“Middle powers” are rearchitecting their security in face of US unpredictability and potential unreliability. And it’s happening faster than one thinks….
So true. Watching US media, is like watching two universes diverge at warp speed. The re-architecting is happening while the US clings to old national myths about exceptionalism.
Danish men, too, they won't give up Greenland lightly.
Sweden is still reeling from a dangerous exercise in uncontrolled immigration and is learning the hard way that absorbing a very different culture is tricky, hence the upsurge in right-wing political rhetoric and a lot of threatening behaviour toward people who want to move there, especially brown and black ones, but I still think they are in an infinitely better place than we are in Britain, about to swear in our seventh leader in 10 years.
Anyway my daughter has voted with her feet - a few weeks ago, ten years to the day since the Brexit referendum, she received her first Swedish passport. She is now a Swedish citizen.
Danish men are wonderful and very strong. I expect Greenland will not change hands. Congratulations to your daughter! I’m so happy to hear she got her passport. So many people got stranded by the new rules. Some are really suffering because of it.
Thank you! I am so happy to be back. It was painful but the brain fog was far worse. For six months, I didn’t have a single idea. I was like a stupid person. I have never been through anything like it.
I'm glad you are feeling well enough to get back to writing. Very interesting note. The contrast between the U.S. and Sweden couldn't be more stark. The U.S. has been headed in the wrong direction for quite some time and Trump is accelerating our demise. This November election will determine whether or not Americans are awake enough to recognize the danger. My wife and I are taking a trip to England in August. I have been creating a timeline of it's history. Just last night I added a note about the Viking raids of Lindesfarne and other religious foundations for their wealth. Quite a coincidence that you should mention it. Trump would probably call these raids private enterprise at their finest.
Thank you for your kind thoughts I hope you have a wonderful trip. Will you to to the north? I’m fascinated by the story of the Book of Kells. The manuscript was begun at Iona Abbey and then relocated to the Abbey of Kells after repeated Viking raids. Some hoodlum Viking stole this exquisite piece of art, ripped off it jeweled cover, and threw it in a bog! It was later recovered, thank God, and you can see it in Dublin. I often wonder what other cultural relics we lost.
We are flying to Bergen, Norway and embarking on a Viking cruise ship for 15 days. One of our stops will be Dublin where we will spend part of our day at Trinity College visiting the Old Library to view the manuscript. I understand that the Book was moved from the Abbey of Kells to Dublin during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. We are pretty excited to see it. We are also visiting the Museum of Literature.
Bummer to read about your health issues! I'm glad your doing well again.
In his book "Hot, Flat and Crowded" wrote about how the Scandinavian countries didn't have a 2008 financial debacle because they had passed laws to prevent that in the 70's. The Swedes are certainly ahead of the curve in many ways.
Have you thought of letting go of the idea of being an "American?" Have you written about how America mauled you as it's doing to everyone?
Thanks for your good wishes! We had laws to prevent 2008, too, until Clinton repealed Glass-Steagall. We are clearly hellbent on our destruction and it looks like we’re going to get it. I’ll look up the book.
Way back when I started my 1st job at an aerospace company and did the security process, getting grilled by the Ombudsman. Asking me if I had plotted to overthrow the US government. Then my thought was why bother with that??? And now I think my answer would be - hasn't that already been done??? <Rimshot/> <Cymbal Crash/> I think we all need to come to the conclusion that the Government is not of the people and by the People, that is to say powerlessness... Operatives run everything. You did the right thing by leaving back in 2019. It's getting a lot more difficult in 2026.
Thank you - love this. My great grandparents were tough farmer immigrants from Gotlunda. Our family still has that tough streak, and I don’t doubt the Swedes are “ready for whatever’s coming next”. Badass.
Interesting! I just looked up Gotlunda because I wasn’t familiar with it. It’s not far from Stockholm at all. Let me know if you ever plan an ancestral return!
Thank you! Closer to Gothenburg, I think, central/southern Sweden. We did an ancestral trip in ‘23 - online research tools are amazing these days. I found the actual tiny hamlet where they came from, with the kirk dating from the 1100’s!
I'm a retired A.erican econ and history prof. Understand Russia. USA caused Ukraine War. Sorely disappointed by SCANDANVIA MILITARY SHIFT.But the Vikings plundered and occupied RUSSIA east slaves in 850 and in 1700 Charles 1 invaded Russia through Narva reached Moscow but what the heck. Sweden will get sucked into War it does not want from Germany France UK Netherlands. Too bad sad.
Laura, I am so glad to see your meaningful, honest work back on this platform. You had been on my mind, with me wondering how you were getting on. Having had my own health challenges, I sympathize. Wishing you a full-force revival. Your work was missed, and I couldn't agree more with your assessments of all things political.
Exactly! I wish I had put it like that
“Middle powers” are rearchitecting their security in face of US unpredictability and potential unreliability. And it’s happening faster than one thinks….
So true. Watching US media, is like watching two universes diverge at warp speed. The re-architecting is happening while the US clings to old national myths about exceptionalism.
And none of this will ever go back in the box.
100%
Danish men, too, they won't give up Greenland lightly.
Sweden is still reeling from a dangerous exercise in uncontrolled immigration and is learning the hard way that absorbing a very different culture is tricky, hence the upsurge in right-wing political rhetoric and a lot of threatening behaviour toward people who want to move there, especially brown and black ones, but I still think they are in an infinitely better place than we are in Britain, about to swear in our seventh leader in 10 years.
Anyway my daughter has voted with her feet - a few weeks ago, ten years to the day since the Brexit referendum, she received her first Swedish passport. She is now a Swedish citizen.
Danish men are wonderful and very strong. I expect Greenland will not change hands. Congratulations to your daughter! I’m so happy to hear she got her passport. So many people got stranded by the new rules. Some are really suffering because of it.
This is powerful
Thank you!
Love this! I’m living in Portugal now and love watching the EU do the same.
It’s a high like no other. I hope we see more of it.
Laura, so good to hear your voice again—and sorry for your troubles with your shoulder.
I'm am definitely using that "Shit bursting from its container" in Notes today. That is a beauty.
I hope the healing continues!
Thank you! I am so happy to be back. It was painful but the brain fog was far worse. For six months, I didn’t have a single idea. I was like a stupid person. I have never been through anything like it.
More military means less social benefits like USA. Hitler did not harm neutral Sweden.
I'm glad you are feeling well enough to get back to writing. Very interesting note. The contrast between the U.S. and Sweden couldn't be more stark. The U.S. has been headed in the wrong direction for quite some time and Trump is accelerating our demise. This November election will determine whether or not Americans are awake enough to recognize the danger. My wife and I are taking a trip to England in August. I have been creating a timeline of it's history. Just last night I added a note about the Viking raids of Lindesfarne and other religious foundations for their wealth. Quite a coincidence that you should mention it. Trump would probably call these raids private enterprise at their finest.
Thank you for your kind thoughts I hope you have a wonderful trip. Will you to to the north? I’m fascinated by the story of the Book of Kells. The manuscript was begun at Iona Abbey and then relocated to the Abbey of Kells after repeated Viking raids. Some hoodlum Viking stole this exquisite piece of art, ripped off it jeweled cover, and threw it in a bog! It was later recovered, thank God, and you can see it in Dublin. I often wonder what other cultural relics we lost.
We are flying to Bergen, Norway and embarking on a Viking cruise ship for 15 days. One of our stops will be Dublin where we will spend part of our day at Trinity College visiting the Old Library to view the manuscript. I understand that the Book was moved from the Abbey of Kells to Dublin during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. We are pretty excited to see it. We are also visiting the Museum of Literature.
Wonderful! Bergen is really lovely. Wishing you a fantastic trip.
Bummer to read about your health issues! I'm glad your doing well again.
In his book "Hot, Flat and Crowded" wrote about how the Scandinavian countries didn't have a 2008 financial debacle because they had passed laws to prevent that in the 70's. The Swedes are certainly ahead of the curve in many ways.
Have you thought of letting go of the idea of being an "American?" Have you written about how America mauled you as it's doing to everyone?
Thanks for your good wishes! We had laws to prevent 2008, too, until Clinton repealed Glass-Steagall. We are clearly hellbent on our destruction and it looks like we’re going to get it. I’ll look up the book.
Laura,
Way back when I started my 1st job at an aerospace company and did the security process, getting grilled by the Ombudsman. Asking me if I had plotted to overthrow the US government. Then my thought was why bother with that??? And now I think my answer would be - hasn't that already been done??? <Rimshot/> <Cymbal Crash/> I think we all need to come to the conclusion that the Government is not of the people and by the People, that is to say powerlessness... Operatives run everything. You did the right thing by leaving back in 2019. It's getting a lot more difficult in 2026.
Thank you - love this. My great grandparents were tough farmer immigrants from Gotlunda. Our family still has that tough streak, and I don’t doubt the Swedes are “ready for whatever’s coming next”. Badass.
Interesting! I just looked up Gotlunda because I wasn’t familiar with it. It’s not far from Stockholm at all. Let me know if you ever plan an ancestral return!
Thank you! Closer to Gothenburg, I think, central/southern Sweden. We did an ancestral trip in ‘23 - online research tools are amazing these days. I found the actual tiny hamlet where they came from, with the kirk dating from the 1100’s!
How cool!
I'm a retired A.erican econ and history prof. Understand Russia. USA caused Ukraine War. Sorely disappointed by SCANDANVIA MILITARY SHIFT.But the Vikings plundered and occupied RUSSIA east slaves in 850 and in 1700 Charles 1 invaded Russia through Narva reached Moscow but what the heck. Sweden will get sucked into War it does not want from Germany France UK Netherlands. Too bad sad.
Get outta here with your “US caused Russia to invade Ukraine” bullshit.
Laura, I am so glad to see your meaningful, honest work back on this platform. You had been on my mind, with me wondering how you were getting on. Having had my own health challenges, I sympathize. Wishing you a full-force revival. Your work was missed, and I couldn't agree more with your assessments of all things political.
Thanks so much, Larry. It’s good to back. Sorry to hear you’re in the same boat.