Well, I wanted to give this thread a rest, but Ed Weick's insult to Sweden
requires a rebuttal:
> > Also no one seemed to comment on Chris's statement about environmental
> > overrides in Scandinavia either.
>
> In about 1970, I did an extensive tour of Sweden, tasked with finding out
> what the Swedes were doing for their Saamic (Lapp) population. I got an
> earful. At that time, the Saams were still pursuing their ancient practice
> of herding their reindeer up into the mountains for summer pasture. What
> the Swedes had done was cut deep trenches across the routes the Saams took
> so that the reindeer could not pass. The Saams felt that this was a
> deliberate effort to destroy an ancient lifestyle, and I saw no reason to
> disagree. The Swedes wanted their north for hydroelectric and mining
> development, and the fact that a northern minority wanted it for another
> purpose did not seem to bother them. So, if Sweden is being bullied by the
> EU, all I can say is "what goes around comes around!"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now that's a pot calling the kettle (or rather the spoon) black !
Following his "logic", Canada deserves to be plundered and enslaved/destroyed
by the FTAA for what it did (and still does) to its Natives and the
wonderful forests, waters, air etc. (much worse than Sweden).
It is contradictory to first criticise Sweden for anti-enviro behavior
("hydroelectric and mining development") and then in the next sentence
applauding the EU for its anti-enviro bullying against Sweden.
Ed Weick's "defense" of the _Samis_ does not make sense either, because
the effects of the EU bullying are negative for the Samis too: A worse
environment, financial drainage to Brussels, more crime and inequality,
increased immigration and the EU's cultural "harmonisation" (read:
assimilation) will *harm* if not destroy the Sami culture.
Also, the EU forces Sweden to reduce the price of alcohol (its very high
alcohol prices have been the most effective means of limiting consumption
and the injuries caused by alcohol). Guess what effect this will have on
the Samis ? According to several international researchers, the eventual
price reduction to EU levels will lead to an increase in alcohol-related
injuries by at least 50%, and 3,000 more alcohol-related deaths per year
in Sweden.
So, Ed Weick once more revealed his political illiteracy, by reveling in
schadenfreude about Sweden's subjugation to the EU. Actually, the fate
of the Samis is a point *against* the EU system, and in favor of the
different model of Europe I mentioned earlier.
> > it seems that Chris is the
> > one who has the data. I even shout encouragement when something you or
> > he says that challenges my prejudices. That is the fun of this type of
> > aggressive dialogue.
>
> I would be more willing to argue points and facts with Chris if he didn't
> suggest that I swallow PR whole or am a reactionary. I felt he overstepped
> it a bit.
What a cheap excuse for failing to provide data to support his claims.
Ed W. failed to do so already long before I made the above compliments.
Chris
