In any case we just set him him up with a new set of wheels so hopefully we'll be posting up some updated pictures with his new wheels installed in a future post.

Ο άνθρωπος που έβαλε στο χαρτί και ήταν η εμπροσθοφυλακή των ιμπεριαλιστών στην διάλυση της Σερβίας και στην αναγνώριση του Κοσόβου παίρνει το νόμπελ "ειρήνης".

Η νορβηγική επιτροπή των βραβείων Νόμπελ έκανε το καθήκον της. Άκουσε τα αφεντικά της, προσκύνησε και έδωσε το βραβείο "ειρήνης" σε ένα από τους χασάπηδες των λαών!

Τους αξίζει το σάλιο μας για ένα καλό φτύσιμο!...

Mannen som var initiativtagare att genomföra imperialisternas plan att sticka Serbien och erkänna Kosovo får "Freds"priset.

Den norska Nobelkommittén gjorde sin plikt. Kommittén lyssnade väl på sina chefer, buggade inför makten och gav priset till en av fredsslaktarna.

Kommittén är värda vår saliv, för att spotta på dem!...

Y yo, cómo siempre, voy tarde en empezar.

Lo prometido es deuda, así que mi blog sobre mi Erasmus en Bergen ya ve la luz.

Sean bienvenidos.

Bank cuts have been done, yet capital and credit markets remain depressed. Investors and banks remain very cautious since the IMF has said that this crisis could further worsen before it gets better. Analysts say the global economy will only recover at the second half of 2009; meaning, the entire financial system may have to wait that long before they see redemption.

This early, Singapore already declared itself in recession, a few weeks after the Bush administration formally declared the US economy grounded. Iceland is on the brink of a national bankruptcy. Same as Britain and the rest of Europe. This has not reached the shores of the Middle East which has not been reported as affected by the global slowdown. In the coming weeks, Middle Eastern countries will probably report some losses also since petrol dollars are beginning to dwindle and most Arab investments are closely linked to US and European stocks.

Asia, especially the Hang Seng, the Singaporean Index and quite noticeably, the Philippine Stock Exchange took a severe beating from the low investor sentiment in the US. Developing countries have lowered their economic growth rates, especially the Philippines. Indonesia has also declared a slowdown. What investors are anxiously waiting to hear is the official announcement of China. Bear in mind that most of China's monies were invested in US stocks and a slowdown in the US would impact also on China's economy. India, well, has also suffered these past few weeks and its economy could turn to worst in the next coming months.

So, what we are seeing is the slow grind towards global recession. Analysts are still not yet convinced that the global economy has depressed but this scenario could happen most likely either in November or early 2009 since a slowdown in consumer spending is expected in December. Lower demands would impact on production and job cuts could possibly happen in the first quarter of 2009.

The question everybody is asking is--where's the rest of the money? How did these monies just suddenly dissipate? If we already lost US$ 8.3 trillion, where did it go?

Martti Ahtesaari won the prize for 2008. It really make sense, in a perverted sort of way when you think about it!

Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari (born on June 23, 1937) is a former President of Finland (1994–2000) and a United Nations diplomat and mediator.

Henry Kissinger won the prize 35 year ago today. Like Martti Ahtisaari, he, too, was a warmonger and a member of the Bilderberg group.

And so was his Noble Peace Prize, controversial like  Ahtisaari's. In fact the award was so controversial two disgusted Committee members resigned.

Wikipedia entry for Ahtisaari has a section under the the heading of "Criticism." It reads:

The Finnish intellectual and the professor of history, Juha Sihvola, who thinks current Iraq's war was not justified, criticized Ahtisaari's conclusions about the morality of the war saying that they were "astounding".[15]

Norwegian founder of peace studies, Johan Galtung, has criticized heavily Ahtisaari's way to handle peace processes. Galtung claims that "Ahtisaari does not solve conflicts but drives through a short-term solutions that please western countries". He further says that Ahtisaari "let's EU to abuse himself". According to Galtung Ahtisaari does not hesitate to favour solutions that bypass United Nations and international law.[16]

The Finnish branch of Friends of the Earth and Finnish intellectual and philosopher Thomas Wallgren have criticized Ahtisaari's actions in Finnish companies that were chopping rain forests in Indonesia.

Unfortunately references [13][15] and [16] point to documents written in Finnish.

In another section of Ahtisaari entry Wikipedia says: "Ahtisaari strongly defended the actions of United States at the crisis that preceded the current war of Iraq.[13] After the war had started, Ahtisaari issued a statement in November 2003: "Since I know that about million people have been killed by the government of Iraq, I do not need much [of] those weapons of mass destruction".[14] (Iraq's weapons of mass destruction were the primary reason the USA gave to justify its attack)."

But you don't have to learn Finnish to understand what's happening.

I always looked to the Icelandic model with admiration, as it managed to increase tax revenue through decreased taxes combined with other liberalising measures. Thus, it could afford to retain its welfare state and be very competitive. The liberalisation of the tax system has been very successful in years of high growth (reflecting reward for high risks), but can in years to come lead to a decimation (or even centimation) of tax revenue. There is of course another element: Iceland is very exposed to the banking sector through Kaupthing, Landsbanki and Glitnir and commodities (like fish). Neither are good places to be at the moment.

There is another issue when it comes to deregulation and tax liberalisation: it leads to greater volatility. For some, that's great: with enough money and knowledge you can make a lot of money regardless of markets going up or down. For the rest, not so great: decreased job security and falling real wages. I haven't found clear statistics on real wages from a large number of countries, but can confirm that real wages have fallen in the U.S. since 1980 (See this article—Norwegian) whilst real wages in Norway have increased 40 per cent in the period 1993-2006 (See the fact box for this article—Norwegian). There are two things I don't really understand. Firstly, why care about tax levels when what really matters is what you can get in return for the hours you work. Secondly—perhaps not so relevant to the above, but important nonetheless—why is there a sense of national pride connected to market indices?

இலங்கையின் தலைநகர் கொழும்பின் புறநகர் பகுதியான பொறலஸ்கமுவ பகுதியில் வியாழன் பிற்பகல் இலங்கையின் மூத்த அமைச்சரவை அமைச்சரின் வாகனத் தொடரணிமீது மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ள பெண் தற்கொலைக் குண்டுத்தாக்குதலில் அமைச்சர் உயிர் தப்பியிருக்கிறார்.

ஆனாலும் அமைச்சரின் வாகனத் தொடரணிக்கு பாதுகாப்பாகச் சென்றுகொண்டிருந்த வாகனமொன்று இதில் சேதமடைந்திருக்கிறது.

இதுகுறித்து கருத்து வெளியிட்ட இராணுவப் பேச்சாளர் பிரிகேடியர் உதய நாணயக்கார பிற்பகல் சுமார் 1.15 மணியளவில் களுத்துறை மாவட்டத்திலுள்ள பண்டாரகம பகுதியில் இடம்பெற்ற தேசிய விவசாய நிகழ்வொன்றில் கலந்துகொண்டுவிட்டு கொழும்பு திரும்பிக்கொண்டிருந்த விவசாயத்துறை அமைச்சர் மைத்திரிபால சிறிசேனவை இலக்கு
வைத்தே இந்தத விடுதலைப்புலிகள் அமைப்பின் இந்தப்பெண் தற்கொலைக் குண்டுதாரி இந்தத் தாக்குதலை மேற்கொண்டதாகத் தெரிவித்தார்.

ஆனாலும் இதிலிருந்து அமைச்சரின் வாகனமும், அமைச்சரும் எவ்வித பாதிப்புக்களுமின்றி தப்பியிருப்பதாகவும், இந்த வாகனத்தொடரணியில் பயணித்துக்கொண்டிருந்த விவசாயத்துறை பிரதி அமைச்சர் சிறிசேன கம்லத் சிறிய காயங்களிற்கு உள்ளாகியிருப்பதாகவும் பிரிகேடியர் நாணயக்கார தெரிவித்தார்.

இந்தத் தாக்குதலில் காயமடைந்து வைத்தியசாலையில் அனுமதிக்கப்படிருந்த ஒருவர் பின்னர் கடுமையான காயம் காரணமாக பின்னர் உயிரிழந்ததாகவும், ஏனையோர் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருவதாகவும் அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

யாழ்குடா பகுதிக்கு வெளிநாட்டு தூதர்கள் விஜயம்

	யாழ் மீனவர்கள்

இலங்கையின் வடக்கே யாழ்குடாநாட்டிற்கு பிரித்தானியா மற்றும் நோர்வே நாடுகளின் இலங்கைக்கான தூதுவர்கள் புதன் கிழமை விஜயம் செய்து, அங்கு உயர் பாதுகாப்பு வலயத்தில் இடம்பெயர்ந்த மக்களை மீளக்குடியமர்த்தும் நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்து அதற்கென அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள குழுவின் தலைவராகிய யாழ் மேல் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி ஆர்.ரீ.விக்னராஜா அவர்களிடம் கேட்டறிந்துள்ளனர். இந்தத் தூதுவர்களுடன் ஐநாவின் அகதிகளுக்கான தூதரகத்தின் தலைமை வெளிக்கள அலுவர் ஈடா ஷூட் அவர்களும் சென்றிருந்தார்.

இந்தச்சந்திப்பு குறித்து, தசவல் தெரிவித்த யாழ் மேல் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி ஆர்.ரீ.விக்னராஜா அவர்கள், வலிகாமம் வடக்கில் உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தின் உத்தரவுக்கமைய அங்கிருந்து இடம்பெயர்ந்த குடும்பங்களை மீளக்குடியமர்த்தும் நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொண்டு வருவதாகவும், முதற்கட்டமாக 24 குடும்பங்கள் மீளக்குடியமர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளதுடன், மேலும் 133 குடும்பங்களை மீளக்குடியமர்த்துவதற்காக அவர்களின் காணிகள் அடையாளம் காணப்பட்டு அவற்றில் கண்ணிவெடி அகற்றும் நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளதாக பிரித்தானியா மற்றும் நேரர்வே நாட்டு தூதுவர்களிடம் தெரிவித்ததாகக் கூறினார்.

மீள்குடியேற்றம் செய்யப்படும் மக்களின் வாழ்க்கை அங்கு சீரான முறையி்ல் இருப்பதற்குரிய தொடர்ச்சியான உதவிகள் அவர்களுக்கு வழங்குவது உறுதி செய்யப்பட வேண்டும் என்பதை குறிப்பாக ஐநாவின் அகதிகளுக்கான தூதரக அதிகாரியிடம் எடுத்துக் கூறியதாகவும் இந்த மீள்குடியேற்ற நடவடிக்கைக்கான உயர் மட்டக்குழுவின் தலைவராகிய யாழ் மேல் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி ஆர்.ரீ.விக்னராஜா தெரிவித்தார்.

கொழும்பில் உள்ள இலங்கைக்கான பிரித்தானிய தூதுவர்’ பீட்டர் ஹெய்ஸ், நோர்வே தூதுவர் டோ ஹெற்றரம் ஆகியோர் தலைமையில் 6 பேர் அடங்கிய இந்தக் குழுவினர் யாழ் அரசாங்க அதிபர் கே.கணேஷ் மற்றும் யரழ் ஆயர் தோமஸ் செளந்தரநாயகம் ஆகியோரையும், யாழ் மாவட்ட நீதிக்கும் சமாதானத்திற்குமான குழுவினரையும் சந்தித்துக் கலந்துரையாடியுள்ளார்கள்.

I've watched it ten times now and it gets funnier every time.  Especially if you know the source material which you can find here.

]

i'm still alive :)

There is only two problems. First of all; money. Okay, I have a job, but there's no way that my salary is enough to live all by myself.
Second; My parents. No way they're gonna let me move before I'm 18 anyway, except if I had a really good reason, like going to school far away or something.

So yeah, now I've had an epiphany!
I'm taking my senior year (next year) at Voss Husflidskule! Voss is a small place located about two hours from Bergen, and it's a pretty good school too. And if I'm living there, I'll get a scholarship for living far away from home, too! I've already talked to my parents about it, and they seem to be positive about the whole thing. So now I just gotta find someone I can move with, so it won't be too expensiv.
Joe has already volunteered. Man, it would be really awesome if he came to live with me :D

My upcoming home :D

Best Laptops Under $500
By Nick Mokey, Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad R61e
$487.69

Although ThinkPads have a reputation for being pricier premium notebooks intended for business travelers, a little smart shopping can land you this budget model on a shoestring. It's not as fast as the flagship T-series, or as light as the X-series, but the R61 has been reviewed favorably in its price range and includes many of the same features Lenovo rolls into those pricier ThinkPads. When ordering, make sure to choose the second-from-cheapest model to get an Intel Dual Core processor rather than a Celeron M (a bargain upgrade for only $32 more tacked onto the final price). Also make sure to select the cheapest Windows Vista option to sneak in under the $500 mark. The coupon code USP3PAYPAL will take an extra 15 percent off when ordering from Lenovo, lowering the notebook to $487.69.

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Dell Vostro 1000
$399.99

Dell's bottom-of-the-line notebook won't turn any heads, or win any head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but its $399 starting price makes it impossible to ignore. Since this isn't from a sale, mark-down or coupon, you're also free to add the options you really need. For instance, laying out $25 for the Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor instead of the Sempron would be wise. But travelers beware: A starting weight of 6.26 pounds makes it heavy by modern standards, and the AMD's heat output will also make it a battery killer, so you may wish to look elsewhere if you'll be taking it anywhere besides around the home and office.

Acer Aspire AS4315-2535
$459.90

Looking for something a little smaller than the 15.4-inch notebooks that normally seem to hit the bargain bin? This Acer falls one notch down on the size and weight scale, making it a little more portable for the on-the-go user. However, in exchange for the 14.1-inch screen and 5.7 pound weight, you'll sacrifice some performance by moving to a single-core Intel Celeron processor. If you're the type of person who imagines using a laptop to surf the Web in a coffee shop or tap out documents on a plane, you probably won't notice much of a difference, though, and may favor the portability.

Gateway T-6815
$499.99

The priciest notebook in our roundup may be refurbished, but that's the only thing
moving this otherwise well-equipped notebook into the sub-$500 category. It gets the fastest processor, Intel's vaunted Core 2 Duo, and the largest hard drive, 160GB. With a 14.1-inch screen and weight of only 5.55 pounds, you're also looking at the lightest machine on our list. Individual opinions on refurbished items vary, but if you're willing to trust Gateway's recertification team, you can land a laptop comparable to far pricier units for much less cash. Just remember: the manufacturer's warranty lasts 90 days, so be sure to put it through its paces before you run out of time to discover potential problems.

Compaq C700T
$479.99

Compaq's cheapest notebook doesn't stand out too far from the crowd, but it makes a nice option for those who don't want to be bothered filling out rebates, using coupons, or chasing sales. You get a no-nonsense machine with a 1.73GHz Intel Dual-Core Processor, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive. Spectacular? Not really, but you can snag one any time, and Compaq will allow you to round it out with whatever options you need. The only drawback would be the machine's 6.4-pound weight, which makes it even more of a desk anchor than Dell's cheaper (and slower) Vostro 1000.

Read the rest of this article on theAppleBlog >>

Less than a year after releasing their first LP "Climate of Fear", here's San Antonio, Texas' hardest, Bitter End, back with some new material: 7 inches of wax featuring 3 new songs that do nothing but keeping alive the legacy of brutality of their previous efforts. These new tunes definately bring their metal influences to a new peak, showing an even more mature band, resulting as the perfect mix of Slayer, Best Wishes-era Cro-Mags and NYHC bands such as Killing Time, Breakdown or Leeway. Introduced by 2 minutes of pure Slayer-esque metal madness, the band delivers the two songs, "Purgatory" and "Power Struggle", with extreme intensity and power, alternating thrashing riffs with some slow-paced breakdowns with true style! Fifteen minutes of hardcore that does nothing but confirming Bitter End as one of the best bands around right now!

CEREMONY - STILL NOTHING MOVES YOU [Bridge 9 Records]
www.myspace.com/ceremony
www.bridge9.com

If you haven't heard of Ceremony, you've probably been living in a cave for the last couple of years, or are just too dumb to listen to them. Anyway, theren's no doubt that this band is going to live a pretty deep mark in the hardcore scene for the years to come, and their new record is yet another proof of this statement. I can't think of too many bands that are able to play hardcore in such a violent way, with such a punk attitude and such an incredible intensity. They melt shotgun-fast parts with slower and gloomier parts, and at times you don't know if you're listening to a 2008 hardcore band or to an early Swans demo. I don't have too many words on this band, they're all useless, just get this record. Now.

COLD WORLD - DEDICATED TO BABIES WHO CAME FEET FIRST [Deathwish Inc.]
www.myspace.com/thecoldworld
www.deathwishinc.com

This first Cold World full-length has probably been one of the most awaited records this year and, I must admit it, just like it happened with every single thing they released in the past, it took me a couple of listens to get into the new CW sound. From first to last, the 15 tunes featured on "Dedicated To Babies Who Came Feet First" is a bag of bricks thrown at you from a mile-high skyscraper, moshaholic hardcore with strong Biohazard (Billy Graziadei's the producer of this record!) and Life of Agony influences. Lyrics on this record perfectly picture the life of people living their 20's in this modern world, a jungle of hardships and violence. As usual rap and hip-hop influences pop up here and there through some pretty sweet interludes. Featured on one of the songs is Floorpunch's Mark Porter as well as Blacklisted's George Hirsch. Since day one, Cold World set themselves apart from the crowd, this record confirms that they're true leaders of what's going on today in hardcore.

COMMON CAUSE - THE POWER TO CHANGE [Powered Records]
www.myspace.com/commoncauseoc
www.poweredrecords.com

What else can pop to your mind when you hear names such as Eyeball, Damage Control or Onward if not youth crew hardcore and straight edge? Started in 2005 by singer Dan and guitarist Jon, Common Cause's been shaking grounds since their first demo-tape, and that couldn't have been different considering the 5 songs featured on it. After a 7" released in late 2006, here's their debut LP and yeah, you got it, it's great! Eight songs that are strongly influenced by Youth of Today, Hard Stance, The Abused and Straight Ahead, still, in my opinion, with some Oslo hardcore elements thrown here and there. These guys are touring machines, and I'm pretty sure they'll be hitting your town, so make sure you don't miss them!

DEAL WITH IT - END TIME PROPHECIES [Dead & Gone Records]
www.myspace.com/dealxwithxit
www.deadandgonerecords.com

Deal With It caught my attention since their "World Coming Down" 7" released last year; seeing them live, even though only one time, had me liking them quite a lot; well, this first LP makes me shout "Oh shit!". All I can say is that "End Time Prophecies" rocks from the beginning to the end, from the amazing artwork by Ed Repka to the last chord of the last song. While their previous record sounded like the band was still kinda confused about where they were heading, this new material shows a much better band in terms of songwriting, while lyrically the concept behind this record still rotates around the condition of humanity nowadays. Cro-Mags, Killing Time and Leeway-driven hardcore to make your feet stomp. Grab this shit - humanity is history.

ENERGY - INVASIONS OF THE MIND [Bridge 9 Records]
www.myspace.com/thisenergy
www.bridge9.com

First time I heard of Energy was through their interview on There's Nothing Like It Fanzine #2, but I honestly didn't listen to the band in that occasion. I now find myself listening to their Bridge 9 Records debut full-length "Invasions of The Mind" and, even though I can't say I missed on something huge, this band is definately an interesting one. The 11 songs of melodic hardcore featured on this record take inspiration from a huge range of bands, going from Ignite to AFI, from the Misfits to Gorilla Biscuits and the result is pretty cool. This may not be a record I'd take with me on a desert island, but it definately a damn catchy one! These guys will be on tour with H2O, Bane and Cruel Hand in the US, and with Slapshot and All For Nothing, so check them out!

HAVE HEART - SONGS TO SCREAM AT THE SUN [Bridge 9 Records]
www.myspace.com/haveheart
www.bridge9.com

I still remember listening to the first Have Heart demo and thinking how much these guys were good, seeing them 5 years later being still around and getting better and better is simply amazing, and it shows how hard work ethics and dedication pay well in the end. This new chapter in HH's story marks yet another evolution in their sound and, in my opinion, overall as a band. Musically they're kinda picking up where they left off on "The Things We Carry", although getting emotion and power to a new level, while lyrically things here get more and more deep and personal. I'm pretty sure we all agree that this is a one of a kind band, and the10 songs they crafted for this record do nothing but confirming this, as well as setting new standards for the generations of hardcore bands to come.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS - DALEK [Triumvir]
www.myspace.com/internalxaffairs
www.triumvir3.com

The news of Internal Affairs splitting up bummed me out so fucking much, especially because they were about to embark for another European tour, and I got so damn siked to see them once again. Anyway, before parting ways, the band recorded a 12" EP, released by Orange County based streetwear company Triumvir, featuring an amazing artwork by renowned artist Dalek. Released as an amazing pack featuring 4 different vinyl colors as well as 2 t-shirts, the record itself features 4-tracks of Internal Affairs trademark: fast, thrashing and pissed off hardcore, with poisonous lyrics and an icing on the cake made of a good dose of breakdowns and nice mosh parts. Although I'm pretty sure we will all be missing this amazing band, there's no doubt we once again have another good Internal Affairs record to listen to! Internal Affairs x Dalek x Triumvir - forever.

RHYTHM TO THE MADNESS - WELTSCHMERZ [Powered Records]
www.myspace.com/rhythmtothemadness
www.poweredrecords.com

I can't do anything about it, I love this band. Since the day I've listened to the 2 songs featured on their demo-tape I've been saying they're the best band that came out of Europe recently, try to prove me wrong. The follow up 7", "Soul Doubt", did nothing but proving that, while this debut LP, well, it just shreds. Line-up has changed since their last release, with Ced from Rise And Fall joining on 2nd guitar, making things heavier than ever. Seems like these dudes have been listening to a lot of Slayer and Motorhead along with the Cro-Mags - a lot of grooves, solos, thrashing riffs and heavy breakdowns in these 8 songs, written on their search for the truth, on their crusade against devilishment. Hardness like never before from these Belgian soul survivors, a record you MUST NOT sleep on.

WAR PIGS - NO HOPE, NO FAITH, NO POINT [Leave 'Em Records]
www.myspace.com/warpigshc
www.myspace.com/leaveemrecords

Straight outta Doylestown, Pennsylvania comes War Pigs, which is, like I've already previously stated, one hell of a band! This first 7" they're putting is at the same time the first release for Ohio's Leave 'Em Records - and what an amazing release it is for both parties involved. Something as good and as original as this is not too easy to find nowadays, and it's just lovely: a mixture of the most classic hardcore with AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Stooges influences - hardcore meets rock'n'roll in its purest form, with a simply amazing result! These 4 songs are able to get these dudes away from pretty much everything that's going on today, and let me tell you I expect even better things from them in the futre, as I don't wanna think about how good an LP from this band could be! Get it at THIS link.

WHILE YOU WAIT - A LIFE FOR A LIFE [Indelirium Records]
www.myspace.com/whileyouwaitmusic
www.indeliriumrecords.com

Straight outta Italy, and featuring past and current members of an endless list of bands, While You Wait is a pretty young band. Born in 2007 from an idea of the man behind Indelirium Records, the band started working really hard writing tunes to put out their debut release. Finally, after a demo used to spread their name, here's their debut MCD "A Life For A Life". The record features 6 songs in which you can hear some strong influences from band ranging from American Nightmare to From Ashes Rise, going through Go It Alone and Grade. Vocals are damn harsh and the quality of the recording definately played a nice trick. Overall, if you're into the latest breed of hardcore, melting melody and aggression, this is definately a band you have to check out!

Now playing:

• Bad Brains - Quickness
• Ol' Dirty Bastard - Return To The 36 Chambers
• House of Pain - House of Pain
• Madball - Demonstrating My Style
• HR - Charge

Regie: Bard Breien                                                   Fridtjov Såheim: Cast

“The Master of Life's been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where other saw oblivion. He Has given new purpose to live for, new services to render and old wounds to heal. Life and love go on, let the music play.”

(Johnny Cash)

..schwarzer humor und brutaler sakasmus. lachen tut weh. gut so!

Pointer: amusment

Well, that's very nice of them.  I think that---hey, wait a minute.  Who would the "wrong person" be?  Oh, yeah, pretty much anyone critical of China's poor human rights record.  They're still upset in Beijing that the Dalai Lama won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize and are certainly not happy that one front runner this year is Hu Jia, who is currently sitting in a Chinese prison for "inciting subversion of state power" (i.e. criticizing the ruling party).  Mr. Hu's wife, Zeng Jinyan, is presently under house arrest.

Another favorite of odds-makers is 41-year old self-taught lawyer Gao Zhisheng.  He won a human rights case for a member of Falun Gong and---wouldn't you know it?---also happens to be occupying a Chinese prison cell right now.

Another strong possibility for the prize is Zimbabwe's Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai, who has lead the opposition to Robert Mugabe's terrible rule in that country.  (See my blog post on the economic situation in Zimbabwe under Mugabe's villainous mismanagement.)

The 2008 Peace Prize winner will be announced at 11:00 am Central European Time this Friday, October 10th.  The prize will formally be given to the winner on December 10th, the anniversay of Alfred Nobel's death.  Assuming, that is, that he or she is not in jail.

So get ready for Episode Two. They will learn some tough lessons in the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare. Will Carla survive the Arctic freezing cold? Find out Monday 13 October at 9:00pm on Channel Five.

If you miss it, it will be repeated on Tuesday 14 October at 10:00pm on ‘Fiver’ and on Wednesday 15 October at 11:05pm on Five.

Another new EU blog I came across is Frode FJeldstad, who is Venstre's (The Liberal Party) man in the European Parliament this fall. He is part of very exclusive club, only two Norwegians are working in the European Parliament, national expert Per S. Nestande is the other. Fjeldstad is located at the the liberal group ALDE's press office and will report on different EU topics. The Norwegian government keeps talking about an "active EU policy", but still, in so many EU debates (Norwegians, think about Tjenestedirektivet and Datalagringsdirektivet) are taking place in Norway two years after the debate ended in the rest of Europe. I think more parties should do as Venstre, and have their own person in the European Parliament, which gives  political parties the chance to have an active EU policy, not just on paper.

Talking about the EP, the Parliament want to continue the discussion about the legal statues of weblogs, a controversial discussion initiated by Estonian MEP Marianne Mikko, who is also blogging. Jon Worth wrote about it here.

Here are some more Norwegian bloggers who writes about EU (inspired by this list, but with a few more names):

Boye Bjerkholt (Venstre)

Dag Seierstad (SV)

Finn Myrstad (previous leader of the European Youth or JEF Norge, now working at the Brussels Office)

Trygve Lehne (leader of Stavanger European Youth)

Heming Olaussen (No to EU)

Erlend Liberal (Venstre)

Elin Sørsdahl (journalist, TV2)

Paal Frisvold (Bellona, Brussel)

Liselotte Lunde (leader, European Youth)

Tore Syvert Haga (Youth against EU)

There must be more Norwegian EU bloggers, help me to update the list!

Sir Alex Ferguson rewarded Darren Fletcher with a three-year contract extension this week, to run till 2012.

It took the Scot time to win over the United supporters, but some crucial goals and much-improved performances over the course of last season and in the early part of the new campaign have convinced many of his worth.

Now, he's been handed the Scotland armband by boss George Burley and will lead the side out at Hampden for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway on Saturday.

Established skipper Barry Ferguson is still crocked and deputy Stephen McManus is suspended after his red card against Iceland. Thus, Fletcher has beaten off competition from Rangers veteran David Weir and Celtic stopper Gary Caldwell to win the right to lead out his side.

The captaincy will cooincide with the 24-year-old's 40th cap. Boss Burley explained his decision, saying:

"Since I took over, his attitude towards playing for his country has been outstanding.

"He is a player who is always desperate to represent Scotland. At the same time, he has established himself as a regular player for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I know he will be very proud to lead the players out at Hampden on Saturday. He will do a great job for Scotland."

They will visit the municipalities of Notodden, Tokke, Frysedal, and Nissedal.

Their first stop was Notodden, where the royal couple saw the local waterfall, which can be turned on. While posing for photographers on a bridge with the waterfall in the background, Mette-Marit nearly lost her balance when she stepped into a hole in the bridge with her stiletto heels. Husband Haakon kept on smiling for the photographers.

The royal pair went on to meet the town's local people. Children were lined up, waving Norwegian flags and calling for the couple, particulary Mette-Marit.

This royal tour will have Haakon and Mette-Marit visit the industrial, art and culture scenes, and visit various institutions of Telemark.