Iceland Distracts Bankers With Cute Kittens
Bet you haven't been hearing too much about Iceland's massive debt lately. And, according to Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, that's no accident.
"Although we had a good run with it, we knew the volcano would only be a temporary distraction. But that's okay. We saved the best weapon for last."
The new strategy was unveiled at a recent meeting. When talks to discuss debt repayment dissolved into an angry shouting match, a quick thinking Sigurðardóttir took a cute kitten out of her purse and passed it around the table, halting the argument, and warming the hearts of the stern money men.
"For far too long we've been Europe's whipping boy. But I dare those money-changers to throw Iceland under the bus when there's a cute kitten in the room."
"Although we had a good run with it, we knew the volcano would only be a temporary distraction. But that's okay. We saved the best weapon for last."
The new strategy was unveiled at a recent meeting. When talks to discuss debt repayment dissolved into an angry shouting match, a quick thinking Sigurðardóttir took a cute kitten out of her purse and passed it around the table, halting the argument, and warming the hearts of the stern money men.
"For far too long we've been Europe's whipping boy. But I dare those money-changers to throw Iceland under the bus when there's a cute kitten in the room."
The strategy was so successful that Iceland is now flooding the country with cute kittens, pre-empting any criticism from any entity from any perspective on any issue.
"We're flying in about 5,000 a day," said project manager Brynhildur Thorazinursdottir. "We're letting them roam freely. In schools, restaurants, the post office. Everywhere. Creating a warm fuzzy protective blanket over Reykjavik and beyond. And," she added, "they're not that easy to find. Thank goodness for the FREE section on Craigslist."
Sigurðardóttir considers this a long-term solution to all its problems. "Eventually, people will no longer think of us as a country. We will simply be 'That cute kitten place.' And the world will honor the universal rule that you can never be mad at a cute kitten."
Iceland has become so kitten crazy that Sigurðardóttir is even considering replacing their flag with a Hang in there, baby! poster. "I know that's playing hardball. But it would virtually shield us from any conceivable harm or criticism."
Critics say the plan is a good one, although, at a recent Parliament luncheon, a staff member pointed out that the kittens would eventually grow up, and not be as cute.
"I have no room for naysayers in my administration," said Sigurðardóttir, passing a kitten around the table. The issue was immediately forgotten.
"We're flying in about 5,000 a day," said project manager Brynhildur Thorazinursdottir. "We're letting them roam freely. In schools, restaurants, the post office. Everywhere. Creating a warm fuzzy protective blanket over Reykjavik and beyond. And," she added, "they're not that easy to find. Thank goodness for the FREE section on Craigslist."
Sigurðardóttir considers this a long-term solution to all its problems. "Eventually, people will no longer think of us as a country. We will simply be 'That cute kitten place.' And the world will honor the universal rule that you can never be mad at a cute kitten."
Iceland has become so kitten crazy that Sigurðardóttir is even considering replacing their flag with a Hang in there, baby! poster. "I know that's playing hardball. But it would virtually shield us from any conceivable harm or criticism."
Critics say the plan is a good one, although, at a recent Parliament luncheon, a staff member pointed out that the kittens would eventually grow up, and not be as cute.
"I have no room for naysayers in my administration," said Sigurðardóttir, passing a kitten around the table. The issue was immediately forgotten.