April, 1982. Argentine forces arrive at the Falklands' shores ready to triumphantly reclaim the British-held islands. Thatcher sees her chance to cash in on the poll-boosting, economy-strengthening pursuit of war. Her dear friend Ronald Reagan, knowing better than most that fiery look in her eyes and tightening of voice, concedes that any chance of peaceful settlement has gone. Argentina has failed to harness the support of other Organization of American States partners. US backing for Britain is declared - arms and soldiers offered, sanctions on Argentina - that sort of thing. BOOM - the Falklands secured, and US-UK relations as cozy as ever.
Jump forward to the present day. The Malvinas are once again on the Argentine agenda. The UK, as ever, stubborn to concede any rights - especially if those rights have anything to do with oil. What of Uncle Sam this time? Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are quick to insist neutrality - the forces binding the OAS seem a little stronger in the 21st century. "Has old Sam got into bed with the Argies?" - unbelieving voices drift west across the Atlantic. The reply, as strong as counter flowing Icelandic Ash... "No man, we just weren't enjoying being bunked up with you". Britannia, Ruler of the Waves, how could this happen...?
BUST - As Obama entered the Oval Office last year he surveyed his new stomping ground, I am sure, with pride. A man who knows what he wants, he went this way and that disregarding and repositioning the Presidential suite's clutter. Bush's antique confederate muskets? Chuck'em. Any remaining moose/bison/blow-up dolls from the Bush/Clinton decades? Gone. But what's this - The EPSTEIN? The bust of Churchill that symbolizes undying US respect for Britain? Chuck it.
It seems, in keeping with the times, that the Special Relationship should follow Boom and Bust. The Reagan-Thatcher love affair of the synth-decade could not feel any farther away today...
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