as I don't have spare time right now but I'm so disgusted and angry that I have to write it down here. Even in Sweden (!) xenophobic far right advances. It seems that Europe is going far right and I don't like that at all. We do need migrants but we don't want them. Let them starving in Africa, Pakistan or Afghanistan, let's pretend we are "better" only because we have been born in Italy, Norway, France or Germany, let's forget about civil rights which do not apply to "foreigners". The only European rule seems "the double standard": freedom of movement for the riches, freedom of dying for the poors.
Sounds like the good ole U S of A!!!! Which proves what I often say - "situations don't change, just the people in them"
ReplyDeleteLove to you
Gail
peace.....
You forgot to include the UK in your list ...... unfortunately!
ReplyDelete@Gail: it's true!
ReplyDelete@Andy: sure, the UK... :(
Well, for one thing, Sweden has a long tradition of xenophobic, far right movements.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sweden has felt more of the economic crisis than Norway. We're in a lucky bubble, far out on the outskirts of the world, with 300 billions in the oil fund (no state budget deficit, I'm talking PLUS 300 billions euro, no other country is as rich as Norway). No unemployment, lack of working hands, lack of qualyfied employers (too little population). We do need migrants, too.
However, even here, some people fear immigration. The "good old norwegian culture" is threatened by masses of veiled muslims with bombs in their hands. One hears talk of "norwegian values".
Sweden is not so far away, maybe.
Arte: I was angry and I acknowledge that the post coveys a reductive view. Thank you for your interesting comment... no state budget deficit?! Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteNo deficit, instead, a big state pot full of money, about half a million euros for each inhabitant. Too much money can also be a problem for a country (bue tspecially for Sweden that always looked down on norwegian farmers and fishermen and now has to deal with a wealthy neighbour...
ReplyDeletewow.. I should have done my phd in Norway :D
ReplyDeleteFear seems to advance in all rich countries, which, as you say, need foreigners, but are afraid of them. New big migrations are about to arrive - the overall population is growing and more and more people are starving – so the situation should be faced with pragmatism and solid organization. It doesn’t seem the case in most places and most of all here. I am for a multi racial society. Also because I like children. At least we’ll have children around whatever their race :-)
ReplyDelete