Swedish politics

Have been watching Swedish political debates the last days, just as hopefully the rest of the Swedish population. My impression is that Swedish politics seems to be in pause. Nothing of importance have been discuessed, more an argument whether or not people at Volvo get the support they need. That is important but it is only about solving one issue. Where are the visions? And why is Mona Sahlin sabbotaging this big advantage in the opinion rates by cutting out the Left? Would that be a fact, I can see alot of voters, maybe even myself, going for the ballots with someone elses name on the list... and I am even a member of her party.
What however is important for the moment is the motion from the opposition for a new marriage act in Sweden. They are at least bold enough to stop one of the few legal discriminations towards gaypeople that are left in Sweden.
Then my friends we only need to take the challange to change the daily basis of harrashments, violence and discriminaton in the country. You know, change the people to fit the laws. And it would be interesting to see how many gay people that if the law passes will be getting married in Arvidsjaur...

Devils and angels

The question of today is whether it is possible to bargain with your values to reach your goals. The world is in crisis, and most political leaders are handfallen to some men and a few women westwards that of values rejected a savingsplan that could put my own country Sweden pale in socialist comparison. The liberal economics seems to stand on their values and would even let the ship sink than save it with regulations and socialisations. Of course this is irresponsible, not only to the US, but for everyone else around the globe. The ironic thought for the history is that the capitalists were too proud to save capitalism....
If we go from the economic crisis of today to values in our personal lifes instead, would the question be answered differently? Is it possible to bargain with our personal values to reach goals? Too few people of today learn to cherish their values and instead sells themselves for five seconds of fame (be it in school, at work or in the magazines). For the rest of us that tries to keep our values high we soon realise that keeping values in a society were they can be sold at e-bay for a penny is impossible. And with some shame we close our eyes really hard and drive through...

Moved on

I've moved on, from a socialist Paris to a conservative Aix. I feel it in the air. But on the other side I never really understood how Paris could be as socialist as it really is. The PS must do miracles there. Maybe the socialdemocrats in Stockholm should pay a visit to learn how to hold power for more than one political period.

Big brother vs. moi

The differences of Sweden and France gets more visiable every day that pass. What is freedom in Sweden is in many respects the opposite in France. State control over citizens habits seems as something very negative in France but can in Sweden be seen as a good way of protection. Where should the limits of state control go? Where should the freedoms of individuals end? And can we today argue that the state is its people as we have for so many years in Sweden?

Am writing an article about pornography for a Swedish leftish magazine at the moment. I do not think the french would appriciate my conclusions, maybe neither the Swedish left.

mysterious paths...

French poetry, in Swedish by Dan Andersson, then in it's original by Charles Baudelaires. Dedicated to a newfound friend.

De älskandes vin

I dag är livet som en dröm
och utan sadel, tyg och töm
på vinets rygg vi rida fort
till feers och till gudars ort.

Likt tvenne änglar burna i
en het delirium-fantasi,
det fjärran blå vi hinna skall
tvärs genom dagningens kristall.

Mjukt vingen av en storm oss bär
likt den i våra hjärtan är,
rastlöst vi fly, o syster min,
i mina drömmars himlar in.


Le Vin des amants

Aujourd'hui l'espace est splendide !
Sans mors, sans éperons, sans bride,
Partons à cheval sur le vin
Pour un ciel féerique et divin !

Comme deux anges que torture
Une implacable calenture,
Dans le bleu cristal du matin
Suivons le mirage lointain !

Mollement balancés sur l'aile
Du tourbillon intelligent,
Dans un délire parallèle,

Ma soeur, côte à côte nageant,
Nous fuirons sans repos ni trêves
Vers le paradis de mes rêves !

Gay prostitution; a social problem?

It's late but there is still thoughts in my head. Have had the most interesting week-end with both laughter, love and friends. A friend of mine is visiting Paris. He's staying at his friends place who sadly seems to have addictive problems. I hope he will find a way out soon...

Me and my friend also talked philosophically about prostitution which I should state has nothing to do with my friends friend. Gay people are often in contact with well-off older men that wants to pay money for a nights affection. My friend was pro this. Me, of course, against. One should make it clear that there really are few prostitutes in this world that can make their living and still feel happiness. On the contrary they often goes into depression, addiction and other bad habits. Economic freedom which leads to slavery under drugs, how can that be freedom?

 What also is quite striking is that, as the feminist agenda regarding the relationship men vs. women have come far, it seems to have stopped regarding gay men. Who can in their hearts feel it is okay to buy/sell people (yes even gay men) in the 21th century? Just because you are responsible for your own enslavement (instead of someone else) it doesn't mean you are not walking in chains.  

No, it is time to start contrasting sexual liberation and sexual deliberation also in the world of gay people. The right to be who you are (and love whoever you want) does not give you the right to choose not to be free. And even if you truly are the "happy prostitute" most are not. In a society where gay people are turning more merchandised every day someone has to act. It's time for responsibility....

Comments on a review

Friday morning and I can't sleep. Have been reading the diaries of Kollontai for a week now.I have noticed it got a bad review in a paper. It was said it was too much silly things without political empathis, or something like that. I disagree, it is a personal diary, filled with her thoughts of life. Sometimes even a big revolutionary woman as Kollontai can be just as boring as any one else. But what she shows us is an historic view of life as a USSR diplomat in Sweden during the mid-war time. And to be fair, I doubt that Ms Kollontai, despite her courage, dared challenging the political elite that had replaced all of the old political elite, except of herself. Maybe Ms Kollontai adapted like many others, just lucky to be alive. Communists seems to adapt quite easily to new leaders throughout history... yes even today. That if something, gives a good picture of their capacity and the system of organising without questioning. It is troughfully scary.

I have started to make friends in Paris, it is nice, but I am also feeling quite tierd. Needs to do something about that. Christoph is on a visit, it is nice to meet old friends, once in a while :)