Norway Mourns

Somewhere in this world, good news is being heard. However, the latest news from here and abroad leaves much to be desired. The latest tragedy took part in Norway, as a lone, delusional gunman was able to detonate a bomb and quickly appear twenty miles away to kill people at his leisure.

At the latest report, a car-bomb was detonated in front of an Oslo, Norway government building causing several deaths and injuries creating chaos not unlike a normal military diversionary action. The gunman, somehow boarded a ferry ( which he later disabled) to a famous island that was well-known for a summer camp specially designed for families and their children for annual summer celebrations.

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This picturesque island is located in the Tyrifjorden fjord outside Oslo and owned by the AUF ( the Labour Party Youth) and the Labour Party, itself. The AUF is a multi-cultural organization with a clear stance against racism and xenophobia, and a buzzing melting-pot. These summer-camps at Utoeya generate massive media coverage and regularily set the national political agenda. A place where a delusional extremist can "make a statement". Over the past five decades, Utoeya has become a precious asset for the AUF and the Labour Party- socially and political. The current Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg has spent parts of his summer holidays every year from the age of 14 attending activities at this site.

The AUF summer camp at Utoeya is the place that party leaders and other prominent political figures simply have to attend. Every summer, 70-1,000 Labour youths gather for political debate and seminars and classic summer fun.

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Prime Minister Stoltenberg spoke to the Norwegian people from Oslo's City Hall, July 26th. In portions of his address to Norwegian youth, he stated:

--------------Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg -----------------

Secondly, I want to say this to all the young people here. The massacre on Utøya was an attack against young people's dreams of being able to help to make the world a better place. Your dreams have been crushed, but your dreams can be fulfilled...You can make a difference....Get involved. Care. Take part in debates..Use your vote. Free elections are the jewel in the crown of democracy..."

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Nan Webster, a Vennskap member, has relatives living in Norway. Nan received a phonecall from Norway. Nan writes: " Our cousin Yngve Bjerke and his wife Gunn were on their way home from a mountain cabin and got caught in a traffic jam because of the terrorism. They didn't know what was happening at first, and then heard the screaming and shots. People who had boats were going out with their boats to save as many children as they could. It was terrible to say the least. Norway will NEVER be the same."

The violence was the deadliest in Norway since World War II.