Swede threatened for not speeding (in Norway)

aftenposten ^ | January 28, 2005 | aftenposten

[franksolich]

It has to do with geography, Madam.

Sweden has not been "at peace," or "neutral," or "peaceful" the past 150 years because of some noble characteristic of the Swedes, but more so because geography gave them the gift of isolation and insulation.

Modern Swedes appear to think they are virtuous, so unlike the rest of us, because they are so "peaceful"--but I bet if the Swedes were located in some "hot spot" in the world, they would be just as hostile, just as warlike, as the rest of us.

[franksolich]

New Norway article, if one is interested, this one about socialized medicine for farm animals in Norway:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1331845/posts

[anguish]

It has to do with geography, Madam.

Of course it has, but also the actions of past and the somewhat chaotic interplay between European nations the past centuries. Had Sweden been squeezed inbetween France and Germany, we'd probably be walking about with miniguns and towing howitzers behind our cars. Btw, this Swede is a guy, not a madam :)

[SolutionsOnly]

But I thought that Swedes appreciated using as few words as possible!

OK, Instead of Hans Blix, substitute Kofi Annan. :-)

[franksolich]

Sorry, sir. I hope you don't carry a gun, because despite media publicity, Swedes with guns can be dangerous.

Again, my apologies.

[anguish]

But I thought that Swedes appreciated using as few words as possible!

While that is true, especially here in northern Sweden where a somewhat articulated breath can be a whole conversation, we treat the written word with more respect :P

[starfish923]

The Swedes helped many Norwegians escape from the Nazis. I dont know anybody that think that the Swedes back stabbed Norway during WWII

Didn't you understand what I just said? The Swedes let the GERMANS march through their country to invade Norway.
Why would Norway forget that? Why would Norweigans not remember? Why does Sweden deserve to be trusted by Norway?
Many Germans helped Jews but that doesn't stop most/many people from STILL, unfortunately, hating the Germans.

[anguish]

The Swedes let the GERMANS march through their country to invade Norway.

No, Sweden let German soldiers on leave transit over Swedish soil. This begun after the Norwegian campain was over (i.e Norway was already occupied).

[starfish923]

There was an article in one of those Norwegian newspapers--but too old to use for the "Norway ping list"--about the different fates for Norway and Sweden, given that Sweden joined "Europe" while Norway (through popular vote) stayed out of the "Union."
For the very short term, Sweden ostensibly is to gain much, and Norway to lose a great deal.....but for the long term, it is speculated Norway will come out better, being "Norway" instead of being a small inconsequential part of "Europe."
This sort of agrees with "intelligence" analyses predicting the world in 2010, 2015, 2020, all of which appear to believe trends will be for the breaking-up of Europe, not further unification.
And now there are moves towards breaking up Bosnia into independent states.....my God, first there was the great big massive Communist bloc, which shattered into thirty or so countries, Yugoslavia one of them, which broke up into six or so countries, and now that fragment of a Yugoslavian province is to be broken up even further.
It appears that if Norway hangs tough, and stubbornly remains "Norway," instead of succumbing to pressures to become part of "Europe," Norway might actually come out on top of most countries of Old Europe.

I'm with you.
The EU wants Norway to fish, but NOT to can and export their catch. The EU wants Norway to send their catch to Portugal to be canned and exported.
What kind of baloney is that for the Norweigans? Why should they sacrifice THEIR jobs for someone else's? They have NOTHING to gain by joining the EU and EVERYTHING to keep by staying out of it.

You may be right about them. I hope so. I like the Norweigans. I like the Swedes too. Lol.

[starfish923]

No, Sweden let German soldiers on leave transit over Swedish soil. This begun after the Norwegian campain was over (i.e Norway was already occupied).

Lol. "German soldiers on leave...." Thus we see history rewritten. How do you think the German soldiers got to Norway in the FIRST place? They HAD to go through Sweden and Sweden stayed NEUTRAL (like Switzerland) during WWII. Norway went with the Allies and suffered the fate of all the occupied countries. Sweden got to stay out of it...merely selling their souls to the Germans. Small price to pay, they insisted. Only cost NORWAY lives...not Swedes.
That's what the history books USED to teach and what the OLDER Norweigans and Americans remember.

But, more than one history is being re-written, forgotten or ignored.

[anguish]

How do you think the German soldiers got to Norway in the FIRST place?

Weserubung was a Air/Sea operation. See map.

[anguish]

what the OLDER Norweigans and Americans remember

And, if I may add, old age is not always the best reference when it comes to the quality of ones memory ;)

[SolutionsOnly]

In all honesty, I think that Sweden, like very other country involved in WWII was completely preoccupied with the question "How do we get out of this thing alive?".

[SolutionsOnly]

http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=2714

[JLO]

"When it was his turn, he said his name was Sam Ting, and they wrote it down as Ole Olson."
===

That's a good one - LOL!!