Apparently the Falklands are a "self governing autonomous overseas territory with the UK responsible for defence and foreign affairs." So basically the UK is being used by the Falklanders to protect themselves from the Argentinians and thats about it. Forget all that "sovereignty" rhetoric, i suspect that when the oil is finally flowing the UK will see precious little of the revenue and the islanders will be over here acting like the new Qataris...:suspect:

Just dont ask the Popes oppinion!

If you are aged 70 and sharp as a needle you still can no longer drive a minibus or do jury service. A snotty nosed illiterate 16 year old soon will though.

You lot must have some really orrible kids/grandkids.

They're a lovely bunch round ere. Let em vote I say.

I blame the parents/grandparents. :E

In one week they have effectively lost the islands but gained a Papacy BBC News - Argentina's Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected Pope

Will this make Kirchner Stfu?

LJ

76 years old, wonder how long he will last..

...is he still allowed to drive a minibus?

Probably not, but I bet he smells of wee too.

Curious use of such pejorative term - can only mean that what will follow will be an unbiased, informed comment :)

I feel sorry for you that you consider our young people to be in such a paralous state that despite being able to marry, pay tax and serve in HM forces (as pointed out) that you consider they are not fit to take part in the democratic processes that will shape their future lives. The consequences of the referendum will have greater impact on their lives than it will their parents, you or I - let them have their say. The likelihood of teenagers coming out to vote in such numbers as to influence the vote does not stack up as has been reflected upon by informed political commentators. Your Daily Mail may be useful for the crossword and lighting the woodburner but little else.;)

As for claims of gerrymandering (not yours) - then why not, it is after all in the finest traditions of independence referrenda as employed by the national government in the 1979 referendum. The 40 % franchise threshold was never sought for westminster elections - shame that. So come, on stop being grumpy of Bedfordshire, give the bairns more credit - put aside the little Englander and the xenophobic bile and stop commenting on things of which you have no knowledge.:ok:

If you did, you would find he is no friend of the Argentine government. He has been a very outspoken critic of the government, particularly concerning the so called "disapeared".

Tom,

turns out he has his own skeletons in that particular cupboard.

Guardian going to town on it now, and its not pretty - taking 'giving unto Ceasar' a bit far...

Always - you have to give them some allowance, it's a fight or flight response. Such commentators don't understand the issues, they have not been following nor been alive to the changes taking place within the UK post devolution. It's as though they have just woken up and realized that they are no longer at home but in residential care. They are confused, they mistakenly believe that the desire to explore and debate the case for independence is a comment against the rest of the UK rather than an opportunity for a part of the UK to grow and travel in another direction. So just as you would when visiting an elderly relative in a retirement home - go easy on them, don't expect to much in cogent debate.:hmm:

As an Argentinian is now the Pope he is going to have to follow the Papal Bull of 1493 and tell Mrs Motormouth that the southern half of South America belongs to Spain.

"In his book, El Silencio, a prominent Argentinian journalist alleged that he connived in the abduction of two Jesuit priests by the military junta in the so-called "dirty war". He denies the accusation." - From Guardian

That's all I could find !

Tom,

this was on the Grinaud earlier - same story, more meat

I think he's good for a few years yet - looked pretty ok tonight on TV. Apparently has given up all the trappings as a Cardinal - got rid of his chauffeur and gets the bus to work, does his own cooking etc etc. If he gets rid of a load of the trappings which surround the church at the top he'll be worth it just for that.

Cheers Cokecan. No doubt as always there will be another side to this story - I'll reserve comment suffice to say sometimes you have to shake hands with the devil before you kick the **** out of him. The church operates in a number of repressive regimes around the world - sometimes you need to be pragmatic. As a parallel think about some of the dubious things the UK has done in the name of maintaining diplomacy. Let's give him a chance, whatever your views on the church it does represent a chunk of humanity. Let's hope he has the courage to reform what needs to reform and lead where leadership is needed.

That tickles the funny bone
:D:D

Could a poll be put to the Argentine people asking how many want to go and live in the Falklands?

I'm reluctant to post this on here, for fear of starting another outburst of rabid comments, but, in terms of the discussion on 16-17 year olds voting in the Scottish independence referendum, here's an interesting article on the 16/18 differences debate:

BBC News - The strange status of 16-year-olds