debating progressive politics in Europe and beyond
I am out in Chicago and was shocked to learn yesterday about the horrendous attacks that took place in Norway. My thoughts are of course with the families and friends of the victims.
These attacks also serve as a reminder that a free, open and democratic society cannot be taken for granted but needs to be defended every day, over and over again.
So many young social democrats have lost their lives on Utøya island. We owe it to their memories to defend the values they stood for even stronger.
New blogpost: "The #Oslo and #Utøya Island Atrocities" by Henning Meyer http://goo.gl/fb/k1H1i #blogs #attack #norway
RT @SocialEurope t: "The #Oslo and #Utøya Island Atrocities" by Henning Meyer http://t.co/ZxtSUiU #blogs #attack #norway
The Oslo and Utøya Island Atrocities http://t.co/JmuF7N6 via @socialeurope
New blogpost: "The #Oslo and #Utøya Island Atrocities" by Henning Meyer http://goo.gl/fb/k1H1i #blogs #attack #norway
SEJ: "The Oslo and Utøya Island Atrocities" by Henning Meyer http://bit.ly/qy0pJs #SocioTweets
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Absolutely. Our condolences go to all the families of the victims. Jens Stoltenberg has rightly said that this should not be allowed to disturb those very values of openness and democracy held so strongly in Norway.
Clearly, however, there are other values held by some in Norway–in this case, right-wing, Christian, nationalistic values. From such a standpoint an enlightened, progressive government like the red-red-green coalition is anathema, as is the idea that young people might be socialised into such a culture to carry the torch of the next generation.
The BBC's initial reportage of the attacks suggested they were the work of Al-Qaida. This assumption, terrorism = Islamic fundamentalism, must be challenged. All religions are capable of throwing up individuals who refuse dialogue with those who do not share their view of the good life and feel justified in resorting instead to violence–Protestantism and Catholicism in Northern Ireland to name but two.
As a Turkish citizen, in memory of All the people who lost their lives as a result of the terrible attack took place in Norway , I share the pain and sorrow of all the people of Norway.