the Icelanders down. They may be tempted to go a-Viking again!

[autorank]

8. Hey, Husb, you and I both know what this really means, given Rummy's

track record.

Here goes: Iceland has just made major progress on its "hydrogen economy/power" project. They can power the world and distribute their endless hydrogen supply easily. The scientists report to the Prime Minister. He's all excited and is picking up the phone to call Bush with first notice and a special deal for Americans. All of a sudden another aid comes in and shows the PM the Rummy announcement. The PM pauses, shakes his head and hangs up the phone. WTF? he says, "they're breaking a treaty for four jets. These people can't be trusted." He picks up the phone again and calls the European Union with his special deal.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory all over the world, it's the Bush Administration.

[Stinky The Clown]

18. Gotta control our best interests, yanno .......

Like making the oil companies richer and richer.


We don't need no stinkin' hi-droo-gin.

[autorank]

23. We don't want our oil execs "mansion deprived." They need shelter;) n/t

[underpants]

13. LOL! K&R

I think that Iceland actually is a part of the "Coalition of the Willing"

[Elwood P Dowd]

14. We've been friends with these nice people for over 60 years

It's the closest European country to the US, and 50,000 American tourists visit there annually. They speak fluent English, drive on the right side of the road, and generally welcome American visitors. I wonder what they will think of us now?

[Stinky The Clown]

20. We've had a treaty for 60 years .... we've been friends far longer

But hey ..... who needs 'em now ..... they're 'old Europe'

Damned vikings ....... :sarcasm:

[HughBeaumont]

15. HAIL, people of Iceland!

Journey of a land anew
Ram as our liaison
Vision inspire and move

Awe holy island
Breed the lagoon to run free
Raw beauty is ruthless
within the golden ring

Precision of Grungir
Spear of the Norse God Odin
Praise our Pagan Father
Founder of the Althing



:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. No vested interest in North Sea oil?

[RobertSeattle]

21. Cut and Run! Cut and Run!!!

[ArbustoBuster]

22. We invade countries that don't want us and leave the ones that will pay...

...us to stay.

When did I fall through a hole into Bizarro Earth? Because this is completely backwards.

[LifeDuringWartime]

24. iceland

I hope iceland is able to replace the search and rescue capabilities.....what has iceland ever done to anyone?


(hint: given them great music;) (björk, sigur rós))

[TrogL]

25. Now Canada can invade!

Assuming our subs don't spring a leak or catch on fire.

[Elwood P Dowd]

26. David Dreier & his "Chief Of Staff" were once spotted in Reykjavik

I wonder if they were there to partake in the famous night life and gay bar scene? Or was he there just to check out the rock to see if there was anything worth stealing for the Bush Crime Family?