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.

Lady Liberty Calls

If there is one thing that never ceases to capture the human mind - it is freedom and liberty. And the national monument of the Statue of Liberty - Lady Liberty, the enlightened one still holds her torch for liberty just south of Manhattan in NY. From 1886 to 1902 functioning as a lighthouse.

Today, the original flame has been replaced, but the original flame can still be seen in the basement to the entrance of the museum within the sculpture itself.

The enlightened Lady Liberty from 1886 conceived by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi is enchanting because of the mystery that surrounds her and the Freemason sculpture and building. With the significant seven rays in her crown to symbolise enlightenment.

And now for the enlightenment paradox: Although I felt much more enlightened after a trip to the museum, sadly you have to book way in advance to get all the way up to Lady Liberty's crown, so I wasn't fully enlightened on this particular tour. Next time...

Kandinsky At Large

Right next to Central Park on Fifth Avenue in NY is the amazing Guggenheim museum. Named after founder Solomon R. Guggenheim. He started collecting Vasily Kandinsky paintings in 1929, and I was in luck to be in NY just as a very comprehensive Kandinsky exhibition opened for the 50th Anniversary of the Guggenheim.

In particular, it included his paintings and his amazing water colours from the founder's and from the Hilla Rebay collections. The exhibition runs from 18th September 2009 to 13th January 2010. This is an exhibition that I would very much like to revisit.

For further information, please see:
http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view-now/

SG Encounters

News about the Iranian uranium facility were the topic during a UN press conference Monday with the Turkish Secretary General Ihsanoglu of OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference), representing 57 member states with at least 50 percent Muslims, and is the second largest international organisation after the UN. He responded to the questions about the facility and of possible sanctions towards Iran:

'Any country has the right to produce safe nuclear power. IAEA, the international atomic energy agency, should be the decisive authority. And there should be no double standards. Neither towards Iran nor other countries. Sanctions won't help, because they also affect populations. As we witnessed in Iraq. And we shouldn't repeat mistakes from Iraq,' was the immediate response from OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu.

To the specific question of a harder line towards Iran from USA, he mentioned that with the help from ambassador Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, assistant Secretary General for science, technology, cultural and sociale affairs in OIC - a man who also happens to be from Iran - has investigated the recent information, and that Iran had already briefed IAEA about the uranium station. So eventhough the OIC Secretary General saw no problem in casu Iran, he did express an understanding for the worry from the international community, that nuclear weapons might fall into the hands of the wrong states.

'We don't want to be taken hostage to the fanatics,' the OIC Secretary General stated.

When the same question was posed to UN Vice-Secretary General B. Lynn Pascoe at a later press conference at the UN, he expressed himself in a more balanced way.

'We are against the spreading of nuclear weapons, and we want to promote the ideal of non-proliferation. We lean on the IAEA. There is nothing new in our position, it has been consistent. Iran should respect all of the resolutions by the Security Council, and should negotiate effectively. We don't believe in sanctions,' B. Lynn Pascoe stated Monday on behalf of the UN Secretary General, before his press conference Tuesday.

The press conference Tuesday was set from 10-10:30 am, but exceded the time frame by ten minutes. And the questions were mostly about the uranium facility in Iran. Apart from a few questions about the situation in Afghanistan and Somalia. About the meeting between the UN Secretary General and Ahmedinejad, the UN SG took on the same diplomatic approach as the UN Vice-SG:

'I encouraged him to open to the full inspections of the IAEA. I encouraged him to take on a constructive role. When he argued for a peaceful use of nuclear energy, I said that Iran has the burden of proof. I said to him, that despite this good conversation, there was still a gap in the mutual understanding. I encouraged him to bridge this gap. I am to meet with the Iranian leader again later today. This meeting will be on topics like nuclear energy, food security, powerty, and other topics. But I can't reveal more about the contents of a private meeting with Ahmedinejad,' Ban Ki-moon (sic!) stated.

Cable News

Arabs At Large

Outside the UN building on Manhattan in New York an estimated 20.000 people had gathered to protest for very different reasons.

There were widespread protests against the participation at the UN meetings by Libya's Muammar Al-Qaddafi (Qaddafi), leader of The Socialist People's Party Arab Jamahiriya. One group was there to protest against Qaddafi's presence and to ask for the release of Sayed Musa Al-Sadr from prison, who was kidnapped during a visit to Libya in 1978 and imprisoned, and who many view as the Gandhi of the Middle East. Another group called Nation of Islam leans on orthodox Islam, that from 2005 established so-called hate groups, welcomed Qaddafi to the UN.

Another group protested against the participation by the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad at the assembly, because he ’has blood on his hands’ and the lives of many Iranian people on his conscience.

United But Divided

In New York on 21st September, on the eve of the UN Secretary-General's Climate Summit, The Alliance of Small Island States/AOSIS convened a one day High-Level Summit on Climate Change. Paradoxical News was there to cover the meeting.

The demand from AOSIS was that the UN Summit on Climate Change in December take into account their vulnerable position. With some island states, like pacific Nauru, the highest point above sea level is about 12 metres. Which means that they will be flooded when the effects of climate change sets in.

With the president of the Maldives heading their representation in demanding that global temperature increases be kept as far below 1.5°C as possible to limit the anticipated devastating effects of climate change on the world's most vulnerable countries. These are also to a far extent some of the poorest countries. This puts pressure on the leading UN economies at COP15, come December 7th-18th, since the goal to be met has been suggested at a maximum increase of 2°C. This leaves the United Nations split before the Copenhagen summit. United but divided.

For further information about AOSIS, please see:

http://www.sidsnet.org/aosis/

NY Scenes - Part Two

Central Park in NY is the centre of leisure for most New Yorkers. It breathes. And it makes you feel comfortable in a very busy city. This is a view of the park from one lake towards the luxury flats on Fifth Avenue.

I stumbled into this odd couple on Fifth Avenue during the annual Steuben Parade, which takes place every year in September to celebrate German-Americans.

And if you weren't around for the historic Boston Tea Party, you can always enjoy Alice in Wonderland and her mad tea party friends of The Mad Hatter and The Chessire Cat among others. Sitting at the centre of the park close to a lake and The Boathouse restaurant.

Or you can slip on your 80ies bandana and enjoy a disco moment with these guys...

NY Scenes - Part One

Funky drummers. This was one of the first things that met me on Times Square in NY. And what more do you really need than an old green bucket to entertain crowds of cheerful bypassers? This bucket master was born to drum.

An Apple A Day

An apple a day keeps the doctor away - if you can hit him, that is. Paradoxical News has taken the full consequence of this old saying and taken a huge bite of a fresh apple. The big one. More paradoxical news to follow as a result.

Happy 1st Anniversary Paradoxical News!

Paradoxical News has the priviledge to announce its 1st anniversary today. And at the same time the great honour to announce that PN just won The Big Murphy Prize - an Against All Odds award given for perseverance and dedication in producing paradoxical news on limited funds, employees, and time. PN couldn't have done this without the help and support from an endless list of people.

Please see the THX Alternative Award Speech list below:

http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/award-speech.html

Paradoxical Update

The Silver Handbag Prize 2009

Yesterday former Secretary of State Uffe Ellemann-Jensen from The Liberal Party of Denmark (V) was awarded the Silver Handbag or Marianne Prize 2009, so named after former party leader Marianne Jelved from The Danish Social Liberal Party (B).

The event took place this weekend at the Social Liberal national congress on the mid-Denmark island of Funen. Aptly so to build bridges in Danish geography as well as politics.

The award was motivated by current Social Liberal party leader Margrethe Vestager:
'His opionions are characterized by freedom of speech, equality for all, respect for minorities, and tolerance. So much so that he has been accused of being 'just as bad as a Social Liberal person'.'

Why the handbag is merely cast in silver is unclear. But as the old saying goes, Speech is Silver, Silence is Golden - it fits the prize winner, who puts his nose into everything, speaks out on any political issue, and can't be stopped. Always in a forward fashion. Which is very un-Danish as most Danes go. This has earned him the nick name of The Big Nose, and he also has several Big Noses to his name - which is a term for a political blunder, and the opposite of an award - some of them even with Social Liberal votes. He even sticks his nose out a decade after his leadership of The Liberals and his high ranking position in Danish politics. Why he was never appointed Prime Minister was once pinpointed by former PM Poul Schlüter from The Conservatives (C) when asked if Uffe Ellemann-Jensen could someday become PM: 'Yes, maybe - but not in Denmark'.

After receiving the prize, the prize winner Uffe Ellemann-Jensen responded to Paradoxical News:
'It's a reminder that you can't trample the Social Liberals under foot, and I think awarding me was quite Liberal and broad-minded.'
Thus referring to the current political position of the Social Liberals after being dumped by the two major opposition parties.

Among other things Uffe Ellemann-Jensen was suggested to use the silver handbag for storing all of his Noses. And Marianne Jelved herself commented on this:
'He always leads. And is not afraid of being unpopular and taking the hits in battles. The Noses haven't all been fair.'

Meta-Comment No. 11

10.000 billion. That's right - you heard it first here: There are about 10.000 billion reasons why Paradoxical News was founded. For one, people don't appreciate real news. They don't even want it. They demand virtual news. Paradoxes. Games. So that's what they will be served in truck loads at PN. Paradoxical News has played along to the market demands the whole way - from fully and completely, to semi-participating, and has even tried to abort the news market completely. With no such luck. So the paradoxical status on this 9/11 is: The worse it gets, the better it gets.

He Will Prevail

Photo provided by:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BarackObamaportrait.jpg

To Move On From a Nasty Break Up

I'm sorry for the less fluent flow of Paradoxical News lately, but immediate action for other crisis matters has been necessary. On Friday last week The Social Democrats (A) and The Socialist People's Party (F) made their romance clear to everyone, as they dumped The Social Liberals (B) for their closer commitment up to their state budget proposal.

Party leader Margrethe Vestager from The Social Liberals has taken it nicely. She's confident that this new late summer romance will pass after they both wake up to realities after an intense honeymoon. And convinced that they will all talk and bond again in the new season this fall.

Right now the polls couldn't be worse for Margrethe Vestager and The Social Liberals - with only a few percent supporters for her government leadership. But the thing is, The Social Liberals have always had support from just about five-seven percent - and has never been in play for the position of PM. So for the very reason that she's taking these severe punches with a smile right now, and the current polls aside, Paradoxical News predicts that in probably less than two years she will have a high ranking ministerial position. Because she never fails to believe in negociations. And in building bridges. The very stuff that parliament is made of.

A State Budget Paradox

Today, Paradoxical News tried to cover the first draft of the negociations for passing the state budget for 2010. 'Tried' is the operative word here. Two weeks ago the budget proposition was made by the Minister of Finance (covered in a different connexion). And this past week and the week to come the opposition and other parties give their proposals. Today, the debate itself more had the characteristics of a rhetoric exercise to get in shape again - after a long summer and all. On both sides, the opposition and the supporting party want to speed up the public spending and investments to produce more jobs. Apart from that not much new was said, with the government and opposition parties blaming each other for economic set backs. Hopefully more substance will come at the real opening in October.

Glance, Bang Bang

Yesterday a friend made a sudden suggestion to go to an album release venue and to hear/see the duo Mads Mouritz and Lone Hørslev perform tracks from their new album Blik, Bang Bang (roughly: Glance, Bang Bang) in Huset i Magstræde in Copenhagen. The concert had a very independent singer-songwriter, bluesy feel to it, and was all done laid back and in very good ambience. And paradoxically no Bangs.

Try this for a taste (and below for further information):
http://www.myspace.com/mouritzhoerslev
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetry-framed-in-music-two.html

A Michael Jackson Paradox

Whenever news about Michael Jackson emerges, I don't believe it. Like so this summer. Whatever you hear, trust me, he lives on.

Yes, We Can - A Tribute

Photo provided by:

http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/galleries/gallery/?id=35166d38-ec10-4c54-8ad6-69cbac730d96

Hard Head, Soft Heart

Paradox status:
Sometimes you must go down to step it up. Sometimes you have to take a step back to get forward. And sometimes you have to make a major detour to get home.

A Helicopter Perspective

If Mother Earth can grab us this much, why don't we take better care of her? This is the paradoxical focus of the documentary Home. You see, sometimes a helicopter perspective of things is helpful. Last night i viewed the Home project by renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand at Cinemateket in Copenhagen, with representatives from UNFPA/United Nations Population Fund, WFP/World Food Programme, and EEA/European Environment Agency present to take questions afterwards. The purpose is to create awareness about the effects of climate change on the blue planet.

The documentary of planet Earth seen from the sky is a breathtaking film, with astonishing images and a dramatic narrative voice to fill in the statistics. And although the statistics flew by much faster than the helicopter, the impression made by Bertrand's documentary is permanent. Hopefully the impression lasts enough for world leaders to take appropriate measures at COP15 in December to stop the above two percent warming catastrophic effects. Please go see.

For further information about the Home project, please see:

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

http://www.yannarthusbertrand.org/

Intolerance

Last night a concert was held at Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) to support asylum for 282 Iraqi refugees, that have been rejected by the Danish refugee authorities. A six hour long event with many of the best names in Danish music. Among them Trentemøller, Lars H.U.G, Simon Kvamm, Niels Hausgaard, Sebastian - and many more. They were there to put the focus on tolerance under the slogan of 'If there are rules in effect that contradict humanity - it's not humanity that is the problem.'

The 282 Iraqi refugees have been thrown out of a Danish church where they had spent a few months in protest of being rejected, because Iraq still isn't safe to return to. They have now been thrown out of church and into confinement. Every human rights body from a Danish center for research in torture victims (RCT), Amnesty International to UNHCR have protested that throwing them in confinement is at odds with the torture paragraphs in the UN Human Rights Convention.

Even voters are against this government policy with about 80-90 percent in the opposition parties, and even within the government's own electorate, with close to 60 percent against this policy. Despite this the Danish government and the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, stand firm on the issue referring to Danish law and rules. With an indictment from human rights associations as a result. Paradox: Have rules become more important than humanity and tolerance?

For further information, please see:
http://afvisteirakere.dk/
http://kirkeasyl.dk/
http://politiken.dk/indland/article769610.ece

Come Home

Is there a nice person out there to help Naser Khader back on track? This genuinely sympathic Danish politician has undergone political changes as seen nowhere else these past few years. With points of view ranging from Social Liberal to Centered Democratic over very-very Liberal to Conservative and lately to Right wing People's Party views. Latest on his suggestions to ban Muslim religious head wear, in particular burkas and nijabs in public areas. Whereas chadors and hijabs, where you can still see the faces of the women are more suitable. For the sake of the women and their limited options on the job market - in order to ensure better integration.

One thing is that private and public employers won't accept a totally covered employee, but to ban the veiling in public areas is more controversial. And has sparked a heavy debate lately, in particular from the opposion parties of The Red-Green Alliance (Ø), The Socialist People's Party (F), The Danish Social Liberal Party (B). And even from government and government supporting The Liberal Party of Denmark (V) and Liberal Alliance (Y). Surprisingly The Social Democrats (A) support it. With The Christian Democrats in Denmark (K) oddly missing in the debates. But with accusations flying that Naser Khader has not only placed himself to the Right of The Conservatives (C), but has even pushed The Danish People's Party (O) to the Right.

Naser Khader, please look up the best possible navigator to bring you HOME.

For further information about Muslim religious head wear, please see:
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/505-muslim-veils-hijab-burqa

For further information about the Danish political debate, please see:
http://politiken.dk/politik/article769206.ece

For further information about the Danish political parties, please see:
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/cliff-notes-to-danish-politics.html

An Election Paradox

You may be mistaking, Jon. Politics is not about winning the polls - but winning the election.

Paradoxical News in Dire Straits - Part Two

Intranet: Since the onset of the seven - at least! - combined crises Paradoxical News has been in dire straits. Please see the weekly letter of Ugebrevet Mandag Morgen in the fall of 2008 for an in depth analysis of the seven - at least! - interlinked crises.

The editor-in-chief of PN would like to express gratitude to its shareholders, advertisers - and first and foremost to its work force with the following statement:

'There are no words to express how hard all employees at PN have worked these past few years. They have suffered economically, taking tremendous cutbacks and working in all fields to pull PN out of the crises. And I think we have the hardest working journalists in the industry,' the editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News says.

So much for past history and bumps along the road. They have caused severe setbacks. However, the editor also looks to the future for hope and change:

'PN is in dire straits - and has been for quite some time. But I believe we have hit rock bottom now, so the only way is up from here. PN has unique qualities, and PN has the strongest network of any contender out there on the news market - a more convincing network than any other contender I know. These unique selling points will pull PN through,' the PN editor-in-chief claims.

Paradoxical News in Dire Straits - Part One

Globally: Paradoxical News is in dire straits. Since the onset of the seven - at least! - combined crises beginning in 2008, your niche publication of choice has been hit hard on several occasions. This summer Paradoxical News had to adjust its expectations for 2009. And in July the editor-in-chief of PN announced a relocation to an interim HQ, the contract of which expires this weekend. Today, PN is urgently looking for a more permanent place for its HQ - and will be searching the usual prime site for immediate options. In the finest Cavling and public journalism tradition the editor is calling for help from its permanent readership: If anyone has ideas, please let the editor of PN know.

Lemonade

And now for the food section: If you squeeze a lemon hard, will it not juice? I'm sorry for the paradoxical paraphrasing here, I am but a thief of words. Try this for an experiment: Cut a lemon in two halves. Leave one half, only squeezing the other to its max into a glass. If the experiment works you will now have a glass of wonderfully refreshing lemon juice. And one half of fresh lemon bursting with juice - still there for the taking. Now have a look at the squeezed lemon. Do you like the appearance? Does it appeal to you? Can you use it for anything? Just one of those food section paradoxes. Enjoy your juice.

Meta-Comment No. 10

Looking for paradoxes? Sometimes you should have been at a certain place at a certain time. And you really, really wanted to. But you just weren't. Today was one of those very sad times. So you may have given up. I need to be somewhere else.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Right...

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it - a sharp man once told me. These past few days the media have been swamped with the always lovely - though very opinionated - Pia Kjærsgaard, leader of The Danish People's Party (O). Who now wants to decide what is art and what is not. And though her opions are always enjoyable to hear, because they in the most paradoxical way help you make up your own mind - perhaps this is not her most prominent field of expertise. As discovered and debated by artists and media people alike. So this time I close my eyes and my ears - wishing for the opposition to emerge in full and take part in the debate. And simply a full range of politicians. Please don't be 'gone'...

The Ultimate Politician

Today's paradox: Isn't it odd that someone has to leave politics for every other politician to voice their support and be in unison - independent of political colour? It would seem that the ultimate politician is neither Left nor Right - but simply gone...

To The Lighthouse

This is not an ode to the Virginia Woolf novel, but to a Social Democrat (S), former Minister for the Environment and Vice President of the Danish Parliament, Svend Auken, who stood tall in more sense than one. For his beloved wind mills. In politics. In real life.

Photo provided by:

http://politiken.dk/fotografier/nyhederfoto/article748875.ece

Balance Acts

Just for the balance of things. There are several ways of expressing yourself. Or enjoying others expressing themselves. If you are in Copenhagen and looking for something to do this weekend, why don't you try this site for inspiration:

http://www.copenhagen2009.org/Home/Info/What_is_On.aspx

A Paradoxical Fan

Yesterday I caught myself getting anoyed. I may even have cursed. Luckily I did so with no one else present. I let myself blame The Danish People's Party (O) for all things bad in our society. The severe surveillance that I don't think becomes a free, open, and modern society. That control should be better than trust? And I blamed the party and its heavy influence for the past eight years for this.

Later I laughed at myself. I let the party get to me. What does that mean? It means that they have a democratic justification. With varying polls showing that 12-17 percent of Danish voters support them. The party keeps the democracy alive and kicking. They make people think and form their opinions. They fuel debate. In short, they work. With party leader Pia Kjærsgaard never failing to tune into the feelings and frame of mind of the party's electorate with close to a hundred percent precision. Never failing to cover the base perfectly. Isn't that what democracy is all about? And imagine getting anoyed with this adorable iron lady who gets away with practically anything in politics? I'd rather interview her, as a very unlikely fan.

For a more elaborate overview of the Danish political scene, please see:

http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/cliff-notes-to-danish-politics.html

A Modern Pretorian Guard

Here, there, everywhere. Have you noticed the growth in security firms and surveillance companies during this past decennium? They are in stores, in all forms of transportation systems, hotels, airports, in our mobiles, GPS, ATM's, our work places - and what the heck, why don't we even allow them into our private residence areas? They tape us and own the rights to the tapes. To protect us, naturally.

One of these companies, beginning and ending with a letter and a figure interfixed, has grown out of absolutely nothing for the past eight years through acquisitions. I even saw them at the municipality job centre. Three man tall sitting lazily around reading newspapers the entire day - when not doing an hourly round to watch over the job seekers at the computers. Or filling paper into the printers. Three man tall, full time, doing the job of a part time page girl. The paradox is: there are never any incidents to justify their presence (one such could of course be staged to justify the need for them). And I'm sure that they could be called - or rightly so, the police - if needed. Imagine the amount of tax dollars that go into these guards reading newspapers the entire day.

I say, with this constant eye in the sky - why don't we join in the game? Have some fun with this East block method. Let's start watching these guards closely. Just a taste of their own methods. Little Brother style.

Meta-Comment No. 9

Do you know the feeling when you want to express gratitude, but you can't find the words? Or can't reach the ones you want to thank? The frustration of it? Here goes, without words it comes out something like this: *PB#JS%SC@!

Homophobic Paradox

Most men enjoy watching two women kissing. I'm not sure that the case is the same when reversely women watch two men kissing. Personally, I don't mind it either. Good for them, I think. But in the 21st century homophobia still keeps the Copenhagen Metro Company from showing the winning film from the short film festival 60Seconds - because it might offend people. Eventhough the Copenhagen Metro Company co-arranged the festival. Two men kissing. Big deal. In a shower - but from the waist up. In these CO2 awareness times, aren't they doing the politically correct thing: shower with a friend!

Watch and decide for yourself:

http://politiken.dk/indland/article752591.ece#poll752647

http://politiken.tv/nyheder/indland/article752663.ece

Walter Russell Mead in Town

11th June American historian Walter Russell Mead, a Henry A. Kissinger fellow for American foreign policy at Council of Foreign Affairs in NY, gave a lecture at CAST/Centre for Advanced Security Theory at University of Copenhagen.

Where he also gave an interview. One of the points was that an American president had more or less four strings to play in exercising American foreign policy:

• The Hamiltonian - Goal: to develop world trade and commercialize countries
• Based on Alexander Hamilton. The initiator of the American Constitution under first US president George Washington.

• The Wilsonian - Goal: to change the world and to develop democracies worldwide
• Based on Woodrow Wilson. US president 1913-21 and initiator of the UN forerunner, Leage of Nations.

• The Jeffersonian - Goal: to ignore the world and to ensure freedom/security at home
• Based on Thomas Jefferson. The architect behind the Declaration of Independence and third US president.

• The Jacksonian - Goal: to protect American interests by force if necessary
• Based on Andrew Jackson. Seventh US president, American General who drove native Americans to the West.

"Obama's approaches in foreign policy are deeply rooted in these four schools. If you read his speeches with these four schools in mind, you'll find that he is something of a violinist. And although he seems to hit the Jacksonian string less - he does hit it," Walter Russell Mead claims.

His point being that any given president will change his role during a presidency, based on circumstances. From the universally open role to the realistic-cynical role when the United States is threatened. Even Obama, if faced with threats to mainland USA or the Americans.

"Suppose the Iranians respond to his ouvertures and it all goes very nicely, we would get one kind of approach. But if they keep testing missils and get closer to a bomb, we could see another approach. And it's interesting that every time he's asked, Obama says, 'I don't take options off the table'. Unlike Bush, he doesn't go around saying it all the time, but if you ask him, that is what he will tell you," Mead stresses. Paradox: Different package - same contents.

Interview Project

The hiatus at Paradoxical News was also spent continuing the interview project about journalism and the use of sources, and more interviews are lined up in the nearest future. To the benefit of the readership of Paradoxical News.

Paradoxical News Hiatus

The permanent readership of Paradoxical News will have noticed a break in the segments. This hiatus was spent moving HQ. The editor of Paradoxical News is sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, and would like to express gratitude to its readership for the patience shown during this period.

Party Leader Debate

The elections for both the EU Parliament and regarding gender equality in the right to the Danish throne ended up in a debate between the party leaders, hosted by Lotte Mejlhede/TV2 and Kim Bildsøe Lassen/DR1.

First up was Margrethe Vestager from The Social Liberals (B) - since her party has fought hard to make the change in the Constitution not only to be about gender equality to the throne, but a more complex modernisation - including a review of the fundamental rule and of a more expressed inclusion of human and civil rights into the Constitution. A comprehensive modernisation the party before the election now saw as being very slim. Therefore members of the party had opted for giving blank votes on this issue.

So, not for being against gender equality on the throne - but for the above reasons, Margrethe Vestager was asked to explain the party's lack of success in convincing the electorate (The Social-Liberals ended up 'losing' both elections). And to explain the paradox: were there - in fact - many republicans within her semi-liberal party?

The Liberals

Second in line in the European Parliament/EP were The Liberals (V) with oddly 20 percent of the votes and three out of thirteen mandates. PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen was happy to announce progress since the last elections (less than one percent), thanking voters. And also celebrated the gender equality for princes and princesses alike - when it comes to access to the Danish throne.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen then handed the microphone to new EP member and former liberal spokesperson Jens Rohde, who also thanked the voters and more or less commented on the same issues (apart from a later warm thank you note to his wife - also a building constructor at home - for her strong support):

The Social Democrats

The Social Democrats (S) were topscorers at the EU election, although they had to take a beat from the last EU elections. Party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt thanked the many supporters and first candidate Dan Jørgensen for his hard work - and became the overall winner of the election to the European Parliament/EP.

Dan Jørgensen in turn thanked his party leader and former Prime Minister and later EP member, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, who supported his campaign with posters reading 'Do like Poul, vote for Dan'. Well, although this received many laughs along the campaign, many actually did - a reference he made during his thank you speech below: