Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.05.2008, Síða 4

04 | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 05 2008 | Letters
Dear editor,
Whilst I have some sympathy from the truck drivers and
others who earn their living on the road, the high-jacking of
the fuel price protests by the 4x4 travel club undermines the
legitimate concerns of the professional drivers. The travel
club are recreational drivers, basically demanding a state
subsidy to pursue a hobby. Furthermore, for all that Iceland-
ers are rightly proud of their natural environment, the 4x4
travel club, compiled of members who enjoy travelling to
visit some of its most breath-taking sites, fail to reflect on the
damage their very pursuit entails upon the environment they
so treasure. These are the same 4x4 drivers who leave their
engines running as they drop-off and collect their children
from kindergarten – literally without thought as to the conse-
quences for the air quality surrounding their own and other
infants.
Complaints and protests in Akureyri by private drivers are
particularly gnawing, given that there is a perfectly adequate
– and free – bus service. 8 months pregnant, I am a frequent
user, often accompanied by my 2 year old. It is laziness and
a sense of entitlement that is keeping drivers behind the
wheels of their own private vehicles.
Before the 4x4 drivers throw their toys out of the pram again,
they might consider exchanging their vehicles for ones that
consumes less fuel and emit less pollution, especially for
short, urban journeys. Or they might get out of their cars,
walk 200 hundred metres and take a bus, thus avoiding the
fuel spike altogether.

Dr. Rachael Lorna Johnstone
Dear Rachel,
The incredible tastelessness of the 4x4 traveling club has
kept me up at nights with laugher. In fact, I am rolling on the
floor as I type this. Don’t expect other people to bail you out
from your own stupidity, I guess that is the lesson we all need
to learn here.
Dear Editor,

I would like to be one of the first people to congratulate
the local Reykjavík administration for their strategic mas-
terstroke of employing truck drivers to keep the civil peace
whilst the Police were partaking in their recent anarchic
demonstrations. The truckers did a remarkable job to keep
such a rowdy bunch of cops at bay and I sincerely hope
that the Police can resolve their dispute soon (maybe they
don’t get enough Kleinur’s and coffee on the current bud-
get?). But I, for one, am happy to sleep comfortably at night
knowing that the truck drivers are keeping the normal folk
of Reykjavík safe...

10-4 Stephen Taylor-Matthews

Dear Stephen,
I agree. These police officers have made a mockery of pro-
tests in Iceland. Hopefully, this matter will be put to rest soon
and the police reprimanded for acting like bafoons.
Editor
Dear Editor

I would to reply to the letter published in the Grapevine issue
2 on Friday, February 08, 2008, written by Jessica. I am a
South African-born woman who has been living in Iceland
for 12 years and has Icelandic citizenship.
Growing up in South Africa during the Apartheid era,
I made the decision not to judge people on their race or reli-
gion but rather on their personalities. For the most part I have
been well received by the Icelanders that I have met socially
and professionally. At the moment I am working at a salt fish
factory in the West of Iceland and enjoy working with people
from Poland and Bosnia, as well as some of the Icelanders.
Unfortunately for the past three years I have been subjected
(I don’t use the term victimized, as I don’t want to be a vic-
tim) to racial slurs and verbal abuse at the hands of three
Icelanders whom I work with. I am a polite person and treat
people as I would like to be treated but if I don’t like someone
then I still try to work with that person and show them basic
courtesy, without resorting to name calling or backstabbing.
Unlike the aforementioned three individuals, who for some
reason have decided that I can’t do anything right.
The factory manager and the owner have tried to re-
solve the issue by getting representatives from Alþjoðahus
to come and talk about communication between Icelanders
and foreigners in the workplace but it had no effect on them.
The push finally came to a shove with me confronting two of
them resulting in one walking out of her job and her husband
giving notice because as is the case with bullies, when con-
fronted they can´t do anything besides shouting and becom-
ing verbally abusive. The remaining woman seems to have
changed her attitude and I sincerely hope that she has.
I will be leaving my current place of employment at the
end of the month but I hope things may improve for the for-
eigners for who will continue to work there and that they can
do their work without being refered to as ‘’Helvitis útlendin-
gar/Pólverjar’’.
Finally, I love living here and enjoy the privileges of
having an Icelandic passport. I truly hope that Iceland can
find a solution to the problem of racial prejudice, as it does
go both ways, before we see incidents as in Denmark hap-
pening here.
Natalie
Dear Natalie,
I am sorry to hear how some people’s stupidity seems to
make the incapable of feeling for another person and show
minimum human decency. Your boss should have fired them
on the spot if they are incapable of treating a fellow workers
with the respect they deserve.
Stay strong,
Editor
Hello
I am a girl. I am 30 years old. I wonder your culture. It is now
difficult to visit your country. Can I get Lapa Peysa and Vi-
kings. Thank you.
Emel Turan, Turkey
Dear Emel
By lapa peysa, I suppose you mean lopapeysa, Icelandic
woolen sweater. They are readily available in almost any
souvenir shop. The Vikings might prove to be more of an
obstacle. Most of them turned to farming in the 11th cen-
tury. Reportedly some moved to Greenland but we have not
heard from them since they left. But if you find any , do let
me know.
Editor
Sour Grapes
Say your piece, voice your opinion, send your letters to letters@grapevine.is.