It's the Economy...

'It's the economy, stupid' - goes an old political saying. Meaning that if you want to win a political election, you focus on what matters the most to people, the voters. Namely the economy. And everywhere in international politics the economy is at the centre. President Obama calling for financial and economic reforms in the USA. German Kansler Merkel calling for a need to bail out fellow European Union member Greece in troubled times, hesitantly because she too is up for election. But faces EU legitimacy at the same time. British de facto PM Gordon Brown trying to focus his attention on economic issues. Because that is what matters the most to people. That is what makes everything else fall into place. Even here at PN there is one overall issue. It's the economy...

Historic Visit by Mr. Gazprom

Russian President Medvedev just visited Denmark on a historic state visit, which took him to dinner with Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II at her private residence, and a state dinner. Apart from a conference with Danish business leaders in the energy sector. The honourable Gazprom President made ties and deals with several major Danish companies, and with the Danish state regarding a gas line in the Baltic Sea. When this visit was not covered more intensely by PN, the reason was that press accreditation sadly could not be granted. Hopefully some other time. Paradoxically, judging from the turnout of international journalists during the press conference, many important international media representatives couldn't either. So PN was not alone to miss the event with Mr. Gazprom himself.

The Reform Parties Are Back

A joint Danish opposition now issues a statement calling for economic reform by the ruling government. The Social Democrats (A), The Socialist People's Party (F), The Social Liberals (B) - and even government supporter Liberal Alliance (I). The two last mentioned being the reform parties to end all reform parties. And hey, where have the Social Liberals been these past few months? What the joint reformers want is for the Danish government to live up to the economic standards put forward by the European Union, by cutting costs of early retirement plan assurances (for the still fit to work) - and instead placing them on healthcare, schools, and the elderly. And on green investments. The ruling government of The Liberals (V) and The Conservatives (C) have been reluctant to deal with the cutting of the very popular early retirement plan assurances. I.e. cutting votes. Paradoxically, reform is a whole lot easier to agitate for, when not in government.

For further information, please see:
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/04/29/074916.htm
http://politiken.dk/politik/article959738.ece
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/s-sf-og-r-kraever-oekonomiske-reformer-1

Sorry Seems to Be...

Once upon a time, sorry seemed to be the hardest word. To quote an old Elton John song. Nowadays, sorry seems to be the rule of day in international politics. Latest with British de facto PM Gordon Brown's slip of the tongue in irritation over a debate with a female Labour voter. So afterwards he goes out of his way to apologize. To the women herself. To his party. To the public. With the media still falling over Brown ruling him out as a winner at the election one week away. Except election rival Nick Clegg, who deems the incident over, handled with an apology, and done with. Brown's remark can't be taken back. But look, he said he was sorry. 'Sorry' seems to be the operative word here.

For further information, please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8650546.stm
http://ukelection.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/28/why-browns-gaffe-could-get-worse/?hpt=C2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/28/gordon-brown-penitent-bigot-gaffe-campaign
http://politiken.dk/udland/article959602.ece

Meta-Comment No. 21

Justitia. The blindfolded ruler of justice. Without eyes, but an acute sense of hearing and a soothing voice, she manages it all. And finds pathways to justice. She is there for the protection of people who are in situations where they need it. From people in the middle of unlawfull events that may fall upon us all, to the weak and defenceless people who can't speak for themselves. To the people who don't even have the luxury of being granted the basic human right of having their say in a court of law. Be it in totalitarian regimes or even in democracies that enforce anti-terror laws that don't leave this option of stating their side of the case in defence for themselves. It goes without saying that security issues weigh heavily, but it does also pave the way for potential miscarriage of justice. Leaving the possibility of framing an option for other people. Everything is possible without eyes. Blindfoldedly. But it takes an acute sense of hearing.

Bridging Gaps & Uniting Differences

The Socialist People's Party (F) held their annual congress in Odense this weekend. And my, oh my have they come far from the original socialist perception of what politics is all about. Some 700 members joined the three-day congress to listen to the new party line - and to give their views in return. They were all there, from the eternal student protesters to the blue collar workers and the small entrepreneurs to the school teachers, health care workers, and the creative class representatives. And although this leaves probably the widest range to bridge in any Danish political party, the congress showed that it could be done. As long as they have fuzzy political party leader Villy Søvndal to join the forces. With the sole purpose of going after the power of government with Social Democrat leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt (A) at the next election, to be held no later than in 2011.

Villy Søvndal himself confirmed to PN that this new line was strictly in order to make the party fit for government. And for this purpose the country management team had to be strengthened, leaving less to endless debates as is the tradition within the party. Ole Sohn, group leader at Christiansborg, now financial spokesperson for the party - and a former member of the Communist party - paradoxically stressed the new line of co-operation with private companies in the less populated areas to bring back economic growth and ensuring livelyhoods in these areas. Mainly through investments in education and job creation within the health care, energy and environment areas.

Member of the parliamentary presidium, spokesperson for defence issues, and formerly party leader - Holger K. Nielsen found that the party had always bridged very far, and fully supported the new line in order to go for government power. Several party members around the country and Christiansborg parliament members supported the new bridging line, but also stressed the need for continued focus on the poor and weak people in all areas of the country - not just in sparsely populated outskirts of the country. Among them spokesperson for social issues, Özlem Cekic. But also she supported the new party line.

An election was carried out to form a new country management team. PN asked around among the delegates and members on election, and the opinions varied much. Some found that a professionalised management of less than twenty people would ease the decision making process over the classic board of close to forty people and an elaborate local committee system. One former country board member stressed the need for a professional election of people for the country management team consisting of all kinds of representatives, all parts of the country, male-female, and most importantly stressed the need for participants from various counselling organs, NGO's, and other political interest groups. And others found that this very part of the change would damage the democratic process within the party, and leave a huge gap and a top-down decision making process.

Still, all members found that these complications were subject to heading for actual decision making power - as a government party. Paradoxically the smell of power is sweet, even to the protesters by definition.

UK Election Race Narrowing

After the second televised debate on Thursday in Bristol between Labour/Brown, Conservatives/Cameron, and Liberals/Clegg - it had to happen, and it happened: Clegg lost momentum, as experienced Brown stepped it up on foreign policy and heavier issues, advocating for substance over style. Although Clegg still came out on top with a 33 percent support versus app. 29 percent to each of Brown and Cameron, according to an ICM poll.

The race between these three major British political parties hasn't been this close since 1985-86, with about 29-35 percent to each of the parties, only with mild fluctuations between them over the mid-80'ies. After which Labour took the lead in the 90'ies, with 40-50 percent support during the Tony Blair years. And later, after 2007, the Conservatives with an approximate 40-45 percent support.

If this narrow race continues, we could see a situation called a 'Hung Parliament' which means that neither party will win convincingly, and would have to rely on a coalition of parties to form government.

For further information, please see:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8635098.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/23/opinion-poll-nick-clegg-victory

UK Election in Progress

After the first televised debate of Labour/Gordon Brown, Conservatives/David Cameron, and Liberals/Nick Clegg, the relatively inexperienced Nick Clegg stormed through as the most convincing debater. He is a newcomer with constituency in Sheffield Hallam, where he won the election with 51,2 percent of the votes in 2005. He has a journalistic background, degrees from Cambridge/UK and Minnesota/USA. He has served in the European Commission 1994-96 and been MEP/member of the European Parliament from 1999-2004.

Danish opposition leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt (A), a Social Democrat, knows him from this role, speaks positively of him, and describes him as an eager European Union supporter. However, this very fact may also be one of his disadvantages with the British electorate, most of whom have less than luke warm feelings towards the union. Let's see how he will do when the debates continue next week over foreign policy among other issues.

For further information, please see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/person/8485/nick-clegg
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/oct/21/icm-poll-data-labour-conservatives

Royal Birthday - Part Three

Later on Friday 16th April at Fredensborg Castle, before the private birthday dinner of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II's dinner for Royal family members of Europe and a host of other guests, there were several shifts of The Royal Guard.

One fascinating little event was when smaller groups of guards in red and blue ceremonial uniforms left their tiny cafeteria and kitchen with little bundles of army dress under their arms. This, I was told, was for one very practical reason:

The red-blue uniforms are made of thick and tender wool. And for dry clean reasons, they are not to be messed with - say, with stains of grease or the smell of food. So every time the guards enter the kitchen house, they make a shift of clothes from ceremonial outfit to regular camouflage army wear. And back again after the last bite. Leaving an odd little scene of guards with bundled packages of clothes under their arms for the waiting crowds. I'll make a note of that practice for my next shift before eating.

Royal Birthday - Part Two

No sooner had The Danish Royal Guard marched in front of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II's mansion, before cheering crowds of people stormed the now empty space in front of the balcony for an optimal view, when The Queen came out on the balcony to greet her visitors - with her closest family, Prince Consort Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik X and Crown Princess Mary from Tasmania/Australia, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie from France - and all of her grand children.

As one woman in the crowd noted, 'I once shook the hand of Bill Clinton during his visit - but the Americans don't really have this kind of ceremony, do they?' To which her husband noted, 'I don't know about that, after shaking Clinton's hand she didn't wash her hand for several weeks, and she hasn't been quite herself since then either.'

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik leaving Amalienborg in horse driven coach.

Royal Birthday - Part One

Nothing beats having your own private guard, does it? The Danish Royal Guard marched before Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II opened her balcony doors to greet and be greeted by her visitors at noon on 16th April of her 70th birthday at the square of Amalienborg Palace.

Children, grown ups, French, German, Italian, British, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Canadian, Japanese - flag waving, ice cream eating, coffee drinking - crowds of tens of thousands of visitors had come to salute the Queen on her birthday.

Some young visitors had even brought their own - almost royal - coach. And spent the long wait for the Queen having a sunshine picnic.

Breaking Nukes

Bibi & Obama - A Love Story

Apparently PM Benjamin Netanyahu is not going to join the nuclear summit with 47 state leaders. Egypt and Turkey are expected to criticise Israel for not informing other countries about its nuclear status. Israel hasn't signed a non-proliferation treaty, and has never confirmed that the country is a nuclear power. According to the media, the reason for Netanyahu's cancellation to the summit is that the air is cold between himself and President Obama over the settlement issue in East Jerusalem. Another explanation from Israel is that he is concentrating on Jewish the holiday of Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day on 11th April. Nukes or no nukes. Cold or hot air. This has the liking to a love story. No doubt they will make up again.

For further information, please see:

http://www.berlingske.dk/verden/netanyahu-deltager-ikke-i-atommoede-i-usa

http://jp.dk/udland/mideast/article2033219.ece

http://www.information.dk/person/benjamin-netanyahu

Collection of Colours

Colour in Art is the aptly named exhibition of colourful paintings at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art to the North of Copenhagen. Some 150 paintings by 72 artists. Among the very noteworthy: Matisse, Nolde, Monet, Kandinsky, Picasso, Klein, Miró, Hockney, Toulouse-Lautrec, Klee, Itten, Kirchner, Müller, Münter, Malevitj.

The exhibition is focused on colour, variations, use of strokes. And also contains a modern section and a display of Itten-like computer tests for the visitors - to test their own colour senses. The exhibition is on until 13th June 2010.

Most of the paintings come from the Merzbacher Kunststiftung, by Werner & Gabrielle Merzbacher. The exhibition also showed a film about Werner Merzbacher's Jewish background, being a Holocaust survivor. And it really impresses to think that - with this background in mind - he has dedicated his life to collecting very colourful - life confirming - paintings. As if to stress the antithesis to the World War II events.

I was fortunate to meet Werner Merzbacher himself visiting the museum on 11th April, during Yom HaShoah, which is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. And was too flabbergasted and pressed by his short time in the museum to set up a real interview, as he joined a group of fur traders (his own profession and foundation for being able to collect all these paintings). But he did explain that he was there to see the extension to his collection with Louisiana's own modern, colourful paintings from the permanent collection.

I admire people who channel revenues, savings, or personal wealth into the collection of art. Later to be enjoyed in a more complete collection with a red thread at various exhibitions. See also my segment on Kandinsky at the Guggenheim from September 2009, with Hilla von Rebay's huge collection of Wassily Kandinsky art works.

For further information, please see:

http://www.louisiana.dk/

http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/kandinsky-at-large.html

Royal Press Conference

Yesterday I was in luck to attend a press conference at the private Royal residence of Fredensborg to the North of Copenhagen in connection with the 70th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II on 16th April.

The press conference was also represented by Prince Consort Henrik for a photo op, while leaving the questions to Her Majesty to deal with. And there was enough to deal with, being asked as varied questions as to sum up her life and work, to comment on world affairs and relations with the Russian President. Questions about modern day Royal life compared to Danish sociatal changes. And was asked to show a good example and not smoke (as she has for most of her life). In Denmark, the regent is more of a ceremonial figure who performs representative tasks and attends official arrangements.

The queen was not shaken - barely stirred - but took all questions and critical hits as they came in. Some with serious and well thought responses. Some with witty remarks. And some with shots from the hip. And by the way - she is not about to stop smoking, even turning 70. So there.

PN managed to get one question through the rain of media questions - what profile she has and is most often revered for as viewed by the Royal family themselves. Compared to the Crown Prince. She mostly stressed the change in generation and gender between them, and the many-facetted tasks that call on different sides of each of them. And commented that although they may appear very different, they have grown very close and can talk about everything.

The Royal Guard at Fredensborg preparing for the official parades.

For further information, please see:
http://kongehuset.dk/publish.php?dogtag=k_dk_familien_dronningen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margrethe_II_of_Denmark

A Royal View from the Kerb

A group of children had taken their kindergarten teacher for an excursion from suburbian Sundbyvester on the airport island of Amager to the Royal Palace of Amalienborg in Copenhagen to witness the opening of the Amalienborg Museum exhibition of Danish Queen Margrethe II's life and artistic works.

The international crowd of children represented the nations of Iceland, Korea, Lebanon, etc. - and the young correspondents took to the first line of the kerb for a better view of the event.

The international correspondents witnessed first Crown Prince Frederik X and Crown Princess Mary arrive a little early. And later the Queen herself and the Prince Consort Henrik as they arrived last as tradition prescribes.

The exhibition is to mark the Regent's 70th birthday next week, and opens to the public from 8th April to 19th September in the Christian VIII mansion at Amalienborg. Not to be confused with the recently renovated and redecorated private Frederik VIII mansion of Crown Prince Frederik X and Crown Princess Mary, which is also open to the public in the period from 27th February to 30th May this year.

The security clad correspondents later gathered around their kindergarten teacher and chief photographer for a brief editorial meeting to make a selection of favourite photos.

For further information, please see:
http://www.rosenborgslot.dk/asp/menu/menuPages/amalienborg.asp?countryID=1

In The Mind of The Beholder

It's all in the eye of the beholder, an old saying goes. Paradoxically, perhaps it is more in the mind of the beholder when it comes to the below linked illustration. According to Danish media magazine Journalisten, a satirical illustration in German magazine Titanic of the current debate about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, has created a storm of protests from furious religious and other groups received at the German press council. Christian politicians from CDU have also protested against the illustration of a Catholic priest kneeling in front of a crucified Jesus figure. And Facebook groups have gathered for and against, respectively. To me it is quite unclear what exactly the priest is doing. Judge for yourselves: It is all in the mind of the beholder.

For further information, please see:
http://journalisten.dk/taxonomy/term/4605
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_(magazine)

UK Election Kick-Off

Brown, Cameron, or Clegg? The British election has been kicked off as expected this morning, with the British de facto PM Gordon Brown dissolving the parliament in order to set the election in motion on May 6th. And the British voters are to make their choices mainly between Brown/Labour, Cameron/Conservatives, or Clegg/Liberals.

The Conservatives have gained momentum over Labour after three periods of Labour. But according to the most recent ICM poll mentioned by BBC World and The Guardian, the lead of Conservatives over Labour has diminished by four points only since last week to a 37 percent over 33 percent lead. With about 21 percent expected to go to the Liberals.

According to an interactive constituents' tracker in The Guardian, the predominant Labour areas are centered in the Greater London area and to the North of Britain, whereas Conservatives have a stronghold to the South. With scatters of Liberals playing around the whole country. Let's see how it goes.

For further information, please see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/06/britain.general.election/index.html?hpt=T1
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2010/apr/06/general-election-campaign-starts#start-of-comments
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8280050.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2010/apr/06/general-election-campaign-starts#start-of-comments

Paradoxical Survival

Phew...! Apart from those very unfortunate who died in traffic or mining accidents, passed away after long lasting diseases, or who came to the end of their lives in other ways - loving thoughts to them and their grieving loved ones - most of us managed to survive Easter/Passover. Be that because of a large intake of chocolates and eggs - or despite of it.

Only to witness the most horrendous stories continue to unfold about the sexual abuse scandals of the Catholic Church. And now even implicating the Pope in a controversy between the Jewish and the Catholic religious societies. Can't it rest at least during Easter/Passover? Live and let live.

Paradoxical News is still fighting to get the news across, however paradoxical. But with working conditions of e-mail boxes and phone connections that only allow access to certain people and not others. And with whole audio segments being destroyed from my recorder after interviews (even when played at top sound level and eventhough the digital sound bars do in fact 'read' the recordings) - it is kind of hard to survive in the media business.

Some sources the edior-in-chief has tried to get into contact with about a zillion times, currently and withtin these past few years. Whether it be the chairman of the Danish regions, central sources in the defence scandal, Danish political commentators and analysts, or the bishop and leader of the Danish church - in connection with current news stories. So judging from the outcome in PN, it may look like the editor-in-chief is not really trying. But I can assure you that technical barriers are the real reason for the overall PN performance. And paradoxical survival.

Happy Easter/Passover!

From its refurnished - if interrim - HQ Paradoxical News wishes all readers, followers, supporters, and friends the best possible Easter/Passover holidays! Hopefully these next few days the Bunny will bring as many chocolate eggs as you can stomach - and as joyous a spring beyond the sinister times as you can imagine.

The Anti-Social Socials

According to a recent study end of March by Danish Center for Terror Analysis (CTA) under PET/Danish Security and Intelligence Service, the social media like Facebook and YouTube are used to radicalise young people to a higher and higher extent. By making use of support groups, spreading files, etc. A very open and social approach, it would appear.

In Denmark, another study of 1113 Muslim respondents aged 15-30 from the beginning of 2010 in the report called House of War from The Danish School at Aarhus, carried out by researchers Marco Goli (associate professor at Metropol) and Shahamak Rezaei (associate professor at Roskilde University), describes radicalisation and splits Muslims residing in Denmark into four groups:

The Seculars (49,4 percent), the Fundamentalists (27 percent), the Rebellious (18 percent), and the Radicalised (5,6 percent). The first group being quiet Muslims integrated and integrating their faith into norms and laws of the country. The Fundamentalists as taking their faith deeply serious, but not by use of extreme measures. The Rebellious group as being simply lost and frustrated young Muslims who find an outlet for their frustrations in sympathy for militant islamist groups, but do not actually support militant actions. And then the last group of the Radicalised and militant Muslims, who use Islam as a vehicle for extreme and expressive measures.

Surprisingly, the ratio of the most radicalised groups is not found in the Copenhagen area, but in suburbs like Høje Taastrup West of Copenhagen, and in Kalundborg at the Northwestern tip of the island of Sealand. And with respect to their ethnic backgrounds, they are more likely of Somalian and Lebanese/Palestinian origin, than of Iranian/Iraqian origin. They are often born in either Denmark or 3rd country, other than country of origin.

They have no shortage of so-called 'economic capital', since overrepresented in high income groups. With respect to 'cultural capital', more often than other groups they have lower or medium education, rather than higher education. They have stronger attachments to local imams, and condemn muslims who convert to other religions. Although, paradoxically, they are underrepresented among the groups in longing for and visiting their countries of origin - the so-called Diaspora explanation.

The Radicalised are often singles, middle children in the family. But in contradiction to widespread perception, they are not solitude, but rather spend the same amount of time with friends, also cross-culturally with other Danes. They are very fluent in Danish. They also more frequently have ethnic Danish partners. So the study finds no evidence that the group of Radicalised have a shortage of so-called 'social capital' compared with the other three groups. As the CTA report confirms, they are also frequent social media users.

The House of War report does not conclude on the radicalisation process. It describes various factors. A yes and no verification, that is summed up in the double edged question: Do people become more radicalized because they go to the Mosque more often? Or do they go to the Mosque more often, because they submit a radical interpretation of Islam? A paradox a bit like the one about the hen and the egg.

So here's today's paradox for you. To be coined at Paradoxical News as The Anti-Social Socials Paradox: How come that basically social Muslims turn to highly anti-social measures?

For further information, please see:
http://www.pet.dk/upload/youtube_og_facebook_-_de_nye_radikaliseringsværktøjer.pdf
http://magenta.ruc.dk/isg/nyheder/30082295/doc/

You've Been Had

Piranhas escaping the national aquarium swamping The Baltic Sea. The Round Tower of Copenhagen to be exported to Norway. Live chickens in chocolate Easter eggs. The paintings by Danish Queen Margrethe II stolen from museum. British PM Gordon Brown to appear in election campaign as an alpha male bully. Former PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen found to be a decendent of a Turkish pirate.

By tradition, April 1st has all the jesters come out to play. None more eagerly than media people. Sadly April 1st seems to continue all year round. If only the sex abuse scandals of the Catholic Church (in USA, in Ireland, in Denmark, or whereever) were part of the April 1st jests. If only the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was too. But hey, there's always next April 1st!

Paradoxical News has covered many paradoxical stories for more than eighteen months now. The stories keep pouring in. If only the funds did too. PN is a bit like the now abandoned bumble bee theory: it shouldn't be able to fly. Well, ladies and gentlemen: You've been had!

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

Ring of Fire

7.0 on the Richter scale. 8.8 on the Richter scale. These kinds of earthquake measures are not uncommon. The Pacific Rim counts all countries that embrace the Pacific Ocean, and these countries are known to be haunted by earthquakes and other natural disasters, following the movement of tectonic plates, volcano and under sea eruptions, etc. These disasters will happen, and no human being has the power to stop them - however sincere and dedicated the efforts may be. They generate world wide sympathy and a generous flow of relief funds. Because everyone knows that damages that are not self-inflicted can't be the cause of blame of those trapped by them. As nature will have it - there are limits to what human beings can be deemed responsible for.

For further information, please see:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tectonic_plates.png
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8540625.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8540473.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/28/chile.quake/index.html

Meta-Comment No. 18

The editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News believes very firmly in personal responsibility and accountability. Hence the below segment on blind fist fighting. But there are even limits to that. Forces majeures for instance. When your maneuvreability is limited to square feet, and you can't move an inch. When your chest is under pressure, and your health is endagered. When your roads are constricted, and your funds non-existent. When your lines of communication are blocked, and you can't do anything to get yourself out of your situation, because these efforts are constricted by stronger powers than you. Then all you can do is to stay put, play by the rules, try to appease the powers responsible above you - and hope for the best. Hence the below segment on blind fist fighting.

Blind Fist Fighting

You spell like the blind fight! - goes an old saying. The problem in this scenario is not the visually impaired. All due respect. And the point here is not that the spelling at Paradoxical News on and off may be like the throwing of dice in a game of Yatzi. That may be, and sometimes corrections follow. The point is that the editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News has spent quite some time practicing blind fist fighting. It's been quite a challenge - and I must say, a bumpy ride. Spurting out dissatisfactions. Moving HQ. Just to mention a few punches.

So what is blind fist fighting? A new Olympic discipline started in Vancouver? Well, if you've seen the film Fight Club from 1999, based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel, directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter in leading roles - you may be able to picture the scene with Edward Norton towards the end. If not, go see (again). The point is not split personality. The point is what you do to yourself. You do not talk about Fight Club. You show it. Who cares about the spelling, anyway?

Homage to My Favourites

Victor Borge, Woody Allen, Alan Alda, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jon Stewart - just to mention a few. I grew up on these tv-people, and so many more comedians. They have caused me to bite in the blanket and shed tears of giggles so many times over. It goes without saying, that they can't be blamed for the less entertaining bits of Paradoxical News. I take the full responsibility there. But whenever I have managed to write something that is even remotely funny - I owe it all to them. And to so many others.

Good on Ya, Mate!

What's come over the funloving, openminded Australians? Whitney Houston has come back for a concert in Brisbane on 24th February - and according to CBS, fans and audiences were disappointed, and bashed her performance completely. Paradoxical News wasn't there, but it got the editor-in-chief thinking: How cruel do you have to be to a woman, who has had a very rough couple of years and undergone so many adversities that most people never experience themselves? At least she has made the effort - how ever incomplete it may have been - to make a comeback. Doesn't that count for something? A little empathy, perhaps?

When I'm so surprised of the rough reactions to her concert, it comes from my knowledge of the Australians. I have come to know many during my travels all over Australia - and I even spent the most hilarious Y2K celebration there - and was among the first to see the turn of the century surrounded by fun, cheering, and open Australians.

Whether in Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Tasmania, Uluru, Alice Springs, Darwin, Perth, Monkey Mia, Albany, Kalgoorlie, or so many other places during my trips (hello again!) - I've met nothing but fun and open Australians. Always there to greet you, and to stretch out a helping hand. I'm just so surprised that at least the audience didn't consider that this performer has struggled to come back. All that is needed is a little empathy to get everything right again. It just doesn't get easier with a bashing from the get-go. Give Whitney Houston a tap on her shoulder - Good on Ya, mate! And she will prevail.

For further information, please see:
http://cbs2.com/entertainment/whitney.houston.brisbane.2.1518365.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wXUVHjzYDk&feature=related

Another Change of Guards

It's been stated many times over here at Paradoxical News why exactly it was founded - and the editor-in-chief has made the necessary disclaimers on the front page and in several segments along the way: sometimes politics become just one bit too paradoxical even for Paradoxical News to follow.

Although it's been fantastic to see that many new world leaders and Danish political roles play out within just a span of 1-2 years, perhaps also too much about a constant shift of new faces - in Denmark and abroad. More so than actual political programmes and actions. The editor-in-chief started out with the best of intentions, methods, and seriousity in Danish journalism (I know that at least some of my editors, professors, and co-students along the way will confirm the starting point) - but was caught up by the paradoxical events that followed that mixed up these serious intentions. And chose the right medium to report the events.

And though Paradoxical News fully recognizes the effort and the perseverance that Danish politicians have shown over the past years, this latest change of guards as of today will only be referred to by PN. If you have the mind and the perseverance to follow the political life and roles of this new - and in many cases non-descript - crew, feel free. Best of luck to the new gallery of people in Danish politics. The editor-in-chief hopes they will be having fun. It certainly has been entertaining up until now.

For further information, please see below:
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Temaer/2010/Ministerrokade/0223032706
http://politiken.dk/politik/article908236.ece
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/regeringsrokaden-er-paa-plads

Sorry Time!

I forgive you, Tiger! In the aftermath of the heart-wrenching apology from US golf player Tiger Woods on Friday for his extra-marrital curriculum, the editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News would like to express support for a man who has the courage to take a public spanking. And the empathy to make a complete public announcement about his mistake. Proof that he is - paradoxically - just another human being.

For further information, please see:
http://web.tigerwoods.com/news/article/201002198096934/news/

Sorry Time! And while we are at it, why doesn't this editor-in-chief send out a sincere apology for all those people, whom I may have offended, disappointed, or compromised this year or in past years. No time is too soon. Spread the word and trend. Feel free to do likewise.

Sometimes you can't really be sure who you may have offended - but with my luck I'm sure that there must be some people out there. Friends, supporters, sponsors, teachers, superiors, inspirations. You know who you are. If not, why don't we include all people on the entire Paradoxical News THX list - and then some (just let me know) - that I may have wronged at some point:

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

Gade-Gate Status

Apart from the spin around it, Gade-Gate itself is at a stand-still while the police investigation goes on. Paradoxical News tried to get a comment from the one responsible for another investigation about the so-called special force soldier book (Jægerbogen) by former special force soldier from the defence in the fall of 2009, i.e. the man in charge from the judge advocate, Peter Otken, but he only had short comments:

'The judge advocate carries out investigations along the same lines as the Administration of Justice Act, like the police investigations. It is not until a file is taken to court that there is a duty to give liable explanations,’ he says.

How come that it is not left to the judge advocate to carry out a more thorough investigation of the leak in the Ministry of Defence?

’I can't explain that, but the judge advocate has the competence to investigate suspicion of punishable offences. And if you simply don't know who the culprit is, that must be the reason why the informer has turned the matter over to the police in Copenhagen. But I'm not in charge of that matter,’ Peter Otken explains.

Hasn't there been an internal debate whether the judge advocate should carry out that investigation?

’I have no knowledge of that. Contrary to the other case, where I'm in charge of the investigation and can make statements - I have no knowledge and therefore can't comment in this particular case,’ the judge advocate rounds up by giving information about the so-called Jægebog-case:

The Jægerbog-investigation and report from it was expected some time during the month of February. But so far the officially appointed examiner for the two main witnesses from the Ministry of Defence (Jesper Britze, IT-responsible, and Lars Sønderskov, in charge of communications) has taken a prolonged vacation out of the country in February. Which means that the witnesses paradoxically can't be interrogated. So according to Peter Otken the final report of the investigation is not to be expected before earliest after the end of February - and no one could say, says Peter Otken, if the case will drag out even further.

Two seperate investigations, possibly several trials, and lots of spin down the road. Gade-Gate is still on the move.

For further updates, please see:
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/02/gade-gate-on-spin.html
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/02/gade-gate-on-move.html
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/01/defense-in-shambles.html

Gade-Gate on The Spin

Gade-Gate is not only on the move - it's on 'The Spin' now. Since last reported here at Paradoxical News, a long list of events have tumbled over each other in the story about the leak from minister Søren Gade's Ministry of Defence. Many events have been too paradoxical even for PN to cover. But a short resumé suffices: Defence Minister Gade's spin doctor, Jacob Winther, has reported documentarist Christoffer Guldbrandsen to the police instead of filing a slander case against him directly. Since that a DR/Danish Broadcasting Corporation employee - and close friend and co-worker on the Guldbrandsen documentary - had made a tape recording, allegedly with Jacob Winther, and allegedly proving Guldbrandsen's major claim against Winther.

DR claimed the tape recording back, and it turned out that after hearing the tape Director General of DR, Kenneth Plummer, would protect the source and therefore NOT publish it. Leaving all Danish media and the public in the dark. And now every editor-in-chief of all major Danish media are firing at Kenneth Plummer for locking up the tape. Among them editors-in-chief Bent Falbert from Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet, daily Jyllands-Posten's Jørn Mikkelsen, daily Politiken's Stig Kirk Ørskov, tabloid B.T.'s Olav Skaaning Andersen, and daily Berlingske Tidende's Lisbeth Knudsen.

Alongside these events, several media people and other spin doctors are commenting the tape recording, saying that communication with a press officer and spin doctor is to be understood to be confidential background talk and not for quoting and publication, among them TV2 commentator and former spin doctor for Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Henrik Qvortrup. Others are claiming Jacob Winther's leave of office, due to a lapse of trustworth, among them Charlotte Aagaard, Defence reporter at the independent left wing daily of Information. Confused? You won't be after the next episode of Soa...arhm Gade-Gate.

Paradoxical News tried over and over again for the past three weeks to get a hold of Christoffer Guldbrandsen for a comment, since already speaking with Jacob Winther, Søren Gade, Søren Espersen, de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen - see segments below (not easy at PN working with a phone line and a mailbox that apparently only give access to pro-government people).

Furthermore, today, PN tried to get comments from DR Director General Kenneth Plummer and news editor at DR, Ulrik Haagerup, again Christoffer Guldbrandsen, and again Jacob Winther (on vacation) - all with the purpose of getting more facts straight. But PN managed to get a short statement from chairman of the board at DR/Danish Broadcasting Corporation, Michael Christiansen (a politically influential person who has been criticized for meddling in Gade-Gate and Tape-Gate):

'I have no comments about the so-called leak story apart from the one I already made, which is that the Director General has my full support,' Michael Christiansen says (in keeping the tape recording under lock).

The paradox in all this? That a serious story about a leak from the Ministry of Defence with potential widespread consequences for Danish special force soldiers and national security - not to speak of the serious consequences of imprisonment for a ministry press officer leaking national security information to members of the press - has turned into a spin story with media people falling over each other to move the story away from the focal point - i.e. the PN angle: Gade-Gate on The Spin.

For further information, please see:
http://politiken.dk/politik/article903014.ece
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/enhedslisten-kritiserer-dr-i-laeksag
http://journalisten.dk/fem-chefredaktorer-plummer-har-handlet-helt-forkert
http://journalisten.dk/pressechefer-forventer-fortrolighed-fra-journalister
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/02/gade-gate-on-move.html
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/01/defense-in-shambles.html

If You Can't Beat Him - Kiss Him!

The editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News would like to send out a sincere Valentine for a very special man - he knows who he is - whilst at the same time sending a message for all lovers out there with an impossible man in your thoughts today: If you can't beat him - kiss him!

Hook, Line, and Sinker

Time for storytelling!

A fisherman is sitting on the shore. He has put on his bait, thrown in his hook. Carefully prepared his fishing. Holding and testing his line. He now gets a strong pull and pulls back, fighting to get his catch. An exhausting power contest sets in. The fish must be huge, the amount of struggle he's in for.

On a distant, opposite shore sits another fisherman. He has put on his bait, thrown in his hook. Carefully prepared his fishing. Holding and testing his line. He now gets a strong pull and pulls back, fighting to get his catch. An exhausting power contest sets in. The fish must be huge, the amount of struggle he's in for.

The two fishermen can't spot each other. But both are convinced they have their great catch. Both convinced they will be victorious. They are hooked. Can't give it up. Both in too deep. Hook, line, and sinker. There's just an old fisherman's paradox for you.

Meta-Comment No. 17

Observation. Insight. Stamina. Time. Patience. These skills are inherent and mark the true strategist. They can't be taught. They will board the apex and can carry the weight of secrets. The rest are just tacticians playing at it. The huger the desk, the larger the shoes and arm movements - the less of a strategist. Only a strategist can spot another strategist. My favourite strategist is sharp. But sadly - as yet - searching for foot soldiers. Patience will have him spot the strategist among them. It may take a while.

Gade-Gate on The Move

Since the onset of Gade-Gate, the Minister of Defence, Søren Gade, has been under pressure from the media to initiate an internal investigation of the leak of information about a covert mission of special forces in 2007. Allegedly coming from his special advisor and press officer, Jacob Winther. And the latest information is that the tape recording is said to have come from an employee at DR/Danish Broadcasting Corporation. Minister of Defence Søren Gade still maintains that a police investigation is sufficient.

’I hope that citizens of this country – like myself – have great confidence in the police force. And as I've said several times, naturally we will assist the police as best we can. We have provided them with the information we have. I've said - like the chairman of the foreign policy committee - that if anyone has information, to shed a light on this matter, I think that they should go to the police,’ Minister of Defence Søren Gade said yesterday. A point he maintains today at an open asking time with the joint opposition.

The minister was asked what information he had given to the police.

’Among other things the lists with the group of people, who had information before the meeting in the foreign policy committe in 2007. That was what was laid as a basis for the consultation, now given to the police,' he elaborates about the long list of people within the Ministry of Defence and its affiliate personnel institutions who knew about the covert mission.

Minister Søren Gade was then asked if it wasn't best if his chief press officer was relieved of duty during this investigation.

’Like elsewhere, we have no double standards in the Ministry of Defence. And in all other connections, both journalists and politicians claim that a person is innocent till the opposite is proven,' he maintained, until further standing by his press officer.

Paradoxical News wondered if a political paradox with these national security implications is to be left to a police investigation alone, and at that left to one police officer as the story goes, and so asked the de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V):

PN: How can you live with the fact that this matter is to be left to a common police investigation - and as such not under witness liability?

’We rely on the police to investigate these matters. A leak from the foreign policy committe is an action liable to punishment. It is an offence of the penal code. And it is a police matter to uncover. Apart from that I have to refer to the Minister of Defence...,’ de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded.

PN: Shouldn't the investigation be carried out by the judge advocate - where questioning of the sources is carried out under witness liability?

’I have to refer to the Minister of Defence for an account of this matter. I can only say that DR is running stories about this day after day, more than insinuating that an employee at the Ministry of Defence has done something illegal. If that is the situation, actions should be taken. And the ones who have proof should lay it out openly. Anything else is indecent,’ the de facto PM Løkke Rasmussen maintains.

PN also asked the Søren Espersen (O) from The Danish People's Party in his capacity of member of the foreign policy committee.

PN: If the matter and the tape recording is subject to a civil case why should the tape be produced here, is that reasonable?

’No, but many people and the media are debating this issue. It is not reasonable that we are to wait for maybe fifteen or eighteen months, before we have a resolution. So if someone has the proof of someone who comitted a criminal act, they should go to the police with it. I think that this is the duty one has,' was the opinion of Søren Esperson (O).

PN: But is it satisfactory with a common police investigatioin which is not carried out under witness liability?

’A police investigatioin may not be under witness liability, but I still think that it is fair enough for the police to investigate the tape recording. That should be fine,’ Søren Esperson refrained from demanding any further internal legal investigation in the Ministry of Defence.

Here it comes, here comes the paradox: As Winther-Gate has turned into Gade-Gate, Paradoxical News wonders if a national security leak is in the hands of a single police officer? It would seem that PN will never run out of news stories to cover.

For an update and further information, please see:
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2010/01/defense-in-shambles.html
http://www.dr.dk/nettv/update/?video={db2f2b7f-0ad4-4dbc-8294-2cb193befa4c}