The Music of Chance

Random encounters. Random events. Random acts of kindness. These notes make up the music of chance. Much like the acclaimed 1990 novel The Music of Chance by Paul Auster, made into the 1993 film with Mandy Patinkin and James Spader in leading roles, Paradoxical News has two main characters in employment, Pozzi and Nashe. The impulsive and temperamental who takes high risks, but doesn't accept the mishaps of chance. And the phlegmatic who works patiently and enduringly, in acceptance of the chances and misfortunes that life throws. Both are in play. In the book. And at PN. Events take off from a card game gone wrong, but forget about the card game and read the characters. The Music of Chance is on the PN trail of books to enjoy, live by, and to learn from.

World Climate Update

Paradoxical News again knocked at the current political barometer. And this week was one of great concern for the environment and climate - in Denmark and in the World.

Tuesday, Minister of the Environment, Troels Lund Poulsen from The Liberals (V), presented his plan for environmental developments at an industry conference before the upcoming COP15 this December. The CCN (Copenhagen Climate Network) conference at the Copenhagen City Hall was represented by a wide range of interest groups. Among them the public transportation system in Denmark, DSB, car manufacturing companies, taxi companies, and from the health organisations - cancer research institutes and allergy interest groups.

Although the public transportation system of DSB presented a plan for electric car stations connected to the train systems, it appeared to be a very strategic (far future) idea. So with a paradoxical large representation of car manufacurers in the traditional gasoline and diesel sense of the word, it was relevant to ask the minister why there wasn't too much focus on electric cars, and how the government plans to ensure that consumers will go for the green energy choice, when buying and driving privately - please see article on electric car Kermit on these pages http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/kermit-car-comes-to-copenhagen.html. So Paradoxical News did.

'The government plans to make a reform on the tax system as part of the green transportation concept. So when going through the registration fee system, we will also go through some of the issues of environmental and energy efficiency. We will look at a system that comprises truck and bus transportation, and private cars. This debate will be launched in 2012,' the Minister of Environment replied.

Why not now?

'Because it is a major reform, and because a reform of the registration system demands a comprehensive analysis programme will be launched first,' Troels Lund Poulsen explained.

From 2007 to 2012 the current registration fees are relieved to favour purchases of electric cars. But since not many electric cars and plug in stations are available, the prospects for green energy cars are some years into the future - and the effective electric car purchases few. The paradox being: The plan of the reform is probably postponed for a future government to bring into effect.

But as was also presented at the conference were research studies to show a connection between air pollution from exhaust particles (CO, NO2, NOx) - and a high rise in numbers of hospitalisations of young children and the elderly to the lung- and heart disease departments. The treatment of which is a major cost to society. These health issues are also why a long term plan is necessary.

Wednesday, Copenhagen Climate Council (CCC), arranged by the executive weekly letter of Ugebrevet Mandag Morgen held another conference with business leaders in the energy sector: Jeff Immelt, CEO of GE USA, Anders Eldrup, CEO of DONG Energy Denmark, and Connie Hedegaard, Minister of Climate and Energy, from The Conservatives (C) among others.

The purpose was to lay the ground for COP15 in December. And the questions were mostly about the plans for a binding agreement. Paradoxical News had a chance to ask Jeff Immelt about GE's plans for investments not only in the cap and trade system (CDM/Clean Development Mechanism, whereby any company can buy CO2 quotas in other countries to balance their CO2 balance sheet), but also in green energy transportation on the US home market. If it is not a paradox that companies this way buy peace of mind, as it were, somewhere else in the world instead of investing wholeheartedly in green energy and electric cars at home?

'It is a very fair comment. You can criticise cap and trade, because you can buy allocations and lay investments somewhere else, the cap and trade system isn't perfect, but it facilitates investments in new technology. And if you match that with commitment to the environment, like the reduction of green house gases by 2020 and 2050, if you do all that, then you've got something,' Jeff Immelt responded.

And regarding the question of electric cars?

'GE has made substantial investments in battery technology, we both have technology to go into the Olympic car and we also have technology for energy storage and more renewable energy. Our investments are fundamentally in the US, but if you look at patents in Korea, Japan, China they are racing ahead. So GE plans to launch investments in battery technology,' the GE CEO explained.

Paradoxical News asked Connie Hedegaard, Minister of Climate and Energy (C) why the current government postpones a more ambitious plan for the registration tax system, designed to push forward the electric cars on the Danish market - and she made this comment as to the government's plans to pave the way for electric cars:

'The Danish government has been among the first to go ahead and make registration tax reliefs from 2007 and up until 2012, so we are far ahead on electric cars. And then there is a debate as to how to prolong this. We have already said until 2015 when a new system for electric cars is launched. Then we will ensure that there will be a stimulus for the consumers to buy electric cars,' Connie Hedegaard assured. A statement that is confirmed by the Danish Ministry of Taxation.

So for a world climate update it is probably safer to look into the future planner than to knock on the barometer.

A Big Bite of Another Apple

Tech: Hello World! Paradoxical News suffered severe cutbacks in the technical and communications departments since the onset of the seven - at least! - crises in 2008. But PN is happy to announce that it is now equipped with a state of the art Iphone! Still playing with all the functions of this wiz-gadget and taking a big bite of another Apple, the news flow has been sagging lately - but will revert.

Pyroclastic Symphonies

Last night I had the opportunity to experience a Bernstein/Mahler concert at the recently built concert hall at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation/DR. Both of them first symphonies. This was my first visit to the concert hall, so first of all I was blown away by the grand and innovative architecture by Jean Nouvel held in warm orange-red-brown tones to compliment the wood and string instruments.

The concert was masterfully directed by American Marin Alsop, educated as a violinist from the Juilliard School in New York. Both symphonies were somewhat sinister, in particular Bernstein's last movement of Lamentation, sung by Swedish mezzo soprano Kristina Hammarström - but it made a huge emotionel impression. The story of a woman who is left all to herself and grieves (laments) her loss.

The Mahler symphony is said to be inspired by his own feeling of being a misunderstood genius and portrays a hero struggling for recognition, originally ending in his taking his own life and later gaining recognition for his struggle in Paradise, according to the story line. Although Mahler later took that interpretation back after his own recognition. The symphony's first movement depicts an awakening of nature after winter, with merry musical chirps and twitters as our hero strolls along. Later, during the third movement, our hero is going through a severe crisis - here comes the funeral march, yet still inlaid in a bizarre mix were wonderful notes of Jewish Klezmer music (dance music, with folk music inspiration, in particular used for weddings). In the final, our hero has fought through his troubles and has his come back, and this movement was somewhat of a visual and auditive show piece and - if music can have that effect - almost pyroclastic. I can only urge people to go for the experience and get blown away. Although next time, I'll go for something lighter and brighter myself.

For further information, please see (photo provided by this site):

http://www.dr.dk/Koncerthuset/Kalender/2009_-_oktober/20090326111507_1.htm

To The Green Lighthouse

Wednesday I attended the opening of The Green Lighthouse, a student house at the University of Copenhagen - the faculty for natural sciences. The opening was represented by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Liberal Helge Sander (V), as well as the headmaster of the university Ralf Hemmingsen, vice-chancellor Lykke Friis, Chief Mayor of Copenhagen, Social Democrat Ritt Bjerregaard (A), and Mayor for the technical department at the city hall, Social-Liberal Klaus Bondam (B). And joined by representatives from the private companies that helped construct the lighthouse.

The Green Lighthouse is CO2-neutral in its construction, primarily making use of CO2-friendly building materials and light. It is to be used as a student house for reading sessions, study groups, and for breaks between lectures. And for green enlightenment.

Kermit The Car Stops by Copenhagen

Today, Kermit the Car came to Copenhagen and stopped by Kongens Nytorv to show off his green intentions. With a (limited time span) top speed of 140-220 km/hr depending on type - and a colour that says Beware!

At various costs he consumes three types of shots: Diesel at 17.000 EUR, gasoline (in a self-proclaimed sporty way) at 24.000 EUR, and electricity at 30.000 EUR. That is when his cousins are put into production by the company of Loremo with a planned 10.000 cars per year from 2011.

Is Kermit family oriented? Well, German designer Ulrich Sommer is confident that he would be able to pack an entire family with handbags into Kermit's belly. But of course, I don't know his family.

FDM - the united Danish motor vehicle owners - are not thrilled with Kermit. As head of the unit in Public Affairs Torben Lund Kudsk put it:
'I don't think the focus on all these electric cars is right at this point in time. The government should first solve the taxation issues before they focus on renewable energy in cars. And anyway, these cars won't be fully up an running for the next 10-20 years. So to have consumers choose these cars comes after solving the taxation issue,' was his opinion.

Head of the European Commission in Denmark, Jan Høst Schmidt, had arranged the presentation of the green energy car. Originally, the office had planned to show off Kermit during the climate summit COP15 in December, but he figured that the summit would be swamped with all sorts of presentations and side shows, so Kermit would have much more room to show off his colours today.

So what's it like inside of Kermit's belly? Tight but cumfy. With an entire family inside - maybe not so cumfy.

An Improved Ministry Climate

Climate in shambles. Climate between the ministries in shambles. Up until today, if we are to believe politicians. Let's go for your conclusion, not mine. Thomas Becker from the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the top negotiator for the upcoming climate summit COP15 in Copenhagen 7th-18th December, who has a huge climate related network, resigned last week over a scandal of partly internal staff problems and - much talked about - a truck load of receipts for overspending during travels to the far east. Yes, that old cliché.

Today, the joint opposition had called for a meeting and questioning time with Connie Hedegaard, Minister of Climate and Energy, from The Conservatives (C) - to have her give an in-depth explanation about these issues. And she reassured the press after the meeting:
'I have given the committee a fully confidential briefing about the matter, and there is no change. Thomas Becker has resigned. It is quite normal that members of the Audit of the State Accounts come by once a year. And they give advice as to how to streamline accounts more. It is a sad situation for everyone involved. No one is sadder about it than I am. But there are rules and procedures to adhere to,' she said referring both to him in his capacity as top negotiator and her personal aquaintance.

To the question about his importance as a negotiator leaving with an important network for the upcoming climate summit - and how that could suffer a set back if his capacity is not replaced:
'Yes, it is sad, but I have a team of 45 very competent employees, and they have a demand to concentrate and focus on this important mission. Through the COP President I can draw on the capacity of the entire UN climate section in Bonn - a staff of 350 employees, who really have the necessary network. Their primary function is to negociate with climate negotiators of the entire world. This case has been overexposed in the media, but at one point we have to settle it. We have an important task ahead.'

The opposition was satisfied. Social Democrat spokesperson for the climate, Mette Gjerskov (A)
’I think that the Finance Minister tried to reduce the question about climate financing, by taking it from the development funds, while we have about one billion people in the world going to bed hungry. That is a course I am more worried about. But when it comes to the staff related issue and the question about hability towards the climate negotiator, I am satisfied. I got answers to the questions that were important, as I see it.’

The Minister of Finance, Claus Hjort Frederiksen from The Liberals (V), had just taken questions in a European Union committee meeting right after the above meeting, and he wouldn't comment on the issues of receipts and overspending in the Ministry of Climate and Energy. Like his party collegue and spokesperson for the environment, Eyvind Vesselbo, who stressed that the climate goal regarding the COP15 is equally ambitious as it has been since the beginning.

Opposition spokesperson for the climate and environment, Anne Grethe Holmsgaard from The Socialist People's Party (F), also got what she came for:

’Everything about the staff-related issue, stops here. But it is highly important that we obtain a binding agreement, and that there is no shambles along the way,’ she said.

But as a response to the question about a top negotiator leaving a short time before the climate summit, she wasn't thrilled.

’Everybody who has negotiated knows that the best thing is to maintain the negotiators, you already have. They have the network built over many years, and that will always be the strongest. But that is sadly not how it turned out. I think everybody is sad about that. With respect to the staff-related issue, I'm bound by confidentiality. But I have no reason to have inconfidence in Connie Hedegaard,' she stressed after the meeting.

No more questions - and satisfied with answers - was also the attitude of Red-Green Alliance (Ø) member and spokesperson for the environment, Per Clausen, albeit with some critique of the handling of the case, and of a hint to a suggested inter-governmental rivalry on where to run the climate summit from - the Prime Minister's Office/State Department or the Ministry of Climate and Energy:

’We have no responsibility for the government bringing themselves in this situation. But we do have an obligation to have a matter looked into, when we get the impression that there are mix-ups of political power duels and staff-related issues. And I would have preferred to see this meeting earlier, either Tuesday or Wednesday. So we could have avoided this string of stories leaked to the media. But I got the answers I came for, and I think the matter is now fully enlightened,’ he said after the meeting.

However, the notion of a rivalry between the government parties of The Liberals (V) and The Conservatives (C) and the involved ministries was rejected by Minister of the Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard, as absurd.

And what have we gained after this storm in a tea cup? - if not yet another paradox: If not the world climate itself will improve as of this December, for now, it seems that at least the climate in the ministries has improved.

Shake The Bean Bag

Defence in shambles. Justice in shambles. Interior in shambles. Climate in shambles. With all this turmoil in Danish politics, where does the buck stop, again? Dear de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V), does it stop anywhere near you? And don't you find a need to shake the bean bag? Let's have a quickie in connection with the municipality elections this November. Let's have a parliamentary election at the same time to shake things up. And have things fall into place again. Paradoxical News can't keep up with this.

This Week in Danish Politics

It's hard to keep up with the Danish politicians as to their whereabouts and howabouts. But hey, if they don't even keep up - how are members of the press supposed to?

This week was no exception. First a Danish scandal about the much talked about publication by a former special force soldier, revealing no state secrets, but nonetheless an embarrasment for the Danish Ministry of Defence. So much so that heads have rolled. Paradoxical News was there on Monday night to cover the crisis meeting between Minister of Defence, Søren Gade (V), and the defence spokes persons from the opposition. It all seemed under control. And no need for the PM to take action. We are to await a further judicial investigation. Calm.

Tuesday the parliament opened for the new season. Again PN was there to hear: much same-same talk and little action. Except for the controversial proposition by The Conservatives (C) to lower the age for criminal punishment of juvenile delinquents from 15 to 14 years. And the proposition to put GPS chains on these juveniles all the way down to the age of 12 if they roam around making trouble. This did not go down well with the joint opposition.

Wednesday, PN was there to cover a press meeting on the issue held by Brian Mikkelsen (C) and Liberal Minister of Social and Internal Affairs, Karen Ellemann-Jensen (V), with many critical questions asked. In particular because the proposition was put forward by The Conservatives (C), whose members have been opposed to such drastic actions towards juveniles. The proposition did not even go down well with the party's own electorate: paradoxically only one Conservative in five supports the party proposition. Good luck then!

Also on Wednesday, Inger Støjberg (V), Minister of Employment and Gender Equality and Bertel Haarder (V), Minister of Education held a press conference with suggestions for a harder line towards juveniles, who are neither in jobs, nor under education. With suggestions to cut back on welfare benefits if they don't attend the suggested programme. PN couldn't quite keep up with the 25 point programme. Neither could the opposition.

Thursday and Friday: All of a sudden the opposition turns on Minister of Defence, Søren Gade (V). Now they won't await a further investigation of several months. Now they want him off his chair. Having stated last weekend, that the buck stops here!, the joint press is eager to see exactly that. But news of his whereabouts. And no comments. Dear, oh dear!

And as of this weekend, the chief negotiator for the climate conference held in Copenhagen this December, Thomas Becker, has resigned over a scandal of receipts for misuse of public funds for representation. With a head of department from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take over his position. But with no giant climate and energy network. Now leaving the COP15 in shambles. If Connie Hedegaard, Minister of Climate and Energy (C), can't save the day. But no comments as yet.

And that's just one week for you. Well, at least no dull week in the world of paradoxical news.

Meta-Comment No. 12

Paradox: how can you stop a person from giving? The nightmare has not just gone on for a couple of years - it's been going on for more than eight years now. So show me where and how. Please open the door and let me in. The only thing I ever wanted was a chance to give.