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British team to drill sub-glacial Antarctic lake and define limits of life in the planet

Thursday, October 11th 2012 - 07:56 UTC
Full article 59 comments

After 16 years of planning the countdown is on for one of the most ambitious scientific missions to Antarctica. In October a 12-man team of British scientists, engineers and support staff will make the 16.000 km journey from the UK to go deep into the heart of the frozen continent to collect samples of water and sediments from an ancient lake buried beneath three kilometers of ice. Read full article

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  • Trunce

    An Argie will pop out of the hole. They were there first don't you know ; )

    http://www.dna.gov.ar/INGLES/DIVULGAC/ARGANT.HTM

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 08:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • damian

    I expect this to be strongly condemned as an illegal oil drilling operation by the colonialist British goverment intent on invading the SA continent.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 10:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Alexei

    Wait for it, they'll be dragging themselves out of bed soon.... :D

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 10:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @1 That article is funny. No mention of the British and American seal hunters of the late 18th century. An allusion to a Spanish presence that never happened. No mention that the argies were GIVEN their first antarctic station by a British expedition. Back in the day when argies had a chance to be mature and responsible. No mention that the British Antarctic Territory claim predates the argie claim by 34 years. No mention that the argie claim was in the middle of WW2. That argies thought that Germany would win and they could grab anything they wanted. Meanwhile, Britain is at the forefront of exploration and science. As usual!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 11:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • malen

    oil drillinggggggg like in the Articcccccccccccccccc

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Alexei

    @5 You want to get that keyboard fixed ;)

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • agent999

    Don't blame the keyboard

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 12:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Why do these lonely Brits on this forum feel the need to comment on every subject on here? How on earth can they be so knowledgeable about everything. You and I both know they fit one or two categories. They either live in their mother's basement or they are old crusties on a pension yelling about how the world is still screwing them. Thank god for computers and the internet so we all can listen to them!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Tompi, and you are here commenting why? Are you paid or just a hypocrite?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 01:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    8 Tompaine - Check out the article about the top universities in the world (and compare the UK to the whole of South America) if you want an answer.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    According to CFK all the Universities in Argentina suck. It is not just the rest of the world that thinks that...

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Yankeeboy, biggest offender must live in his mother's basement. Knows everything or should I say, comments on every thing. Everyone has one mouth and two ears. People like yankeeboy can't learn anything because he's too busy talking and never listening. Watch! He'll comment on the truth as I have stated it here!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Absolutely, but maybe you should go back a few months and look at my predictions for Argentina.
    So far so good
    next up
    Massive Devaluation
    Hyperinflation
    Generation of Depression

    Hazzah

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Told you yankeeboy couldn't wait to respond! Why the hell do you waste your time on a South American website when you hate them so! Must be a sociopath or something!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    Actually does anyone know how many universities there are in Argentina?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • pgerman

    “Conqueror”, your emails stopped being funny to be a pathetic demonstration of your complicated psychological and mental illness. And your ignorace too !!!

    Have you ever thought about going to a psychologist or a psychiatrist to discuss your traumas?

    If it is true, as you said once, that you are an adult it would be even worse still, since my 9 year old nephew is able to contact people and write e-mails in English with more sanity and, what's more important, with with more consistency than you !!...a nine year old boy !!!

    On top of everything, you have no idea of history...now Orcadas Base was gracefully “assigned” from the UK to Argentina !!!.... Why don't you read and investigate the way Base Orcadas was transferred to (an by) the UK to Argentina? I was a clear mistake of lack of foresight on the part of the British authorities and, another, success on part of, Julio Argentino Roca. who was, most probably, the best president of Argentina ever.
    I don't know if you are able to read..I guess so, since you can write..stupid thing but it's writting...

    Have you considered donating your brain? or the little thing that works as a brain inside you, to be analyzed by British science that, as you say, is at the forefront of exploration and science. “As usual!”

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    Have you noticed one of the standard responses from the Argentines is to question why anyone would comment on a discussion board? Do you think they do not understand the concept?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    15. There are +/- 70 Public/Private Universities in Argentina. They consider UBA ( University of Buenos Aires) to be the top school in the country. It used to be considered a top notch school by Int'l standards but that was a long long time ago. I don't think it is even in the top 200 Universities of the world any longer.
    UBA is gov't supported and free, and you get what you pay for, class sizes for Freshman start out at 550+/- student to teacher ratio but the ratio gets better as you proceed with your degree. UBA has a very high drop out rate. Most students are also in their 30s and work so they are taking 10-15yrs to graduate with a bachelors.
    The school campus is a mess, marxist signs everywhere, graffiti everywhere, dead grass, no a/c or heat, no toilet paper or doors in the bathrooms, leaking ceilings. it is in a really bad state.
    It is a shame.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    The new strategy seems to be to try and stop people posting altogether.

    That's gonna work!!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Yankee boy goes on and on an no one gives a crap what he says. At some point his employers have to get wise and wonder why they are paying him to post.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 02:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • pgerman

    ElaineB, you are right, but based on the comments written by people from the UK, and the FI, it seems that the strategy of them is to write about the wickedness of Argentine. It seem that Argentina is the new “Evil Empire” !!!

    In addition most of them insist on how stupid, deceiful and corrupts Argentines are. No matter that, most probably, none of them have ever visited Argentina or ever spoken to an Argentine face to face.

    I also suspect that many of those who write in this forum, and pretend to be citizens of countries in Latin America or Australia, Canada .. or wherever, are really from the FI... Are they being paid by the UK government?.

    What is certain is that most are comments of hate and contempt towards the Argentine people.

    If Argentina and Argentines are such a pathetic and absurd thing that is clear from their comments. How does the UK finds it so difficult to solve the dispute over FI? It would be mush easier to figth against a bunch of dummies..

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islas Malvinas

    Is this article located in the “Argentina” Region because this drilling is happenning in Antártida Argentina? Must be...

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Wonder who pays Elaineb to write here. I say, “nothing to do mister”? Get a real legitimate job. Be constructive for god's sake.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    “In addition most of them insist on how stupid, deceitful and corrupts Argentines are”
    I lived in BA many years and your statement is very true. Corruption is a game to most RGs and they are constantly trying to “one up you” in a deal. Too bad they are too stupid and cowards so they eventually lose in the end.

    Tompi or Tobi at least the nicks are starting with a T today.
    I wonder if you will stick with one for the whole day. Or shall I guess what country you are going to be “coming from” later?

    Unlike MaxiK civilized countries don't have propaganda machines to try to support your bipolar, ignorant, out of touch corrupt rulers. We are all just donating our time to spread the real word of what is going on in that horrible goshforsaken backward place.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @23 - Tompaine

    You say, “ I say, “nothing to do mister”? Get a real legitimate job. Be constructive for god's sake.”

    So what's your excuse? Why are you wasting your time? Why don't you get a legitimate job? Why aren't you being constructive?

    Oh, and stop taking the Lords name in vain, it's a sin you know.

    @22 - Madive Islands

    No one owns Anarctica, and very soon all Argentine equipment their will probably be impounded until you pay your debts.

    @21 - pgerman

    I post my drivel for free, do you? I am not a Falkland Islander, I am British, and I exercise my right to freedom of expression to express my views on any subject I wish. I also believe in the right of others, such as Argentinians, to express their views. Neither side has to agree with the other.

    I post to show the Falkland Islanders, Argentines and other nationalities that the UK supports the freedom and right to self determination of the Islanders. I also find it quite entertaining when certain posters have meltdowns on line.

    Why do you post?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    Trust Conqueror to lower the tone!

    I post here because it's hilarious - in case anyone was wondering?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 03:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @27 What's the matter? No guts?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 04:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • pgerman

    Conqueror, thank yuo for you e-mail, quite clear your comments and concepts.

    But you still owe me one answer:
    Have you ever considered donating your the very little thing that works as a brain inside you? to be analyzed by British science that, as you say, is at the forefront of exploration and science. It could be the start of new discoveries !”!!

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 04:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @21, 29 pgerman

    “Conqueror, thank yuo for you e-mail, quite clear your comments and concepts.

    But you still owe me one answer:
    Have you ever considered donating your the very little thing that works as a brain inside you? to be analyzed by British science that, as you say, is at the forefront of exploration and science. It could be the start of new discoveries”

    pgerman - Conq does go over the top at times. We know that.

    I am a little surprised at your posts though. Normally, as an independent Argentinian, you seem to be more even-minded. Unlike La Campora who aggressively spout the “party line” and deliberately spread mis-information and anti-Brit dogma, regardless of the issue.
    However, this time you attack us for being on this forum and particularly this thread.
    This subject is about a BRITISH scientific research team in the Antarctic. Sounds like its fair for Brits to talk about it.

    BTW, appreciated that you took the effort to 'correct' that Argentinian loose cannon, Prvtes-Hunter, real name - Alex Vargas.
    His imaginary statistics, and rants about nukes are an embarrassment. He IS likely someone living in his parents' basement, like La Campora accuses us.

    Do you enjoy living in Vancouver?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @21 A wee bit of a victim there. You lump everyone together and assume we are all the same with the same views. I don't know anyone posting here and I sometimes agree with some of them and I pretty much don't agree with any extreme views.

    The Falklands issue is settled. Nothing has changed and nothing will change.

    @23 the wannabe Mod.

    No one pays me to comment here. My job does require me to keep abreast of events in LatAm. Even if it didn't, I would post here if I wanted to.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 04:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tompaine

    Per #23 . As far as using the lord's name in vain - not everyone believes in the bible. 25% of all US citizens do not believe in organized religion. After all it looks like we are going to elect a cultist mormon for president. In the long run the atheists are gaining on the demon haunted christians.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 04:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • pgerman

    Dear TroyTempest, I really, appreciate some of their concepts but often happens that I bother with the comments of some people going in the opposite direction to what this forum should be. A place to discuss with respect to each other the different point of views.

    No nation has a perfect story, neither Argentina nor the UK, but despise any opinion on the charge that “it is being paid by the government” is wrong and unfair. I could perfectly well say exactly the very same thing to those who support the British position.

    At some point in the future British and Argentine will have to agree as it was since the moment of declaration of the Argentine Independence. The relationship between the two nations were privileged and for mutual benefit.

    Unlike the person who wrote this forum that had lived in Buenos Aires (I think it is absolutely a lie), I really enjoy my living in Vancouver. It is really a great place to live and the longer I live here the more I appreciate British culture.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 05:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Oh good gracious now Toby is pretending to be from the USA!
    Where will it end
    oh yeah
    by CFK
    Devaluing the Peso
    Hyperinflation
    Mass Unemployment
    Generation of Depression
    It is easy to change your nick and story but not the road CFK has put you on

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 05:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @32 TTT
    As usual, off-topic distraction and criticism of UK or US.

    BTW, there is no UK/US/rest of the free world, organisation of paid-trolls like La Campora.

    I for one, am an individual and I post in my free time. I have a job and I sleep each night. Otherwise, I might post more, depending on subject.

    I HAVE met Argentinians in Canada, as well as Cuba. My wife has very good Peruvian friends with Argentinian parents. We get along well.

    I am concerned that the Peronist government is teaching false history to children and using propaganda to convince the ordinary Argentinians that:

    1) Brits are evil
    2) Falklanders do not legitimately exist
    3) Falklanders are evil, if they do exist
    4) Argentina should militarily take the Falklands and punish/subjugate/eliminate the inhabitants (see 2 and 3 above)
    5) Brits are to blame for the economic ills and fiscal mis-management of Argentina, while the Peronists get rich.

    As Patonuzu, an Argentinian and I discussed,

    CFK's“ Malvinistas” want Falklands for CFK's political gain (a distraction)
    VS
    the Falklanders who want to keep their homes and their freedom.

    I feel free as an individual on here, to refute ridiculous, inaccurate, or damaging statements by the Peronists and their paid La Campora trolls,

    - TTT (Arifu) (other 'T' names), Sussie (currently Adorrible, and other assorted).
    - Prvtes-Hunter (really ALEX VARGAS) an incompetent amateur.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 05:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Ayayay

    *Claps* Triple T is playing American today! hahaha
    You're still dropping words that Latins commonly drop, tho bro :D

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 05:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    8 Tompaine (#)
    Why do these lonely Brits on this forum feel the need to comment on every subject on here? How on earth can they be so knowledgeable
    //////////////////////////////////////////
    1, because we are clever and educated,

    2, why doyou reply to every comment made,
    because you like earwigging..

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 06:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @ pgerman

    With respect, I do believe the Argentinian posters on here are mostly, organised trolls, paid for by the government.
    - are very prolific
    - have the same message
    - have multiple identities, but show identical style
    - cannot give a convincing account of who or where they are
    - a single persona shows different styles or proficiency in English language
    - same tactics of deflection/distraction/avoidance
    - posters act in tandem to support each other
    - activity analysis shows some personas do not have 'sleep' periods or 'downtime'
    - all personas quote from same sources
    - after certain events, certain group of posters are absent and restart at the same time.
    - personas claiming to be in Europe or US are using IP from BA
    - by contrast, genuine individuals tend to stand out.

    Nothing damning, but collectively it is suggestive.

    I will concede that the Argentinian trolls may be right about the Brits and US users,

    - many are likely to be older or retired. They are the ones who have the time to respond during the day (and night).
    Younger people need to work at jobs to support themselves .
    The US/UK posters are not paid.
    I would suspect that many are educated professionals who travel for business and pleasure, read int'l news and finance articles, and may be ex-military who have been to Falklands or SA. They also have knowledge and interest in military affairs and politics.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    well that lets me out then,

    18 not a day older, im from another planet, and uducated at galaxy 3 university,
    im not rich, dont own anything and read the sun,

    my mum used to say [*****] you have a fasinating imagination.
    one day you will be a geniouse, and talk to argie bloggers on line who think they know it all.

    still
    one lump or two..

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Sorry, should have been more inclusive :-(

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    ha ha cheers.

    their names are bond, uni bond, they stick together like glue.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @41

    I suppose the one bond they have, that is a dead giveaway, is that they all adore their President - she can do no wrong!

    I don't see the 'freelance' Argentinian posters being positive about CFK.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirat-Hunter

    British should get out of Antarctica Argentina or we should sink all those environmental terrorists to the bottom of the sea. Let God separate the good from the bad. If this terrorists have no remorse killing innocent Muslim women and Children we should have no problem killing this environmental terrorists.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    42 Troy,
    looking at [43] i totaly agree with you.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @43

    LOL LOL LOL

    looney

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    his the worlds only pirate without a ship.
    me harties..

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirat-Hunter

    Environmental terrorist from UK should be hunted down and executed with family and all. Pass it on there is an open season on british illegal aliens.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    its sooo peacefull when you ignore them..

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @47 Alex Vargas

    “there is an open season on british illegal aliens.”

    How about illegal Argentinians living with their parents in suburban Ontario, Canada?

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 07:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    TWIMC

    I want to wish the best of luck to the BAS team…..

    I don’t expect any great scientific break through from this British hole though. (Nor from the American one at Lake Whillans, neither from the Russian one at Lake Vostok )

    Some rare, but not unknown bacteria, at best…

    But…
    What the heck…
    Everybody needs some “Media Hype” to get some funding in these difficult times…

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 08:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirat-Hunter

    #46 and you the only clown without a circus I know.
    #48 denial is a cultural trade of the brits don't feel sad to enjoy your peaceful insignificant useles trashy leachy existence.
    #49 wow you are the 999999999999th british homosexual stalker who thinks he can scare me, lets hope your aim is better then your stalking skills lady. Because it will sure suck having to be near you when the shit hits the fan. Your mother wasn't a squealer! why are you son?
    #50 pirates from every part of the globe. This is how they all start and for any resource they will claim rights over any findings, for this reasons and many others I support a nuclear defence program for Argentina.

    http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?feature=plpp&v=0C81kjERFM8

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 10:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • v for victory

    The only pirates are in Argentina.... remember you invaded the islands both in 1830's annd 1982!!!

    You also still occupy Patagonia which is not yours

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 11:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @51
    “I support a nuclear defence program for Argentina.”
    You can't even afford to release your flag ship, so affording nukes is going to prove difficult at the moment.

    Oct 11th, 2012 - 11:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @51 Alex Vargas

    LOL !! feeble impotent ravings - sad little boy...

    even nutcase Sussie, a fellow Argentinian, despises you as an embarrassment to Argentina.
    You're an impotent amateur, trapped in Canada. Why so frustrated?

    Oct 12th, 2012 - 05:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    The team had better be sure of their co-ordinates, they might drill down to our secret submarine base.
    Or even worse, drill into the secret Nazi base, rumoured to be in the neighbourhood.

    Oct 12th, 2012 - 09:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • eusebio

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Oct 12th, 2012 - 10:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    they might even find the lost pirate of canada,

    Oct 12th, 2012 - 11:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Santa Fe

    Yep how is the flag ship doing??? The trolls blogged of imminent
    Release, but looks like you may need to pay some dollar to the courts.
    maybe every last dollar is being used to develop nuclear weapons.

    Oct 13th, 2012 - 10:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    On the subject of the article (rather than the “debate”), seems like a good British endeavour, Think may well be right it won't be a massive breakthrough, but good luck to them =)

    Oct 19th, 2012 - 11:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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