Thursday, 26 April 2007, 22:34 GMT

Time Off

I have an unusually heavy workload now. In the next few days, I must prepare a lecture on the African Union, write an essay on libertarian democracy, and submit two motions to the party congress. Therefore, I will take a few days off blogging.

While I'm gone, why not see John Cameron Mitchell's movie "Shortbus". It's one of the funniest films I have seen this year. One warning though, the film contains many graphic sex scenes. And no, I'm not referring to "full frontal nudity" but rather "genitalia in close-up". It's very gay, but not exclusively so. (I know Blogge would love it. The Chinese-Canadian girl is hot, hot, hot.)

I'm back sometime next week. You will know when if you subscribe to my RSS feed. Emails will be read while I'm off blogging, so keep sending me tips and comments. Bye for now.

Thursday, 26 April 2007, 21:53 GMT

Be Aware of Leftist Jargon

The Swedish politic debate is full of leftist jargon. The socialists and mainstream media often use "samhället" (the society) and "staten" (the government) synonymously. Whenever a social problem arises, libertarians are accused of being against any improvement because we oppose unnecessary legislation and government interference. This abuse of word is used rhetorically to distort libertarianism and make it seem as if right-wing critics bear a resemblance to psychopaths. The truth is, however, that society is so much more than the government. New laws, more governmental powers, and an even heavier tax burden can never replace the families and friendships that make a truly functioning society. But the leftist jargon wants ordinary citizens to believe just that. Keep this in mind the next time someone speaks about "samhället". The person who uses this word when he or she refers to government institutions is probably only interested in stripping you off money and independence.

Thursday, 26 April 2007, 20:02 GMT

Pot 2.0

From Reuters:

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora Volkow fears the problem is not being taken seriously because many adults remember the marijuana of their youth as harmless.

"It's really not the same type of marijuana," Volkow said in a telephone interview. "This could explain why there has been an increase in the number of medical emergencies involving marijuana."

I think this is correct. Marijuana is much stronger today than it used to be. The popularity of the stronger cannabis products has change the effect on people, which I would say is an argument for legalization. On a legal market, licensed dealers could be obliged to label their products with the levels of THC. This is what we do with alcohol today. With clearly labelled products, consumers know what they buy and can adjust their intake.

Thursday, 26 April 2007, 15:43 GMT

In the Media

What caught my interest when I browsed through a number of news sources:

• "Polish homophobia reminiscent of Thatcher years," says British labour MEP Michael Cashman.
• Swedes more in favour of EU. "I don't believe we have ever had such strong pro-EU opinion," said Professor Sören Holmberg, one of those behind the poll.
• Slimmer EU treaty easier for sceptics to swallow. Yes, this is the right way to go about it. I'm all in favour of the European Union, but I hate the fact that the proposed constitution gives the supranational union more powers on issues best handled by nations, regions, and individuals.
• Evangelical extremists enlist Christian teens in battle against popular culture.

Thursday, 26 April 2007, 15:10 GMT

Stöd borgerlig opinionsbildning på internet

Jag önskar att jag hade lite pengar att avstå, men som vuxenstuderande är privatekonomin inte den bästa, så jag skriver denna uppmaning till mina rikare läsare.

Dick Erixon skriver en av Sveriges viktigaste och intressantaste bloggar. Även om jag inte sällan irriterar mig på hans åsikter vad gäller exempelvis religion och etik så är jag den förste att erkänna att borgerlig samhällsdebatt vore tråkigare utan honom. Men Dick låter idag meddela att han funderar på att sluta blogga eftersom han inte hittat finansiärer. Han är trött på att blogga gratis och tänker sluta om han inte får ekonomiskt stöd av sina läsare. Så min uppmaning är enkel: Stöd Dicks blogg om du kan avstå ett par hundralappar!

För övrigt har jag en längre tid funderat på om det inte vore dags att samla svenska borgerliga bloggare under en "paraplyblogg" — en portal för liberalt och konservativt bloggande i Sverige. Om någon funderat på något liknande kan ni väl kontakta mig. Kanske är tiden mogen för ett sådant projekt?

Thursday, 26 April 2007, 01:51 GMT

Shut Up and Love

Sometimes loving people means enjoying a meal with them while exploring shared interests. And sometimes it means just shutting up and listening.

– John Corvino

Wednesday, 25 April 2007, 03:07 GMT

Self-Pitying Commies

Corny comments and pathetic whining from some of the Swedish blogosphere's worst bullies. Don't feel too sorry for them. They have only just been treated as they themselves have treated others for ages. They didn't like it one bit. Bullying is only fun as long as you have the upper hand. Sweden's hardcore Socialist Left is learning this now. About time, if you ask me.

Wednesday, 25 April 2007, 00:03 GMT

Terrorism with a Human Face

From Reuters:

The Vatican's second-highest ranking doctrinal official on Monday forcefully branded homosexual marriage an evil and denounced abortion and euthanasia as forms of "terrorism with a human face."

If I say that I think the Vatican is filled with bigoted morons, does that make me a Christophobe?

(Via Henrik Alexandersson.)

Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 18:44 GMT

Cottaging, Thrill-Seeking, and Politics

Conservative London Assembly member Brian Coleman writes in the New Statesman:

The country has managed for decades with gay men holding a significant number of public offices. The late Ted Heath managed to obtain the highest Office of State after he was supposedly advised to cease his Cottaging activities in the 1950s when he became a Privy Councillor and in recent times the Leader of one of the best Local Authorities in the Country only came out having received his Knighthood and after a scurrilous campaign by "Private Eye".

I once asked the late Baroness Blatch as she tried to position herself to inherit the anti-gay crusade of Baroness Young exactly who she thought ran the Conservative Party in London? When she looked at me blankly I replied "the gay men of course" and certainly a huge percentage of Conservative Councillors, professional staff and Association Officers are gay.

In my experience the only people fascinated as to who does what and to whom are other gay men. The average voter could not care less if their Member of Parliament visits Hampstead Heath at Midnight as long as they get the holes in the road mended. The Anglican worshipper in the pew cares not that the local Bishop has a taste for black leather under their cassocks as long as keeps his hands away from the choirboys.

The passage about Ted Heath's "cottaging activities" has sparked some debate among Tory grassroots, some of whom thinks Brian Coleman should be ashamed of himself. Personally, I think Tory Diary commenter "sjm" is on to something when he or she writes:

I was informed by a policeman some years ago that a wide cross-section of males, many of them heterosexual and happily married, go cottaging. It is about thrill-seeking, and the danger of getting caught is part of that.

It appears to be a part of the male psyche that some men cannot resist, particularly those who are seen as restrained and civilised in all other aspects of their lives.

Men seeking sexual thrills are nothing new. Cottaging, online sex-chatting, and one-night-stands are about the same thing. It's sex as entertainment and instant pleasure, and it plays an important part in many men's life.

Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 16:37 GMT

Gay Russians Mourn Boris Yeltsin

On Monday 23 April we lost first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, a man who, risking his life, gave freedom to us, a man, who underpinned democratic values of contemporary Russia.

Russian gay community will always remember Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin as a man who put an end to almost sixty years of criminal prosecution for male homosexual relations. The law that he signed in April 1993 came into force on 27 May 1993. This day entered into Russian history of LGBT movement. 27 May was chosen as the date for the conduct of the first ever gay pride march in Moscow last year.

Boris Yeltsin is a whole epoch in Russia's history. He is a man who will always be remembered by our descendants, irrespective of the future development of Russia. His name is forever written into the history of free and democratic Russia.

– Nikolai Alekseev

Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 16:06 GMT

Bitte Assarmo Is No Sweden Democrat

On 5 April, newspaper Svenska Dagbladet published an article by Bitte Assarmo. In it, Assarmo critizes what she labels "Christophobia". (I commented on Assarmo's article on 9 April.)

A few days after the Assarmo's article sparked a debate on the issue, I met a member of the Sweden Democrats. He bragged about how successful his party is about recruiting prominent Christians. "We're the only political party in Sweden that stands up for Christian values today," he said. "All the others have given in to the gay mafia and the child killers." I was in no mood to discuss this with him, but I assumed that people like myself are part of the gay mafia and that "child killers" refers to pro-choice activists and professional abortionists.

Even though I kept my conversation at a minimum, the Sweden Democrat continued to brag. He began to list the new recruits to his party, and on that list was Bitte Assarmo.
   "So she's a member of the Sweden Democrats?" I asked.
   "Yes, she is."

On 22 April, I mentioned this conversation in a comment I wrote on Tor Billgren's blog. I don't know if Ms Assarmo read this comment or if the rumour of her enrolment in the Sweden Democrats has reached her some other way. Either way, she has now published a disclaimer on her blog. "No, I am not a Sweden Democrat," she writes. "I have nothing in common with the Sweden Democrats."

The loonies of the wicked Sweden Democrats have turned out to be lying once again. No surprises there.

Monday, 23 April 2007, 18:34 GMT

Boris Yeltsin 1931–2007

Boris Yeltsin died today. From The Economist:

Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin helped to destroy the Soviet Union and did much to bring Russia's democracy into existence. The former construction engineer was not a great builder of institutions; the democracy was flawed. But he had the right instincts. For liberating Russians from the yoke of the one-party state and the planned economy, he deserves immense gratitude.

In the early 1990s, I remember how loathed Yeltsin was in Swedish communist circles. As a teenage anarchist with many hardcore socialist friends, I learned about tears falling on the cheeks of high-ranking members of the Left Party when Yeltsin tore apart the dream of a world united under Soviet rule. I personally have a lot to thank Mr Yeltsin for. His actions in Moscow, and my friends' reactions, made me realize that something is utterly wrong with Marxist ideas. An ideology that detests peoples longing for freedom cannot be sound. As a result of Yeltsin's fight against the Communist Party hardliners in 1991, I took the time to truly scrutinize my beliefs. After years of complete ignorance towards anything resembling conservatism and liberalism, I began to read Nozick, Hayek, Mill, Locke, Hegel, and Burke. Slowly I realized that my semi-anarchist instincts weren't the problem, it was my assumption that individual liberty and Marxist ideas were compatible that was the problem.

Thanks for everything, Mr Yeltsin. Rest in peace.

Monday, 23 April 2007, 17:58 GMT

Lars Leijonborg Resigns

Lars Leijonborg, Sweden's Minister for Education and Research, announced today that he is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party.

Sunday, 22 April 2007, 21:52 GMT

In the Media: The French Election

I feel I should comment on today's presidential election in France, but I have nothing to say. The honest truth is that I don't like France—I never did. Every visit to the country has been a disappointment, and I find the French culture, attitude, and people dull and arrogant. Apart from a few really good films, I cannot think of a single thing that impresses me about the country. I even find Paris ugly. France is, nonetheless, one of the major players in European politics, and as such, it is an important country that elects its new president. The two candidates that will go on to the second round of the election are conservative Nicolas Sarkozy and socialist Segolene Royal. From The Times:

Mr Sarkozy, 52, who is promising radical reform to haul France out of stagnation, led with 30 per cent of the votes cast on a glorious spring day, according to estimates from the TF1 television network.

Ms Royal, 53, whose unorthodox campaign unsettled many on the left, won solid endorsement from her own camp with a respectable 25.5 per cent.

Some people are less than pleased about front-runner Sarkozy:

• "If Sarkozy wins, this place is going to explode again. There'll be riots here in the suburbs all over France," says loony French socialist who openly prefers Jean-Marie Le Pen's fascism to Sarkozy's moderate conservatism.
• Doug Ireland doesn't like Sarkozy either.

That's it for now.

Sunday, 22 April 2007, 15:50 GMT

Krohnman on Roslund

Carl-Axel Roslund is a puzzling man. Like me, he is a local representative of the Moderate Party. This is about the only thing we have in common. Despite our differences, I respect Roslund's outspoken honesty on issues that often make him look inconveniently harsh.

Liberal blogger Fredrik Krohnman has written a funny blog article about Roslund and his suggestion that begging in the streets should be criminalized.

Sunday, 22 April 2007, 11:29 GMT

Supreme Court Decision

Cartoonist Tom Toles's take on the US Supreme Court decision on partial-birth abortion.

Saturday, 21 April 2007, 19:18 GMT

Pictures from Rosengård

Today I spoke briefly at a rally against violence in Rosengård. The initiative came from a number of locals only two days ago. I was one of only three local politicians that participated. We were Adly Abu Hajar and I from the Moderate Party, and Goran Rahbi from the Liberal Party. Disappointing was that no representatives from neither the Green Party, the Social Democrats, nor the Left Party came, although they had promised to. Despite this, the turnout was good and speakers from several other organizations expressed their anger at the rioting youth and their parents.

Below are a couple of the pictures I snapped with the camera in my mobile telephone.

Goran Rahbi in front of a speaker from an organization of Iraqi Youth in Malmö.

Youngsters demanding an end to violence.

Update: Read more in Sydsvenska Dagbladet.

Saturday, 21 April 2007, 10:06 GMT

Transgender Prom King

Cinthia Covarrubias is Fresno High School's first transgender prom king candidate. From My Way News:

When school officials announce the name of the Fresno High School prom king on Saturday, Cinthia Covarrubias will be wearing a tuxedo just like the six boys vying for the honor.

School officials this week added the 17-year-old's name to the ballot for prom king, reversing a previous district protocol that allowed only males to run for king and females for prom queen.

Gay youth advocates called it a landmark victory for campus gender expression and said they believe it's the first time in the U.S. that an openly transgender student has run for prom royalty.

Saturday, 21 April 2007, 09:37 GMT

Epost från läsare

Jag citerar den PDF du länkar till i inlägget:

Fascism har i vår tid blivit ett samlingsbegrepp för alla rörelser, idéer och företeelser, som kombinerar kampen mot demokratin med idén om att samhället bör styras av en speciell elit, som leder "massan".

Under denna definition passar Vänsterpartiet och många av dess gunstlingar, som Chavez t ex, in perfekt.

Friday, 20 April 2007, 19:17 GMT

Meet Up at Rosengård

Tomorrow, I will speak at a demonstration against violence in Rosengård; a Malmö district that has seen clashes between local youth and the police the past few days. Everybody is welcome to participate in the demonstration. I will speak as a representative of the Moderate Party. The demonstration begins at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Friday, 20 April 2007, 18:16 GMT

Ali Esbati Is Acting Like a Racist

What is significant for a racist? Well, according to most it's when someone singles out a specific ethnic group or people and treat this different from all others. This is exactly what large segments of the Communist Left in Europe are doing in respect to Jews. The anti-Semitism runs so deep in socialist Europe that many leftist anti-racism activists themselves are guilty without realizing it. Swedish communist blogger and Left Party employee Ali Esbati is one of these racists in denial. On his blog, he systematically singles out Jews as responsible for all the violence in the Middle East. On one occasion, he even made a big PR-stunt by giving money to a Palestinian terrorist organization.

Yesterday, Mr Esbati linked to a pathetic document on fascism produced by his employer. In the document, a number of well-known Swedish communists blame capitalism and liberalism for fascism and racism. It's plain silly, and no one outside the hardcore Left should ever take the document seriously. What makes his linking to this document sillier still is that he today, less than twenty-four hours later, singles out the Jews once again. In a blog entry, Esbati links to an article by Uri Orbach in the Ynetnews. Mr Orbach—who is a controversial debater in Israel—is clearly expressing his personal opinion, yet Mr Esbati uses it to ridicule the note that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Not only is it insinuated that free speech makes Israel undemocratic, but also that an entire people is responsible for what one of its members write. In my book, that is exactly what racists do.

Friday, 20 April 2007, 15:16 GMT

An American Alliance of Democracies

Perhaps the despotic dictatorship of Hugo Chávez can result in something good after all. Now the United States and several South American countries are tightening their co-operation.

Thursday, 19 April 2007, 12:42 GMT

In the Media: Abortion and Sexuality

Supreme Court decision on partial-birth abortion:

• The US Supreme Court reversed course on abortion on Wednesday when it upheld the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in a 5-to-4 decision. The court's newest justice, Samuel A. Alito Jr, voted in favour of the ban.
• Mark Sherman writes about the Supreme Court decision:

  For the first time since the court established a woman's right to an abortion in 1973, the justices upheld a nationwide ban on a specific abortion method, labeled partial-birth abortion by its opponents.

Human sexuality:

• Africa is in denial about homosexuality. The Economist writes:

  Most African leaders still frown on homosexuality. Several call it "subhuman" and "un-African". Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe has called homosexuals "worse than dogs and pigs". The late J.M. Kariuki, a Kenyan populist MP, called homosexuality "that vice for which we Africans have no name". Such views help ridicule African homosexuals and hamper the fight against AIDS, albeit a scourge transmitted mainly heterosexually in Africa.

• A new study from Malmö suggests that 10% of Swedes visiting youth centres have either bought or sold sex over the internet.

Thursday, 19 April 2007, 08:09 GMT

Wave Good-Bye to Free Speech

I strongly urge people and governments to fight Islamist fascists with every tool available, even with arms if necessary. Organized religion has no right to deprive people of their human and civil right. Individualism and self-ownership are the two core ethical values every free society must uphold. Those who do not must be fought against.

I'm telling you this now because later today I might risk imprisonment for saying that Islamism, hardcore Evangelicalism, the Vatican, and most of organized religion is a threat to democratic societies, civil liberties, and human dignity. As a gay man, I risk not being able to answer those who organize hate campaigns against me and my people. European governments are about to create a kind of intellectual segregating where some people are protected from harsh criticism while others are not. From the EU Observer:

After six years of heated political debate, EU member states are set to agree on a common anti-racism law, under which offenders will face up to three years in jail for stirring-up racial hatred or denying acts of genocide, such as the Holocaust.

One diplomat in Brussels confirmed to EUobserver that the controversial piece of law is in its final-tuning phase and is likely to gain EU blessing at a justice and interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday (19 April).

The latest draft—cited by the Reuters news agency—foresees an EU-wide jail sentence of at least one to three years for "publicly inciting to violence or hatred, directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin."

(Via Henrik Alexandersson.)

Wednesday, 18 April 2007, 09:18 GMT

Denmark's New Skyscraper

I spent most of yesterday in Denmark, so I did not have time to blog. But I picked up some interesting news on Scandinavian architecture, which is something I follow with interest.

Skyscrapers are gaining increasing popularity in Scandinavia. The City of Malmö, which is home to the tallest building in Scandinavia, is planning several new skyscrapers. The preparation for Malmö Tower is in its final stages, and the construction work is scheduled to begin later this year. Stockholm, the Swedish capital and Scandinavia's second-largest city, is making plans for its first high-rising buildings.

Yesterday I learned that Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, situated at the eastern coast of Jutland, has decided to build what will be the tallest building in the country. The project is named "Light House" (see picture). The finished building will be about 140 metres tall. It will be placed in a newly developed area in the Aarhus harbour. Although the new building has many similarities with Malmö's Turning Torso, it will not be as tall. Malmö's landmark skyscraper is 190 metres tall.

Monday, 16 April 2007, 11:11 GMT

Mona Sahlin Is Acting Silly and Ignorant

The new leader of the main Swedish opposition party, the Social Democrats, has written an article published by Expressen today. In it, she writes that she and her party have decided to begin debating with the racist and nationalist Sweden Democrats. That is good, even if I suspect that the racists will win the debate since Sahlin is an upper-class know-it-all elitist with no contact with ordinary people and their everyday problems. She has been a part of the ruling class for too long, and if the racist grassroot movement plays it cards right, they will win the hearth and minds of even more people. Not that the outright stupid ideas of the Sweden Democrats deserve any of this, but now as the Goliath of Swedish politics takes them on they will get it.

Mona Sahlin and her army of power-suit socialists are doing the right thing though. The former "silent treatment" did not work. The racists and nationalists have thrived on their underdog position. Every time the established, democratic parties have chosen to ignore them, they have gained popularity. However, what irritates me about Sahlin's article is her silly and ignorant labelling and guilt-by-association rhetoric. At the very beginning of the article she writes, "The Swedish Democrats is a small party on the right." Sahlin is either naïve or lying. The Sweden Democrats is a socialist party run by people using leftist jargon and attracting former Social Democrats. The ordinary Swede on the right is not wooed by talk of anti-internationalism, anti-individualism, red tape and controlled markets.

Sunday, 15 April 2007, 02:19 GMT

The Euro Rules

From an article in The Economist:

America used to be the world's biggest exporter. First it was pushed aside by Germany and now it has been outclassed by China, where merchandise exports exceeded America's in the second half of last year. China also produced more cars than the United States for the first time last year. And Toyota is widely tipped to overtake General Motors this year as the world's biggest car company.

In global finance, too, America and the dollar are being shoved off their pedestal. The dollar is still preferred by central banks as a reserve currency, but it is no longer the favourite form of cash for households and firms. There are now more euro notes and coins in circulation than there are dollars. In the international bond market, the euro has displaced the dollar as the main currency. And, according to the Financial Times, Wall Street's stockmarket capitalisation has now been eclipsed by Europe (admittedly taking a rather wide definition of Europe, which includes Russia). The world's biggest company is still American—at least according to Fortune, which put Exxon Mobil in pole position in 2006. In fact, Saudi Aramco, though not a listed company, boasts bigger revenues.

Saturday, 14 April 2007, 22:29 GMT

Intergovernmentalism Is Not the Answer

In today's Expressen, a number Swedish liberals criticize Sweden's membership of the European Union and how it is managed by the new centre-right government. They argue that many powers once given to EU institutions must be handed back to member nations. In this, they are right. The EU should not bother itself with things better dealt with at national or regional level. However, the critics are wrong when they assume that European democracy should benefit from more decisions being made in an intergovernmental process. The intergovernmental decision-making is what harms EU democracy. Too many secretive meetings between ministers and civil servants are what make the EU look undemocratic. More of this would only harm European integration further. In combination with their request for fewer decisions being made by the EU, the liberal critics should ask for the truly necessary decisions being made democratically by supranational bodies in full openness. No more hiding behind "intergovernmental discussions"!

The European Union needs a workable constitutional treaty that limits the powers of its institutions. The new treaty should replace all others and firmly protect civil liberties, open boarders and markets, and the supranational institutions. The European Commission should be replaced by a European Senate with one popularly elected senator from each member state. In other words, the European Union should become a minimalist federal union of national states.

Saturday, 14 April 2007, 08:08 GMT

In the Media

A look through news sources led me to these articles:

• Underwear ads slammed as "too sexy". Women who appear in underwear advertisement are sexually objectified and used in an inappropriate manner according to the Swedish Council Against Sexual Discrimination in Advertising. Men who appear in the same advertisement are not. The picture I use to illustrate this entry is safe. The guy exposing his pubes is not sexually objectified.
• American sex-abstinence classes queried. A new study says that students attending sexual abstinence classes are no more likely to abstain from sex than those who do not. I'm not surprised.
• Markets suffer after Russia bans immigrant vendors. Another example of how anti-liberal laws are making things worse for ordinary people.
• But there might be a new Russian revolution shortly, at least if we are to believe billionaire Boris Berezovsky.
• Pope gets 80 beers for his 80th birthday. It's not only his reading of the Bible that's outdated.
• "We'd be better off without religion," says Richard Dawkins in a debate on the merits of God.
• Prince William splits with girlfriend Kate Middleton. I don't know why I care, but I do. I want him for myself—or rather, I want a fancy title to my name.

That's it for now.

Saturday, 14 April 2007, 04:11 GMT

America and Afghan Opium

Did the United States go to war against Afghanistan because it wanted to get more people addicted to heroin by protecting the supply of opium puppies? I know it's a mad thought. But it's nonetheless exactly what one of Sweden's socialist online magazines suggests in an article by Lars Ahlström. That's how far gone the anti-Americanism has gone in this part of the world.

Saturday, 14 April 2007, 03:14 GMT

I Love My Apple

Technical Research Institute of Sweden has tested nine of the most popular laptop computers on the market and found that Apple's MacBook is the best buy. The Apple batteries last three times longer than those of the worst-off PC, and it was the only test object that survived a drop to the floor where the force of the hit was 133g.

Friday, 13 April 2007, 07:55 GMT

A World of Women Only

All-female conception may not be as far off as we might have thought. From an article in the Independent:

Women might soon be able to produce sperm in a development that could allow lesbian couples to have their own biological daughters, according to a pioneering study published today.

Scientists are seeking ethical permission to produce synthetic sperm cells from a woman's bone marrow tissue after showing that it possible to produce rudimentary sperm cells from male bone-marrow tissue.

The researchers said they had already produced early sperm cells from bone-marrow tissue taken from men. They believe the findings show that it may be possible to restore fertility to men who cannot naturally produce their own sperm.

But the results also raise the prospect of being able to take bone-marrow tissue from women and coaxing the stem cells within the female tissue to develop into sperm cells, said Professor Karim Nayernia of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Creating sperm from women would mean they would only be able to produce daughters because the Y chromosome of male sperm would still be needed to produce sons. The latest research brings the prospect of female-only conception a step closer.

Friday, 13 April 2007, 06:40 GMT

Don't Read This if Sex Disgust You

This is mainly a blog concerned with politics, but occasionally I come by something I cannot restrain myself from writing about. And since it's Friday and a new weekend is in front of us, what better day could there be for some hands-on sex tip?

A friend of mine is an academic sexologist. He is writing a book about sexual techniques. During the past two years, he has interviewed people in different parts of the world collecting practical tips on how to improve human sex life. An odd profession, but he has managed to make it his living.

My friend's book is nearly finished, so he sent me a few chapters for proofreading and possible some inputs. I really think the manuscript is good, and I have been allowed to share a few tips with my blog readers. My first pick is a recipe for a smoothie that will improve the taste of human semen. Men who expect their partners to perform oral sex on them might consider drinking this a couple of hours beforehand.

One cup of pineapple juice
One cup of frozen strawberries
Half a cup of frozen blueberries
One cup of frozen or fresh peaches
One fresh banana
Two teaspoons of powdered sugar
Two cups of ice

Mix the ingredients in a blender to make a fruity drink. This recipe will make approximately four cups.

By the way, did you know that beer makes you taste sweeter?

Friday, 13 April 2007, 01:51 GMT

Thank Heavens for Free Markets

From an article in the Guardian:

Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, said yesterday he was planning to bring his no-frills approach to transatlantic flights, offering one-way tickets from less than £7.

The market is poised for significant changes in the wake of the recent "open skies" agreement between the US and EU and Mr O'Leary said he was looking to set up a new airline with a fleet of up to 50 planes within the next three to four years.

"We've been approached by a number of airports in the US who are keen to see us start a long-haul, low-fare service and we're working on plans to start flying the Atlantic," Mr O'Leary said yesterday.

But the political Left will probably find some way at keeping the poor from travelling. What would their class-struggle rhetoric be without class barriers? My guess is that the global-warming card will be used to keep the working class firmly on the ground in order to keep intercontinental travel a privilege of know-it-all politicians and the already rich.

Friday, 13 April 2007, 01:20 GMT

Bögigt på grekiska

En läsarkommentar till ett tidigare inlägg om bibelöversättningar och homosexualitet:

"Malakoi" betyder mjuk. Det ordet användes vanligen som en beskrivning antingen av dom unga pojkar som det var vanligt att äldre män hade sex med, eller så refererar det till män som brydde sig för mycket om sitt utseende.

"Arsenokoitai" kommer från orden "man" och "säng/soffa" och skall säkert tolkas som "ligger med män". Med detta avses med största sannolikhet det som på andra ställen i bibeln heter "den som ligger med män som man ligger med kvinnor".

Orden, som kommer efter varandra i texten i fråga, skall alltså sannolikt tolkas som den man som boppar med andra män (arsenokoitai), och dom män som låter sig boppas (malakoi). :-)

Det går att tolka det som "mjukisar" och "dom som går till manliga prostituerade", men det är dels något krystat, dels är det ju extremt naivt att inbilla sig att det är själva prostituerandet som är Paulus problem. Det har aldrig någon gång i kristen historia (eller mig veterligen i någon religion) varit så att det är själva betalningen som man tycker är fel. Problemet är och förblir att folk har roligare och mer sex än vad den moraliskt upprörde har.

Textstycket torde tolkas som ett allmänt fördömande av folk som har sex utanför äktenskapet, och det inkluderar homosexuellt sex. Att tolka det på nåt annat vis är nog bara möjligt om man är homosexuell och bokstavskristen. :-)

Men visst. Fördömandet här är inte värre än fördömandet av folk som har sex utanför äktenskapet i allmänhet. Så det är ju inte mycket argument ens från kristna. Om man använder bibeln som argument mot homosexuellas rättigheter bör man, i konsekvensens namn, göra det olagligt att ha sex innan äktenskapet. :-) Och det gör det svårt att använda det som argument mot homosexuella giftermål också, egentligen…

Att tolka gamla texter är dock svårt, men sannolikt skulle en bättre modern översättning av "malakoi" vara "mjuk kille" eller "fjolla". Jag är inte en expert på grekiska, men jag vet att både Aristoteles och Euripides använde ordet i sammanhang där det syftade på svaghet hos män. Steget mellan att vara mjuk, svag eller fjollig till att vara bög är inte givet, i synnerhet inte vid tiden då Paulus verkade. De romerska krigsherrarna ägnade sig inte sällan åt homosexuella aktiviteter och i flera kända fall ingick de äktenskap med andra män. Kopplingen många idag ser mellan fjollighet och homosexualitet fanns knappast på romersk tid. Romarna föraktade feminina män men tyckte att riktiga karlar gott kunna ägna sig åt lite "boppande" med andra män. Detta var nog inte okänt för Paulus, så varför valde han att använda så oprecisa begrepp. Om det nu var sex mellan män Paulus ville fördöma så gissar att han valde sina ord för att det han syftade på var något helt annat än den kärlek som judisk tradition och litteratur tillskrev exempelvis kung David och Jonatan.

Thursday, 12 April 2007, 10:26 GMT

Free Health Care Goes a Long Way

"By the time you read this, Fidel Castro may already be dead, taking with him to the grave one of the sorriest legacies in 20th century politics. Despite the immiseration (to use an apt Marxist term) of his people, his ruthless censorship, his omnipresent informants, and his prison camps for dissidents, homosexuals, and anyone else who aroused his ire, Castro is still venerated by many on the left. A little free health care, it seems, goes a long way toward excusing all manner of tyranny."

– Nick Gillespie in Reason Magazine

Thursday, 12 April 2007, 05:11 GMT

The Lives of Others

Last night I watched the German film The Lives of Others ("Das Leben der Anderen"). The movie won the Oscar for best foreign-language film in March, and it is well worth the prestigious award. It gives a frightening portrait of police-state surveillance that was commonplace in communist East Germany in the 1980s. More than 100,000 people worked as informers and citizen spies, reporting every movement of their neighbours and co-workers to the government. People's flats, telephones, and cars were bugged; and anyone could be abducted by the secret police at any time. The film is scary not only because it tells a factual story, but also because it show us how dangerous big-government systems become when the state's interests overrides the civil liberties of citizens. It frightens me how easily people of today accept new laws that give governments the right to spy on ordinary citizens.

Thursday, 12 April 2007, 00:31 GMT

Rand and Kant

Why did Ayn Rand dislike Immanuel Kant's philosophy when both of them argue for ethics based on reason and nature? I asked the question at Voltaire's release party in Lund recently, now Carl Svanberg elaborates on the answer I was given.

Wednesday, 11 April 2007, 06:59 GMT

Can You Spot the Johns?

A few of the Swedish boys went to a brothel and had sex with a prostitute while on a school trip to Germany. The socialist tabloid Aftonbladet used this picture to illustrate their morally indignant article on the "scandal". I don't know why, but the picture made me laugh out load. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the silliness of Swedish tabloid media.

On a more serious note though, the woman that wrote the article pretends to care about the wellbeing of the prostitutes, but like most self-righteous moralists she spends most of her energy discredit the sex workers. Swedish blogger Isabella Lund writes about this demeaning attitude towards female sex workers.

Wednesday, 11 April 2007, 03:47 GMT

The Blogosphere's Code of Conduct

An increasing number of American bloggers see a need for self-regulation in the blogosphere. A debate was initiated by Tim O'Reilly on 31 March, when he called for a "Blogger's Code of Conduct". On 8 April, he presented a first draft. It reads as follows:

We celebrate the blogosphere because it embraces frank and open conversation. But frankness does not have to mean lack of civility. We present this Blogger Code of Conduct in hopes that it helps create a culture that encourages both personal expression and constructive conversation.

1. We take responsibility for our own words and for the comments we allow on our blog. We are committed to the "Civility Enforced" standard: we will not post unacceptable content, and we'll delete comments that contain it. We define unacceptable content as anything included or linked to that:
   – is being used to abuse, harass, stalk, or threaten others
   – is libelous, knowingly false, ad-hominem, or misrepresents another person,
   – infringes upon a copyright or trademark
   – violates an obligation of confidentiality
   – violates the privacy of others
   We define and determine what is "unacceptable content" on a case-by-case basis, and our definitions are not limited to this list. If we delete a comment or link, we will say so and explain why. [We reserve the right to change these standards at any time with no notice.]
2. We won't say anything online that we wouldn't say in person.
3. We connect privately before we respond publicly.
   When we encounter conflicts and misrepresentation in the blogosphere, we make every effort to talk privately and directly to the person(s) involved—or find an intermediary who can do so—before we publish any posts or comments about the issue.
4. When we believe someone is unfairly attacking another, we take action.
   When someone who is publishing comments or blog postings that are offensive, we'll tell them so (privately, if possible—see above) and ask them to publicly make amends.
   If those published comments could be construed as a threat, and the perpetrator doesn't withdraw them and apologize, we will cooperate with law enforcement to protect the target of the threat.
5. We do not allow anonymous comments.
   We require commenters to supply a valid email address before they can post, though we allow commenters to identify themselves with an alias, rather than their real name.
6. We ignore the trolls.
   We prefer not to respond to nasty comments about us or our blog, as long as they don't veer into abuse or libel. We believe that feeding the trolls only encourages them—"Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it." Ignoring public attacks is often the best way to contain them.

I think the debate is interesting, and it's definitely a sign of a maturing blogosphere. Furthermore, after a first read-through, I think O'Reilly's draft is good. However, veteran blogger Tristan Louis makes some good remarks in his "dissection". I'm curious about what implication this debate might have on the European blogosphere. It's no secret that the Americans are the front-runners in this field.

Tuesday, 10 April 2007, 05:12 GMT

In the Media

Party in Iran:

• Easter Monday was "National Nuclear Day" in Iran.
• That gave Iran's fascist leader an opportunity to make new threats. "We recommend to them [the democratic world] that they had better respect nations' rights," Ahmadinejad said publicly.

Madness in South America:

• The Venezuelan dictator plays the oil card. "Chávez is playing a game of chicken with the largest oil companies in the world," says business analyst Pietro Pitts.
• One of Sweden's few honest socialists, Magnus Linton, writes about Chávez's worrying attempts to silence the last independent media in Venezuela with the blessing of large segments of the European Left.

• In today's Dagens Nyheter I read that Sweden's liberal-conservative government will spend an additional 28,000,000 euros fighting alcohol and narcotics. None of these campaigns have ever worked, but the Swedish political elite is determined to change people's habits by the use of force.
• Meanwhile, Social Democratic bloggers continue to invoke in smear campaigns against Fredrick Federley, the only Swedish MP who have dared to speak out in favour of decriminalization of drug taking. None of the loud-mouthed hawks in the War on Drugs pays any attention to the fact that people are dying unnecessarily because of their policies.

That's it for now.

Tuesday, 10 April 2007, 01:21 GMT

Hayek, Marriage, and Social Change

Jesse Walker of Reason Magazine takes a look at a "Hayekian argument" against same-sex marriage and concludes that real social change comes from the people. From the article:

This is why I don't buy what has been called the Hayekian argument against gay marriage, after F. A. Hayek, the economist and philosopher who celebrated social orders that emerge from below rather than being imposed from above. Jonathan Rauch—who doesn't buy the argument either—summed it up in a 2004 article for Reason. The position, he wrote, "warns of unintended and perhaps grave social consequences if, thinking we're smarter than our customs, we decide to rearrange the core elements of marriage. The current rules for marriage may not be the best ones, and they may even be unfair. But they are all we have, and you cannot re-engineer the formula without causing unforeseen results, possibly including the implosion of the institution itself."

My objection: Marriage isn't being re-engineered by social planners. It is evolving in an impeccably Hayekian fashion, as folkways appear on the ground and are gradually ratified by imitation, then market acknowledgement, and then, only lastly, by the law. For eons, same-sex couples have quietly lived as though they were married. As social mores changed and gays came out of the closet, so did those longtime-companion relationships. Before long, lovers were holding their own marriage ceremonies, which were not recognized by the government or (at first) by any established church but did carry weight with family, friends, and neighbors. Couples started to draw up marriage-like contracts, in an effort to establish rights privately that they couldn't acquire publicly. Businesses had to decide whether to extend benefits to gay spouses; with time, more and more did.

All this happened without legislators or judges taking the lead. It happened because a certain number of gay people wanted to live as married, then slowly established institutions that allowed them to do so. Legalizing gay unions—I don't really care if the government calls them "marriages," because what's important is what everyday people call them—doesn't rearrange a core social institution. It recognizes a rearrangement that is already taking place.

Tuesday, 10 April 2007, 01:16 GMT

Översättningar gjorde homosexualitet syndigt

En läsare kommenterar ett tidigare inlägg:

När jag läste din senaste bloggpost kunde jag inte låta bli att lyfta lite på ögonbrynen och le lite snett. Du använder i rubriken ordet sanning, samtidigt som du senare i posten skriver: "Based on a few badly translated passages in the Bible that some say condemn homosexuality, …"

Jag är visserligen inte skriftlärd, men jag håller på att avsluta c-kursen i grekiska och har just läst Hippolytos i original, där ju ordet 'koita' används en del. När jag kontrollerar de tre omtalade ställena i NT, skulle jag på ovanstående citat kunna svara som du gör om Assarmo, att du inte har en aning om vad du pratar om, men min kristna moral (NB) gör att jag inte gärna uttalar mig nedlåtande om mina medmänniskor.

Passagen i Romarbrevet fördömer om man läser den rätt upp och ner sexuell lust till personer av samma kön, och det behövs absolut ingen "dålig översättning" för att få det till att det fördömer homosexuellt umgänge, eller för den delen homosexuell läggning.

Ordet i korintierna och timoteus – arsenokoitai – blir om man läser det rakt upp och ner 'de som har sexuellt umgänge med män', och inte heller här behövs någon "dålig översättning" för att få det till att det är (här enbart) sexuellt umgänge som fördöms, och med tanke på ordets historia, så blir det knivigt att motivera en inskränkt eller idiomatiserad betydelse av ordet.

Jag vet att det finns tolkningar av passagen och ordet som gör att man kan läsa dem och översätta dem så att de inte fördömer åtminstone vissa former av homosexuellt umgänge, men det är inte det du uttrycker i den post med vederbörlig ödmjukhet inför sanningen samtidigt som du – något arrogant faktiskt – påstår att andra inte har en aning om vad de pratar om.

Om det är så här de som talar för homosexuellas "rättigheter" handskas med "truth" och andras uppfattning av sin situation, så finns det ingen som helst anledning för den som är utbildad och respekterar andra, att ta till sig den propaganda (sic) som böglobbyn (oops!) sprider ut. Kan man säga att sanningen segrar samtidigt som man skriver en direkt lögn – "badly" –, så har man bevisat att man är ohederlig och självcentrerad. Sorry.

Hade du skrivit att det var 'tvivelaktiga' eller 'omdiskuterade' översättningar, hade jag lyssnat på dig och kanske kunnat övertygas om att det är de kristna som står för mer hat och fördömanden. Nu övertygas jag snarare om motsatsen, särskilt med tanke på dina akademiska meriter; de andra kan ju avfärdas som falangen av obildade idioter.

Tack för din kommentar. Jag ska försöka ge ett kort svar.

Det grekiska ordet "arsenokoitai" gavs inte betydelsen homosexualitet förrän senare delen av 400-talet. När Paulus använder ordet syftar han sannolikt på manliga prostituerade och inte på sexuella förhållanden mellan män i allmänhet. Ett annat grekiska ord som i senare tid kommit att översättas till homosexualitet eller "män som har sex med andra män" är "malakoi", vilket är ett mycket vagt ord som egentligen betyder "svaghet". Fram tills för ett par hundra år sedan var teologer överens om att ordet syftade på masturbation. Slutsatsen blir att översättningarna av Paulus brev till Korinthier och Timotheos är felaktiga och ger sken av att fördöma något helt annat än det som avsågs.

Det finns egentligen bara ett ställe i Nya testamentet som berör homosexualitet och som kan sägas vara korrekt översatt. Det är Romarbrevets första kapitel. Men vad homofobiska aktivister och kampanjorganisationer väljer att inte se är att kontexten antyder att stycket handlar om en återgång till tidigare polyteistiska religioner. Homosexuell lust nämns bara i förbigående, men politiserade kristna organisationer har givit denna bisats en avgörande betydelse. Man har helt enkelt valt att skuldbelägga en homosexuell minoritet och ignorera alla andra synder som Paulus räknar upp i sina brev.

Om detta pratade Jesper Svartvik, doktor i Nya testamentets exegetik vid Lunds universitet, i Sveriges Radios "Människor och tro" den 26 januari. Programmet finns att lyssna på här (mp3). För djupare studier i hur felaktiga översättningar kommit att ge kristendomen en homofobisk karaktär rekommenderar jag John Boswells bok Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality.

Monday, 9 April 2007, 19:27 GMT

Truth Wins Out

On 5 April, Bitte Assarmo had an article published in Svenska Dagbladet. In it, she writes that Christians are the victims of harassment and bad treatment in Sweden. The perpetrators are those who campaign for equal rights. Assarmo has a point in that people's religious beliefs should be respected and their right to practice their religion should be protected, but when she tries to make out that Christians are somehow the victims of organized hate in Europe and America, she has no idea what she talks about. Unfortunately, few organizations thrive as much from hate as Christian churches. The anti-gay campaigning is one of the best examples. Based on a few badly translated passages in the Bible that some say condemn homosexuality, powerful churches have built a massive homophobic industry where vulnerable individuals are the targets. People die because of the Christian hate campaigners. Here is an example of how this works:

If the video-clip isn't showing or working properly, you should be able to find it here.

Monday, 9 April 2007, 14:38 GMT

Easter Special: Easter Monday

Today is the last day of Easter, according to Christian tradition. It is a public holiday in most of Europe, although it is not in the United States. Easter Monday is an odd day because it does not commemorate a specific event. Often it is said that it was on this day the resurrected Jesus met with his eleven disciples in Galilee. This is probably true, but the way I read the Bible I cannot see any indication of a whole day passing by between Jesus first appearance in the outskirt of Jerusalem and his second appearance in Galilee, although the walking distance between the two locations could well be considered a hint.

The main part of the story of Jesus has already been told. During the Easter holiday, I have published three longer texts from the Gospel of St Matthew. To the most part, they are copied from the New International Version as it is found on Biblegateway.com. I did, however, some minor alterations to make it more reader-friendly.

To some of my regular readers, it might seem odd that I began publishing these religious texts. Perhaps a few of you thought that I suddenly became a devoted Christian. None of this is true. The reason why I published the story of Jesus's death and resurrection is that it is so vital for Western culture to this day. Christianity would not exist if it were not for this particular tale. In the three chapters I have pasted into my journal over the holidays, we find the core of the Christian belief system as well as the foundation of European anti-Semitism. When Jesus triumphed death and offered humankind absolution, he gave Christianity meaning. The portrayal of the Jews—the people that killed Jesus and bought a new burial place with Judas's blood money—has given the Christian rulers theological justification for discrimination and genocide during most of Europe's modern history. In other words, for us to understand history and why curtain behaviours and ideas are considered "normal" in our culture, it is vital that we know what the Bible says and how the story is told. That is why I decided to do my own "Passion of the Christ" this Easter. Tomorrow I will go back to regular blogging.

Part One: Maundy Thursday
Part Two: Good Friday
Part Three: Resurrection Sunday

Sunday, 8 April 2007, 22:27 GMT

Aqurette.com in Your Mobile

My online journal is now available in a format suitable for mobile telephones. The service is offered by a Swedish company named Mob5. So, if you can't find a computer and begin to feel withdraw symptoms because you haven't read my latest insightful scribble, then here is the solution.

(Thanks Torbjörn.)

Sunday, 8 April 2007, 02:52 GMT

Easter Special: Resurrection Sunday

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
   There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
   The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
   So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

(Matthew 28, partly rewritten by me.)

Friday, 6 April 2007, 11:22 GMT

Easter Special: Good Friday

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
   When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
   "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
   "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
   So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
   The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
   "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
   When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
   Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
   While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
   But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
   "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
   "Barabbas," they answered.
   "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
   They all answered, "Crucify him!"
   "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
   But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
   When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
   All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
   Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
   In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
   When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
   Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
   When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
   Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

(Matthew 27, partly rewritten by me.)

Friday, 6 April 2007, 01:21 GMT

A Galaxy Far, Far Away

The Hubble Space Telescope has delivered an unrivalled snapshot of NGC 1672, a barred spiral galaxy more than 60 million light-years away in the direction of the Southern constellation of Dorado. Scientists are ecstatic. From an article published by Science Daily:

One of the most striking features is the dust lanes that extend away from the nucleus and follow the inner edges of the galaxy's spiral arms. Clusters of hot young blue stars form along the spiral arms and ionize surrounding clouds of hydrogen gas that glow red. Delicate curtains of dust partially obscure and redden the light of the stars behind them by scattering blue light.

[…]

Galaxies lying behind NGC 1672 give the illusion they are embedded in the foreground galaxy, even though they are really much farther away. They also appear reddened as they shine through NGC 1672's dust. A few bright foreground stars inside our own Milky Way Galaxy appear in the image as bright, diamond-like objects.

Far out!

(Photo credit to NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team.)

Thursday, 5 April 2007, 22:59 GMT

In the Media

After nearly two weeks in Iranian captivity, fifteen British soldiers returned home today. Nearly all major news publications have covered this story. Here are a few of them:

• The Times
• The Guardian
• Jerusalem Post
• The Australian
• Chicago Tribune
• Los Angeles Times
• The ordeal has been "a humiliation for Britain", writes Slate's Geoffrey Wheatcroft.
• Andrew Sullivan seconds that

Easter Passion:

• It's Easter time, and around the Christian world the Passion of Christ is portrayed in churches and theatres. But in the Chernuchin Theater in New York, a new play entitled "Matthew Passion" links the suffering and death of Jesus to the suffering and death of hate-crime victim Matthew Shepard. Anne Midgette of the New York Times is not too impressed.
• Speaking of hate, Pier Gianni Prosperini, a local minister in the Italian region of Lombardia ventilated his ideas in public recently. He said, "Homosexuality is a deviant behaviour… let's kill them with garrottes. But not Spanish garrottes… Apache's garrotte, around their heads, to make their brain explode."

That's it for now.

Thursday, 5 April 2007, 18:07 GMT

Easter Special: Maundy Thursday

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
   The disciples were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
   Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
   Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
   Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
   While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
   When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
   Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
   "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
   But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
   Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
   Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
   He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
   When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So, he left them, went away once more, and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
   Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."
   Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
   "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
   At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
   Finally two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"
   Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest then said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
   "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
   Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
   "He is worthy of death," they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said. But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!" After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away." Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

(Matthew 26, partly rewritten by me.)

Thursday, 5 April 2007, 10:51 GMT

8,100 Euros Worth

Martin Borgs has made a short documentary (in Swedish) on how much every Swede would get if government ownership in commercial companies were to be divided equally.

If the video-clip isn't showing or working properly, you should be able to find it here.

Wednesday, 4 April 2007, 16:37 GMT

In the Media: Best of "The Economist"

Regular readers of this journal knows that The Economist is my favourite newspaper. Here's some of the most readworthy articles from the publication right now:

• Despite its decision to free the British sailors, Iran remains a problem. The country is "sailing into troubled waters," writes The Economist in a news analysis.
• Don't miss the special report on Zimbabwe's despotic leader Robert Mugabe:

  Eight decades ago, when the land that is now Zimbabwe was run by British settlers, one small boy chose to toil for his family by taking on solitary tasks. Sent to herd cows, he would avoid other children and tramp off to isolated grazing spots. He would not scrap with the other boys, a traditional way of passing the time.

  This weakling did not even play at hunting. Instead he would weave dry grass and reeds into small nets, stuffing them with feathers and moss. He would set his traps by a river and then wait for hours, resting with a book in the shade of a tree. Eventually he would snare a small bird or two, providing a tiny bit of protein for the family pot. None of this made him popular. He was bookish, a swot and very close to his mother.

• Read the approving review of Ian McEwan's new novel:

  Mr McEwan's prose is, as always, intense and visually descriptive, but in this elegantly crafted novel his skill lies in his illumination of an evening taut with emotional paralysis and in his portrayal of missed opportunity. As events move forward to the book's dénouement, "On Chesil Beach" becomes much more than a simple story of emotions held in check by convention. It is a memorable exposé of how terrible wounds can be inflicted and the entire course of a life changed—by doing nothing.

That's it for now.

Wednesday, 4 April 2007, 10:41 GMT

An Evening with Ayn Rand

Last night I went to Voltaire's release party in Lund. The theme of the latest issue of this cultural publication is novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. At the party, I listened to three of the article authors speak about different aspect of Rand's life and ideology. The first speaker was chief-editor Boris Benulic who spoke about Marxism and how greed is good. After him, Mattias Svensson of the free-market think-tank Timbro. He talked about his own relationship with Rand and how her writing inspired him as a young man. As an introduction, he sang a "progressive" song to exemplify how the independent and non-conformist ideology of many leftist anarchists is nearly identical to the teaching of Ayn Rand. John-Henri Holmberg was the final speaker. He talked about the sect-like Rand organization and the philosopher's reluctance to debate her ideas in public.

Yesterday, Swedish newspaper Sydsvenska Dagbladet published an article about Ayn Rand. You find it here.

Tuesday, 3 April 2007, 11:13 GMT

Iran and the A-Bomb

Brian Ross and Christopher Isham of ABC News report:

Iran has more than tripled its ability to produce enriched uranium in the last three months, adding some 1,000 centrifuges which are used to separate radioactive particles from the raw material.

The development means Iran could have enough material for a nuclear bomb by 2009, sources familiar with the dramatic upgrade tell ABC News.

Tuesday, 3 April 2007, 10:34 GMT

In the Media

John McCain's campaign in jeopardy:

• The Senator has fundraising problems.
• While in Iraq, McCain was heckled by CNN.
• McCain has an image problem after a statement on Iraq Security made in Baghdad's central market while he himself enjoyed an extraordinary protection by US troops.
• After McCain left the Baghdad market, the snipers returned.

Kate Moss and Topshop:

• The supermodel launches her first collection for Topshop…
• …and causes a riot in China.

Highlights of the Swedish blogosphere:

• Niklas Dougherty predicts the collapse of the War on Drugs.
• Leif Nilsson seconds that in an article originally published by Skånska Dagbladet.

That's it for now.

Monday, 2 April 2007, 20:14 GMT

Why You and I Aren't Rich

Writer Jeffrey Strain has helped people save money and get their finances in order for the paste ten years, now he shares some advise in an article published on TheStreet.com:

The reason why you aren't a millionaire (or on your way to becoming one) is really quite simple. You probably assume it's because you aren't earning enough money, but the truth is that for most people, whether or not you become a millionaire has very little to do with the amount of money you make. It's the way that you treat money in your daily life.

After this short introduction, Strain goes on to list ten possible reasons you aren't a millionaire:

1. You care what your neighbours think
2. You aren't patient
3. You have bad habits
4. You have no goals
5. You haven't prepared
6. You try to make a quick buck
7. You rely on others to take care of your money
8. You invest in things you don't understand
9. You're financially afraid
10. You ignore your finances

Now we know why we're losers.

Monday, 2 April 2007, 08:33 GMT

They Like Us Here but Stone Us There

Yesterday I wrote about the kiss between communist leader Lars Ohly and general secretary Sören Andersson at the RFSL conference. Today the gay-rights organization published pictures from the weekend conference on their website. On thing that immediately caught my eye was a large poster with the V-shaped emblem of the communist Left Party seen in the background. I have looked through many pictures, and I cannot find logos or symbols of other political parties at any of them. To be fair, I don't know for sure since I did not attend the conference, but it seems as if the only party represented with its own exhibition stand was the Communists, i.e. the same party that defends Islamists' "right" to stone gay people to death under the UN Charter.

Sunday, 1 April 2007, 18:53 GMT

Chávez's "Democracy" at Work

From Publius Pundit:

RCTV is under fire. The big television station, which has been broadcasting under license in Venezuela for 54 years, sort of the equivalent of FoxNews or CBS, officially loses its right to broadcast at the end of today. But that wasn't all that happened.

Like furies, red tshirted Chavista mobs gathered and bayed liked wolves in the days leading up to this end of an era, graffiting and spray-painting the TV station with words like 'expropriacion' along with filthy slogans that if you know Spanish, you can see the equivalent of 'f word' among, racism charges, campesino movement slogans, anti-Vatican slogans (the Vatican actually defended this TV station, which is run by a devout Catholic) and 'RCTV out' slogans. They also left plenty of garbage and mess, including what looks like a dead dog—a mob symbol if there ever was one, behind.

This is how Venezuela is being ruled right now—not just by arbitrary "legal" rulings based on what Chavez likes, but by the added calling card of the Chavista mob, spray painting its vile messages in its 'revolutionary' fervor to get the point across that this isn't about law or the public interest anymore, this is about bloodthirsty mob rule.

There's only place for one voice in a socialist state, and that is the voice of the government. In Venezuela, the government is a one-man show named Hugo Chávez. One by one, the independent media corporations are forced to close down.

Sunday, 1 April 2007, 13:02 GMT

In the Media

Inspired by excellent news pages such as Matthew Drudge's Report, Huffington Post's Eat the Press, and Wall Street Journal's Best of the Web Today I will begin to link to some of the many articles I read online every day. Normally I write a short blog entry when I come across stories I find interesting, but sometimes I find articles that need no commentary. Instead of publish one link at the time; I thought it might be a good idea to publish a few collectively. Here's the first In the Media:

• With five private jets, Travolta still lectures on global warming
• Conservative Jewish seminary will accept gay and lesbian applicants
• The New York Times on Kierkegaard and Copenhagen
• Royal suicide in South Park episode labelled "deeply offensive"
• Merkel says EU is committed to Israel's safety
• Second rape allegation against Israeli president
• "Sweden can learn from the US on climate," says Waldemar Ingdahl, director of the free-market think tank Eudoxa.
• "Europe is increasingly fading away," says Germany's former foreign minister Joschka Fischer.

Sunday, 1 April 2007, 10:17 GMT

Leftist Bonding

If anyone still thought that Swedish gay-rights organization RFSL did not have a special relationship with the communist Left Party, then here's a picture of general secretary Sören Andersson and party leader Lars Ohly kissing. I have been watching much of the ongoing RFSL conference in Skövde online, and it strikes me how far left this organization has gone. The idolization of the Social Democrats and the Left Party is astonishing. My decision not to be a member has been reaffirmed.

(Photo by Mathilda Piehl.)

Sunday, 1 April 2007, 09:47 GMT

Human Rights United Nations Style

"Death penalty by stoning under Sharia Law for unnatural sexual acts should not be equated with extrajudicial killings and indeed should not have featured in the report."

– Joseph Ayalogu challenging criticism by UN expert Philip Alston on Nigeria's use of stoning to death as a punishment for homosexuality.

(Via UN Watch and Erik Svansbo.)

Sunday, 1 April 2007, 06:43 GMT

Is Åsa Linderborg Taking Drugs?

I hope she is, because that would give her some excuse for reasoning like a child with learning disability. I am completely aghast after reading her and Erik Wijk's latest column in Aftonbladet. Throughout the article, they are using insulting epithets of named liberals instead of discussing the criticism their unjust anti-Americanism has caused. It's as if they think that debates are won by those who articulate the most scurrilous comments. But it's not only that. What is worse is the mishandling of quotation. In a passage, Linderborg and Wijk try to prove how fascism is linked to liberalism by quoting an extract from an early book by Swedish intellectual Herbert Tingsten. What they forget to mention is that Tingsten refers not to liberalism but conservatism and that he became an outspoken liberal first after reading Friedrich von Hayek's Road to Serfdom. The first rule when quoting "a true liberal" ought to be that he or she is a liberal.

It strikes me that Linderborg resembles Ann Coulter. Both hate liberals, and both think slander is a good thing. Once again we have an example of how closely linked the far right and the far left are—both extremes hate the ideology of liberty more than anything else. Furthermore, neither Linderborg nor Coulter has what it takes to win an intellectually honest debate. That is why they need slander tactics.