This is really late today, as I was busy, and will be busy the next few days.
However, sometime this weekend I expect to post some photographs of Norway, as nothing happens in Norway on the weekends, and hence no news.
Posted on 04/29/2005 6:37:50 PM PDT by franksolich
Norway's mistrust of joining the European Union is again on the rise, and the 'no' side is again in the majority, though the undecideds could still change the result.
If the issue came to another vote today, 44.5 percent would oppose membership, 42.5 would vote yes and 12.9 percent remain unsure, according to a new poll by Sentio for newspapers Klassekampen, Dagen and Nationen.
Every region of the nation opposes the union with the exception of the capital district of Oslo and Akershus.
In northern Norway the no side leads 46-38, with central Norway even more opposed at 54-38. The southern coast is also strongly opposed, with the naysayers leading 51-33. Eastern Norway is split, 43-42 against the EU and the capital district Oslo and Akershus favors joining the EU, 55-37.
The poll indicates that anti-EU sentiment is very slightly stronger among women than men and that those under the age of 30 are very happy with the way things are, and are 51-38 percent against membership.
The April Sentio survey is the second in a row that shows majority opposition to EU membership for Norway.
In 1974 and 1992 Norwegians rejected the European Union.
I do not mean to confuse anyone, but in this issue, to be "for" the European Union is considered "right," or conservative, while to be "against" is considered "left," or liberal.....in Norway.
My own thoughts are that of course Norwegians know best what is best for Norway.
But on the other hand, I think Norway joining the European Union would be like the famous jockey Willie Sutton jumping onto a dying horse.
And too, Norway is so small--one of the smallest countries in Europe--similar with Nebraska here in America; so small that nobody pays attention to us; we don't even get ignored.
However, sometime this weekend I expect to post some photographs of Norway, as nothing happens in Norway on the weekends, and hence no news.
Well, frank, I don't see why any one in any country in Europe would not want to be guided in how they should think, eat, talk, raise and educate their children, etc., by the wise elites who head up the EU. Silly gooses.
voting will continue until the "correct" result is achieved.
Note: there is no sunset clause to continue membership or audit the result of membership after a few years.
Very strange that the EU-assimilation crowd is considered "conservative" and the independence crowd is "liberal."
I agree, sir.
I think it has to do with economics; not being a part of the European Union, Norway is "shut out" of the European markets.
But while we are on the subject of "economics," my question to Norwegians is this: what happens to the $200 billion + savings-account built up from North Sea oil revenues since the mid-1970s, meant to see Norway through slimmer times in the future?
Every government--right, center, left--in Norway has stashed this cash away, investing it, not touching a kroner of it, the past 30 years.
If Norway joined the European Union, Norway would be the first country to come into that Union with this treasury, no deficit, no national debt. In other words, the only member of the Union with all assets, no liabilities.
Norway is a very tiny country; if the old men in Paris, Brussels, and Berlin decide they want that cash so as to sustain their own national economies, what can Norway do about it? Who in Europe is going to pay attention to these so-few Norwegians? Norway has fewer people than most capital cities of Europe--so who is going to listen to them?
Norway reminds me of a beautiful woman who is loved only.....for her money.
I know the whole thing sounds backwards to me---
All I know is, if I had choice I would NOT want anything to do with the EU---sounds like the UN of Europe---plenty of opportunity for corruptness, socialism and communism to florish--and anything at this point that weakens Europe really opens the door for the Islamofascists to take over, since there is such a large populations of Muslims there already....
No one.
That's the message that's got to be gotten to the pro-Union Norwegians; that they are so few in number no one in Europe is going to pay any attention to their needs or wants.
Yeah, sure, it's rough in Norway, having some of the highest taxes in the world--much of which can be attributed to Norway's independence--but the alternative, to this cowboy out on the lone prairies, seems worse.....that of having their treasury pillaged for these other countries, and the Norwegians unable to do a thing about it.
They will keep having referendums until they get the "yes". After that they will have no other referendum to get out.
I think being "pro" European Union is considered "right" or "conservative" because it means, ostensibly, lower taxes and larger markets.
At current, Norway has some of the highest--if not THE highest--taxes in the world, and its products in the European markets have punishing tariffs imposed upon them.
Also, I think many of the younger Norwegians are succumbing to the DUmmie Disease; it's old hat to be Norwegian, while it's cool, it's trendy, it's hip, it's with it, to be "European"--although from watching the polls, even the younger Norwegians seem to not favor unification.
I understand the problems about the high taxes and tariff, but I think I would pay the price to keep the independence from Europe--especially the way things are now, with Jack Chirac wanting to be king----
Those "enlightened" idiots that have floated the concept here of an all emcompassing North America with open borders ala Europe, between the US, Mexico, and Canada, it the absolute WORST idea I have ever heard...
I do believe if anyone ever got SERIOUS about it, you would see more Minutemen everywhere in the US!
I look forward to more pics of Norway, the one you have posted is gorgeous---ah, but more pics are going to infect me with a bit of the wanderlust, I think....LOL
Thanks for the Norway ping, franksolich. What a beautiful picture. So peaceful and magestic. Have a great weekend, and thank you for all that you do in getting the news of the day out to us all.
And I agree with your thoughts on this matter. Thank you again.
A tip--as soon as I get it together later tomorrow or early Sunday, a photographic "tour" of Alesund, Norway, perhaps the most delightful city there (although my personal preference is Narvik).
Might be interesting to see how people stand by region in the rest of Scandinavia (sans Denmark).
Even the Finns have a tripartite division, first among the Indo-Europeans where there's a large group in the Southwest with blue eyes, while those immediately to the Northeast have gray eyes. These folks even have different cardiovascular histories given the same diets so there really is some sort of genetic difference. In the North there are, of course, the Sa'ami.
Not a bad view...
The roots of Ole Evinrude....
Beautiful and peaceful looking little inlet. Thanks for the pics.
Regards
"I do not mean to confuse anyone, but in this issue, to be "for" the European Union is considered "right," or conservative, while to be "against" is considered "left," or liberal.....in Norway. "
I would think it would be completely opposite of what you just wrote.
The liberals (left) would be in favor of the EU, because it is more government.
The conservatives (right), would be against the EU, because it is more government.
I cannot see how it can be the way you wrote it?
The EU (the powers that be) were almost completely in favor of Kerry the last election, who was very much from the left.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.