You won't find me defending the 'quality' of Daily Mail journalism. It's a xenophobic, capitalistic, hate filled rag. The fact is, I haven't seen the possibility of Argentine invasion surface even be acknowledged in other media. I do consider it a possibility - HMS Illustrious has been converted for Helicopter only use, and the Defence review of 2010 practically removes our naval presence from the South Atlantic.
That piece is certainly xenomania, paranoid right wing catatrophising of the worst kind. (mind you, I thought It was bad until I saw their follow up article). The purpose of the piece is simple - drum up paranoia, and patriotism, and belittle Argentina because we still rule the waves. We don't. Aging jets or not, the numbers available across the entire Argentinian airforce against four Typhoons is unfavourable.
The 1982 defeat wasn't crushing - it was very touch and go. We could easily have lost that war on 3 or four fluke occasions, that much is clear.
The comments, as usual, play to the average DM reader.
You think that piece is bad? Try this =
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...diers-killed--imagined-Dominic-Sandbrook.html
Sentences such as
"Even the nation's new Prime Minister, the blinking, stammering Ed Miliband, cuts a remarkably limp figure, a melancholy leader for a nation sunk in misery."
Seriously, do they think within six weeks every road in port Stanley will have been renamed? That replacement roadsigns are waiting in storage? Didn't happen in '82, did it?
"Indeed, discreet signals from Paris indicated that President Nicolas Sarkozy would look kindly on an Argentine invasion, since it would bring David Cameron to heel. Over Christmas and New Year, Argentina's military chiefs drew up their plans."
Can anyone tell the Mail has an anti-Europe, divide the union, we don't need them we are better off alone agenda? Do they really think Sarkosy would side with Argentina? I don't think he would. We may bicker amongst ourselves in Europe, but there's no way that Sarkosy would do this. Western powers want to remain unassassaiblble, if that means they will band together to retake the Islands. Any weakness or defeat will lead a difficult precedent for other small remaining territories. the predictions that Streep wins the Oscar? It might just scrape in - It gets released in five screens in the US two days before the qualifying period ends, but I think the film will not be as widely watched as to get enough votes for to be nominated.
Other predictions:-
- Vince Cable quits the cabinet
- Occupy take over city centres across the country
- Anarchist protestors lead marches saying "Give them Back!"
- Chris Huhne quits the cabinet
- Sir Steve Redgrave encourages troops as they leave in his rowing boat
- barack Obama says
"'I will not make the same mistake. My motto is simple: America first.'
- Uk football teams gets chucked out of Euro 2012 as a 'security risk'
- UK nuclear subs unable to support the taskforce as beign made 'female friendly'
- Lib Dems walk out of the coalition
Absolute horseshit, each and every one of these predictions. Completely ignores the fact that this would lead to a new general election, despite being fixed term parliament until 2015. No reference to a new General election in the result of the Lib Dems quitting, as if power would just be handed straight over to Labour.
Its a Daily mail readers wet dream of worst fears, maximised to the infinite degree.
Daily mail - once a rag, always a rag. Terrible articles them both, but I do forsee Argentina trying to retake the islands as a strong possibility. However, no way would all these incredibly unlikely events transpire. Usually horsewhipping paranoia and xenophobia. Chapman pincher would be proud.
