The mind boggles.

Althingi is preparing to vote on whether Iceland should enter talks with the EU and there are a couple of MP’s whose stance and attitude towards the whole thing is astoundingly backwards to say the least.

I voted for the Citizen’s Movement and have been reasonably pleased with the fresh air they’ve breathed into the stale Althingi. I don’t need my MP’s to completely agree with me on all issues and I respect those who can hold a different opinion if they can back it up convincingly.

But Birgitta Jonsdottir has now joined the ranks of those gutless MP’s who want to vote against the talks. And she is neither convincing or assuring in her stance.

Why gutless? Well, the EU issue is one that Iceland has to face sooner rather than later and instead of hearsay and propaganda from politicians who are paid for by the farming and fishing lobby, we need to get the facts on the table. What is on offer for Iceland if it joins the EU?

And why the EU? Culturally and commercially, Iceland is so linked and dependent on Europe that we are going to end up in the union eventually. In fact, you can argue that it is absolutely necessary if Iceland wants to keep its  independence, contrary to what the fear-mongers have tried to install in the nation. The world is heading for more cooperation, more synergy. It will be extremely hard for Iceland to isolate itself away from it.

The conversational detours some have tried to head down, such as Iceland joining the US instead are not valid. Culturally, Iceland might be more alike the US than most European nations but it is only skin deep, extending more to taste in music and movies than social values.

On the campaign trail this spring, Birgitta said the following repeatedly. She was against the EU herself but there were different opinions within the Citizen’s Movement and it was tolerant of such differences. But the nation should be allowed to vote for or against the issue itself.

Then when push comes to shove, Birgitta backs out. She does not want the nation to vote on the EU. She joins the ranks of those that want a double national election on the issue. First to vote on whether Iceland should enter the talks, and then the results from the talks.

Such a brainless idea could only have come from the nationalistic ranks of the Independence Party, Progressive Party and Left/Greens and Birgitta falls right into the trap. The agitators say the double elections are more democratical so that Iceland would not waste time or money on needless talks if the nation is against it. But in reality it is just a trap. Who in their right mind can honestly say they can in good concience vote for or against something without knowing what they are voting for or against? The nationalistic forces in all parties are just stalling, buying time and igniting hate, fear and distrust in the process.

The double election idea is so intellectually and logically stupid that it could only be devised by politicians who are masters in stalling on issues. Again, WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND CAN HONESTLY SAY THEY CAN IN GOOD CONCIENCE VOTE FOR OR AGAINST SOMETHING WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE VOTING FOR OR AGAINST?

Anyhow, Iceland will end up in the EU. Two years ago we would have had a bigger say about it, now we have less, and in the future we might not have a choice. Now, where on that scale does the whole independence issue fit?

Related posts:

1. Idiots In The Citizen’s Movement
2. Independence Party Tragedy
3. The Small Party Dilemma
4. An MP Answers Why She’ll Vote Yes on IceSave
5. Citizens’ Movement Without MP’s