Article

2006-08-21 Europe

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Posted by ryuge 2006-08-21 07:23|| || Front Page|| [8 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Sensible people the Finns. They stood against an authoritarian takeover and won, at great cost. People still remember.

Posted by phil_b 2006-08-21 08:05|| 2006-08-21 08:05|| Front Page Top

#2 If my memory serves me correctly, the Finns were the only ones who bothered to repay their WWII debt to the US.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-08-21 08:10|| 2006-08-21 08:10|| Front Page Top

#3 Yep. They handed the Soviets their hats too when they tried to invade during WWII. Many have said the Finnish 'ski troops' were some of the best soldiers ever in combat, able to travel great distances quickly, to endure brutal cold and blizzard conditions, and be expert shots with a rifle.

There are still a few Euros with a backbone.

Posted by mcsegeek1 2006-08-21 08:56|| 2006-08-21 08:56|| Front Page Top

#4 The Brits paid off for WWII in full. I haven't been able to find anything about France yet, pone way or the other. But in any case, they didn't fight very long so they couldn't have run up much of a tab.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-08-21 08:58|| 2006-08-21 08:58|| Front Page Top

#5 Finland was the only country to pay its WWI debts to the U. S. in full.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-08-21 09:04|| 2006-08-21 09:04|| Front Page Top

#6 Great links and updates! Thanks!

Posted by Besoeker 2006-08-21 09:54|| 2006-08-21 09:54|| Front Page Top

#7 Before you go all gushy [and yes I do support Israel], let a little bit of reality fit in -

Just Google Nokia and Israel. Is there an Israeli who doesn't have a cell phone?

So while principles may be great, there is a tinge of capitalism here as well.

Posted by Unimble Elmomort5902 2006-08-21 10:00|| 2006-08-21 10:00|| Front Page Top

#8 People aren't coming out to support their cell phone business or financial interest in NOKIA. Get a clue.

Posted by ex-lib 2006-08-21 10:12|| 2006-08-21 10:12|| Front Page Top

#9 Just Google Nokia and Israel. Is there an Israeli who doesn't have a cell phone?

I'm guessin' here, but since there are a BILLION Muslims and a few million Jews, there are probably more sales to Muslims than to Jews.

Why is it that some people are so quick to assume ulterior motives? Isn't it possible that they support Israel because Israel DESERVES TO BE SUPPORTED!?!?!?

Posted by PlanetDan">PlanetDan 2006-08-21 10:31|| 2006-08-21 10:31|| Front Page Top

#10 Don't mess with the Finns. Tough bastards, and they carry knives.

Posted by mojo">mojo 2006-08-21 12:08|| 2006-08-21 12:08|| Front Page Top

#11 The Brits will make the final WW2 payment this year. The debt is from US loans just after the war (2% interest, Britain was broke) and left over Lend-Lease stocks (at 10% on the dollar). All the expended war stocks (vast majority) were gratis.

Posted by ed 2006-08-21 12:22|| 2006-08-21 12:22|| Front Page Top

#12 Is this representative of Finland overall? And if it is, here's an interesting dynamic:

Pro-Israeli Finland
Anti-American Finland
Pro-American Israel

Posted by Jules in the Hinterlands 2006-08-21 15:50|| 2006-08-21 15:50|| Front Page Top

#13 I think Germany just apid off theirs', too.

Frogistan - no way.

Posted by anonymous2u 2006-08-21 16:15|| 2006-08-21 16:15|| Front Page Top

#14 Try the Finnish brand of Fazer salmiak licorice sometime. It'll curl your toes. One of the classic European salted licorices. In support of Finland, I suppose we could all go out and buy 1,000 Nokia cell phones. Haven't others been doing that lately?

Posted by Zenster 2006-08-21 21:40|| 2006-08-21 21:40|| Front Page Top

#15 God Bless the Finns!
..but the real test of the Nations is if they move their Embassey to Israel's ancient capital
Jerusalem.
Gen 12:3

Posted by Saint Jimbo 2006-08-21 21:51|| 2006-08-21 21:51|| Front Page Top

#16 And inexplicably the Finns are huge fans of Conan O'Brian.

Posted by DMFD 2006-08-21 23:13|| 2006-08-21 23:13|| Front Page Top

23:50 trailing wife
23:45 Zenster
23:16 DMFD
23:13 DMFD
23:02 Jules in the Hinterlands
22:47 FOTSGreg
22:47 Zenster
22:36 Zenster
22:32 Sleresing Hupolunter2709
22:21 Zenster
22:17 Zenster
22:10 djohn66
22:06 Zenster
21:58 Captain America
21:56 Saint Jimbo
21:55 muck4doo
21:54 eLarson
21:54 Captain America
21:52 Zenster
21:51 Saint Jimbo
21:44 eLarson
21:43 tu3031
21:43 Nimble Spemble
21:43 twobyfour