How the Norwegians Reacted to Terrorism
An antidote to the American cycle of threat, fear, and overspending in response to terrorism
is this, about Norway on the first anniversary of its terrorist massacre:
And at the political level, the Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg pledged to do everything to
ensure the country's core values were not undermined.
"The Norwegian response to violence is more democracy, more openness and greater political
participation," he said.
A year later it seems the prime minister has kept his word.
There have been no changes to the law to increase the powers of the police and security services,
terrorism legislation remains the same and there have been no special provisions made for the trial
of suspected terrorists.
On the streets of Oslo, CCTV cameras are still a comparatively rare sight and the police can only
carry weapons after getting special permission.
Even the gate leading to the parliament building in the heart of Oslo remains open and unguarded.
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Comments
What heartening good sense!
In the UK and US, the so-called "authorities" have managed to do precisely what the terrorists wanted
them to do.
The only way to beat the terrorists is (a) to absorb any events that we can't prevent by normal, civilised
behaviour and legislation, and (b) beyond that, not allow them to make one iota of difference to our lives.
This is more in relation to the Co incident and the usual overreactions from the usual parties with vested interests.
