Quote of the day

I can tell you that if I was given responsibility for organizing a flag burning of the Danish flag, it would take me some time to locate one.

John at Irish Eagle.

Comments

[J.Cassian]

I think we can now explain the delay of four months between the publication of the cartoons and the outrage on the "Arab street". They must have had to import some decent flags from abroad, judging by this exceptionally poor effort at making their own. (What gives with the big black footprint on that flag anyway? Is the Islamic protest being led by Imam Sasquatch?)

[John]

Frank, you honor me.

J.Cassian,
I hadn't thoought about that. I just assumed that the 4 month delay was because, well, the cartoons were in a barely read Danish paper and no one in the Middle East knew about them until this week. Your theory makes more sense. It took them 4 months to (a) get some Danish flags and (b) find out what imports sold in the Middle East were from Denmark (assuming Carlsberg is not a biggie out there).

[sliabh]

Apart from Carlsberg there is Danish bacon as well. Again, not a popular product in the middle east.

[Frank McGahon]

I'd say the Danes can afford to be sanguine about a boycott, fully 65% of Denmark's total exports never leave the EU. Germany take about 20%, Sweden 12%, UK 10%, then US, Norway on 6%, France 5%. By the time you get to the Ummah, you're into trifling amounts.

In any case, let's say Saudi Arabia spurns Danish cheese or butter. Assuming the Saudi's new suppliers - let's say Ireland - don't invest in increasing production as a result of this boycott, then some of Ireland's existing cheese and butter customers will be discommoded as the cheese and butter they used to buy is diverted to Saudi Arabia. Enter plucky Denmark with dairy product to spare to fulfil that demand.

[J.Cassian]

Another thing. As someone who dabbled in a bit of amateur pyromania as a teenager, I've got to say I really admire Middle Eastern flag-burning skills. It takes consummate professionalism to wave around a flaming banner like that without setting light to your own billowing robes. They may not be leading the world in any other scientific field, but as far as the thermodynamics of vexillogy goes, no one can touch them. Respect due.

[Fence]

heh, had just quoted Irish Eagle myself, and now I spot more that needs archiving for all time

[J.Cassian]

That should have been "vexillology" of course. Reading dozens of badly spelt death threats from irate Saudis on blogs over the past couple of days has wrought havoc with me orthography.

[ainelivia]

I wonder if those countries boycotting Danish products will buy from Ireland. It is reported that Irish newspapers reprinted the offending cartoons?

[ainelivia]

I wonder if those countries boycotting Danish products will buy from Ireland. It is reported that Irish newspapers reprinted the offending cartoons?