A Norwegian Would

 Before I write anything I would first like to extend my sympathies to the

country of Norway and its people who experienced a tremendous loss

at the end of last week.

Many summer's ago I visited the beautiful country of Norway.

It was everything I ever dreamed it would be and more, fjords, clean air 

and water, gorgeous women, all in a culture of civilized nordic refinement.

The Norwegians I met during my travels were open, friendly, hospitable

and possessed a worldly savvy afforded to those who have grown 

accustomed to viewing the madness of humankind remotely, from their 

seemingly detached nordic paradise.

When you consider what happened in that country on Friday, my false

perception that somehow Norway is or was in anyway detached from the

human tragedy, is simply that, a perception.

 It can be easy to think and believe that the suffering of this world has little

to no connection to the society in which one lives, but given the fact that

human beings are creatures living within an ecosystem and every bit a part

of that ecosystem, only serves to remind us that when consequence, and

the laws of cause and effect choose to strike its ruthless balance, nobody is

immune, not even our friends in Norway. Everything happens for a reason,

even if we don't fully understand the causes, and it is for this reason I am 

reluctant to lay blame.

 Norway is to be commended for bravely standing up for justice, and for

having the wisdom and courage to see the 'big picture'. They have recently 

pulled out of the Libyan conflict, realizing that it is fruitless to risk the precious 

lives of their most courageous citizens to the perils and whims of a North African

resource 'turf war'. They have also come forward and stood by the principles 

of equality for all peoples, by supporting a Palestinian bid for statehood.

These political positions are two big blows against the self-consuming decadence 

that IS the 'Military-Industrial Complex'.

So cruel does this most recent tragedy strike at Norway's heart, and while 

media and politicians were anxious to chalk this terrorist incident up as another 

Al-Qaeda (Muslim) operation, what has surfaced instead is another narrative of a 

'lone nut'. I say 'narrative' only because all the information about this massacre 

has yet to come in, and as to who may have been involved. It seems unlikely the 

assailant didn't receive some form of 'help', and if he did, it was most certainly

agreed upon beforehand that he would take the blame, thus saving the necks of 

his co-conspirators by claiming to have 'acted alone'.

This young man committed these acts based on what he believed was true,

not unlike so many soldiers throughout history who have committed murder in the

name of what they 'believed' to be justice. As long as we continue to 

cultivate the belief of 'fighting for our beliefs' we will continue to experience

aberrations of this principle. We will continue to be subjected to the whims

of extremists who take their concept of justice that one fatal step too far, and 

chose to act out violently, fuelled by their rage at a perceived injustice.

 Norwegians, like all members of the human family have the capacity to produce

the greatest triumphs of the human spirit, as well as it's tragic shadow. What

has befallen Norway this past week has scarred many other nations throughout

recent years, and will probably continue to devastate others in the not too 

distant future.

 When put to the test, the true triumph of a person or country will be its return 

to its values and lifestyle.  Refusing to be intimidated by internal and external threats,

Norway will take it's place as a nation which will defy the compromising cries for

tighter security and diminished freedoms. Against a determined foe, there are

no foolproof methods to ensure the safety of citizens, that doesn't render a society

becoming little more than an 'open air prison'.

There is a world of difference between what one believes to be true and what 

one knows to be true, and not being able to see the difference between the

two is a seed of ignorance which often germinates into the weeds of destruction.

The anger and sadness the Norwegian people are currently experiencing

will lash out and condemn this young man and his hateful actions. Yet one 

day, this dark mood will surrender itself to a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness, 

as Norwegians will take courageous steps and move forward, as lovers of 

peace and life.

In the end, I believe, it is the mighty capacity for forgiveness which dwells within 

the human heart that will prove to be the eternal weight this young man will forever 

be burdened to carry. We humans have developed complex methods of denial to 

cope with, and shield ourselves from, the anger and judgement of others, forgiveness

however is a light and a force we have no defence against.

Now, this poor boy, poor of spirit and soul, has thrown away his own life and destroyed 

the lives of many many more…for a belief!

Dirty CT  July 2011