Take a Look in the Mirror

I have a dream. To give. In this dream I have pooled together oodles of money and created a foundation. Simply by milking myself as a brand, as a person, and as a character. This virtual pool of money will support my own life and livelyhood in order to keep giving. And this pool will go to those people I admire, who never strayed from the good-natured road of giving. Who never stopped believing in the good side. Who stuck by others not only while they were on top, but also when tides looked the most bleak. And who fought for the ones who could no longer fight for themselves. Even when popular opinion dictated otherwise. Even when the going got tough. Even when personal gain suggested that swaying would be more opportune.

Several research studies and experiments into the human nature have found that about one third of people will subject others to pain, suffering, or even death - if asked or ordered to. And more than half will do the same, if put under pressure themselves, either through peer pressure or due to threats to own person and livelyhood. In short: most people have the capacity to become evil. An obvious example - if a little tired as an example - took place during Second World War in the 20th century. And there have been many others like it. Again: most people have the capacity to become evil.

Ask yourself, do you play with other people's health, livelyhood, or life? Do you do to others what you wouldn't want them to do to you? The only thing to stop that process is called human conscience. It is there to ensure that the good-natured, positive, and life-confirming side always wins. Because it has to. The only way to determine if you - yourself - are capable of turning evil, or have conscience enough to stop the process, is very simple: take a look in the mirror.

So who's to be the worthy recipients of the virtual pool of money? Take a look in the mirror... ....

Meta-Comment No. 20

Once you go black...

Most people know the ending to the above phrase. It is most often used in a suggestive reference to the colour of skin, or in an even more suggestive joke of a sexual nature. Here, it is strictly used in a context where it refers to what we can call 'The Dark Side'. Yes, there are quite of few fictitious references to that one! The side where your grudges over whatever turns you towards vengeance to someone. Who in turn turns towards vengeance to someone else. Once you go to the dark side, there is no turning back, this would imply. My suggestion is that there is.

I can't read peoples' minds. Can you? I might have hurt people, I was unaware of hurting. People might have helped me without my knowing. If you leave things up to chances, chances are exactly that: you can't be thanked for it, and you might be misread. Does that give a right to vengeance?

I'm in the worst possible situation, because I kept my mouth shut about someone who continuously and for an extended period destroyed me. I'm the silent whistleblower. And although I probably should have asked for my 'pound of flesh', as it were - I didn't. I had a choice, and I didn't turn to 'The Dark Side'. But to 'Live and Let Live'. It's much like taking the wrong train - you simply get off. Paradoxically, because I didn't turn towards vengeance over it, but simply walked away, it has had continued severe consequences for my life. And if you don't seek revenge, no one can know the truth. At least not the full scale of it. Ask yourself: does that give a right to vengeance?

Once you go black - there IS a way of turning back.......

The House: Thumbs Up for Reform

No surprise: Obama made a home run and took the Healthcare reform all the way through the House with a 219 to 212 vote. And through the hard work of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, even a deal with changes to it, to ensure that there is no block, once it passes through the Senate, with a 220 to 211 vote. Although with dramatic debates rolling back and forth between Democrats and Republicans, and protesters on both sides, there is no denying: the reform accomplishes politically what has taken decades to achieve.

For further information, please see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/health/policy/22health.html
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/25/polls-indicate-support-for-health-care-reform-has-increased-since-sunday-vote/

Danish Film Celebration

Each year a celebration of Danish films takes place in Copenhagen, much like the Oscars. Only in Denmark the awards are handed out as so-called 'Bodils' - named after two of the great female actresses in Danish film: Bodil Kjer and Bodil Ipsen. I went to a celebration in Imperial cinema, and the prize winners are by now common knowledge. This year most films were small productions, apart from Lars von Trier's renowned Antichrist, which took home several prizes for best film, best male and female performances, for sound editing and cinematography.

The celebration included a showing of Danish director Lone Scherfig's An Education, also played at Sundance. A low key and at first seemingly undramatic Nick Hornby story set in the 60'ies about a young girl, played by young actress Carey Mulligan, who gives up her fine education prospects for a life in the fast and festive lane with a grown up man that she meets by chance, played by Peter Sarsgaard. He takes her from the suburbs on a rollercoaster ride through the restaurants, bars, and jazz scenes of Europe. But the story unfolds, and is wonderfully and convincingly played in all emotional stages by Carey Mulligan in the leading role - by film professionels called the new Audrey Hepburn. As an audience, you follow the rollercoaster ride and what ensues with equal participation - and I think the key word here is empathy.

For further information, please see:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/an-education/33272/main
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXR8ShhNhPA

Reform Bill Getting Closer

212 for vs. 212 against on Saturday according to ABC News. 216 votes are needed. The expected vote on the Healthcare Reform bill is getting closer. Now we have not only undecided Democrats or Democrats who voted no in November voicing their support and 'yes' vote for the bill. With House speaker Ms. Pelosi meeting with at least three of the anti-abortion lawmakers — Representatives Christopher Carney and Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania and Steve Driehaus of Ohio — who hadn't yet voiced their decision on the vote, according to The New York Times.

And an Ohio freshman Democrat Representative Zack Space hasn't voiced his standing on the issue, but is under pressure from the unions who helped get him elected, that if he votes 'no' they will stop their endorsements. He is among the many Representatives, who do not answer their mails and phones. PN is also trying to get a comment.

Now we have what was thought to be impossible, now we even have Republican House Representatives announcing a 'yes' vote. According to CNN, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar released a statement saying he has 'decided to stand in support of this plan for health care reform.'

Others are focusing on follow-up procedures. Harry Reid, Senate majority leader and a Nevada Democrat, is hoping to get support for a 51 signatured letter supporting a reconciliation bill for the passing of the bill in the Senate, once the bill passes in the House. But who has signed that letter, is unclear. Budget reconciliation is a procedure created in 1974 as a way of making changes in federal policy to meet fiscal guidelines set by Congress. Because the process includes a limit of 20 hours of debate, reconciliation bills cannot be blocked by filibuster in the Senate and need only a simple majority to pass. The filibuster permits a senator, or a series of senators, to speak for as long as they wish and on any topic they choose, unless 'three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn' (usually 60 out of 100 senators). Or in short: a block.

Meanwhile, President Obama is focusing more on the issue than on procedure, urging House Representatives to vote - not for himself, for Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid - but for the app. 32 million uncovered Americans who will get a chance to be covered by health insurances.

For further information, please see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/20/health.care.main/index.html
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/counting-health-care-bill-votes-10155628
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/HealthCare/american-people-obama-calls-capitol-democrats-pass-health/story?id=10158231
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/health/policy/21health.html?hp

Sorry Time - Again

About once a year we hear either allegations or real stories about priests of the Catholic Chúrch sexually abusing children. This year is no different, with the story about Irish children being abused by priests. At least Pope Benedict has called it 'serious mistakes' and sent out a letter of apology on behalf of the Catholic Church. With representatives for the victims in the charity group One in Four calling for the Catholic Church to co-operate with the secular authorities on the issue. One in Four refers to a charity organisation founded by Colm O'Gorman in 1999 in London that helps voice the stories about the sex abuses in the Catholic Church. According to statistics about one in four (27 percent) children within the church have been abused. At least saying 'sorry' is better than no remorse or no response. Paradoxically, it would appear that saying 'sorry' is easier than asking for permission. Or is it really the other way around?

For further information, please see:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8577740.stm

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/images/03/20/irlanda.lettera.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8577775.stm
http://www.oneinfour.org/about/

Heathcare Swingers

The US Healthcare reform vote this weekend depend on swingers. House Representatives who either voted no, but can be convinced, or who were uncommitted in November, but can be convinced. Among the Democrats these include Representatives John Boccieri of Ohio, Allen Boyd and Suzanne M. Kosmas of Florida, and Scott Murphy of New York. According to The New York Times, they were privously uncommitted in November, but as of Friday, they have announced that they now support the bill. And then there are the Republicans to convince...

Jason Chaffetz, a freshman Republican from Utah, made the allegation that some Democrat Representatives were 'trading votes for jobs'. By mentioning names. Allegedly the two Representatives had been promised jobs at NASA and NATO, respectively. Allegations that have immediately been refuted by the two Representatives in question. It's a tired old way of argumenting that if you don't have any solid arguments against your opponent, you simply attack your opponent directly. Why doesn't the honourable freshman consider the Healthcare reform bill more closely than throwing around allegations? On the other hand, both he and some republicans who voted no in November may be persuaded.

Republicans worry that the reform will entail 'Socialist' conditions in the USA if the Healthcare bill is passed. How so, if the bill is based on private insurances, with a huge number of people previously not insured being forced by law, and on pain of fines if not, to make insurance deals with privately owned insurance companies? Won't the private insurance companies gain from this new market? And shouldn't this convince at least some Republicans?

Democrats worry that the Healthcare reform bill won't be stretching far enough. And are worried about the abortion non-coverage compromise. But isn't an extension of a further some 30 million Americans getting health insurances better than no bill at all?

These questions, and many others, will be considered before the big vote expected to take place Sunday.

For further information, please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8577062.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/us/politics/20health.html?hp

Playing the Iranian Card

News from afar: Here we go again. No sooner have ties with close ally Israel deteriorated over the settlements in East Jerusalem issue - and a coalition of Hillary Clinton, the UN, the EU, and Russia have condemned it - before Obama plays the Iranian card. Offering dialogue and stretching out his hands to the Iranians. An old - very old, if not tired - card to play with Israel. The cat playing with the mice again. So now, it would appear, we also need a couples' therapist for USA and Israel, whose bonds are really much closer than either part wants to admit. Happy Wilsonian/Jacksonian double play!

For further information, please see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/03/20/iran.us.message/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8575723.stm
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/07/walter-russell-mead-in-town.html

Meta-Comment No. 19

Money is no object, they say. Well, it certainly is no subject either. Being under absolute cash restraint for more than the past year, opportunities for Paradoxical News have flown by in hundreds - if not more. The powerty level living conditions are set at under two dollars per day, and the absolute powerty level at under one dollar a day. Welcome to the world of PN, with between one and two dollars per week! Merely stating simple facts. Just ad stress over the situation to that. The editor-in-chief has made huge cutbacks in all departments - and is currently working at no pay. But covering stories without a travel - or even alimentation - budget has made it impossible.

Paradoxical News would like to thank its followers and supporters. The will is certainly there, and has been all along - but conditions so narrow than things simply can't happen as they did one-two years ago. At a time when funds were limited - but at least money was a subject.

US Healthcare Reform Vote

These next few days are important for the Healthcare reform bill in USA. It will be a historic chance to realize a project that has gone on for decades, and to ensure health care coverage for more than 30 million Americans currently not covered. Most of it in deals with insurance companies anyway, only with extended security. The vote in the House is expected this weekend, most likely Sunday, and I just spoke with a friend in Virginia who explained about the heavy campaigning for the success of the vote for it. With the two different versions of a reform bill already passed in the House and in the Senate, the call is the closest in many years.

It takes 216 votes of 431 to pass, with 40 Democrats of different persuan primarily in play. Some are leaning Democrats, some so-called Blue Dog Conservatives on fiscal issues, and some are wholehearted and solid Democrats without doubt on the Healthcare reform issue. In Virginia for instance, two Democrats voted no in November, Rick Boucher and Glenn Nye, leaning Democrat Boucher in a district won by McCain and tossup Nye in a district won by Obama. Both a swing voters. Other states have swing voters on both Democrat and Republican sides. See the statistics in the link below.

Where do you go for clarification when all the political arguments fly high and low? If not the experts? Macro economist Paul Krugman, professor and a Nobel Prize winner, writes about the arguments and misinformation on the issue of Healthcare reform in The New York Times. And he refers to a House committe that found that health cover insurance companies had made profits in the order of 150 million dollars from 2003-2007 by cancelling coverage for people who needed healthcare treatment. Please read his comments on the issue below.

For further information, please see:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35928063/ns/politics-health_care_reform/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/health/policy/19memo.html?hp
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/16/us/politics/20100316-health-care-dems.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/opinion/19krugman.html

J'y Répondrai

A friend once asked something of me, and my response flew out of my mouth without really thinking too much about it. In French. About responding. With his primary languages of Swedish and Spanish, he asked me what it meant. It's much like explaining a joke. The very second you begin to explain it - it loses the very point. If it means something to you, it means something. And if not. Well... You can look up my expression - if not: J'y répondrai.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

'Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down' - Simon & Garfunkel sing in the aptly named title song from the seventies. Could they please make a double act as couples' therapists for the Israelis and the Palestinians? The conflict in the Middle East goes back even further than the famous S & G song, so the song stays ever relevant. The message is to build bridges - more so than houses. If S & G could kindly have honourable Benjamin Netanyahu talk to his people in the back country about the brick building - and have honourable Mahmoud Abbas talk to his people in the back country about the stone throwing. Perhaps we could use the left over stones and bricks to build a bridge. It may take a huge one to overcome some forty years of troubled water. And then, perhaps we would have Pontifex Maximus - or Obama - swing by for a visit?

The editor-in-chief confronted several people that represented minor challenges and one person to mark a major challenge in an old grudge several times over the past few years in order to build bridges over troubled water in own back yard. As the first minor challenges went well, hope was there for the major challenge as well. But the invitation to bridge building here only harvested the sad responses that such a meeting couldn't take place under neutral circumstances, and with continued postponings due to scheduling issues over the past year. But at least the editor-in-chief tried her best. Even so without a couples' therapist, but with a sound mind and a strong belief in bridge building. Which paradoxically will stay the same and as strong.

For further information, please see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/10/biden.mideast/index.html?hpt=Sbin
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8561441.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/palestinian-peace-snub

http://politiken.dk/udland/article921215.ece

http://www.berlingske.dk/verden/er-obama-ligeglad-med-israel

Headline: Spring Is Here

Spring has come to Copenhagen! Read all about it!

It's been a long and cold winter with heavy snow falling everywhere. And yes, we have heard about it - as much as we witness it ourselves. Whenever reporters stand knee-deep in mounts of snow reporting heavy snow fall, I've always wondered why. Can't we just open our doors to get this piece of 'news'? So now that it stopped snowing cats and dogs, the temperature is getting above freezing, and the sun is climbing high on a blue sky once again - Paradoxical News would like to inform readers: Spring is here!

9/11 Revision

9/11 was nothing but a stunt set up by Western intelligence services. This according to Iranian President Ahmedinejad. The claim is not new. Not news. And no news is good news, as we all know. Setting up 9/11 for a revision. Much like he and others are doing with the Holocaust during Second World War. Wonder what all the fuss was about then? Perhaps it was all in our imagination? Here's today's paradoxical suggestion: Why don't we put up Ahmedinejad for a revision? If he isn't there, he just isn't there.

For further information, please see:
http://www.berlingske.dk/verden/ahmadinejad-11.-september-var-loegn

Police Reported to the Police

Next in line in the political party of the Social Liberals (B) Zenia Stampe has reported the police...to the police. According to the daily Politiken, she has reported police officer in charge of homicide, Ove Dahl, to the police for making racist remarks about citizens coming from the Eastern block of Europe, like Serbs and Romanians, for overflowing the Danish society with criminal activities. And for being 'unscrupulous'. So now there's a paragraph in the Danish law to deal with even the police, it's called 266 b - the so-called racism paragraph. The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine or two years imprisonment. A good thing that we have the police to deal with...the police.

For further information, please see:

http://www.dr.dk/odp/default.aspx?template=nyhed&guid=DR1201003061200&autoplay=1&back=default.aspx%3ftemplate%3dnyheder%26day%3d0#

http://politiken.dk/indland/article917554.ece

https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=113401

Alice in Bewilderment

I just came back from the 3D premiere of Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland in the Copenhagen Imperial cinema. And I was blown away by the - as always - arabesque, fantasy universe of Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Batman, Sleepy Hollow). Starring as The Mad Hatter is close Burton collaborator Johnny Depp (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Chocolat, Sleepy Hollow, Pirates of the Caribbean), who leans on both his own prior Burton roles, and on the Beetlejuice character played by Michael Keaton. The Red Queen is played out - in full caricature stretch - by Helena Bonham Carter (A Room with a View, Fight Club, Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd), and the leading role as Alice with both sweetness, bewilderment, sincerity, and determination by Australian Mia Wasikowska (Defiance, Amelia).

Obviously the film owes a lot to the imagination of English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who wrote the novel under the pseudonym of Levis Carroll. Apart from the unmistakable Tim Burton universe, the film has notes and references to Lord of the Rings and to Harry Potter films as well. Though it is good here to remember who was first with the fantasy, arabesque film universes.

Whether you're a true Tim Burton buff or belong to the enormous Anything Depp Will Do crowd, you'll be in for a spectacular 3D experience. My only hesitation aside is the somewhat puzzling ending, which doesn't really suit the creative, arabesque, artistic minds of neither Burton nor Depp. This paradoxical ending is not only Alice in Wonderland. This ending is Alice in Bewilderment. And could do with a little rethinking. But I would still urge everyone to go see this film for its imaginative universe right up to before that ending.

For further information, please see:
http://www.kino.dk/Biografer/Imperial.aspx
http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice's_Adventures_in_Wonderland