Meta-Comment No. 23

The editor-in-chief of Paradoxical News would once again like to express the most deepfelt gratitude to its hard working journalists. To the PN supporters and readers. And to its sponsors. All working under extreme and impossible conditions. With no fundings. With all bills mounting up. And with lines of communication continuously failing. Many important events pass PN by simply because the correspondents due to budgetary and logistic restraints cannot report from the news scenes. It is not for the lack of will that PN does not report all that it should. In fact, it is only will that keeps PN going.

Bond News

According to The Guardian, the series of James Bond from 1953 is to be continued. The original author of the merits of agent 007, Ian Fleming, is to be succeeded by American thriller writer Jeffery Deaver to take over where the Bond adventures from Fleming's 14 novels and later additions after his death in 1964 ended. The Fleming estate has commissioned Deaver to write a succession, known as Project X, which is to take place in the present. The paradox of 007 is that it just can't be stopped.

For further information, please see:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/28/james-bond-jeffery-deaver

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond

http://www.007.com/

Ask and Tell

US President Obama has had another win in the House of Representatives - to overthrow the ban of gay and lesbians to serve in the military openly declaring their sexual preferences. The so-called 'don't ask, don't tell' law from 1993.

The House vote was 234 to 194 (229 Democrats/5 Republicans in favor, and 168 Republicans/26 Democrats opposed to the law). The result was welcomed by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

The vote was also greeted by President Obama,

'This legislation will help make our armed forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity,' he said according to The New York Times.

The amendment was then repealed by the Senate Armed Services Committee, sponsored by Republicans John McCain and independent Joseph Lieberman (on many issues with conservative views) with a closed vote of 16 members to 12. This is to repeal the law in the Senate. In the words of John McCain, because it would be (quote) 'harmful to the morale and battle effectiveness of our military' (unquote). And according to Lieberman because homosexual men and women serving openly in the armed forces would be pushed out of the military if their sexuality is known. Urging Congress to delay the vote until a military study group has finished a report on the issue.

The issue is controversial in the United States. With the 'don't ask, don't tell' approach, it allows people to close their eyes to the issue altogether. But with the proposed 'ask and tell' bill, the cat is out of the bag.

For further information, please see:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/politics/28tell.html?hp

Sports, Media - and Security Threats

According to Jakob Scharf, Director General of PET/Danish Security and Ingelligence Service, there is a general terror threat which is hightened during the World Cup this summer. And according to Danish daily Politiken, islamists linked to al-Quaeda had planned to make attacks on the Danish football (soccer) team during the World Cup in South Africa next month. With reference to the much publicized Danish cartoons in Jyllands-Posten. The specifics of that piece of information cannot be revealed and confirmed by PET:

'PET does not comment on concrete threats' - but 'The massive media attention during the World Cup in soccer could make the event an attractive target and draw militant islamists outside of South Africa. Therefore it is no surprise that, since April 2010, there have been several statements on militant islamist web pages, that encourage to an attack at the World Cup event an the participating countries. The re-printing of the Muhammed cartoons in February 2008 has led to an intensified focus on Denmark an Danish interests as a target for terror among leading militant islamists abroad,' Director General Jakob Scharf of PET states in a press release.

Bearing in mind the Munich massacre during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and murdered by members of Black September, a militant islamist group under Fatah. The event itself - the media debate afterwards concluded - was thought to be realized due to the huge media attention of major sports events, that are broadcasted worldwide. Sadly effective because it gives air time to the plotters. Paradoxically, sports, media and security issues are closely linked.

For further information, please see:

http://www.pet.dk/Nyheder/VM2010.aspx

http://politiken.dk/indland/article974551.ece

Lib-Dem Reform Draft for UK

One of the first things on the new UK government To Do list is to reverse the heavy use of surveillance introduced during the Labour years. To abolish identity cards and biometric passports. And to regulate surveillance cameras. All for the sake of ensuring people's liberty and privacy. This is probably welcomed by the Brits, looking forward to waking up and going to work everyday without having their every move scrutinezed. But how exactly is that going to be realized? Most of the surveillance equipment has been installed by, in and around private companies. It would appear to be a bit like the nuclear bomb paradox: Once it has been invented, it can't be 'out'vented. Sadly, it is there - like it or not.

For further information, please see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/19/uk.political.reform/index.html?hpt=T2

The Art of Setting Standards

The Battle of Red And Yellow

News from afar: In Thailand the never ending story of red protesters against yellow government supporters continues. The so-called 'Red Shirt' protesters (known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship/UDD) have lower or no education, mainly come from the rural areas of Thailand, and their claim is to re-install former Prime Minister, wealthy business entrepreneur Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-2006, founder of the populist party of Thai Rak Thai (TRT). He was ousted from the country in September 2006, living abroad. Meanwhile he was faced with charges of corruption and abuse of power, eventually sentenced in Februar 2010 by the Thai Supreme Court, voting to freeze his assets.

The new government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was installed on September 19 2006 after a bloodless coup, supported by the Thai military. His supporters are known as 'Yellow Shirts'. They are highly educated, Royal supporters, and mainly come from major Thai cities. The battle of Red and Yellow has gone on since 2008. The government refuses to engage in talks with the 'Red Shirts' before they leave their Bangkok camps.

For further information, please see:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8688664.stm

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.crisis.explainer/index.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.timeline/index.html?hpt=T1

Meta-Comment No. 22

How do you tell the genuine article from the fake? Exactly why do your senses and your common sense warn you that something is off? I have no idea, I just know that is so.

Be that a business swindler trying to pitch something to you, and you simply feel that the pitch is too good to be true. Like the developing story in the Danish media about a certain Stein Bagger business swindler for instance. Based on the simplistic success model of 'fake it until you make it'. Or a news rumour put forward by news spreaders on the journalistic market - also too good to be true - and just sounds off somehow. Or your average street vendor trying to pitch a fake designer bag or pair of sunglasses to you.

I recently came back from Barcelona, and I met a Senegalese street vendor along the habour eagerly pitching fake copies of designer sunglasses. And I smalltalked with him, wondering why people readily buy the stuff. 'It's cheap,' was his logic response. In my logic response, 'Too cheap to be true' - and my very reason for not buying the stuff.

Paradoxical News has pitched many stories from the news rumour market - but has done so knowingly in the appropriate medium, where the not-so-real stuff gets a space. I have played along, for long now. And have done so with the tongue-in-cheek approach, naming the medium accordingly. Although the process is getting a little tiresome compared to the real stuff. Is it my age and experience that blocks me from buying the fake stuff, I wonder? However, there are very real stories in PN as well. This very segment for instance. And the first person singular 'I' stories carrying thoughts more than events and news stories.

What I mean to say is that I have an accute sense of the non-sensical and fake stuff. So I am not defect for not 'buying the stuff' that is fake. I am simply a journalist and a realist with my common sense about me. It's the pitch that is defect. So whether it be to Stein Bagger, to the 'off' news rumour pitchers, or to the fake goods street vendors - I would like to yell at the top of my lungs: 'Look, I don't buy the stuff, because it is fake. Would you give it a rest?' Or come back, when you have the genuine article.

The Next Labour Man

Not New Labour. But Next Labour. This is the strategy put forward by contender for the post as the next Labour leader after Gordon Brown - The Next Labour Man - 44 year-old David Miliband. He was appointed Secretary of State by Gordon Brown. Miliband has no intention of walking in Tony Blair's footsteps, although he grew up politically as his protege. Probably a sound strategy, if we are to believe the advice put forward by Clint Eastwood among others: You'll never be a front runner if you walk in somebody else's footsteps.

According to The Observer (The Guardian's weekend edition), David Miliband sees the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition as a natural result of political stagnation (although in PN words). People simply wanted change on the British political scene. So he's in the running to become the next Labour leader with time for preparation and elaboration of this Next Labour strategy. He will be running against his younger brother, Ed Miliband, who was the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under Gordon Brown. And against Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families under Brown, among others.

Still, David Miliband seems to be the most profiled of the candidates for the leader post in Labour. Not a 'people embracer' like Tony Blair, but probably with a more statesman-like appearance than several of his contesters. He doesn't see it as a problem that he will be up against his own brother, Ed Miliband - rather he welcomes the challenge. He would also respect and enjoy working under his leadership. David Miliband holds degrees in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford and in Political Science from MIT. Ed Miliband also holds a bachelor degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford, and a M.Sc. degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.

For a little fun, and very British, join the betting at smarkets.com in the link below. In writing this segment, David Miliband stod at around 57-64 percent odds of winning the race, followed by his brother Ed at around 31-34 percent odds of winning. The gain would be small if you bet on either Miliband, with only a 17£ win on 10£ invested, compared to betting on Jack Straw (former Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice under Brown) or Peter Mandelson (former First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business, and one of the architects behind Blair's New Labour). Bettings on both these contesters will return 1.000£ on your 10£ bet. Although timesonline put the money on Mandelson, describing him as someone who gets better, the worse things get - and going from zero to hero, in an article from August 2009.

For further information, please see (photo googled and found at various news sites):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/16/david-miliband-labour-leadership-ed-miliband

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/william_rees_mogg/article6736673.ece

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Miliband

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Miliband

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Balls

http://smarkets.com/politics/uk/next-government/next-labour-leader

The Gekko Is Back

Gordon Gekko is back. In Oliver Stone's new film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps issued at the Cannes Film Festival (12th-23rd May). The stock market player Gordon Gekko (again played by Michael Douglas) from the first '87 Wall Street film has come back from prison in 2001 and now sees a financial market even more unscrupulous than when he was swinging it. He predicts the financial crisis in 2008.

As expressed in an interview with French language newspaper Le Monde, Oliver Stone admits to being heavily influenced and inspired by the real financial melt down in the fall of 2008, with major financial players like US insurance company AIG, investment bankers Goldman Sachs, and others that speculated in subprime loans and credit default swaps/CDS (a type of insurance bond operation to protect the buyer from loss if the loan goes into default). The CDS system was overheated and blown up like a hot air balloon, which ended in the collapse of major financial players, later to be bailed out by the state. In the interview, Oliver Stone also expresses that he would very much like American economist and Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stieglitz to see the film. Stone refers to his documentary from the fall of 2009, South of the Border, and to the IMF/International Monetary Fund, an international organization that oversees the global financial system. Stone quotes Stieglitz for saying that the control function of IMF was meant for emerging economies, but that we will have to apply the IMF measures on ourselves one day.

But in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, the story is centered around Jacob Moore (as in 'gimme more', played by Shia LeBeouf), boyfriend of Gekko's estranged daughter Winnie Gekko (played by Carey Mulligan from An Education). Young stock speculant Moore learns the tricks of the trade by Gordon Gekko behind Winnie's back. In some Danish magazines and dailies the film is referred to as average, in some British dailies as a good film, some criticise the length, a little over two hours - or app. 130 minutes. In Le Monde the focus on the sentimental and predictable family story is regretted, when dealing with such a powerful subject. Since most welcome a film on this very topic as highly appropriate. The film premieres in Europe end of September 2010.

In the most appropriate way, Paradoxical News has covered this story - not from Cannes - but from afar. For financial melt down reasons.

For further information, please see (photos googled from fortune magazine and imdb.com):

http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/homepage.html

http://www.lemonde.fr/festival-de-cannes/article/2010/05/15/wall-street-l-argent-ne-dort-jamais-oliver-stone-vs-wall-street-deuxieme-round_1351968_766360.html

http://sotinel.blog.lemonde.fr/2010/05/15/dix-minutes-avec-oliver-stone-cours-deconomie/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1027718/

Keeping Busy

Obama is certainly keeping busy. Apart from making trade ties with Russia, he's just had a state visit from the Afghan President - among other things to discuss the war in Afghanistan and to put pressure on him regarding the drug trade. Well, if the opium poppies are affected by disease, there should be less of a problem for funding terrorism - apart from the prices rising (and possibly the drug related crimes too). Then he addresses the US employment issues, the oil spill catastrophe in the Mexican Gulf - dealing with the culprit of British Oil company BP, and eventually asking for money in Congress to clean up the mess. Granting a missile defence system for Israel. Still, taking the time to wish new British PM Cameron good luck and extending a hand for future co-operation and negociation.

Obama has also found time for the nomination of a new justice for the US Supreme Court, dean of Harvard Law School and Solicitor General Elena Kagan, after Justice John Paul Stevens who will retire. Latest in the rumour trade would have Kagan be a Lesbian, now needing to 'defend' herself against it. Who cares who she is kissing? The questions and the probing shouldn't be about her private life. The questions and the probing should be - does she know her way around the paragraphs and the Constitution? Paradoxically, the ones to raise this very issue don't.

For further information, please see (photos googled, among other places found at the Barack Obama website and timesonline.co.uk):
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/nyregion/12newyorkers.html?hpw
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/k/kagan_elena/index.html?inline=nyt-per
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051305305.html?wpisrc=nl_pmheadline&sid=ST2010051305412
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Kagan

Cool Coalition

During the Blair New Labour years in late 90'ies and 00's Britain was Cool Britannia. As of 12th May, Britain has its first realized coalition government since World War II. The Cool Coalition of PM David Cameron/Conservative and Deputy PM Nick Clegg/Liberal Democrat. See The Guardian's interactive overview of the entire cabinet below. Together with the BBC World Q&A overview of political plans for the new coalition government.

The new cabinet's first priority is reportedly to safeguard national security and national economy. One of the first steps is a suggested five percent cut in ministerial salaries, to be frozen for the next five years. Always a nice move to go in front if you are to demand cutbacks for your followers. Another priority is to rebrand the Department for Education - which Labour spent a decade from 1997 to 2007 rebranding from Department for Education and Skills (DfES) into Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) - or nicknamed Department for Curtains and Soft Furnishings by the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats accused Labour of spending 2,6 million pounds in that decade on rebranding and reorganising 11 ministries.

As in any good marriage, another agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats is to keep any differences internally. In practical terms, and with only a minority of five ministers at play, compared to a dominant majority of 19 Conservative ministers, that means that the Lib.Dems will have little chance to voice anything departing from the Conservative party line. Or as political commentator Polly Toynbee puts it in The Guardian:

"The Tories will trample the Lib Dems like a rhino"
Polly Toynbee

At present the marriage of convenience between Conservatives and Lib.Dems seems jolly and sweet, with primarily a reform of the electoral system and the European Union to make cracks in the new found love. But these are also the honeymoon days. Let's see how the realities of married life will work for this new Cool Coalition.

For further information, please see (photo googled, among others found at The Daily Telegraph):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8680407.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675848.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2010/may/12/election-2010-new-cabinet

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/13/ministers-pay-cut-frozen

A New New Deal

'If you have 12 minutes, we have a solution' - The Social Democrats (A) and The Socialist People's Party (F) initiate their political and economic plan called Fair Solution put forward yesterday to ensure growth, employment, economic and financial stability in the years to come by public investments in job creation, building, health care, and green energy. A new new deal, as it were. The extra 12 minutes not only refers to the time spent on listening to the proposal on the web site, but more so it refers to an extra 12 minutes work time each day - or an hour a week - to ensure employment, revenues and financial basis for the Danish welfare society. The idea is to work our way out of the crisis rather than making cuts in public spending.

The proposal was relatively well received by supporting opposition parties of The Social Liberals (B), and The Red-Green Alliance (Ø), although the - reformers - Social Liberals criticised the reluctancy to touch the early retirement assurances, which would help reach the EU economic standards (the so-called convergence programme) of a maximum three percent budget deficit. They have their own solution to gain an extra 36 billion on the budget by 2015. And the red-greens found that certain groups of the Danish workforce already worked hard enough, and suggested gaining the proposed 14-15 billion Danish kroner extra by heavier taxation of the multinational companies.

The Social Democrat-Socialist People's Party propositition didn't go down well with the government parties of The Conservatives (C) and The Liberals (V) - but what propositition from a political opponent would? Economic experts were called upon to debate the proposal, from government supporters to opposition supporters. But economic calculations showed that the proposals from either side would help reach the EU standards almost with the same effect - if not one year earlier (2012) by the proposal put forward by the opposition. And then there are all the unknown factors that can be used to alter the statistics. A bit like selling rubber band by the yard, as an old cliché goes.

The Social Democrats and The Socialist People's Party will have to fight for their proposal. Although backed by the unions, varying polls show that people would like to pitch in one extra work hour a week - and that they don't want to - respectively. Again, a new new deal sold by the yard, just like rubber bands. The original New Deal was put forward and initiated in 1933 by Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt after the Great Depression in USA and comprised heavy public investments in building projects. It brought the US economy back on track within a three-year period. It was sold to the public under the slogan 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself'. Apart from rubber bands, that is.

For further information, please see:

http://www.fairlosning.dk/

http://s-dialog.dk/default.aspx?site=english&

http://bit.ly/aUdtp3

Happy Mother's Day!

Whether in the company of your family and children, busy doing something else, or relaxing on your own, Paradoxical News wishes all mothers everywhere the best possible Mother's Day 2010!

The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion

Barcelona was a chance to see the fantastic Mies van der Rohe Pavilion built in 1929 for the International Exposition in Barcelona. Originally dismantled after the event was over in 1930, but later rebuilt in its original spot in the South-Western end of Barcelona. Since the Shanghai Expo 2010 is currently out of the PN budget limits, this is never a poor substitute, but rather a relevant reminder.

The Pavilion is an open construction, much like a theatre where there is always one open side - out of six possible surfaces. Here it is either the top/roof or one wall. On the open terrace naturally more than one side. And with a decoration that is both simplistic and opulent at the same time. With thick red velour curtains, travertine, green marble on one side - and simple metal structures, glass frames and white surfaces on the other.

Still, the Pavilion breathes openess and ease with the outside terrace water basin with pebbles, surrounded by long-stretched benches in pale travertine which gives it a relaxing Mediterranean feel.

Barcelona Revisited

Paradoxical News spent a hiatus revisiting Barcelona, Spain. This time from the top. It may look like Disney Land, but this is the church Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart) on the Tibidabo point of the Collserola massif, with a tiny hermitage sacred building and once upon a time the highest point before the church was built. Apart from an amusement park, a science museum, restaurants and much more.

At the tower of the church a giant gilded Jesus figure embraces the city of Barcelona - much like the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sacred Heart is a devotion to Jesus, known in Roman Catholic, Anglo Catholic, and Lutheran Churches. It refers to the physical heart of Jesus wounded by a lance.

The view from the top tower is magnificent, with views over the entire widespread city of Barcelona, Gaudi's Park Güell, the Rambla pedestrian strip, the harbour, and the Barca football (soccer) stadium.

Brits Abroad

Whether in the tube, in the streets or abroad most Brits I met during the PN hiatus last week found that Britsh politics had become too silly. Two retired women in the tube showed me a story in a tabloid with a photo of the three candidates for the British election during the last tv debate - two stood on one leg (most likely shifting posititions for better blood circulation) with the apperance of being flamingos - and one (Nick Clegg) looked up into the air with the appearance of wanting to be beamed out of the situation. This was the tabloid story. The retired ladies laughed about the silliness of political reporting, which reflected the general view of the population.

Later in Barcelona, Spain - I met several other Brits in buses and in funiculars, who liked and normally voted Labour and Brown, but still wanted to see some change after 13 years of Labour rule. They would go for Nick Clegg, but hoping for a 'Hung Parliament' - or coalition government. Which currently appears to be the solution, no matter who ends up with whom.

The Pub Crawl Electorate

You can't go to London, and not visit the pub around the corner. This is where you really meet the Brits. A bit weary of statistics and polls up to the election, I wanted to find out what was behind the figures. So on my first night out and about in London I went to the local pub to get a feel of what the voters really mean when it comes to British politics.

I met several representatives of the British electorate, among them Marc and John. Small entrepreneurs, opinionated, although a bit tired of British politics - and with several pints to back up their opinions. They were tired of Brown and Labour for participating in wars abroad, for introducing widespread surveillance, for talking change without action - and for sitting too long in power. They simply wanted change. One normally for Conservatives, one for Liberal Democrats. But although both had hesitations towards the European Union (very British), both also supported Lib.Dems and Nick Clegg simply to see some change in British politics.

Mind you, this area of West London appeared to be more Conservative, more so than Labour-minded, in general - with journalists from the right wing The Daily Telegraph among the pub crawlers. Most predicted a 'Hung Parliament', with no candidate pooling enough seats in the Parliament to form a majority government. And lo and behold, we now see a situation after the election much like the Pub Crawl Electorate predicted.

London Calling

I once visited a friend in London, making cheering remarks about his living in this great city. 'The UK is like a development country,' was his unkind response, in his view referring to the food, the level of tolerance, and the perception of anything non-British. I've been in London and the UK several times, but I still don't quite get his harsh judgement. As other cities like Paris and NY, London keeps calling me back for vacational get-aways.

1st May was my first in the London Eye. A wonderful and clear sunshiny day with magnificent views over Thames, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, and all the bridges. In a short 3D (or 4D?) film experience to introduce the spin in the giant wheel of fortune, fireworks, music, belly dancing Indian women in colourful garments, doves, real life smoke clouds and soap bubbles attacked all senses. And as if that wasn't enough, I met representatives from all over the world in the London Eye cabins. As I did anywhere in the streets, the tube, among the street musicians, in the restaurants and the shops. If anything - and apart from the puddings - the UK is a constantly developing country.

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