Having been hit by the worst economic crisis in modern times, Iceland applied for full European Union membership in 2009. As a member of the European Economic Area since 1994, Icelandic society had undergone radical changes towards modernity through the subsequent effects of globalization and a policies with a libertarian emphasis on a free market economy. But a corrupt political elite privatized many of the state‘s institutions around the turn of the century, including banks which were sold to individuals with little experience in banking but close ties to the coalition parties in government. The three major banks all went under in the span of less than a week in October 2008.

The parliament elections of 2009 saw the ousting of the dominant right wing libertarian party, the Independence Party and a first ever clear majority for a leftist coalition between the Social Democrats and the Left Greens. Having recieved most of the popular votes and running on a mandate of applying for EU membership, the Social Democrats formed a government with the Eurosceptic Left Greens with an application as a high priority. Icelanders for EU membership claim that it offers an economic and defensive shelter for the small nation through the European Central Bank, the Euro and the ESDP and that Iceland‘s place in a globalized world is within Europe. Those against membership claim loss of sovereignty and independence, as well as strong resentment against the union itself, arguing that Iceland‘s future is best assured outside it or through bi-lateral agreements with nations from Canada and the USA to even India and China, even proposing unilateral adoption of their currencies.

Following an economic crisis where the nation‘s wealth is being redistributed, interest groups in society are fighting for power. Budget cuts, higher taxes and a prolongued debate with the UK and the Netherlands over the IceSave agreement have enabled opposition politicians and various demagogues to use nationalistic rhetoric to bitterly divide the nation on matters where it must be united.

Thus the economic crisis has spawned a social one which will shape Iceland‘s destiny in the 21st century, which could prolong the economic crisis locally and globally it could perhaps mean the stalling of further EU enlargement to the west.

Related posts:

1. EU Membership – The Time and The Place of the Social Democrats
2. Congratulations! Tax Queen Emerges Victorious From The Economic Crisis
3. Iceland warms to the EU

The issue of surrogate mothers has been hotly debated in Iceland recently. A toddler is stuck in India, with Icelandic and Indian bureaucrats blaming each other for the delay in getting him home. Meanwhile the public discourse has swung from concerns over the morality of surrogates over to comparisons with human trafficking and then it all ended in a big brawl between hard-core feminists and a rude man with a supposedly big Johnson.

Most people seem to agree on two things.

1) They don’t want this to become a business, which is understandable.

2) They would be willing to make exemptions for cases where relatives give each other this precious gift. Which is sort of kind.

But for the international relations student, there are bigger issues at play (there always are with international relations students):

Lets imagine a couple from Iceland which wants a baby but can neither purchase this service at home due to reason 1) from above, nor for some reason have option 2) available to them.

The couple knows that this option is available in India, or say if Norwegians would allow it, in Norway.

The couple goes abroad and hires a surrogate.

And then what? Is the toddler not going to be allowed into the country?

Will it not get citizenship, a passport or does it have to apply for a tourist visa and leave every three months?

Or does it have to stay behind? Who “owns” the baby then, and what will become of it?

Does the surrogate mother have a return policy?

Will the parents be punished when they return? For what?

For breaking the law of Iceland. But what they did was legal in the nation where they did it at the time when it was done?

There is a big problem with the fences humans have built and named national borders. Before, the Irish could escape famine by sailing across the ocean, to begin a better life elsewhere.  Norsemen settled in Iceland without any paperwork.

The 20th century glory days of national states raised obstacles between the people who share the earth.

But the only things they seem to want to free these days is trade and tariffs.

But how can we deal with different versions of morality and human rights in a better way than former Icelandic president Vigdis Finnbogadottir who proclaimed after a visit to China that human rights are relative?

What about an Icelander smoking a joint in Amsterdam? Should he be arrested for breaking the Icelandic narcotics laws? Probably not, but he would be arrested if he would bring the joint back home.

Can we file toddlers under the same customs classifications as narcotics?

What about an Icelander marrying a 12 year old girl in Iran? Can the married couple visit his parents for Christmas? Can they buy a home in Vestmann Islands?

The story of the madam arrested last year for running a prostitute ring in Reykjavik indicates that she might have been 14 year old when a sailor from Vestmann Island brought her home with him from Equatoral Guinia. And she lived in his home for several years with the full knowledge of the community, including law officials.

It appears there is a whole lot of grey areas when it comes to human morality and human rights.

Some people have derided surrogacy for it being a case of Westerners using the misery of third world citizens for their own gain.

Then what about H&M, Nike, Primark and other clothing retail favorites of Icelandic women? Would they buy their clothes if they were made in Iceland or Sweden for the minimum wage there and under their labor laws? How much would their prices increase?

Many of the same people who express concern over the morality of surrogacy in Iceland, also appear to be wholeheartedly against Iceland participating in the international community’s push to coordinate laws and human rights across borders.

By standing alone, outside these attempts we preserve our specialness. We don’t have to worry about those pesky moral issues. They simply exist elsewhere.

The EU, the African Union, Mercosur, the UN, the IMF to name a few international organizations are not perfect. In fact the EU has a return policy, albeit not a very nice one in this context. But what kind of people want to keep their distance from those organizations instead of using them to advance their ideas of human rights. For everybody.

Perhaps Icelanders like to be reactive to the world around them, instead of proactive as the US Embassy duly noted.

How do those people view the world, and how do they intend to shape it according to their beliefs?

Or do they only care about their own little bubble?

Related posts:

1. The return of David
2. Iceland Drops Plan to Challenge U.K. Seizure of Assets
3. A Message To Europe!

Iceland under threat from European assimilation – Christian extremism on the rise in neighbouring lands

Editorial by Styrmir Bjornsson, troll chieftain – Odin Times. Friday, June 17, 886.

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Iceland is under threat from a foreign invasion which might change the land forever.

Nordic and Celtic humans which have until now remained in their own lands are now an increasing sight on the hills of Reykjavik and the fjords of the north. They bring with them their own traditions, slavery and European sheep which graze on the unique birch forest which covers our lush island. If this process is not turned around, Icelanders will be assimilated by a kind of European globalization which aims to destroy our values and heritage. Few will say this out loud for fear of being named xenophobic but soon enough we might be overrun by the Christian extremists from the south, promoting their barbaric values over our heathen religion?

Foreigners do not understand what it truly means to be Icelandic. Our land is a small land in the grand scheme of things and those from abroad only desire our natural resources and to force their laws upon us. As a tiny speck in the great bureaucracy of Europe, we stand no chance of shaping our own destiny. We will lose our language as we will be sent to fight the wars of European kings.

The key to make sure things remain as they are and always have been on our island, the people of Iceland should stay out of the business of others, as they should stay out of ours.

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Related posts:

1. History Repeating
2. Premier Wants Iceland to Join European Union
3. Sense of Sovereignty: How national sentiments have influenced Iceland‘s European policy

It was whether Iceland could not join NAFTA instead of the EU, unilaterally adopt the dollar and keep its sovereignty intact instead of risking it within the EU. 

Although I presently believe that Iceland’s long term prospects are within the EU as a full member, I have always said that if something better comes along then Iceland should seriously consider that option. 

My answer for kannski.is was a bit long but here is the summary: 

- First of all there is a question of what a nation which hitherto has considered itself European is aiming at with membership in NAFTA and letting go of the EU?

- Secondly the question assumes that Iceland can not stand alone in the world and must either join a multilateral international organization or forge a bi-lateral partnership with a larger nation for economic, human and military security reasons. 

- Thirdly it also assumes that Iceland’s sovereignty would be lost through membership in the EU but not in NAFTA. This is plain wrong as full membership to the EU is only available to sovereign nations. 

- There are two main definitions of sovereignty considered appropriate in modern times and the concept has evolved from the Westphalian kind. One is the capability to conduct a nations internal affairs, and secondly to conduct successful relations with other nations where nations exchange bits of their own sovereignty in exchange for others’ sovereignty.  The second is rarely talked about in Iceland. 

- So why would Iceland want to join either the EU or NAFTA? The issue seems to be first and foremost concentrated in Icelanders’ minds around the Icelandic currency and the public’s and businesses crying out for stability, and freedom of trade for Icelandic exports. 

- The EU and NAFTA are nowhere near similar in any way except that participants in each have sought increased freedom of trade. But whereas NAFTA concentrates on the free trade of goods, the EU goes the extra mile which is probably much underrated in today’s globalized world, providing not only free movement of services but freedom of movement for its citizens.

- Changing currency to lower fluctuations would also not make sense for a nation if it did not change it into the currency it does most of its trade in. Currently, Icelandic exports and imports to the NAFTA area are quite small compared to the business conducted with Europe.

- With full membership the European Central Bank would act as a lender of last resort. The Federal Reserve in the US would not do the same if Iceland unilatirally adopted the dollar.

- The size and influence of the US relative to other NAFTA members is not comparable to any single country in the EU.  People have to think hard about where the power is more spread, in NAFTA or the EU? 

- The last part of the question revolved around the control of natural resources, fish, energy etc. Iceland will simply not join the EU if an agreeable agreement is not reached on such matters. Yet, although much is made of the EU nations eagerly awaiting to get their hands on Iceland’s resources, they should consider whether NAFTA really provides a shelter for such ambitions, or whether Mexican and Canadian fears over US corporations seek to utilize the agreement to get their hands on their oil resources are any better?

The comparisons should be made. Iceland should not blindly head for EU membership without considering other options. But I would argue NAFTA membership and adoption of the dollar is a lesser option, if the goal is security and stability for Icelandic citizens?

Related posts:

1. A Message To Europe!
2. A “Special” Iceland
3. Why Are Things Not Worse In Iceland And Why It Needs The EU?

Europe is turning away from power, or to put it a little differently, it is moving beyond power into a self-contained world of laws and rules and transnational negotiation and cooperation. It is entering a post-historical paradise of peace and relative prosperity, the realization of Kant’s “Perpetual Peace.” The United States, meanwhile, remains mired in history, exercising power in the anarchic Hobbesian world where international laws and rules are unreliable and where true security and the defense and promotion of a liberal order still depend on the possession and use of military might. That is why on major strategic and international questions today, Americans are from Mars and Europeans are from Venus.
- Robert Kagan

Solving problems through dialogue rather than hard realism

The European Union itself is created on values of mulitlateralism, where the aim is to solve problems through dialogue and mutual concessions rather than hard realism. Although most nations recognize the need for increased cooperation, the EU is the oddity in a world where sovereign nations are the norm. Dialogue with the Iranian government on WMD nonproliferation went through the three largest nations on the EU’s behalf instead of a common front. Being an entity of many parts with vague common foreign policy is one part of the problem, the lack of executive powers is another. Unlike other big players such as Russia, China and the United States, the European Union does not have a cohesive army or arsenal under single command.

The first months of Lady Catherine Ashton’s term as the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, beginning on December 1, 2009 typified this dilemma. Early vague comments on WMD nonprolifiration were eventually followed up with a sharper rhetoric on the Iranian nuclear issue, yet it was enough to send mixed signals to the world about the EU’s policies and raise questions about they were about to take a different direction. No wonder since opinions differed within the EU on Iranian sanctions, with the French government supportive of further measures, but the Swedish apprehensive. At the latest Nonprolifiration Treaty Conference, a number of member nations broke away from the EU to form additional coalitions having shown indications of a unified approach at previous conferences. Different regional ambitions and regional non-cohesion make common policies hard to enforce. In supplanting the Western European Union (WEU) and with the advent of positions with greater executive reach the Lisbon Treaty offers the European Union the opportunity to become a more cohesive strategic international player. Yet WEU has voiced concern over the possibility of stagnation as the wording of the Lisbon Treaty has left much open to translation regarding further approaches in cooperation and even uncertainty over the storied mutual defence clause from the Brussels Treaty.

Soft vs. hard

Comparing the European Union’s security strategies with those of the United States reveals a picture of contrasts and stereotype as Robert Kagan’s quote from before indicates. One’s hegemonic tendencies are the apples to the other’s institutionalist oranges. The EU’s moves in the last decade towards more cohesive approaches to foreign policies have brought the United States a more capable, partner than NATO as far as fighting global threats is concerned. But while the two agree on the most serious threats, they differ in the ways they counteract them. The EU’s “soft” approach to multilateralism and emphasis on international law, aiming to change the world through long-term influence and an emphasis on human rights is markedly different to the “hard” and often forceful approach of the United States, which concentrates on combating threats directly.

The relationship between the United States and the European Union is certainly more complex as the soft power has expressed hard capabilities and the hard power has taken soft stances. Yet the biggest questions which remain to be answered about their future relationship are no different from the most haunting questions the member nations must ask of each other. Is the EU going to talk the talk and walk the walk in a more unified manner than hitherto? And can it realistically do so without assuming more state-like features?

“If we are to make a contribution that matches our potential, we need to be more active, more coherent and more capable. And we need to work with others (…) the challenge now is to bring together the different instruments and capabilities”.

- 2006 brief on EU Strategy against the proliferation of WMD presented by the General Secretariat.

It can be convincingly argued that the European Union’s “soft” approach offers a more appealing roadmap forward in a globalized world than the classically realist and forceful “hard” approach of the United States. While the EU has offered the Iranian government dialogue, the United States have delivered threats which have ultimately not delivered different results and even hardened Iran’s stance. A security policy which aims to make different nations into partners with common interests is arguably bolder in intent and harder in implementation than posing confrontations of force as it requires long term committment and plenty of patience to follow through. By approaching percieved problems in Afghanistan and Iraq with brute force, the United States might even have contributed more to global human, financial and defensive insecurity than any rogue regimes could dream of.

In spite of all its shortcomings as it ventures into unchartered waters, the European Union should continue to walk this way of mulitlateralism and cooperation. Rapid and increasing globalization and the accompanying threats such as WMD proliferation has brought such great pressures on nation states that another world of increased multilateralism is not only possible but ultimately inevitable.

Related posts:

1. The End Of History
2. Bjarni Benediktsson: Were He To Have His Way It Could Further Stall Iceland’s Recovery Efforts
3. A “Special” Iceland

A comment from this post expressed wonder at the current situation in Iceland. Somehow many people expected things to be much worse for the general population by now. People are still going to coffee shops even if the latte is approaching the price of a pre-crash beer, there are still suspiciously many black Range Rovers in Reykjavik for a municipality outside Moscow and the homeless population still appears to find warm places to sleep. Children are going to school, playing football and teenagers are buying designer jeans for the pre-crash price of a banker’s suit.

So why do we need the EU? Isn’t everything running smooth in the state of Iceland without those pesky foreigners who apparently want our money and resources?

Peek below the surface and you might find ominous signs. More than 1.000 electricians have left Iceland for employment abroad. Most of the construction business has been wiped out. The largest construction firms which have been able to cut their staff by half and have had jobs until now are facing an alarming shortage of work as winter approaches. The financial sector is hopelessly overblown with perhaps up to 30% of the current staff basically there on an employment program. Wait for them to lose their jobs and see the effects it will have but it is estimated that each job lost in the financial sector leads to 6-7 jobs lost in other sectors.  The household debt has not gone anywhere either and while some might see relief in inflation above 5-6% it still contributes to suffocating increases in debt. Wages have gone down and so has the purchasing power. Icelandic households are playing the role of Indiana Jones running madly for the decreasing gap in the sliding door, hoping to be able to jump through with their hat before it locks them in the darkness.

It takes time for the full blown effects of an economic collapse to be realised. And things might be so much worse…were it not for the nations of the EU and the big, bad IMF.

A few things done by the government in the event of the collapse actually prevented a much greater crisis. One was the emergency law separating the banks local debts from the foreign debts and leave the foreigners hanging while guaranteeing all deposits in Iceland. This has lead to the tedious IceSave saga but it could have been so much worse for the Icelandic public if the emergency law had not been enacted. Another thing the government did was seek the help of the IMF, a great source of shame as it was the first for a “western democracy” in more than thirty years. And severe currency restrictions were implemented, allowing the Central Bank to build up its currency reserves and maintain a false exchange rate for the ISK. If you think 150 for the Euro is bad then imagine what it would be without the restrictions. Icelandic households and businesses would be cast into an eternal darkness of debt and the state’s foreign debt would rise to the levels of full-blown national bankruptcy.

But why the ignominy of the IMF? Why not borrow directly our friends in the States, the Nordics, the EU? Well, they were approached by the Icelandic government and Central Bank in 2007-2008 without any success. It basically means that the nations we consider friends did not trust the Icelandic political elite to wind down the problems without the oversight, checks and balances of the IMF.

That opens the doors to all sorts of conspiracy theories. Isn’t the IMF and other nations just after Iceland’s natural resources? Yes, the IMF still has some left-overs ideologies of the Washington Consensus, and its record in different areas of the world is worthy of all the criticism it deserves. But it did not need to come to Iceland. It was the Icelandic government which asked for its help after burning all other bridges to safety. And the fund is very adamant about the fact that it is here as an advisor. It is up to the Icelandic government to follow its advice. And when Steingrimur J. Sigfusson listens to the IMF then you know that other possibilities have probably been exhausted.

Let’s recap. The IMF is in Iceland because the nation’s democratically elected government asked for its help.

Without the IMF, Iceland would be closer to the I am legend economic landscape some were expecting in 2008. But such a disaster has been averted by its presence and the conditional loans it has facilitated from the very nations accused of evil intentions by those who prefer playing victims instead of facing reality.

When Ogmundur Jonasson, Lilja Mosesdottir and the rest of their followers in the Left Green party and the Independence Party are shouting for the departure of the IMF and against EU membership they are doing two things that are to the detriment of their nation. They are firstly biting the hands that currently keep it fed and are willing to help after an almighty havoc wrecked by the democratically elected political elite in Iceland. And secondly they offer no realistic, alternative options as far as future plans go.

The IMF is offering Iceland a lifeline, as is the EU by looking past the currency restrictions which are in breach of the four freedoms on which the economic cooperation of European nations are based on.  And despite what some may maintain, Iceland is not realistically a self-sustainable country which can go it alone. Alone it lacks the resources needed to benefit from its natural resources. Trawlers need oil and hydro-plants need steel. Any food made in Iceland costs the public considerably more than what is imported.

And someone must be willing to buy Icelandic products and trade with the country. Currently the bulk is with Europe, but you may guess twice whether Europe needs Icelandic trade more than Iceland needs European trade? Oh, and the money currently coming from the IMF…is provided by European countries, so far despite delays on the IceSave affair being resolved.

So Iceland needs the EU for stability in trade and currency. There are several more considerable benefits, but these far outweigh any other as they will help the fallen get back on its feet.

Alternative options of shelter being discussed in Iceland are interesting to say the least.

Some people seriously claim in public that they want to explore NAFTA membership, confusing it with the much more advanced form of the European Union.

Others want to crawl back into the arms of the United States, despite the total lack of interest of the US. Bilateral agreements with nations of overwhelming strength are favourable to corrupt regimes which divide and conquer the wealth it generates. It happened in Iceland before and those who benefited find it hard to let go.

So China is also being touted as a realistic option. And it makes sense in many ways for those who want to align themselves with rapid economic growth provided through dictatorship and less concern for human rights than the pesky EU.

Populist demagogue and still president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, basking in his newfound glow of global debt fighter,  says on the news today that the stance of the Netherlands and the UK in the IceSave affair begs the question of what kind of club the EU is?

It is a club where different people gather to communicate with each other and look out for each others interests.

It is no wonder that such a concept is extremely hard for an Icelandic career politician to grasp.

By aligning Iceland with Europe, Iceland actually has a say in its future. Realistically its voice might not be as loud as Germany’s in the EU, but bi-lateral agreements offer small states nowhere near the clout which they get as fully fledged members of the EU.

That is why the public in Iceland needs the EU, even if it finds it hard to understand through the political noise.

Related posts:

1. Why Not NAFTA?
2. Situation in Iceland – The Fourfold Dilemma
3. FT: In The Same Boat

1. There was a demand of reform in the fishing industry. It was needed because the resource was gathering in the hands of very few who in turn used their wealth to borrow intensely against it and invest in other sectors. The profits of the sector have increasingly been disappearing abroad. Oh and the UN Human Rights Council had condemned the system and claimed it was in violation of human rights. The new government indicated that reform measures would be taken. Then it appointed a reform committee dominated by industry lobbyists and politicians whose career depends on the industry. The result..a fucking fuck solution which benefits the…fishing industry.

Finnbogi Vikar, a member of the committee delivered a special opinion. “As I have said before, the appointment of this committee was a mistake because from the beginning it was clear what the result of the majority would be. One needs only to examine the interests behind the members of the committee to realise that most representatives of the wage-earning public and employees in this country have long ago taken a stand with the representatives of the largest organizations of employers and against the public’s interests after the collapse of 2008. Together these parties form a formidable power-bloc which controls a great deal in our society with the bloated undemocratic pension funds behind them. It is unbelievable that there is no demand to be made of the political parties and the politicians on this committee that they reveal the amounts donated to them from interest groups in the fishing sector in recent years.”

2. There were demands of constitutional reform. Iceland copied the Danish constitution in1944 and then Althingi neglected review and reform for decades on end, despite promises and indications otherwise. Reform is for example needed in clearer seperation of the branches, re-examination of the role of the president and timely separation of church and state. Althingi is stuttering through with a constitutional congress for which elections are supposed to be held in the autumn. The way appears clear for demagogues, special interests and representatives of the politicalparties to deliver a loud and argumentative debate and a fucking fuck result.

3. There was outrage over campaign finances. Political parties and members of Althingi were awash in cash from the finance sector, the energy sector, the fishing sector to name a few that their loyalties were not just questionable but plain obvious. The way politicians bent over backwards to exploit public utilities for the benefit of shaky corporations and ignore regulation for the suicidal financial sector left a bitter taste in the mouths of voters stuck with higher utility bills and monumental sovereign debt. So a campaign finance reform committee was created and its results are an almighty erect middle finger in the fucking fuck direction of those voters. The party‘s don‘t want real change and have just made some minor inconsequential changes.

The Movement‘s announcement. “This issue is a clear example of how Althingi is not going to consider the work of the Special Investigation Committee and its conclusions. The eight chapter of the committee’s report is named “Morality and procedures connected to the collapse of the Icelandic banks in 2008”. In Chapter 2.3 it says “One of the most obvious tool of the business sector to influence politicians are direct donations, both to parties and individuals.” The conclusion of the chapter is where conlusions are drawn and the lessons of the past are examined. “Ways to draw a clearer line between the financial sector and the political sector must be found. It can not be tolerated that the guardians of public interest act on the behalf of private companies in such a manner as was done in the event of the banking collapse.” With this new legislation, Althingi has rejected the conclusions of the part of the Special Investigation report which criticizes harshly the connections of poltical parties to the business and financial sectors. Unfortunately the financial interests of the four parties are placed above the publics. Democracy and transparancy are of little use against the mixed up priorities of those in power.

4. There was great displeasure with the president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson who had opened the doors of the presidential office to the bankers and financiers who in turn jetted him around the world to open doors to global business. The president had become a caricature who had brought the reputation of the office down. Then he managed to somehow please the special interest group InDefence by approving their call for a national referendum on sovereign debt and won some credibility back with the increasingly xenophobic, scared and confused public. So he still occupies the office, trying to reinvent his damaged image to the amazement of observers. A president who owes his people is suspectible to participate in plenty of fucking fuck demagoguery.

5. It became clear in the banking collapse that on the global stage Icelandic politicians had neglected making friends, forming alliances and providing shelter for their citizens. Timothy Geithner laughed at advances made by David Oddson, the Nordic countries offered concerned but sound advice and Britain offered solutions. Instead Icelanders followed the lead of the Independence Party‘s leaders and decided to sulk, play the victim and accuse the international community of a siege. When things were coming to a heat, the Social Democrats delivered a plan that could restore Iceland‘s credibility abroad and solutions to the volatile currency and mounting public and national debt. An application was made to join the EU. And then the xenophobes, cold war relics, special interests and racists hijacked the debate to the point that grown up, educated people want the IMF out without any alternative solutions to Iceland‘s currency and debt problems, a national referendum designed to exit NATO without any alternative solutions towards Iceland‘s defences and to retract the EU application without ever having to offer alternative plans to restore Iceland‘s economic viability and international credibility. Meanwhile in the real world, Iceland recently dropped almightily the World Economic Forum‘s Report on Global Competetiveness as far as macroeconomic environment goes and is ranked number 138. The Independence Party, the Centre Party and the Left Greens have offered no solutions or propositions on how to restore Iceland‘s standing. They are currently getting away with spewing venom all over the only realistic and credible plan available. Oh and fucking fuck IceSave is still unresolved.

6. The media came under plenty of scrutiny for not delivering scrutiny at all. Now it is in the hands of Jon Asgeir Johannesson and David Oddson. Editor in chief David Oddson even has the nerve to accuse the State Broadcasting Channel of bias because a reporter there is the sister of Exista‘s CEO, implying that her media can not be trusted with delivering news. Apart from maybe DV, the media is worse than before. When investigative reporting was needed, Channel 2 cut theirs from the program and gave the nation cooking lessons from the wife of Baugur‘s head of finance. Agenda, propaganda and fucking fuck through your mailbox and television screen every day.

7. There were loud calls for debt reform through restructuring and write-offs. For a moment, people actually believed that those who had accumulated the greatest debts would have to pay the most. Then reality bit hard and cold. The government‘s promise of a fortress around Icelandic households ended up in solutions which benefitted those who had geared themselves the greatest. Those with a 100-200% mortgage were bailed out, especially if they could find members of Althingi willing to do their bidding within the banks. Those who had saved and put down payments on their homes were left to rot with their inflated debt. And what about Jon Asgeir Johannesson, Bjorgolfur Thor and their kind? Well they have so far managed to score deals with the banks on massive write offs domestically so they can manouvre deals where they can get back their companies abroad. And they have been granted stand-still agreements where their debt collects no interest and is not gone after either. Many of the same people are still main actors in the business sector. Bjorgolfur Thor has been seeking tax-exemptions while wage-earners are experiencing higher taxes and higher utility bills. Did you think Sigurdur Einarsson, wanted by Interpol a few months ago was here to be questioned the other day? No he was here in talks to buy a fucking fuck financial institution.

8. There was need for someone to hit the refresh button in the political arena but so far it seems like the old guard has gotten away with a restart. The Social Dems were and still are unable to find anyone with remotely the same political credibility as Johanna Sigurdardottir. The ladder below is crowded with wallflowers and followers of men. If Johanna has enough then it does not bode well for the only party with a plan for the nation. Meanwhile the Independence Party, Left Greens and Centre Party are ablaze with infighting. All three parties are currently letting the monkeys run their circus and if it were not for Steingrimur J. Sigfusson‘s incredible turn from idealism to realism then all bets would probably be off. But it says all about the unruly waters of Icelandic politics that isolationist xenophobe Ogmundur Jonasson has had to be brought in to the government again to appease his followers. The Centre Party is currently in suicidal mode as requests for rampant demagoguery is fully provided elsewhere. And then there is the Independence Party which freed from the oppression of David Oddson almost managed to start a self-examination and reconciliation process, only to fall prey to the rampant partisanship and playground politics of their great leader again. The party‘s ladder is also crowded with hungover leftovers from the heady days. The only realistic challenger to the madness is former vice-chairman Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarssdottir who has the financial freedom thanks to the former banks and little political reputation left to lose. New pretenders on the political scene have been pushed out by the Citizen‘s Movement which collapsed in record time and the Best Party‘s moves are under relentless attack from the four parties. It is not just an economic crisis anymore but an all out fucking fuck political crisis.

9. According to rumour there are people preparing to take the law into their own hands this weekend if the parliamentary committee charged with determining the responsibility of the elected officials named in the Special Report this spring comes up with a fucking fuck whitewash. It is to the Icelandic nation‘s outstanding credit that not one of the politicians or the businessmen most responsible for the ponzi economy which collapsed has been physically hurt so far. But it is to the incredible detriment of the political system‘s inability to appropriate blame that ordinary Icelanders are being heard in private conversations saying that “If I do it alone then it is murder, but if a group of us do it then it is a revolution. I am too angry.” The government and Althingi apparently now must be careful. An indebted and outtaxed public might cross new boundaries if they continue seeing Jon Asgeir and Bjorgolfur Thor parking their Range Rovers in Laugavegur, if Sigurdur Einarsson returns to Icelandic banking or if David Oddson claims his kingdom back. Lady Justice is in a fucking fuck pickle in Iceland these days.

10. The public is currently in an all-encompassing state of fucking fuck delusion. Serious, well meaning, well educated people are discussing between themselves in “revolutionary” terms. Yet, they still buy Morgunbladid, access Jon Asgeir‘s cable TV, vote for the Independence Party and nod when Ogmundur Jonasson talks of Nazi Europe. Currently letters are going out to 1.000 Icelanders selected for a National Meeting on constitutional reform. Yet again, a simulated process is given priority over weighty substance in the national debate. The public has already been lead on a ride by the Citizens‘ Movement (guilty), the National Meeting (not guilty), national referendum on IceSave (not guilty) and the Gudmundur Franklins‘ of Iceland are only beginning. Instead of taking responsibility for getting to know the issues of today, voting responsibly and holding their elected officials to their words, people are talking revolutions, Right Green parties and secession from NATO, EEA and the civilized world. Good, sensible people seriously need to start taking a stand in the fucking fuck that is Iceland.

Related posts:

1. The Icelandic Discourse in A Nutshell
2. Blue Handballs and Tackles From Behind
3. Iceland Will Say No To The EU

In an interview with Channel 2 radio, Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson, the Social Democrats leader who signed the EEA agreement on Iceland’s behalf in Oporto in 1992 claims that there is no debate on the issue in Iceland. What is being discussed has nothing to do with Europe, it is only for local politicians chasing rural votes. “There are ministers in this government who speak like idiots and talk nonsense. And they are digging from under those who are supposed to negotiate on national interests”.

On fisheries and agriculture minister Jon Bjarnason’s claims that Iceland is already being assimilated into the union, Jon Baldvin says that these are things Iceland already should be considering with or without the EU. “We don’t have a ministry of agriculture and there is really no minister of agriculture in Iceland. It is just the Producers Organization and Farmer’s Association who control what is done.” Industries should not be producing their own statistics as is done in Iceland.

Jon Baldvin also said that the idea put forth by the Independence Party and supported by several Left Greens to retract the EU application was absurd. “This is the best way to destroy the little that is left of Iceland’s reputation”. It is without precedent in international negotiations that people behave with such stupidity.

Steingrimur J. Sigfusson is in a tough spot according to Jon Baldvin. He is by far the best politician Iceland could possibly have right now. On the other hand his government is paralyzed because he has not had the time to control the crackpots in his party.

Related posts:

1. Texting Away The EU Debate
2. Silly Debate On IceSave
3. EU Membership – The Time and The Place of the Social Democrats

I replied in the comment section, thinking there was a foreign journalist that needed some background on the real state of affairs. Silly me. Of course this mad post originated from a conservative talking head and pen for hire Hjortur J. Gudmundsson of Heimssyn and Morgunbladid.

Propaganda machines usually attach contradictory names to their ventures. Christian extremists in the US usually try to attach some sort of “family” tag to their organizations like Focus on the Family which is focused on siphoning cash from the weak and ignorant . Heimssyn’s name indicates a “worldly vision” to mask the xenophobic, isolationist and conservative focus the movement has on preserving a corrupt political system where nepotism and state-sponsored oligarchy is the goal, as long as it is the Independence Party which is allowed to divide and conquer and the rural factions of other parties are happy with their crumbs from the table.

Another word in Icelandic which is often attached to Heimssyn in Icelandic conversation is “heimska”. Heimska literally means stupid but also indicates that those it is attributed to approach the world and its challenges from a very narrow viewpoint of their own home (heimili). So Heimsksyn (Stupid Vision) is a more apt name for an organization which consistently misinforms and misleads the Icelandic public on issues related to the EU.

Why do they spend the time and the effort? Because they are part of social cliques who thrive in the corruption and nepotism which only small societies and small minds can produce. By participating they gain positions and a sense of belonging on the behalf of those who pay the way, be it the fisheries or agriculture powers who have pawned the fish in the sea to purchase businesses and media through which they can assert their will.

A typical effort by Heimssyn might involve bringing crackpots like Daniel Hannah to Reykjavik to lecture on EU affairs. Then Morgunbladid reports on his lecture as if a leading voice from the EU is warning Icelanders about the evils of the union. It might be followed up with a fawning interview and an op-ed by the editor in chief and other former ministers or editors from failed former governments and bankrupt businesses still acting as if they had any credibility left. Then the conservative blog-jerk-circle takes over.  Yes, you do have to shower afterwards.

Here is the outstandingly stupid article and my comments below. It turns out it was originally published in the Brussels Journal, The Voice of Conservatism in Europe.

To anyone wondering about Iceland from abroad, do not take their bait. Too many Icelanders all too ignorantly do.

Related posts:

1. Moving abroad
2. A letter to a brother abroad
3. A “Special” Iceland

Bjorn Bjarnason, Styrmir Gunnarsson, David Oddson and Bjarni Hardarson are not the only failed ghosts of the past who want to determine Iceland’s future. Ogmundur Jonasson, the leader of the “unruly division” within the Left Greens has managed to top them all by likening the EU to Hitler and positioning Icelanders with the North American Indians who faced genocide from the white man entering their lands.

Ogmundur has so far achieved notoriety by being the staunchest anti-EU, anti-IMF, anti-Iceland paying foreign debts, anti-foreign investment, anti-government politician in the post-crash period. Even rabid demagogue Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson of the Centre Party and money-puppet Bjarni Benediktsson of the Independence Party come nowhere close and have basically stepped aside to let the madman do their biddings.

In an article in Morgunbladid (of course), Ogmundur alludes that the EU’s goals are to provide its citizens with “lebensraum“, therefore it is coveting an expansion towards Iceland. He ponders whether the destiny of the citizens of Iceland will be the same as the one of the American Indians who lost their land in exchange for glass-pearls and fire-water.

The worrying thing is that Ogmundur is granted ample time in the press for his musings.

And there are plenty of scared and confused people in Iceland who are ready to buy his rhetoric.

“Nazi EU preparing genocide in Iceland”.

Meanwhile constructive critics are drowned out in his blaring noise. One of them, Fridrik Jonsson is outraged.

Pitiful, dangerous, stupid and downright evil.

Related posts:

1. The Icelandic Discourse in A Nutshell
2. Why Iceland Continues Whaling
3. What I Smelled, Heard, Tasted, Touched And Saw In Iceland