h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Anna Banana (from the former USSR - the greatest banana republik in the world, if you know what I mean)"

I have no idea what you mean. Could you explain? I'm sure it could be considered on topic.

A good point! But the 'vibe' at the moment is quite scary - headlines in the local paper about Americans mobilising..

Russia is certainly NOT going to ivade us , but they ARE threatening with "economic sanctions" . When I heard that I lauged out loud. What are they going to sanction? We´re one of the richest countries in the world, and as far as I know we (and the EU) spend millions of$ there every year to help a neighbour being part of the "good company" in the west. It´s redicioulus.Are they gonna boycot the danish hot-dog stand that we´ve culturally exported and that stands on every streetcorner, and make some of their own jobless? Will they all stop buing expensive danish disigned furniture and B&O´s for all thier rubles? Will they stop economical aid for Denmark, Hoho.

Also.

The government try to tell us that the arrest was a perfectly normal procedure, with no political overtones. But at midnight before the arrest, the prime minister, the minister of justice, the minister of foreign affairs and the chief of police had a rush meeting.And shortly after the arrest the chief of police said that she had clearly detected a tone of "political urgement". We haven´t really heard her in the media since though.

If anything, this is NOT a "standard procedure".


T`mershi Duween ... bookmarking.

is Vodafone from denmark?

I don´t know. What is it?

A very large cellphone multinational. I remember that it comes from a small northen european country. I *think* I remember it was Denmark.

I don´t think it´s danish. Never heard of it.

But if you tell the russians it is, it´ll probably confuse them for awhile.

The small Northern European country in question would be Britain.

Bit like a reversal of "Danegeld" isn't it. What goes around, comes around and all that!

Seriously, Denmark should stick to its principles and not allow itself to be bullied by the Bear. Russia probably needs imports from Denmark as much as Denmark needs the trade anyway. Also, whoever it was who said that Russia would not invade a NATO country hit the nail on the head.

Face the playground bully down....they always run away in the end!

From memory, the Danish export to Russia is about 6 billion DKK - which is a wee bit more than pocket money. I guess it'll hurt seeing that go.

But I agree - we should stick to our guns and so far we (largely) are. The EU-Russian summit was moved to Brussels - that way, we didn't block the whole EU:Russia communication...

And I guess that Russian history tells us that they've always been used to having a strong man at the helm - and apparently, over there, strong men don't look in international rule books, they just act...

I think Denmark is in a strong position, being an EU member and having their full diplomatic support. If Russia is a bully in this case, it doesn't say much for the standard of bullies in modern politics.

Actually, Ivanov (Russian foreing minister) has been backpedalling a wee bit today - said that there should not be too much concern and that it shouldn't be too much of an issue... (or words ot that effect, my Russian isn't really my strongest language )

As expected.

>>Vodafone from denmark? <<

Finland, I think.. No, that's Nokia. (Mobile telephones, TF)

Hi, Apparltlon (sorry, I donot know how to type these double 'i's), the most important features of 'banana republics' are the following ones:

corrumption of state employees
only apparent democracy
subordination of government to military or secret service or magnates
poor economical situation
too much military brain-washing

now?

The alternative, non-guvernamental Russian mass media also supports the position of Denmark. It is the right way to deal with the Russian bear.

Anna Banana

PS. Although the idea that Russia could attack any NATO country is some absurd, I remember the old joke:

Russia should declare war to the USA and surrender immediately.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity

"corrumption of state employees
only apparent democracy
subordination of government to military or secret service or magnates
poor economical situation
too much military brain-washing"

Anyone want to draw a paralell to the US under Bush?

>>Anyone want to draw a paralell to the US under Bush? <<
Yes.

Count me in....