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Bush snubs Norway's premier
www.aftenposten.no ^
| 02 May 2006, 09:36
| Aftenposten English Web Desk (Nina Berglund)
Posted on 05/02/2006 4:22:33 AM PDT by Kurt_Hectic
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To: Atlantic Bridge
You are German right? I would actually like to see your country redevelop some of its military clout (and no, not for the reasons which one poster above might suspect...)
Any chance of that happening?
To: Atlantic Bridge
I don't believe that NATO is dead. After the EU fails to build up a believable military reaction-force, NATO will be stronger than ever.
Europe needs USA and USA needs Europe. Europe needs USA more than USA needs Europe, but it's still a practical marriage that's going to last.
If not, Europe is toast...
22
posted on
05/02/2006 5:14:40 AM PDT
by
Kurt_Hectic
(Trust only what you see, not what you hear)
To: ProudNorseman
You, sir or mam, are severely misinformed. Please do not smear my country with galling historical falsehoods.
With all due respect, Quisling was in fact a traitor, and he was executed for treason. That is a historical fact.
As for the population of Norway, I am certain that they resented and resisted der Fuehrer as much as any other captive nation during World War II.
More than the French anyway.
As for President Bush not having time to meet with Norway's premier?
I wish our President would dish out the same treatment to the 'Rats in the Congress that he seems to love cozying up to.
Say, Mr. President? What sort of dividends did you get from kissing up to Fat Teddy eh? Whatzat? None you say?
You should have listened to your conservative base Sir. You still have time, when Tony Snow offers a suggestion or advice, take it.
23
posted on
05/02/2006 5:15:19 AM PDT
by
mkjessup
(The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
To: Atlantic Bridge; Kurt_Hectic; ProudNorseman
Obviously the Socialist party in Norway is against the war, and unfortunately, they are in charge of the government right now. The snubbing was against them, not the Norwegian people, or the right-wing parties. Having said that, I still don't think it was a smart move on Bush's part. I don't like the idea of us snubbing allies, even if they disagree with us.
I know of Norway's radar contribution, it's officers who are training troops in Afghanistan AND Iraq, the elite mountain troops deployed in Afghanistan (who were decorated by President Bush), etc... We are thankful for the help, no doubts there.
The thing is, here on FreeRepublic, some of the people have intellects equivalent to that of a brick. Many don't even know the difference between the Danish and the Dutch as demonstrated on the Jullands-Posten cartoon threads. Many like to rant and rave on how they dislike Europe, but I don't think it is malice, just frustration with many European governments who are supposed to be our allies. Don't take everything personally. I'm Catholic, and the Lord knows, there's a lot of people here who don't like me for that reason alone, and feel free to share it with me. LOL. I've started to grow some thick skin, and if you are a European on FR, you need to get some too!
24
posted on
05/02/2006 5:19:53 AM PDT
by
Theoden
(In hoc signo vinces)
To: Theoden
I'm Catholic
Did you know the Pope is the Antichrist?
(ONLY kidding, ONLY kidding!!! As a protestant, I like the Pope, I really do, just yanking your chain a little bit this morning, lol ;)
25
posted on
05/02/2006 5:22:06 AM PDT
by
mkjessup
(The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
To: Kurt_Hectic
Where is it written that the President has to meet with every leader who comes to town? If he doesn't want to meet with someone, especially if that country has not been supportive of the War on Terror, that's his prerogative. I guess Norway thinks it's immune to acts of terror on it's soil. The Netherlands and Denmark probably thought the same thing, too, once.
26
posted on
05/02/2006 5:22:39 AM PDT
by
SuziQ
To: Atlantic Bridge
The broad public (and its leadership) in "old Europe" does not believe in NATO anymore. That's because they no longer need the protection of the US from the Soviet Union.
27
posted on
05/02/2006 5:24:20 AM PDT
by
SuziQ
To: SuziQ
Believe me- a lot of norwegians think they are immune to terror! And that's the problem...
28
posted on
05/02/2006 5:25:43 AM PDT
by
Kurt_Hectic
(Trust only what you see, not what you hear)
To: mkjessup
With all due respect, Quisling was in fact a traitor, and he was executed for treason. That is a historical fact.Indeed. But what is usually left out of the story when he is used to slam the whole nation (which is often) is that he never won a seat in Parliament in peacetime; was installed by the German invaders; and was viscerally hated and resisted by the vast majority of Norwegians. Thus it feels especially unfair to cite him as in any way representative of Norway, and it is highly inadvisable to do so to an adult male Norwegian's face! :-)
To: ProudNorseman
"...Please do not smear my country with galling historical falsehoods.What is the matter.....does the truth hurt?
Are you denying that Quisling collaborated with the Nazis?
If so, I would urge you to look up newspapers of those WWII years rather than pursue your wishful thinking and re-writing of history.
30
posted on
05/02/2006 5:30:29 AM PDT
by
albee
(The best thing you can do for the poor is.....not be one of them. - Eric Hoffer)
To: Theoden
Indeed. I appreciate your remarks.
To: Kurt_Hectic
I love it when the US gives clear signals to it's allies! There isn't a clear signal in this entire article.
32
posted on
05/02/2006 5:33:59 AM PDT
by
1rudeboy
To: albee
See my comment directly above yours. And if you can spare the time, look up some of Norway's contributions to World War II as a full ally, including supplying Britain and Russia with oil and arms through her merchant fleet without which the Battle of the Atlantic would be lost; denying Hitler heavy water for his nuclear bombs through the most valiant commando operation of the war; and tying up some 400,000 Germans troops by active resistance.
"Look to Norway!" (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)
To: Kurt_Hectic
I love it when the US gives clear signals to it's allies! Yep, there's not enough of it IMHO.
Plain and simple:You're either with us or you're against us!
To: Theoden
...just frustration with many European governments who are supposed to be our allies.Yeah, that whole defeating the Nazis and Soviets with the enormous sacrifice of American life, limb, and property thing is no reason for them to show us any gratitude.
That being said, I'm glad my great-great grandfather got so pissed off at his family in Oslo that he came here (legally) and changed his last name to spite them. I don't like socialists, sardines, or extended winters, and Norway is chock full of all of those.
35
posted on
05/02/2006 5:35:30 AM PDT
by
EricT.
(CA conservatives only serve to inflate the number of electoral votes won by the Dems.)
To: Kurt_Hectic
Hey Jens,
Complete the sentence.
You're either with us or _______ ____ ___ _______.
36
posted on
05/02/2006 5:36:02 AM PDT
by
Malsua
To: Kurt_Hectic
It's possible that Norway's new relationship with Hamas may have something to do with it. It gets quite chilly and uncomfortable being left out in the cold.
37
posted on
05/02/2006 5:36:48 AM PDT
by
Realism
(Some believe that the facts-of-life are open to debate.....)
To: ReleaseTheHounds
What's wrong with Norway is what's wrong with most of "Old Europe" -- they've fallen in love with their Socialist and Center-Left welfare state.Yes, and unfortunately when the center-right parties do manage to win elections in Old Europe (setting France aside) these days, it seems to be only by the narrowist of margins, as most of the population leans to the left or green.
However, the center-right parties throughout Europe (again, setting France aside) do understand and value the relationship with the US and NATO.
This has been true not only for Norway (which in fact has historically been one of the strongest supporters of NATO and was the only NATO country that actually shared a border with the Soviets), but also for Anzar in Spain, Berlusconi in Italy, Merkel in Germany, etc.
The problem is that while the center-right parties themselves understand the importance of the American relationship and NATO, they have nevertheless lost the battle for public opinion on this point in their various countries, especially among younger people and students brainwashed by the leftwing media and university teachers. So the center-right does what it can within the constraints of public opinion.
To: ReleaseTheHounds
Will they want that strong alliance with America again? Assuming, of course, there is an America left in 40-50 years. They might be dealing with "Republica del Norte" if things keep going the way they're going.....
To: ProudNorseman
"...it feels especially unfair to cite him [Quisling] as in any way representative of Norway, and it is highly inadvisable to do so to an adult male Norwegian's face! :-)
Spoken as eloquently as Mighty Thor himself!
Just try not to be a "thor-head" about all this. (groan), developing a thick hide is kinda mandatory here on FR. Do have a great day! :)
40
posted on
05/02/2006 5:37:58 AM PDT
by
mkjessup
(The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
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