Vacation

I'm off for a short vacation this weekend starting tomorrow. No updates until monday, Have a great weekend all of you.
I know I will :)

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Just a fun link...

About a Flatmate from Hell or at least one of the innermost circles of Heck.

Sometimes we need a good laugh.

Our own Millenia Act (plus five)

There is a new EU law in town, it is regarding the new copyright that has to be updated for all EU countries. In Sweden we have not yet decided to accept a new law in line with the EU directive, the ruling Socialist Democrats and the Communist party has a draft to new legislation supported by the Conservatives(?).
However there is definitely discourse in the otherwise hegemonious lefts, the communist party starts to talk of that culture should be free, only Bourgoise pigs charge for something that should be available for all. The center party (old farmers union party), the greens and the Christ democrats (was Christ a Democrat?) have now joined the voices that opposes the legislation that would ban people from downloading and storing copyrighted files from the Internet.

The spokesperson from the Christ Democrats party explains it like this:

"We have to make laws that feel relevant for people in general. You can question a that people have been copying files and believed this to be OK until now"

Oh I see, so if murder was not in the law book then we should debate if we should add that as illegal because people are killing each other now and they have believed that to be OK? We don't want to confuse people, better to go on and have them break the law. It all makes sense now...

Furthermore she adds:
"If we all of a sudden make this a crime (which it already is) then how will that be in agreement with peoples sense of justice. We need to maintain the respect for the justice system and our laws. The risk being that many will break it without knowing it is illegal"

Right.
1. Ignorance of the law is no defense
2. In effect this is stealing money from the author/composer/inventor/programmer
3. Consensus shouldn't be needed before passing a law, there will always be one that wants to steal. Or how did the law against the purchase of sexual favors get passed in that case?

This bright Christ democrat then goes on to say that we should impose a fee for all Internet connection, this of course being of equal brightness as the former Communist party politruk now Stasi-Feminist leader Gudrun Schyman's suggestion of a man tax since there exists some men that hit women.

We can't assume all people do this, but if they go that way I will download copyrighted files like crazy and afterwards maintain
1. I was unaware it was illegal
2. I pay a fee for my Internet connection and as such already payed for all copyrighted material out there.

I now look forward to the same Christ Democrat proposing that everyone should spend a month in jail every year because some people out there actually commits crimes.

Adding on, I do believe that Sony, MGM, Vivendi and the other companies need to get with the times, start looking to iTunes and the new Napster and stop producing crap CDs and then scream that people don't want to buy your latest blond chick that can't sing. In order to survive you need to give the people what the people want, not what you want them to want, it doesn't work that way.
But it should always be illegal to steal.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Double standards? Baylan or bust

Ibrahim Baylan the Swedish minister in charge of public schools (not universities) have been caught with his hands in the all to famous "cookie jar", however what has generated the loudest criticism and vocal demands for a public slap is not the fact that he was involved in voter fraud, or rather voting discrepancies as the Carter foundation so eloquently would put it.
no rather Mr Baylans visit to a club of dubious character has rendered him massive criticism, both internally from the Social democrats Feminist network Feministas (no, that is their name, however Daniel Ortega has nothing to do with it) and from others.

In the beginning I was appalled by this since the first reports hinted that Mr Baylan and friends all had used taxpayers money or other money not meant to be used for personal fringes, however now it seems that they did pay for this with their own money.
If this is the case I don't mind them going to a strip club, whatever rocks your boat, as long as I'm not footing the rocking with my income tax.

No I'm more fascinated by the fact that the alleged voter fraud is not being more critizised, who cares if the guy likes to look at women taking their clothes off, it's not like he is the first Socialist to do that, or is he Mr Rosengren? (Although he did not know he was at a stripclub, of course topless women are found in abundance in restaurants so I can see the mistake can easily be made) Back to Baylan though. I find it fascinating that we have brought the society so far that we are more upset over a visit to a strip club (with his own money) than we are over voters fraud/manipulation and so on. I think he has showed a blatant disrespect for democratic values and should step down in the name of decency, however decency seems to have left the Swedish Social democratic party when Palme took office.

Perhaps we can find Mr Baylan a nice cushy job in one of the >238 government agencies in Sweden.

I find this a most distressing development, we need to respect the vote no matter what it says Mr Baylan, remember that and apologize, I'm sure there will be a spot for you somewhere where you can go to strip clubs and cheat to your hearts content, perhaps you and Rosengren can open a joint together, I'm sure you can secure the funding and Rosengren seems to be somewhat of a connaiseur.

Note: Bjorn Rosengren former leader of a large union closely knit to the socialist party was discovered at a strip club and defended himself with the immortal words, "I didn't know where I was" of course he was directly promoted to a minister post in the subsequent Socialist government, such fast thinking is needed when uncomfortable questions arise)

Sincerely
Mr Silence

Cold division from yore

Seems that the Germans don't really like the concept og being togheter anymore.
Some statistics have found that 25% of westegermans want the wall back, only 12% of Easterners agree, would be interesting to know when these groups were born.

Further information from the poll is:
"The poll also found that 47 percent of the easterners agree with the statement that the West "acquired the east like a colony", while 58 percent of the westerners back the statement that "easterners tend to wallow in self-pity".

Link:
http://tinyurl.com/6ytzy

To cheer these poor sods up I propose we all buy a German a beer this weekend. Perhaps a cold one can make them friends again.

Sincerely
Mr SIlence Dogood

Right to die part 2

I have talked about Terri in earlier posts, her husband wanted her to be taken off lifesupport and Bush & co chased around the whole justice system to prevent this for happening. It even went so far that the Congress in a extra session approved legislation for Mrs Schiavo and President Bush cut a vacation(!) short to sign the proposal (first time ever.
So why all this Brou-ha-ha? Perhaps Bush wanted to snag some easy points off the compassionate conservatives, however seems he has failed that.

New poll shows four out of five(!) support Mr Schiavo and actually opposes federal intervention, Gosh golly, Mr Bush.

Link to AP story
http://tinyurl.com/3t4c7

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Fischer in deep waters

Bobby Fischer, the chessplaying genius that people said would beat Kasparov himself have been in hiding in the Philipines fighting extradition to the US on charges of violating the embargo against then Yugoslav republic.
Didn't think much of Bobby but it seems a life on the run has set some marks in him, or perhaps it is the sun?
This is a quote from a radiointerview with Herr Fischer:

"They didn’t contact my lawyers. Nothing. The fucking Jews want to destroy everything I’ve worked for all my life. There was no Holocaust. The Jews are liars. It’s time we took off the kid gloves with these parasites…Which is to expose the Jews for the criminals they are, the parasites they are, the liars they are, the thieves they are, the niggers (sic) they are…This is the Jewish mentality. These are a criminal people. They are liars, they are the worst pieces of shit in the world. They mutilate their own children. Fuck the Jews."

Herr Fischer perhaps needs some time off, considering Bobby is Jewish on his mothers side the statements are peculiar to say the least.
Ah well, the poor Herr Fischer will have time to cool down, seems Iceland has found mercy and granted Bobby boy asylum, let's hope he doesn't spend to much time in the hot springs...

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Continous Democracy

The latest development in Kyrgyzstan must be disconcerting for the dictators of the world. Already we can see the ripples from what started in Georgia November 2003 with the ousting of the last remnant of old Soviet union, Sjevarnadze. It continued to Ukraine where the Orange revolution ended a corrupt regime and also exposed Russia and Putin for the totalitarians that they are, continued on to Lebanon wit the murder of Rafik Hariri and subsequent ousting of Syrian troops. After the people of Kyrgyzstan has forced the, still defiant president, Akayev abroad where he with an fools persistance claims still to be the president and promises to be a "key player" in future Kyrgyzstan.
The only disconcerting reports are the plundering that is ongoing in Bishkek, I hope that the military and police quickly will acknowledge the peoples will and start supporting the coalition and temporary leaders. However already the good news are coming in that people has taken to protect the shops and private enterprises themselves while waiting for the police to come back, this is real good news, people in caos will still fight to keep a rule of law with perhaps unorthodox methods.
The Kyrgyzs constitution calls for general elections in three months time and so far the former opposition has said they will follow the law, I hope that the rioting will not impede that in any way since it will be important for the legitimacy of the goverment.
There is both Russian and US armybases in Kyrgyzstan however it seems that the Russians have learned their lesson from the Ukraine debacle after which this quote was floated:
“In Ukraine, the West was like a skilful lover, while Russia was like an impotent rapist,” Andrei Piontkovsky, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies, said. “I’m afraid Moscow is going to repeat the same mistakes in Kyrgyzstan.”
Russia has stated that they support the opposition and will not in any way interfere but hopes for peaceful relations with the new lkeaders of the 5 million large country. So it seems even the Russians can learn from history.

There is one last bastion of dictatorship left from the Soviet empire and that is Alexander Lukasjenko and his Belarus. I read today though that the people has taken to the streets and Lukasjenko reacts like the dictators of old, commandering out his police and security troops to strike down the people wanting democracy.

Alexander, your days are numbered, if I were you I would check my Swiss numbered account and book that ticket out of Belarus before the people come down on you with all their might.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Free the Blog

Upon starting this blog I have gradually become more interested in the phenomena of Blogging, there are thousands upon thosands of Bloggs ranging from Matt Drudges "the Drudge report" to Joe Nobody's Blog about the navel lint he found today.

One thing is clear though, goverments and industries see Blogging as a real threat as proved by Apples lawsuit against three Blogs. Also a lot of Goverments and media groups are nervous about this new feature, even the US Borderguards look upon this as a suspicios activity as proved by Jeremy Wrigth.

So what is Blogging doing to the world? Seems that the old analog society is having trouble dealing with progress, but they are going with the time, after all we have recently seen the first Blog with White House press credentials.

What then can we do? Well either start your own Blog or read about the Bloggers strife at Commitee to protect Bloggers.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

The Bobbies strike back

I went to the Pub the other night in Berkhamstead for a farethewell ale with some friends prior to my move to Hong Kong, in the bathroom above the toilet there was a sign from the Metropolitan police that I found quite intriguing.

Relax, go ahead and read. No one can tell you are a wife beater.
You don't look like someone that would hit a woman but who does? Domestic violence is a crime committed by men from all walks of life if you are abusing your partner you should know that the police no longer needs her statement to make an arrest. If we have reasonable grounds we will arrest you and if you have left the scene we will track you down. Remember there are no longer any safe houses for men who committ domestic violence.

I like this new law though, many times the woman are caught up in the relationship or too afraid to go further, those times it's good that the police can intervene.
I wonder if this goes the same for women beating their men?

Global Intifada in Sweden

Today Sweden has been touched by "terrorists".
A car belonging to the Russian embassy was blown up a day ago by a group calling themselves Global Intifada.
These misguided youths, yes I do believe we are talking about leftist Swedish youths here, are actually fighting global Capitalism and towards the goal of global Socialism. They have no clue what they are doing but are nonetheless dangerous and also they seem to disregard what Intifada actually means and what type of Socialism the Palestinian militants like.

I see these persons, probably members at one stage of the organisation AFA (Anti-Fascistic Action), as out of touch with reality and they are a product of the inconsequenses of the Swedish Apologetic attitude towards terrorism and anti-democratic groups that uses violence to further their own goals. I am sure that these people actually believe, like Rote Arme Fraction did that the people wants a revolution and all they need is a kick in the rear to be shown what a capitalistic society does. That the majority likes Capitalism totally escapes these people and I will now look forward to the Security Police hunt these people down.
No doubt will this also add to the burden of the socialist gov't to actually make a stand and stop supporting terrorist organisations like Hamas, Al-Aqsa Martyrs, Hezb'Allah and the Iraqi "resistance".

Sincerley
Mr Silence Dogood

(S)candal in Sweden

Not long ago there was a demonstration by the builders union in Stockholm against the EU initiative Directive on Services in the Internal Market. This directive which I feel is very much needed and in accordance with the EU credos and purposes is seen as a threat to the Swedish union. Of course this is all people seeing their money disappearing down to someone elses pockets, the strategies of the Swedish Builders union and the LO (Country organisation of Swedish Unions) with the goverments (Socialists) silent approval are those that even the late(?) Jimmy Hoffa would have been proud.
An Baltic building firm is bidding on a contract in Vaxholm, a small city north of Stockholm, they win they bid because they are cheaper (and most probably) better than the Swedish alternatives. The union right away screams "Bloody murder" and like the true Hypocrites that they are they put the building site under blockade claiming the Baltic company are not using Swedish collective agreements regarding salaries, of course not, they are not a Swedish company.
The unions are of course grandstanding here, all they see are cheaper labour coming in to take away jobs for themselves. They say that they are doing this to help the builders in the baltic countries in order to get them better pay, however, the deal the baltic builders got was already more than they would ever get in the Baltic and the fact that Swedish workers underbid German companies in Germany is not mentioned by the union. All this is of course done in their own self interest.

So far no real scandal has been made, however a few days ago the Builders union along with the minister for work (Yes we have a minister for that, and apparently he is allowed to go in a demonstration against his own and his party's policies strange, but then again this is Sweden) they all staged a demonstration against the Directive on Services in the Internal Market, not only did they protest but also one of the Gov't unemployment offices sent out a letter to all unionised unemployed builders stating that they had to go to Stockholm and march and if they didn't the unemployment agency would withdraw their benefits. i.e walk in the demonstration or no more money.

Of course this is a scandal, it gives unpleasant images of people forced to attend the demonstrations in old Sovietunion or North Korea. Of course the person responsible blamed stress when formulating the letter, it wasn't supposed to sound like a threat but an option. Yeah, I can see how stressed out that person must have been, oh I have to find all unemployed builders in a union, my gosh how will I have time to write the letter AND contacting the local union to arrange for the busses to take these builder that are under no requirement to protest but I will make them sort of. Geez I need to sit down befpre I scheme a bit more...

The Union and Socialistgov't in Sweden are so closely knit that they are basically one, ruining it for other people when they have a chance to make money and keeping Sweden in the backwater they grab it. It is time for Western Europe to embrace the Service age and let go of the Industrial age.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Czech your facts Klaus

it seems that Czech president Vaclav Klaus has gotten some facts wrong regarding the new EU constitution. When the EU created the new constitution they also created a watchdog group called CIDC (Combat Innacuracy and Distortion on the Constitution), this group is watching newspapers and debates to set the record straight on the constitution when it goes awry. Previous attacks by the UK paper the Times and the French paper l'Humanite has been set straight by Richard Corbett and Alejo Vidal-Quadras.

Lately now the Czech presidentVaclav Klaus has released a sort of Lutheranesk opposition to the EU constitution, 10 theses that has awoken the CIDC to "answer the innacurasies of Mr Klaus".
Jo Leinen, chair of the EP Constitutional Affairs committee recently rebuked Klaus over erroneous "comments" the President had mentioned regarding the new constitution, the fact that he is an elderly University lecturer didn't seem to affect the factchecking of said comments, perhaps the political side has finally taken over, Stanislav Gross' affairs might be interfering a bit aswell, wherever did that uncle come from Herr Gross?

After Herr Leinen corrected the erring president it seemed that Mr Klaus wanted rather rebutt and try to embarass poor Herr. Leinen, so instead of doing the right thing and concede, or at least just leave it be, Valclav Klaus went to Jo Leinens homefield Germany and let himself be interviewed by a German paper. In the interview Mr Klaus makes several wicked comments about the EU constitution and also calls the eminent institution of EU a post-democratic institution.
However, it seems the ungrateful president has gone too far this time. The leader of the EPP group in the EP, Hans-Gert Poettering, no less, has stepped in to contradict Klaus. That should stop him.

Myself I am looking forward to Herr Leinens rebuttal of President Klaus free-ranging intellect as it were.
If you know how to read Czech this page might be interesting.
Lidovky

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Salsa, the choice of a new...

I went to salsa class tonight, just got back in from that first beginners class.
Tons of fun, anyone out there that hasn't tried it out I definitely recommend you all to do it. We went in a car to a place called Liverty Hall in New Greenham Park, walking in there was like walking into a dancing palace from world war II, paintings of airplanes and paratroopers painted on the walls and RAF signs. Apparently the old Andrews 420th Bomber Squad is located nearby (or was), anyway we were unable to find any paratroopers just a bunch of English middleaged women (some younger) and the few men that had been persuaded to come with them. The men did brave attempts but one after another they all dropped of to the bar, since we are in Merry old England they are of course selling beer in the dancing palace during salsa class.
Perhaps it loosens the hips of all these men and women from lower middleclass England.
Whatever the reason I discovered two things, and I think my colleague in salsa, Spencer agrees with me here.

1. I stink at salsa, forgot everything, back at the lowest level of the salsaladder I frantically try to climb up.

2. Middleaged English women like to dance salsa even more than ladies night at the Square with a Robbie Williams lookalike.

We happened to have dinner at the restaurent where a Robbie Williams lookalike was scheduled to appear tonight. Needless to say the place was packed. I think they were all planning on swooning and throw lookalike panties at him.

I will investigate further tomorrow.
In the meantime I'll be dancing salsa this easterweekend.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

The Stolen Revolution

The scene is Universitatii Square in Bucharest, Romania on stage is president elect Traian Basescu. Traian broke the old tradition of long speeches by goverment officials and instead he jumps up on stage shouting "Happy New Year Bucharest" and takes a large swig from the Champagne bottle.

So why am I bringing up Traian, well I have, one could say, a special relationship with Romania after visits to the country. The people living there has always stricken me as duality personified, they are very religious but at the same time they have what one could say a pragmatic outlook on life. It is legio in Romania that you have to pay to get a job, or have connections.

Back to Romania, most of us (at least those of my age) remembers the revolution in 1989 that ended with the summarical execution of one of the worst dictators of the old Eastern Bloc, there were not too many tears shed when a firing squad shot the already dead body of Nicolae Ceacescu and his wife Elena. Many thought that this revolution, the bloodiest of all revolutions to throw off the curse of communism was a revolution of the people, but was it really?
Later it has been revealed that the revolution was nothing more than a "civil war" between factions of the Securitate, a crypto coup that paved the way for 15 more years of near communist control, a goverment controlled by an apparatchik as brutal as the preceeding. Led by an ailing president Ion Iliescu the last remnant has finally been cast aside with the election of the 54 year old former captain Traian Basescu. In the wake of this Romanians now refer to the 1989 revolution as the "Stolen revolution".

Basescu now has a hardship in front of him to turn Romania around in time for the EU membership that looms in 2007. Looking at the country now they would fail every test of admission, but still hope is there, and Romania has for the first time since World War II it's first non-communist goverment.
They need our support, I wish Traian good luck in the future and I hope to see Romania in the EU by 2007.


Faptele grãiesc mai apãsat decât vorbele.
Mr Silence Dogood

Silence goes international

State of the Union goes international. I have over the past few days gotten visits from all over the world, if you are here please leave a comment or wait a week or so until I can start the forum, then you can leave an imprint there.

In any way, it is fun to see so many people visiting from all corners of the world and I hope you will all come back at one time or another. In the meantime, thanks for visiting my page.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

The right to die

Terri Schavio, remember that name.
She has been in the hospital for 15 years ever since she suffered a stroke at the young age of 26 and was left without oxygen to her brain for five minutes, she has been in a vegetative state ever since, fed through a tube and all this time her husband has stood by her side, fifteen years he has been there for her watching her fade and finally he had enough.

Mr Schavio asked the courts to let his wife die and a few days ago after seven years fighting over this in courts he has the right to end Terris life. Perhaps in order to grasp what this life entails here is a description of what a vegetative state entails.

This term is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as "brain-death." It can follow a coma.
People in a persistent vegetative state cannot think, speak or respond to commands and are not aware of their surroundings. They may have noncognitive functions and breathing and circulation may remain relatively intact.

They also might move spontaneously and even grimace, cry or laugh.

In the seven years since the fight to let Terri die has been going on the feeding tube has been removed three times, last time in 2003 but at that time Jeb Bush, Florida Governor, intervened and legislated a right for him as governor to continue the feeding. This law has now been overturned by the US Supreme Court and the feeding tube is yet again sceduled to be taken out.
However, latest news are that the republicans in the senate has created a new and unique law after fierce lobbying from Terris parents, they want Terris to continue to live in her bed at the hospice.
The senate voted in favour to temporarily barr any attempt at removing the tube, but as a leading democrat says:
"Florida courts for seven years have found by a standard of clear and convincing evidence, that it is Terri Schiavo's wishes that she not remain in a permanent vegetative state," said Rep. Robert Wexler, a Florida Democrat.

"It is not the place of Congress in the 11th hour in the most abusive fashion to undermine the Florida judicial system."

Well, as Terris feeding tube continues to be a hard question for the Christian Conservatives, Terris parents and Mr Schavio I have only one personal reflection of the whole affair.

Regardless if you agree with ending Terris life or not, I must ask myself, why do we have to let her starve to death! In a hospital no less, if a court has decided that she can go on to other things, or expire as it is called, why can we not give her a lethal injection and let her go quietly, why do we need to let her starve to death? Even the worst of criminals in the US gets a faster and less painful death, can we not extend this to a poor woman that had her life end at 26?

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

thinking about the move

So merry readers, I have started to prepare myself for the move halfway across the globe.
Looking at apartments I am amazed that there are so many of them available.
Tips from friends that have been there says that Kennedy Town is a good area so I am currently looking around there, however I have been told that there is a fishmarket nearby and that I do not want to live there.

The average apartment is about 8-10.000 HKD so it seems to be just a tad over the Stockholm prices. I have had great help of the site GoHome

Hopefully I will find a little place I can call my own overlooking Kowloon :)


Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

On the Radio

I was invited to do a radio show on the Goverment radio SR the other day, I was supposed to debate the Swedish liberal party's new take on integration (for my Swedish readers, here is the report).
The report has sparked the left in Sweden to lash out at the Liberals and calling them both populists and racists for, what they see, are limitations in the proposals handling of immigrants in Sweden.

The main point of the lefts criticism is the proposal that if a foreign citizen (Note to the left: Foreign citizen also includes US Citizens in Sweden, not just Iraqis) commits a crime and gets sentenced to more than two years in prison then the sentence should include the obligatory expulsion from the country and declared "persona non grata", there is also en element of the three strikes law that states the expulsion if a foreign citizen gets sentenced on three counts with a term of less than two years.

Now, where is the racism in this? If the proposal stated the expulsion of all jews, or all blacks I could see the racism, however the proposal states "All foreign citizens".
The other point we have to consider is that the proposal allows for the expulsion not to be carried out if being expelled would mean a violation of the UN conventions (i.e. death sentence or so forth) but it does call for expulsion as being the norm rather than the exception. I concurr with these plans.

One has to pose the question if a person that has commited a crime and gets a sentence of two years or more (which is not common in Sweden) then has that person a right to participate in Swedish life? Does that person have a right to grants and the bloated social welfare system we have? Right to all the things we offer for free to all citizens and refugees? I say no, if you commit a crime of those proportions I say you have overstayed your welcome.

These and other questions I was supposed to do a radio debate on have I not gotten ill with the flu, there will be more opportunities though I hope and I will of course post here for my readers to be able to follow that debate.

Sincerley
Mr Silence Dogood

Vodka, not only from potatoes

A new and unusual twist in the European Union.
It seems that the evil states of Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Poland have banded together and in the likes of the Italians who got a definition on Parma ham, they want a definition of Vodka.
Apparently these four countries have the audacity to demand that Vodka is a drink that should be distilled from grain and/or potatoes only, of course the European cannot be barred from getting a Vodka distilled of the precious grape or cherry, now where would that lead us?
Anarchy I say, I think we need a redefinition of the Axis of Evil, clearly these Northern states trying to force away the Vodka name from the poor cherry pickers and grape stompers.

Read all about it at: The Australian ???

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

Long live the Pope, the pope is dead

Well, not really he is still with us the pontiff.
I was just wondering what will happen if his presciousness the pontiff will slip into a coma. Who then will take command of the Catholic world? His secretary?

I believe that the pope has an obligation to all Catholics to actually abdicate now before his state makes him unable to continue his reign. I mean how will he be able to fulfill his duties of promoting AIDS and illegal abortions from a coma? That cannot be done, better he resigns now before it is to late and prolific use of condoms will be rampant on the African continent.

All kidding aside Pope John Paul II has made contributions to the Holy See, Jozef Karoly was the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years and also the first ever Slavic Pope, being a Polish citizen I feel I can be proud over this since my grandmother is born in Poland. Pope John Paul II can look back at an impressive statistic, it is reported that as of October 2004, he has beatified 1,340 people. Whether he has canonised more saints than all his predecessors put together, as is sometimes claimed, is difficult to prove, as the records of many early canonisations are incomplete or missing.

The Pope has also, amazingly enough, traveled to more countries than all previous popes put together, one wonders why the others were such shut-ins.
The Pope supported Solidarinosc in Poland during the crumbling of the "Evil Empire" and has also worked hard to reconsile the differences with the Jewish community. A good man he is, now all we are waiting for is the first homosexual Bishop, and Catholics using protection to not get AIDS becuase John, as much as you don't like to hear this, people will not use abstaining as a method of not getting VDs and as long as your priests tell people they'll end up in hell if they use condoms we will continue to see the proliferation of illegal abortions and hurt among the believers.

Sidenote 1: I had a very refreshing exchange about the non-existence of a deity with a fellow forum member on Flashback International, go in and find the thread God True or False?.. Why or Why Not? Give us your $0.02

Sidenote 2: When will we see the first Black pope? The first Gay Pope? And oh... shudder the thought, the first Black Gay Pope?

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood

#bash:> whoami

So, a quick introduction would be in order for the first ever post on this blog and also my intentions with the blog.
I am a thirtysomething Senior Consultant with a large American company, born and raised in the Swedish archipelago outside of Stockholm, Venice of the north.
I work all over Europe and have been known to find my way to Florida on occasion for lenghty periods of time. Most of the time I am in London for work so if you want to seek me out that is where I spend the bulk of my time.

I have a libertarian outlook on life (note to reader; not liberal, look it up if you are unsure) and I will hound all injustices and bloated goverments that I see or hear about.
Up until May 2005 I will equally share this Blog with Swedish and European politics aswell as occasionally spicing it up with my preparations for the move to Hong Kong beginning of May.
After my move I will move to write a little bit more about Southeast Asia and life in HK spiced with some outlooks on political life in the EU and China.

I have chosen Mr Silence Dogood as my signature and those of you who are unaware of where this character originates I can enlighten you all that it was the pseudonym of Benjamin Franklin when he at the young age of 16 started writing satirical letters to magazines. Since that first nom de Plum Mr Franklin used several more pseudonyms such as Alicia Addertounge and Timothy Turnstone to send letters to the editor of papers.

Sincerely
Mr Silence Dogood