Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.08.2008, Blaðsíða 4

4 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 11—2008
LETTERS
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I recently completed my second trip to
Iceland, during which I was amused
by Nethaniel Flagg’s self hating article
about Americans. Things have changed
in Iceland from 4 years ago, and not for
the better. Icelanders used to be hap-
py to see any tourist - even us terrible
Americans (sic), as tourism was a great
boost to an economy that had stagnated
for generations. I still will recommend
Iceland to anyone who has never been
there, but warn them of the backlash
against tourists also. Roving gangs of
very drunk ENGLISH tourists should
not ruin the party for everyone, and
that goes for just about every european
country these days..
As for Mr. Flagg’s article, well, I
know he is young and impressionable
and all that - but really now. His refer-
ence to an “unarmed” nation is really
funny, considering that US air force base
at Keflavik that has defended the island
for decades. Icelanders won’t be kick-
ing us out any time soon; they are not
that stupid, and it is a great bargain for
them.
As for all his naive pronounce-
ments about what an international crim-
inal the US has been recently, yawn, per-
haps he should have a listen to what all
his heros in the democratic party were
saying in the lead up to the Iraq inva-
sion, as well as exactly how they voted
for it also. Al Gore would have invaded
Iraq the same month that Mr. Bush did -
sad to say.
Many european nations were and/
or are still in Iraq with US forces. A friend
of mine in the dutch military was there
himself. Are they all global bandits also
? And what of the troops from Iceland
(carrying flowers instead of guns, right
?) who are in Afghanistan ? Oh wait,
that’s the “good” invasion, right ?
If europeans were indeed so an-
gry at the US and did not want to feed
its militarist adventures, perhaps they
could stop smoking and end their fi-
nancial support of some of the states’
most conservative politicians in North
Carolina and Virginia. Or stop visiting
the US and spending their tourist dollars
here. But that’s not going to happen any
sooner than Icelanders kicking the US
air force out of Keflavik, now is it ?
Mr. Flagg should take note that
people are people wherever you go, and
defining someone by the decisions of
their country’s leaders - be they good or
bad - is rather stupid, no matter where
you are. If he is so interested in uphold-
ing the Geneva Convention and the
UDHR, perhaps now would be a good
time to remind him of this part of it:
“I will maintain the utmost respect
for human life from the time of concep-
tion; even under threat, I will not use my
medical knowledge contrary to the laws
of humanity.. Similarly, I will not give to
a woman an abortive remedy. I will...do
no harm.”
Yeah, I don’t think the “good”
americans in the democratic party will
be talking too much about that part. Nor
will Mr. Flagg.
Lastly, I’d like to urge all Iceland-
ers, a people I still have much affection
for, to accept that you have a big and
growing hard drug problem in Reyk-
javik. Perhaps that Iceland airwaves
festival wasn’t such a great idea after
all. And perhaps you could even con-
front the scourge of Iceland - the high-
est breast cancer rate in the world - by
realizing that steroids are just as harmful
and cancer causing to women as they
are to men, even if it’s called “birth con-
trol.”
Sean Cannan
Charlottesville, VA
USA
Dear Sean (I believe that’s a derivative of
the name Sveinn)
Although I am on vacation, and was on
vacation during the issue Flagg’s piece
ran, I feel I must answer some of the
points you raise in your letter.
1. The “American” Nato base in Keflavík
has been closed for over two years. It
now houses a university. We probably
are just that stupid.
2. As for Gore would have invaded Iraq
on the same date as Bush did, well, I
guess we’ll never know, will we? Seeing
as his election was stolen and all.
3. Pointing out that other nations did the
same mistakes in invading Iraq does not
justify you own invasion. Take care of
your own backyard buddy. As for “the
Icelandic Troops” in Afghanistan, a few
PR agents on a peace keeping mission
can hardly be called ‘troops,’ but what-
ever...
4. As for the tobacco industry... I couldn’t
agree with you more. It is a bad habit
anyway. Let’s quit.
5. I didn’t read Flagg’s article as say-
ing that he would judge a whole nation
based on the decisions of its leaders. He
did say that the decision of its leaders to
invade Iraq was one of the causes for the
blow to international perception of US
citizens as a whole. This may not be fair.
But I do think it is the truth.
6. Blaming the Iceland Airwaves festival
for growth in hard drug use in Reykjavík
makes about as much sense as... I’m at
a lack for words here. It just makes no
sense at all.
7. Cancer and steroids. Interesting!
Thanks for reading,
Sveinn Birkir Björnsson
Dear TRG...
Happened to pick up your issue #10
right at the door of the plane as I was
leaving Amsterdam for Reykjavik... I
work on cruise ships and am spending
two nights here in town between jobs.
Totally loved your entire paper as it gave
me a much better sense of what your
great country is all about, including lots
of real-world, hands-on tips for tourists
like me who don't have time to figure
out the local scene on our own! I felt like
a local and had a great time checking
out the night life thanks to you.
Especially loved the "Fear & Loath-
ing in Reykjavik" story (sorry, couldn't
find a by-line for the author)... well done
with lots of tips for all tastes. I checked
out the Q-Bar and had a fantastic time.
Doubt I would've found it without your
suggestion. I made sure I told them
where I heard about them too!
I was here for a quick one-nighter
last week and had read elsewhere about
the great Reykjavik night life. Was really
disappointed as I got in at 12 AM and
couldn't even find a quiet pub for a beer!
Great to talk up the fun that's getting bet-
ter all the time, but might be helpful to
let folks know that weekdays are pretty
quiet.
Next time I have the opportunity
to visit, first thing I'm looking for is the
Grapevine... Please keep up the fantas-
tic work; kudos to you and IcelandAir for
the best free publication in the land!!
Wishing you continued success...
Cheers!
John
Thanks, John! We love you too!