Say what you will about this, but I’d believe Thatcher in a tank over George W. in a flight suit any day.
 
There are moments of historical record that are just so farcical, they inspire immediate concern for the competence of those who hold political and military power. Below is the final telex exchange between London and the Falkand Islands, just before the invasion was confirmed in the UK. The correspondence took place around 4:30 pm, April 2nd, 1982—well after Argentinian troops had gained control. However, the Ministry of Defence operative in London just couldn’t seem to wrap his head around the idea of an invasion. You can somehow hear the irritation from the Falklands end as they attempt some pretty easily decoded subtlety. Unfortunately, the London telex appears to be manned by the most literal human being on earth

LON: (London): HELLO THERE WHAT ARE ALL THESE RUMOURS WE HEAR THIS IS LON
FK: (Falklands): WE HAVE LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS
LON: WHAT ABOUT INVASION RUMOURS
FK: THOSE ARE THE FRIENDS I WAS MEANING
LON: THEY HAVE LANDED
FK: ABSOLUTELY
LON: ARE YOU OPEN FOR TRAFFIC IE NORMAL TELEX SERVICE
FK: NO ORDERS ON THAT YET ONE MUST OBEY ORDERS
LON: WHOSE ORDERS
FK: THE NEW GOVERNORS
LON: ARGENTINA
FK: YES
LON: ARE THE ARGENTINIANS IN CONTROL
FK: YES YOU CAN’T ARGUE WITH THOUSANDS OF TROOPS PLUS ENORMOUS NAVY SUPPORT WHEN YOU ARE ONLY 1600 STRONG. STAND BY.

After that the line went dead, because the Argentinians fucking cut it. This is because—and I’m not sure if you caught this—Argentinian troops had descended upon the island and they are in control now. Where is your common tongue, Falkland Brits? There can be no *wink-wink-nudge-nudge* in war time! Did you learn nothing from the candid diplomacy of President Merkin Muffley?!? This is why the sun now sets on the British Empire!