It’s been 15 years today since the Norwegian public turned down an EU membership in the 1994 referendum, held on Monday 28 November. After a long and heated debate the nay-sayers drew the longest straw, winning 52.2 percent of the votes, on an 88.6 percent turnout.

As an (extremely) active member of the European [...]]]>

It’s been 15 years today since the Norwegian public turned down an EU membership in the 1994 referendum, held on Monday 28 November. After a long and heated debate the nay-sayers drew the longest straw, winning 52.2 percent of the votes, on an 88.6 percent turnout.

As an (extremely) active member of the European Movement at the time, I would be lying if I declared myself unaffected by the outcome, like the rest of the remaining 47,8 percent yes voters. The European Movement held a party in central Oslo that night that I attended, alongside other EU activists. Spurred by the Swedes’, the Finns’ and the Austrians’ loud and clear yes during their respective referendums that autumn, we expected nothing short of a landslide in favour of an EU membership.

The Norwegian EU polls at some point during Monday 28 November 1994.

Which made our defeat all the harder to accept, of course. I saw hardened politicians crying in corridors and hallways – or sitting face-in-hands on steps. Personally I found no comfort in the whopping 76 percent victory (the exact figure has escaped me over the years) in my own township, Oslo’s Nordstrand, at the time, where I personally set up a local European Movement chapter. For weeks on end I spent my days in silent apathy, until, being father of two little boys, Christmas brutally jerked me out of it.

So you see, today I just want to remain silent, even though I’m not entirely convinced that we deserve being accepted into the EU.

See also: A bitter-sweet celebration

Both Sweden’s minister of foreign affairs Carl Bildt and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre confirm a joint effort to defend Iceland’s air space as of 2011, expected to be joined by Denmark and Finland as the Nordic foreign minister ajourn in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik on Tuesday.

The arrangement is considered controversial, as Denmark, [...]]]>

Both Sweden’s minister of foreign affairs Carl Bildt and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre confirm a joint effort to defend Iceland’s air space as of 2011, expected to be joined by Denmark and Finland as the Nordic foreign minister ajourn in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik on Tuesday.

The arrangement is considered controversial, as Denmark, Norway and Iceland herself are NATO members, as opposed to non-NATO countries Finland and Sweden.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas G. Støre.

In an interview on Norwegian national TV news Sunday evening, however, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs expressed no concern over this.

The joint Nordic force is expected to take over the derelict U.S. Naval Air Station Keflavik, once established.

The American military command The Iceland Defense Force (IDF) was responsible for Iceland’s defence between 1951 and 2006, at which point the last U.S. airmen left Icelandic territory. The country has been left without a dedicated military defence since.

Top photo: Norwegian F-16 on the ground (Wikimedia Commons)

British Holocaust revisionist and pseudo-historian David Irving, originally invited to the Lillehammer literature festival, arrived in Oslo on Monday, in spite of the festival’s cancellation last autumn, according to Norwegian news site ABC Nyheter (in Norwegian).

The initial festival programme contained an Irving [...]]]>

British Holocaust revisionist and pseudo-historian David Irving, originally invited to the Lillehammer literature festival, arrived in Oslo on Monday, in spite of the festival’s cancellation last autumn, according to Norwegian news site ABC Nyheter (in Norwegian).

The initial festival programme contained an Irving lecture on the concept of truth, later to be withdrawn on account of massive protests.

It’s been rumoured later that Mr. Irving intended to attend regardless. He is currently confirmed present in Oslo, on his way to Lillehammer.

“Yes, I’m in Oslo, saying ‘tusen takk’ [thank you] wherever I go,” he says, trying to keep a low profile for security reasons.

His presence during the literature festival has been uncertain for some time, as none of the Lillehammer hotels have been willing to accommodate him, but he now claims having friends in the area who are prepared to house him.

David Irving is scheduled to hold a speech alongside the official festival programme.

A brief update on Tuesday 26 May: Up until now there’s been precious little mentioning of Mr. Irving’s visit in Norwegian news, save for these two nationals yesterday (both in Norwegian):

• Irving er i Oslo – ABC Nyheter
• – David Irving er i Oslo – ap.no

Granted several regional and local newspapers picked up on the news, too, but the above two remained alone on the national arena.

Recent news however has it that Mr. Irving was met by a number of protesters in Oslo today, which is always of a certain interest for a sensation-driven press. I’ll try to keep the list as up to date as possible (all still in Norwegian):

• David Irving møtt av demonstranter i Oslo – db.no
• Her kommer David Irving til TV 2 – tv2nyhetene.no
• – Vi skal fotfølge Irwing [sic] uansett – VG Nett
• Minst én person pågrepet under Irving-demonstrasjon – db.no
• TV 2 betaler Irvings norgesreise – db.no
• TV 2 betalte Irvings Norges-reise – VG Nett/NTB
• David Irving: – Hitler utpekte meg til sin biograf – tv2nyhetene.no
• TV2 [sic] betalte for Irvings Norges-reise – vl.no/NTB
• Irving måtte ta sidedøren til TV2 [sic] – vl.no/NTB
• – Jeg var ikke invitert som løgner – vl.no
• Men hva er usant? – vl.no
• Irving på vei hjem til London nå – db.no
• Irving har forlatt landet – VG Nett
• Holocaustsenteret trakk seg fra TV2-debatt [sic] – VG Nett
• David Irving til VG Nett: – Prøv å motbevis meg – VG Nett
• Irving: Jeg reiser hjem nå – vl.no
• Overlevde Auscwhitz – fortvilt over TV2 [sic] – vl.no
• Irving på vei tilbake til Storbritannia – tv2nyhetene.no
• Norsk professor: – Irving er en amatørhistoriker – tv2nyhetene.no
• David Irving: Nordmenn samarbeidet med tyskerne i stort omfang – tv2nyhetene.no
• Lønnsomt Norges-besøk for David Irving – VG Nett
• – Undercover i min egen by – db.no

It’s been argued that Irving’s cause gains less by a silent press, with which I have to agree. Personally I’m more curious as to whom his Norwegian cohorts might be, which is something that further press coverage may indeed unearth.

For a peek into David Irving’s repulsive, however irrelevant, mindset, please have a look at this, recorded last summer:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhCbHZPwEEQ

17 May bears special meaning to all Norwegians. Of course, why shouldn’t it? It is, after all, our Constitution Day, which we tend to celebrate perhaps a little more than what is considered normal in most countries. Which again is to do with the mere fact that we’re convinced we have so much more [...]]]>

17 May bears special meaning to all Norwegians. Of course, why shouldn’t it? It is, after all, our Constitution Day, which we tend to celebrate perhaps a little more than what is considered normal in most countries. Which again is to do with the mere fact that we’re convinced we have so much more to be proud of than anywhere else on the planet – a conviction we set out to reinforce every 17 May, by way of much pomp and elaborate circumstance, even in the smallest communities, such as our own.

Our daughter (centre in pink and white) and friends rehearsing for 17 May. Photo by Malin P.

The above picture shows our local school band, leading the kindergarten’s 17 May rehearsal Friday afternoon. On the very day itself they’ll join forces with the other schools, kindergartens, clubs and associations in the local community, in joint commemoration of the 17 May 1814, at which date our constitution was signed by a selection of the country’s prominent and upstanding men.

In line with our usual self-perception, we like to think that most countries envy us our particular brand of Constitution Day patriotism, heavily focused on the country’s future: Sound, healthy, happy and Nordic children, a not too subtle representation of our future force, endeavours and untarnished proliferation – as opposed to some other countries’ all-too obvious display of splendour already achieved.

Georgian soldiers on a military parade during the Indepedence Day celebration, 26 May 2008. Photographer: Kober/Wikimedia Commons

You will of course appreciate that “untarnished proliferation” entails certain challenges, already demonstrated through intense and recurring discussions over the last decade or so: Whether or not children of foreign lineage should be allowed to carry their ancestral flags. Even Sàmi families have met massive resistance in their attempts at using one of the country’s official flags, namely the Sàmi flag.

How can we not regard foreign flags – any foreign flag – a greeting to our “great nation” from admiring countries, near and far? And wouldn’t it signify an acknowledgement of our place in the world, rather than glorifying ourselves – and everything that is us?

You could of course argue that, being a European federalist, I take our smug patriotism up in its worst meaning, and you could be right, for all I know. But I do know that, as father of a child partaking in tomorrow’s local procession, I’m probably expected to join in. Unfortunately, though, I do not have a European flag at hand.

I’ll be carrying one – in spirit.

Oh by the way, there’s a distinct possibility that I may have misinformed you in claiming that our Constitution Day is all about the children. Here are His Majesty the King’s Guards, on 17 May last year:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=481qZA0CdtU

One can only hope that tonight’s European Song Contest finals produce a victor from anywhere but Norway, or tomorrow we’ll be downright insufferable. As usual, though, we have every confidence in Norwegian victory – or else we just wouldn’t be our usual infallible selves.

Top photo: Our local school band rehearsing for 17 May. Photo taken by Malin P. (the blogger’s wife).

Norway has never been “blessed” with an auto industry, save for its role as provider of parts to car makers throughout Europe, not exactly in demand these days. With an international auto industry threatening to file for bankruptcy, drastic measures have been made to keep it afloat, both in terms of governmental bailouts and [...]]]>

Norway has never been “blessed” with an auto industry, save for its role as provider of parts to car makers throughout Europe, not exactly in demand these days. With an international auto industry threatening to file for bankruptcy, drastic measures have been made to keep it afloat, both in terms of governmental bailouts and a massive reorientation towards environment-friendly cars.

One would think that electric vehicle producers have a field day, all things considered. In Norway not so. In spite of the country’s apparent financial success amid global recession (I suggest you read this NYT article on the matter), electric vehicle manufacturer Think, on the outskirts of the capital, lacks funding to uphold its production. With order books brimming, the company finds itself unable to meet the demand – at all. Not a single car leaves the factory, while Norwegian authorities have turned down a popular plea for financial support, unlike what we’ve seen in other countries.

I was appalled to learn this from the TV news the other day, but decided against acting on it, blogging, that is, until I’d had time to give it some thought, but have landed on the same conclusion again:

While our government eagerly advocates a viable and environmental friendly economy, there’s no getting around the fact that it also profits immensely on continued exploitation of the country’s oil and gas resources, thereby eliminating any trace of credibility in environmental matters (continues under picture).

Norway's PM Jens Stoltenberg (Labour). Photographer: Guri Dahl/PM's office.

Has it occurred to them that EV manufacturing could become a great source of income, too? A viable one at that.

Shame on you, Mister Stoltenberg.

See also Norwegian car making: Contradiction in terms (15 December 2008).

Photo: The Think Ox

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre (as depicted) is, unlike officials from many Western countries, attending the UN Durban review conference in Geneva, but warns that any attempt, by Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to cross the line with regards to Israel, will be met [...]]]>

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre (as depicted) is, unlike officials from many Western countries, attending the UN Durban review conference in Geneva, but warns that any attempt, by Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to cross the line with regards to Israel, will be met with sharp protests, according to a newswire report brought by Norwegian dailies VG Nett and Dagbladet.no (both sources in Norwegian).

He may soon find that he’d be held to his words, as:

Diplomats have walked out of a speech by the Iranian president at a UN anti-racism conference after he described Israel as a “racist government”.

– BBC News

Also, from CNN.com:

[...] Dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber as Ahmadinejad accused Israel and the West of making “an entire nation homeless under the pretext of Jewish suffering … in order to establish a totally racist government.”

He said Zionism, the Jewish national movement, “personifies racism,” and accused Zionists of wielding economic and political resources to silence opponents. He also blasted the United States-led invasion of Afghanistan.

A brief glimpse of the session in question (the blog post continues underneath YouTube clip):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGHlsMrluu0

More on the incidence in Norwegian. And, for the full Washington Post treatment…

Also, in other Scandinavian news:

• Delegater lämnar FN-konferens – svd.se
• FN-konferensen om rasism urartade i praktskandal – dn.se
• Kaos ved racisme-konference – politiken.dk
• Forlot FNs antirasismekonferanse i protest – tv2nyhetene.no
• Klovn til kamp mot Ahmadinejad – vg.no
• Per Stig truer med boykot efter kaos – politiken.dk
• – Fortjener ikke å avspore konferansen – db.no
• Støre: – Grensen gikk ved Holocaust-fornektelse – vg.no
• Per Stig: Danmark udvandrede som aftalt – politiken.dk
• Svensk opposisjon skeptisk til boikott av FN-konferanse – db.no
• Kastet klovnenese etter Irans president – tv2nyhetene.no
• Støre irettesatte Ahmadinejad – tv2nyhetene.no
• Refser Støres oppførsel i FN – tv2nyhetene.no
• Ahmadinejad angrepet med klovnenese – db.no
• Bildt: Ahmadinejad gick över gränsen – svd.se
• Asmaa Abdol-Hamid langer ud efter Pia Kjærsgaard – politiken.dk
• – Forkastelig av Støre – nettavisen.no
• Støre i strupen på Iran – nettavisen.no
• – Som å invitere Hitler til å snakke om menneskerettigheter – db.no
• Støre roses av jødiske ledere – db.no
• Støre roses av jødiske ledere – tv2nyhetene.no

Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

So far there’s little news of Mr. Støre’s eagerly awaited reaction, but I expect it to be a sharp one. There are no reports as of yet that he’s left the conference chamber along with EU colleagues, but in an earlier statement said:

“Leaving the conference chamber would only deepen and reinforce the differences,” while emphasising that even for Norway there’s a limit to what’s acceptable, continuing

“But I cannot define, word by word, where to draw that line.”

People protest against racism in the Kensington community of Calgary, Alberta. Photographer: Robert Thivierge/Wikimedia Commons

Update:

According to newswire NTB, Mr. Støre entered the podium immediately after president Ahmadinejad, defending his right to express himself, while stressing that he rejected his allegations:

“I strongly reject the last speaker’s views,” pointing out that Ahmadinejad has placed himself “beside the rest”, contrary to the spirit of the conference, as “the odd man out”.

“Norway will not accept that the odd man out hijacks the efforts of the many,” Støre said (translated via Norwegian).

Top photo: Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour). Photographer: Bjørn Sigurdsøn/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We all wonder, from time to time, why the Germans allowed themselves to be seduced by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist party, and how they persuaded the better of an entire nation to consider the Jews criminal, greedy, self-absorbed and prepared to poison German culture with Judaism.

These questions have been asked over [...]]]>

We all wonder, from time to time, why the Germans allowed themselves to be seduced by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist party, and how they persuaded the better of an entire nation to consider the Jews criminal, greedy, self-absorbed and prepared to poison German culture with Judaism.

These questions have been asked over and over again, leaving us completely dumbfounded, even though we’re full aware of the effects of mass psychosis and an efficient propaganda machinery, and yet, we’re just as receptive of it as the pre-WW2 Germans.

Third Reich Führer and dictator Adolf Hitler.

They had the Jews, while the average 21st century Norwegian suscpects the Muslims of pretty much the same. In fact, it’s turned into a bit of a frenzy, leading yours truly to conclude we’re only a handful left prepared to offer the Muslims a chance to be fully integrated into society.

You’d think that massive slamming of Islam was restricted to the unemployed, the uneducated and the prejudiced, but recent developments show that leading politicians, as well as intellectuals, have joined the collective outcry, demanding severe restrictions on immigration and limitations in the Muslims’ right to exercise their religion in everyday life.

The far right Progress party, advocating stricter immigration policies and warning of a subtle islamification, have obtained a whopping 29.6 percent in recent polls, positioning itself for a landslide in the upcoming autumnal election, while people calling for our renowned tolerance are told to emigrate – to Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia.

The average racist is reluctant to see himself as such; marching about in uniforms, yelling heil this and heil that, blinded by the fact that those were mere cosmetics. Championing the core of nazism; hatred, scepticism and fear of the “unknown”, remains racism to me, if you don’t mind my saying so.

If we’re unable to recognise the very obvious resemblance to attitudes demonstrated some 70 years ago, we may as well give up on humanity altogether.

Previous posts on the matter

• Norwegian racism on the rice – 26 March 2009
• Freedom of speech – within “reason” – 12 March 2009
• Political turmoil over uniforms – 24 February 2009

In the news (in Norwegian):

• Mener norsk kultur er truet av muslimer – db.no
• – Norsk kultur blir styrket med muslimsk innvandring – db.no
• – Vi tar ikke over landet – db.no
• – Mellom 4 og 11 prosent muslimer i 2060 – db.no
• – Vi vil få et samfunn som bygger på hellige skrifter fra 600-tallet – db.no
• – Innvandrere bak alle anmeldte overfallsvoldtekter i Oslo – VG Nett
• – Norge er verdens frieste samfunn – db.no

As for propaganda machineries; here’s P Machinery, from, while we’re at it, a German 1980′s group, very appropriately called Propaganda:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0cFzZt4mc4

P.S. I’ve noticed lately, how, on declaring my Norwegian nationality, an urge to add “But with Swedish ancestry”, even though my Swedish blood’s been severely diluted over generations.

That can’t be good.

Top photo: Adolf Hitler attending a Nazi rally.

Following Norway’s inability to mediate a Sri Lankan/LTTE truce, Tamil refugees in the country have demonstrated for the better of the last fortnight, urging the Norwegian government to take action. The government’s assurances that it already does what it can, within limits, is unacceptable to the approximately 1000 Tamil protesters occupying Oslo streets – [...]]]>

Following Norway’s inability to mediate a Sri Lankan/LTTE truce, Tamil refugees in the country have demonstrated for the better of the last fortnight, urging the Norwegian government to take action. The government’s assurances that it already does what it can, within limits, is unacceptable to the approximately 1000 Tamil protesters occupying Oslo streets – and the square in front of the Norwegian parliament, Stortinget – as seen in above photograph.

The still ongoing protests took a new turn on Sunday, as some 100 protesters made their way into the Sri Lankan embassy in order to demolish its interior, while the police were engaged elsewhere.

In an op-ed today the Sri Lankan newspaper The Island writes:

Sunday’s dastardly terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oslo has demonstrated the ghastly extent of infiltration by LTTE terrorists of the so-called advanced democracies sheltering a gallimaufry of criminal outfits from the four corners of the world. What is really shocking is not so much the terror strike concerned as such but the inexcusable failure on the part of the Norwegian government to apprehend the perpetrators of that inexpiable criminal act, in spite of the availability of damning evidence. Equally baffling and intriguing is the deafening silence the international community is so nonchalantly maintaining on the apathetic and impervious conduct of Norway while frantically campaigning for restoring the rule of law elsewhere.

A news story brought by Norwegian daily Aftenposten.no today (in Norwegian), reports that Sri Lankas’ ambassador Esala Ruwan Weerakoon warns the Norwegian public of the eventuality that LTTE terrorist attacks may well be carried out on Norwegian soil, as a means to put further pressure on the country’s government. The Island’s op-ed continues:

[…] Those who sleep with dogs, it is popularly said in this country, have to get up with ticks. The same goes for those who sleep with Tigers. The price Norway has had to pay for sharing bed with the murderous Tigers is enormous. It has been reduced to a eunuch nation incapable of taking any action against the terrorists responsible for attacking a foreign mission on her soil. What a shame!

No amount of terrorism against Sir [Sic!] Lankan missions abroad will help Prabhakaran and his fellow terrorists escape. However, Sunday’s attack portends trouble for the so-called five star democracies which have become havens for terrorists. Terrorism is slowly but surely eating into their vitals. What Norway is experiencing at present are only symptoms. The worst is yet to come.

However, if ravaging the Sri Lankan embassy is the extent of the announced terrorist attacks, Norway’s public has little to fear, even if such conduct indeed is unacceptable.

Here’s my guess: The Aftenposten journalist was overcome with a desire to make headlines.

Apparently, so am I – with a compulsion to put yesterday’s mobile snapshot to good use, that is.

More on recent developments here (in Norwegian):

• Demonstrasjoner mot Norge på Sri Lanka – tv2nyhetene.no
• Demonstrasjoner mot Norge på Sri Lanka – VG Nett
• Hard FN-kritikk av LTTE – db.no
• – Norge sponser terrorister – VG Nett
• – Vi vil ha våpenhvile. Norge, hjelp oss – db.no
• Erik Solheim: – Mange jeg kjenner er blitt drept – VG Nett
• Tusenvis av tamiler i ny demonstrasjon – tv2nyhetene.no
• Venter 7000 i ny kjempedemonstrasjon – Nettavisen

By the way, I’ve managed to track down some footage of (and probably by) the alleged terrorists:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKxxv_7YQKY

Photo: Tamil protesters in front of the Norwegian parliament (barely seen on left side) Wednesday 14 April 2009. Photograph by blog owner.

Norwegian Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour) finds herself in a bit of a pickle following the partly government-owned company Aker Solutions‘  NOK 1.39 billion acquisition of other companies in the Aker system, controlled by industrialist

Norwegian Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour) finds herself in a bit of a pickle following the partly government-owned company Aker Solutions‘  NOK 1.39 billion acquisition of other companies in the Aker system, controlled by industrialist Kjell Inge Røkke. Acquisitions resulting in the Aker Solutions shares’ substantial drop on the stock exhanges.

These highly disputed transactions led Ms Brustad to carry out a speedy inquiry concluding that the transactions were a matter for the general assembly.

The deal is also seen as an embarrassment to the government, which came to Aker Solutions’ aid in 2007 with a capital injection to ensure the company remained in Norwegian hands and to secure jobs in Norway. Trade and Industry Minister Sylvia Brustad has called for an independent investigation.

— Reuters

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon Trade and industry minister Brustad informed the media of her intentions to nullify the deal, which in all likelihood is not about to take place.

The government’s financial loss is however not what makes the entire affair so interesting. These transactions, mere peanuts, really, have made more waves than the Pension fund’s NOK 633 billion loss, mainly because of PM Jens Stoltenberg‘s (Labour) close ties to Aker’s Kjell Inge Røkke, as well as DnB NOR bank’s CEO Rune Bjerke, whose bank incidentally carried out the companies’ valuation. These relations have raised speculations whether or not it’s all a matter of near-corruption, allowing the Aker system to load its losses onto the government – via its Aker Solutions ownership.

The opposition demands the Trade and industry minister’s resignation, but the question remains: How involved is the PM himself, known to create scapegoats and pushing his ministers up front in turbulent times, the latest example being the Minister of justice and the police Knut Storberget, committed to hospital following harsh criticism for mistakes made by the government collectively (in other words; by the prime minister)?

While accusations wave back and forth some have even dubbed Aker Solutions the Aker group’s dustbin.

The thriller, possibly resulting in a minister — if not a government’s — resignation, is expected to resound throughout Easter.

More on Aker:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=00bRWOIuxgE

Recent news coverage (in Norwegian):

• – Frykter ikke rettssak med staten
• Røkkes Aker vil stille statens representant til veggs
• Wallenberg-gransking støtter Brustad i Aker-saken
• Aker skylder på Berit Kjøll
• - Jeg og hele styret er ført bak lyset av Aker
• Denne mailen kan felle Sylvia Brustad
• Brustad får full støtte i Røkke-krigen
• Opposisjonen: – Brustad kan være ferdig som statsråd
• – Aldri blitt informert om milliardsalget
• – Jeg er ført bak lyset
• – Røkke har brutt alle spilleregler
• – Kyniske politikere utsetter Aker for stor fare
• Mener Røkke skader Aker-selskapene
• – Røkke har lurt staten
• – De kaller oss for søppelselskap, det provoserer meg voldsomt
• – Kjøll har misforstått
• Røkke ber Stoltenberg om unnskyldning
• Jens gikk god for Røkke-transaksjonene
• Røkke ber Stoltenberg om unnskyldning
• Mener staten snakker ned aksjekursen
• – Stoltenberg har mer grunn til å være irritert på Røkke nå
• Stoltenberg ikke fornøyd med Røkkes unnskyldning

Photo: Norway’s Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour). Photograph from the ministry/Scanpix

A bill proposed by the Norwegian government today suggests that the marine and land-based environment be treated differently, with nature at sea entitled to less protection than on land.

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact on marine life, not least the vast corral reefs discovered on the [...]]]>

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact on marine life, not least the vast corral reefs discovered on the Lofoten coast two years ago:

[...] The world’s largest cold water coral reef was found off Lofoten, the scenic archipelago that stretches into the Norwegian Sea west of Narvik. It lies at a depth of 300-400 meters about 110 kilometers west of Røst. The reef itself is about 35 kilometers long and three kilometers wide.

Environmental groups are also keen to preserve the coral reefs, with more than 1,000 of them lying outside Træna. WWF Norge claims they’re endangered even though they’re large, and is demanding better monitoring and protection for them.

The proposed bill has had locals and environmentalists seriously worried, as it ignores such considerations. Even the coalition government, made up by Labour, the Centre party and the Socialist Left part, is divided here, with the latter two dead set against it.

Norway's PM Jens Stoltenberg (Labour). Photographer: Guri Dahl/PM's office

However, the bill proposal has been forced through (link in Norwegian) by the PM’s office and the Ministry og petroleum and energy (incidentally lead by a Centre party minister), leaving Socialist Left party voters frustrated over the party’s continued acceptance of Labour party override.

“[This is] the most important bill on nature ever proposed in Norway,” minister of the environment Erik Solheim stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.

The bill will be presented in a press conference in Oslo at 12:30 PM (local time) today.

The government’s blatant lack of consideration for marine life in Lofoten, for instance, is easily explained by existing plans to explore Lofoten oil reserves, having large segments of the population infuriated that commercial considerations weigh heavier than that of the environment.

If passed, the bill will have a huge impact on the vast Lofoten fish population, among which we find enormous amounts of cod. Scenes such as these will be highly unlikely in the future:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoke5G4j1Mw

On the surface (or above the ocean surface, as it were) the Norwegian government may appear to be environment conscious, but like beauty, it only seems to be skin-deep. At least when financial considerations come into the picture.

Late addition: The Ministry of the environment issued an extensive press release on the matter Friday afternoon, portraying the proposed bill as a step forward. As can be expected.

Top photo: Reine, Lofoten, seen from top of Reinebringen. Photographer: Michael Haferkamp/Wikipedia

Dare I hope? I dare say I do! April’s first day saw spring finally breaking through in our neighbourhood, just outside the Oslo city limit, with no more than approximately 30 centimetres of snow left in our garden, as you will see from our driveway (above).

Sun’s been shining all around and receding snow’s [...]]]>

Dare I hope? I dare say I do! April’s first day saw spring finally breaking through in our neighbourhood, just outside the Oslo city limit, with no more than approximately 30 centimetres of snow left in our garden, as you will see from our driveway (above).

Sun’s been shining all around and receding snow’s seen all over the place, which is quite a relief, I can tell you, after a full winter of something close to one-metre deep snow since January.

The last remnants of winter in our backyard.

Easter’s just around the corner, too, a season for skiing and cottage life, but we’re staying put, planning to make the most of the occasion at home, doing things we rarely get to do in our everyday lives.

In light of a recent post I think it’s only appropriate to wish one and all a very Happy Pesach – in due course. We may not be so different, after all.

Top photo: From our driveway.

Jerusalem Post’s web edition published an article last Monday, accusing Norway’s minister of finance Kristin Halvorsen of shouting “Death to the Jews” during an Oslo protest against Israel’s Gaza war in January.

The article has been “depublished” and altered twice since, resulting in a slightly more balanced [...]]]>

The article has been “depublished” and altered twice since, resulting in a slightly more balanced version – although not much. The original text has been preserved in this (otherwisely highly dubious) blog, whence I’ve extracted a few excerpts:

[...] During the war, Olso [Sic!] was fraught with violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Numerous government officials decried Israel’s actions in Gaza – including Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen, who led a march shouting, “Death to the Jews!” Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert, who worked in Gaza and disseminated stories about Israel’s brutality, became a national hero in the Norwegian media. Even before the war began, local Jews were tense because of anti-Semitic cartoons, recent boycotts of Israeli merchandise, and the highly publicized affair of Norwegian comic Otto Jespersen, who made anti-Semitic remarks on national television.

[…]

Rabbi Yoav Melchior, considered the leading rabbi of Norway, said he had been “very scared during the war.”

“Hatred spread in a fast, dangerous way. This was blind emotionalism against Israel and against Jews. It gets deep at the heart of Norway’s emotional anti-Semitism. The current wave of anti-Semitism shows what people have been holding inside them,” he said.

Norwegian minister of finance and Socialist left party leader Kristin Halvorsen. Photographer: Rune Kongsro/Socialist left party

I was more than just a little surprised to learn that any member of our cabinet partook in such demonstrations, let alone a central figure, such as our minister of finance. Since other protesters participated for a number of various reasons, let’s face it; some were Muslim extremists with ulterior motives, such as the Jews’ and Judaism’s demise, Ms Halvorsen must have known it could come to this.

Granted we were all deeply shocked and appalled by Israel’s conduct during its Gaza campaign, including this blogger:

• Israel: A call for intervention – 4 January 2009
• Is Sameh still alive? – 6 January 2009
• Israeli Endlösung to succeed? – 7 January 2009
• Terrorism not terrorism when institutionalised? – 8 January 2009

Which may well, alongside the torrents of other Norwegian reactions, have contributed to the Jerusalem Post’s impression, but let’s be clear on one point: It’s nothing to do with anti-Semitism. Or, as I put it in a later post:

[...] we’d be ill advised to draw civilian Israelis or Jews into this. Let’s put the blame where it belongs: On Israeli authorities.

That’s not anti-Semitism, is it?

The Norwegian media and public see the Jerusalem Post’s articles as an attempt at waging some sort of propaganda war on Norway, but I suspect it’s all to do with something far more simple, less dramatic: An editor’s urge to boost reader/traffic figures. We see it happen up here, too, on a daily basis. Which is not to say that the Israeli’s disappointment is hard to understand.

It could easily be explained by Norway’s pro Israel traditions. Sudden criticism from a long-time friend may be hard to take. It certainly explains most Norwegians’ disappointment in, and reactions to, Israel’s warfare methods.

I do however regret to inform that widespread Norwegian antagonism has flourished over the last couple of months, but it has been directed at Muslims and Islam, not Israelis, Judaism or Jews.

A press release issued by the Socialist Left party yesteday, states that:

Kristin Halvorsen participated in a demonstration for peace in Gaza on January 8th this year. There were no anti-Jewish slogans during the event what so ever, as The Jerusalem Post alleges.

There were appeals for inter-religious coexistence and peace, calling on Israel to stop the war on Gaza. The demonstration lasted for about an hour, and was a dignified and peaceful event.

A splinter-group continued a march towards the Israeli embassy afterwards. This was not a part of the official demonstration, and Kristin Halvorsen did not join this rally. She publicly denounced the violent outbreak that occurred in the aftermath of the peace demonstration.

Anyway, here are a few scenes from one of the demonstrations in question:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajki0HNeQBY

Read more about it all in Dagbladet.no and VG Nett (both in Norwegian).

Also see Mondoweiss’ take on the story.

Photo: Screendump of original Jerusalem Post article accusing Norway’s minister of finance of hatred towards Israel and the Jews.

Norway has seen a fierce debate over female Muslim police officers’ right to wear hijabs over the last couple of months, which in turn has lead to harsh allegations of racism and high treason, depending on what side of the fence you’re on.

Emotions are running high as Norway debates the Islamic threat, or rather, what exactly Islamism, extreme Islam or radical Islam is. One would think we’re all entitled to a school fee refund (which, by the way, is highly likely at any rate).

The PST (Norway’s equivalent [...]]]>

Emotions are running high as Norway debates the Islamic threat, or rather, what exactly Islamism, extreme Islam or radical Islam is. One would think we’re all entitled to a school fee refund (which, by the way, is highly likely at any rate).

The PST (Norway’s equivalent to the British MI5 or the US Secret service) definition reads thus:

Movements willing to apply the use of violence as a means to meet their ends.

A very fitting definition for their purposes, of course, but hardly an accurate one. Even our politicians seem to disagree on the matter, as we’re all trembling with fear of an imminent Jihad on Norwegian soil – for no obvious reason at all.

Unless you consider turning down a bill forbidding blasphemy and a proposal that Muslim WPC’s – of whom there are but a handful – should be allowed to wear hijabs a threat to our security.

More on the subject:

• Freedom of speech – within “reason”
• Political turmoil over uniforms

I’ve published several postings over the matter in Norwegian, causing a torrent of hateful propaganda, portraying Islam and Muslims as the essence of evil.

You may think of Norway as a very peace-loving and sweet country, but underneath that varnish lies an indescribable hatred towards Islam, Muslims – or perhaps just immigrants from third world countries in general, and from Arab countries, North-Africa, Pakistan and the Middle East in particular.

Time – or lack thereof – forbids me to offer translations, but I can assure you that endless comments and public polls leave little doubt that today’s Norwegians indeed with ease could have joined the German Nazi party some 70 years ago – if they only were German.

Of course, you could argue that I’m exaggerating, but Muslims are accused of

• taking our jobs
• unwillingness to work
• destroying Norwegian culture
• imposing their religion on us
• the raise in crime statistics
• raping our women
• abusing their own children and wives
• conspiring to perform acts of terrorism

Some even speak of our culture being superior to theirs.

Sounds familiar, you say? That could very well be:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVurfhMw1UU

It has in fact reached a point where even postings on Russian-Western relations becomes a question of Islam criticism (in Norwegian), leaving yours truly to expect the worst.

Photo: Ayatollah Khomeini on an Iranian wall. Photographer: Mr. Minogue/Wikimedia Commons

I can’t say that I’m overly interested in the attires in which our law enforcement personnel are clad. If pink buttons happened to be part of our female police officers’ uniforms, then so be it. Who am I to meddle in internal affairs, related to the wellbeing of our men and women of the [...]]]>

I can’t say that I’m overly interested in the attires in which our law enforcement personnel are clad. If pink buttons happened to be part of our female police officers’ uniforms, then so be it. Who am I to meddle in internal affairs, related to the wellbeing of our men and women of the law – and quite honestly, why should I even care? It’s not as if it affects me in any way.

Granted, most men – and, I suspect, some women, too – wouldn’t object to being handcuffed by the kind of bunny cop depicted here, but in all honesty, would it really matter if she wore a hijab? Because that’s what the popular uproar is all about: A decisions made by the Ministry og Justice and Police some weeks ago, allowing Muslim WPC’s to wear specially designed hijabs with their uniforms, made all hell break loose.

Wherever you looked, people were outraged. Numerous Facebook groups were formed, and for weeks on end news and TV debates were all about the hijabs. That’s right: hijabs!

You have to remember that this is Norway. We don’t care much to bother ourselves with the really serious matters, but we do harbour an innate fear of the unknown, especially if its origins are really really distant, not to mention of a dark complexion. Add to that the fear of Muslim supremacy, and I expect you get the idea.

People even started to demand the Minister of  Justice’s head on a plate, that’s how “serious” this is. Maybe it’s time someone try to put things into perspective. We’re talking a minor detail, affecting a very limited number of people. For one, there are very few female police constables at all, let alone Muslim WPC’s. Chances of running across one of them (how many are they, two?) are something very close to a million to one, well, less, actually. Also, this shouldn’t be a political matter in the first place, but handled inside the law enforcement agencies. It’s their uniforms, for Chrissake…

It all ended in the government revoking their decision, which means that our two Muslim WPC’s won’t be allowed wearing hijabs – whether they want to or not (the latter being the case, by the way).

But it doesn’t stop there. In the wake of it all, voices are being raised, claiming that we’re being subjected to a “subtle islamification”, specifically by Siv Jensen, chairman (!) of the right-wing Progress Party:

In her speech to the right-wing Progress Party (FrP) national board on Sunday, Siv Jensen warned against what would happen if what she called “a subtle islamification” of Norway would continue. She pointed to what had happened to the Swedish city of Malmoe, where according to Jensen Sharia laws had been introduced in sections of the city, and where the police hardly dared to enter.

— The Norway Post

Which is really what the hijab hubub was all about. If you ask me, police constables, men and women alike, should be allowed to wear tophats and dinner jackets for all I care, so long as it’s reglementary – which is a matter for the agencies, not the politicians (who, as we all know, know little or nothing about how to dress).

So now you know how we keep ourselves occupied. We’re really kind of cute, aren’t we?

According to Norwegian newspapers, the electric car manufacturer Think‘s financial reserves will last only a couple of days. It isn’t the first time, though, as the company, dating back to the early 1990′s, was sold to the Ford Motor Company in 1999, to an international car manufacturing group in 2003, but has [...]]]>

According to Norwegian newspapers, the electric car manufacturer Think‘s financial reserves will last only a couple of days. It isn’t the first time, though, as the company, dating back to the early 1990′s, was sold to the Ford Motor Company in 1999, to an international car manufacturing group in 2003, but has been on Norwegian hands for the last couple of years.

Even if the implications of a bankruptcy are serious for those involved, they really aren’t that many. Comparing with the international auto industry crisis just isn’t fair, but it is rather ironic that an environmentally conscious car manufacturer threatens to go belly up at a time when just those considerations are of such great importance.

In spite of the environmental aspects and the rocketing fuel prices, Think may soon find themselves out of business, which, to be perfectly honest, is more to do with the country of origin than anything else. Basing manufacturing — any kind of manufacturing — on Norwegian labour simply will not do. Norwegians, labourers included, see themselves as representatives of a premium stock, worth twice or thrice the wages of industrial workers anywhere else (in that perspective you really can’t blame the Nazis for once holding us in such high esteem — after all; we do).

No wonder even Norwegian companies go overseas for manufacturing. Take a recent example; Kongsberg Automotive, employing some 11,000 in 20 countries, of which only 600 at home — of whom, by the way, most are likely to be laid off, of course. Which should come as no surprise, considering the wages we claim. Granted, the cost of living far exceeds that of other countries, but comes as a result of high incomes.

Catch 22 indeed, and one that, under the circumstances, isn’t about to resolve some time soon.

After all, they can’t be serious if they mean that we, the apex of human worth and evolution, should compete on equal terms. I’m sorry, but we’re too good for that.

If it means bankruptcy, then so be it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=650bujVrw7o

Late update: In a press conference Monday afternoon (in Norwegian), the Think management announced a temporary leave of the entire working stock, while trying to raise the NOK 200 million needed for continued operations.

As I mentioned in my last post, there’s a fierce debate going on in Norwegian blog land, with harsh words and a wide range of accusations – as usual, whenever feminists are involved. But it’s quite the proverbial storm in a cup, really, as the discussions are restricted to a very limited core of [...]]]>

As I mentioned in my last post, there’s a fierce debate going on in Norwegian blog land, with harsh words and a wide range of accusations – as usual, whenever feminists are involved. But it’s quite the proverbial storm in a cup, really, as the discussions are restricted to a very limited core of bloggers, whose impact on the public debate is less than insignificant, I’m afraid. Which is all good and proper, as the debate’s level of reasoning serves neither parties.

But I can’t for the life of me figure out how it’s possible to derail the overall issue to such an extent that it all boils down to a quarrel over what it is that actually defines a feminist. Do the Gucci feminists qualify, for one, and is their reluctance to embrace the feminist label acceptable at all?

These are the focal points of Norwegian bloggers’ debate on equal rights. Which, as you may have surmised, has taken me aback quite a bit – even if my interest in the subject is somewhat limited, to say the least. Even so I’m dumbfounded by how an inner circle of the blogosphere’s hoity toity toffs (incompatible and incomparable with those of the “real world”, as if blogs aren’t part of it) claim to be the bearers of the one single truth, shunning opposition in the most manipulative ways.

If I took a lesson from my two previous posts on feminism, the one recently published in Norwegian included, it’s that dissent from feminist consensus is met with accusations of childishness, prejudice, male chauvinism and similar condescending characteristics, from people labelling a little fun with feminism patronising — as if dismissing your opponents’ arguments as childish or sad isn’t (patronising).

But you know, such are the ways of the pack.

Bewildering inconsistencies

Women in charge of household routines, such as cooking, dishes, laundry, groceries and children are in general informed that they should rise against the oppression, whereas men assuming same responsibilities are met with cheers or an awkward silence, prompting me to ask:

• If cheered, because it’s time that olden days’ oppression of women is reversed, rather than balanced?
• If met with awkward silence, because continued oppression is recognised, but hey, at least the victim is the former oppressor (or a symbol thereof)?

I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to claim that I possess the answers, but I do get a feeling that it could indeed be so, for want of an explanation to the absence of protested male oppression — unless, of course, such oppression is believed unexisting – or justified, perhaps.

In fact, contradictions stand in line. Equal pay for same work is – or ought to be – a given, but although many a modern-day suffragette demands it, she’d generally despise her spouse for not being the household’s chief or sole provider. It’s that ghastly old cake again. Eat or have? By which I do not imply that conditions should remain unchanged. It should be fairly obvious by now that I’m all for equal rights, but please bear in mind that it requires an end to that kind of habitual thinking, even among feminists.

As a fairly liberal man, brought up by old school standards, there’s no denying that I’m torn between habitual thinking and sheer reason myself. Certainly, growing up at a time when women were considered mere accessories, amid the dawn of women’s lib, with its infuriated, fearsome Amazons, marching Chinese Red Army-style, I’d be lying if I said their appearance didn’t scare me shit-less.

To this day that’s the kind of imagery the term “feminist” invokes. Being a man in the mid-forties, and a liberal one at that, it should come as no surprise that many of my peers – or older, of whom there are quite a few – associate feminists with these qualities, too. Yet, feminism has changed, or so they say. If so, why cling to the term at all? Surely, keeping middle-aged to old men (and women, for that matter) at bay, will only contribute to a delay of feminism’s ultimate goals. At least taking us aboard definitely wouldn’t hamper the process.

There’s a reason why I put up the picture (This is what a feminist looks like) on top here, you know. If most people did not associate feminists with bra burnings, uni-sex attires and raging furies — why spend so much time on explaining that it isn’t so? Explanations are unnecessary, I expect.

Another, yet weightier reason for replacing feminism with a better word, though, is its misleading implications. Perhaps I’d better go to the dictionaries for support:

fem – i – nine [fem-uh-nin]

-adjective

1. pertaining to a woman or girl: feminine beauty; feminine dress.
2. having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity or gentleness.
3. effeminate; womanish: a man with a feminine walk.
4. belonging to the female sex; female: feminine staff members.
5. Grammar. noting or pertaining to that one of the three genders of Latin, Greek, German, etc., or one of the two genders of French, Spanish, Hebrew, etc., having among its members most nouns referring to females, as well as other nouns, as Latin stella “star,” or German Zeit “time.”

Then we add an ism:

The suffix -ism denotes a distinctive system of beliefs, myth, doctrine or theory that guides a social movement, institution, class or group. For example, baptize (literally derived from “to dip”) becomes “baptism,” a distinctive system of cleansing in water to testify to the forgiveness of sins^[1]. It is taken from the Greek suffix -ismos, Latin -ismus, and Old French -isme, that forms nouns from verbal stems. Greek baptismos “immersion”, for example, is derived from baptizein, a Greek verb meaning “to immerse”. Its usage has since been extended to signify the ideology or philosophy surrounding the element to which the suffix is added.

— Wikipedia

Hang on… I thought feminism was all about equal rights for both sexes, but this just doesn’t add up, does it. Last week’s quarrel with the Norwegian feminist crowd was a bit of a revelation in that respect. Although all appear to approve of equal rights for both sexes, giving up a definition which blatantly favours only one seems something pretty close to impossible – maintaining that feminism has incorporated male rights over the years. Only problem is: It appears to have slipped under the radar. Just as troublesome however: Quite a few among us are bound to interpret definitions literally. Turning to the dictionary and to encycopledia we’re offered explanations leaving no doubt that feminism is all about women, which feminists may contest until their faces turn blue, but they’ll still be hard-pressed to prove the books wrong.

If clinging to a gravely misleading definition is of the utmost importance, you really can’t help but wondering, now can you…

Legal quota with consequences

Earlier this year Norwegian public limited companies were forced to ensure a 40 percent female board representation – or face legal implications imposed on them. Seeing as Norway’s population is made up by approximately 50 percent of each gender, 87 percent men employed versus 60 percent women, would imply that, with a 40 percent female boardroom – or management – representation, men are significantly less suited for responsibilities or much less competent.

If, however, that doesn’t hold true, the companies would yield drastically worsened earnings. The above conclusion could just as well be correct, however, leaving us no option but to crowd the boardrooms and the managerial offices with women. That goes without saying. Any recruiter hiring employees (or directors of boards) based on gender rather than capabilities, has proved her-/himself incompetent – period.

If at any time we all agree on that, that’s when feminism will have obliterated itself. Meanwhile, please find a better term – or face continued alienation by those who see feminism as a one-way struggle.

I should, of course, add that there are other aspects aplenty. We have structural issues, intolerable rape statistics, male and female students’ tendency to make traditional choices, the challenges posed by immigration from not-so-liberal cultures – and so forth and so on, but my access to research resources is limited. The above mentioned topics alone should however give plenty of cause for reflection.

In pointing out these things among Norwegian bloggers, I’ve succeeded, beyond my wildest imagination, in earning much aggravation and estrangement in the Norwegian blogosphere – a quest I set out to fulfil by other means, too, but holding up feminism’s shortcomings is always a winner. Some things should never be questioned.

F……….ism, you say?

I suppose you could say that.