Bush left us the Piñata of our times

OSLO — The Norwegian police on Saturday charged a 32-year-old man, identified by the Norwegian media as Anders Behring Breivik, over the bombing of a government center and a shooting attack on a nearby island that together left at least 91 people dead.

Within minutes from the attack, comments at the NYTimes came into the hundreds. Take a look and see if you can identify the Piñata of our times.



S
Oslo, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
11:16 am
We felt shockwaves from the blast even from the outskirts of downtown. We are really shaken and glued to the news, trying to find out more.
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2.
Dave
Pa
July 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
I didn't know there was anybody that angry in Norway.
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3.
JI
Lexington, KY
July 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
It was done by terrorist, definitely. More efforts are needed to win over terrorism even if Bin Laden was killed.
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4.
KJSDem
Virginia
July 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
More crazy people ruining life for the rest of us. Hopefully there were few injuries and no deaths and they catch the animals responsible for this.
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5.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Justin
queens
July 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
Islamic fundamentalism is not an American issue, its a global humanitarian crisis.
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6.
david
tennessee
July 22nd, 2011
11:20 am
It appears that even the less contentious nations are not immune to the scourge that extremism has become in this poor world of ours.
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7.
Jeff
L.A.
July 22nd, 2011
11:20 am
The biggest danger in the wider blast area is damage to eyesight from flying glass. I hope this is not a repeat of the American embassy blast in Kenya where so many innocents lost their vision.
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8.
John Bergene
Sandefjord-Norway
July 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
Norway lives in a bubble with their own thoughts. Like when we were put on the terror list for possible attacks. The goverment didn't care. Each year the Police & military sections get less, and less money. Figured we never need them. This was just a time question before it would happend >.> im doing a golfclap for my own country. The blow up was sad, and its sad that people got hurt. But the golfclap is for the goverment and their way of thinking.
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9.
Allan Fineberg
Fair Lawn, NJ
July 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
A dastardly act. Norway is a beautiful, peace-loving country with a civilized people. This is disgusting.
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10.
uofcenglish
wilmette
July 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
Let me guess? We all know who is behind this-- Muslim extremists. They have benefitted from the liberal policies of countries like Norway, but now that some stops are being put in place their is a strong reaction. The forces of barbarism are at the gate, who is truly at watch. The politicians and bankers are too buy trying to shore up their crumbling economic systems.
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11.
geoff
SF bay area California
July 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
The Aftenposten, Oslo's main newspaper, says the explosion seems to have been directed at the Oil and Energy Ministry, OED.
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12.
Dr. R.D.B. Laime
Albuquerque, NM
July 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
Writer Goodman needs to tell us 3:30 am or pm. If the USA would only go along with the rest of the world and use GMT(Zulu time)it would be grand. 3:30 a.m.---not too much of a problem(oh a problem), yet 1530(3:30 p.m.) would be challenging. Small note? Heck no...we complain about a lot of things about the world, and we (the USA)are the backward bunch(oh yes GMT/zulu is viewed as military time). And we still call Native Americans Indians because Columbus made a goof. Cheers.
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13.
DaveD
Wisconsin
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
Likely the first blowback from the Bin Laden murder.
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14.
Tim Kane
Mesa, Arizona
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
Looks like the shock doctrine has come to the most successful socialist state in the world. Norway, expect all of your state institutions to be systematically destroyed by opportunist, and for you social welfare to be assaulted by the same. You are far too successful, have far too much oil and far to small to be allowed to continue in your current capacity.

I weep for you.
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15.
WR
Seattle
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
For a country like Norway, this is earthshaking. Would be for anyone, but we should extend every possible courtesy and outreach to the government and the people of Norway at this time.
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16.
rlk
chappaqua, ny
July 22nd, 2011
11:35 am
Of course the terrorists would strike the least aggressive country.

They're just a bunch of coward murderers who strike at innocent civilians.
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17.
Kara
NJ
July 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
Lots of good thoughts and prayers to Norway.
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18.
Mike Strike
Boston
July 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
What an outrage.

Norway has always been very receptive to refugees and dispossessed peoples from other regions of the world and contributes massively in aid to countries around the world in need.

Norway should not be deterred from continuing its exemplary humanitarian role in the world by this insanity.
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19.
XFXDOOM2
Stockholm, Sweden
July 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
I'm very interested in who will claim responsibility for this apparent terrorist attack.

Gaddafi? The Taliban? Al-Qaeda?

Let's follow this story very closely.
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20.
MMR
Chicago
July 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
Sending good thoughts to our friends in Oslo and to all Oslo residents.
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21.
ACW
New Jersey
July 22nd, 2011
11:38 am
Do we know it was a bomb and not, e.g., a gas leak? Has anyone claimed responsibility for it? I don't see anything in the article as of this iteration; I'm sure an update is coming. #3 and #4, don't jump to conclusions. One of the cartoonists who got into trouble for drawing a cartoon lampooning Mohammed was Swedish, but Sweden isn't Norway, so if this is a terrorist act, it's mis-aimed. Meanwhile, whatever the cause, my condolences to #1 and his countrymen for their anxiety, whatever the cause.
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22.
Richard Modigliani
Marin County, Ca
July 22nd, 2011
11:38 am
It is probably some radical Norwegian Lutheran sect, no wait, I bet it is some atheist comic book fans. Whoever it really is, I bet we collectively ignore their religious background out of political correctness. And the longer we refuse to acknowledge that 99% of these bombings originate out of one particular religion, the larger the European right will grow as a backlash to these types of terrorist attacks.
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23.
tubaornot
oslo
July 22nd, 2011
11:38 am
It is now confirmed it is a bomb explotion, and at least 2 are confirmed dead, and 8 are injured, but unkonfirmed news is that several more dead are spottet and several more injured are spottet to.
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24.
Harveydad
Melbourne Florida
July 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
If Norway were like the United States, they would invade some country and kill/destroy the leader of that country as some kind of retaliation. I hope the persons or country responsible are not thought to have WMDs. I also hope Norway does not ask Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld for advice.
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25.
rico
brooklyn
July 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
Seems like it could be environmental terrorism.
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Padman
Boston
July 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
Even though it is too early to say who is responsible for this attack it is most probably al-Qaeda. Officials in Norway on Thursday, July 8, said they have arrested three men with ties to al-Qaeda suspected of "preparing terror activities". Al-qaeda is active even in a peaceful country like Norway. No place is immune.
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28.
danstrayer
bonners ferry, ID
July 22nd, 2011
11:40 am
Referring to # 10 above: That's right, we do know. Just like Sweden, and England, and a host of other western nations, we know what happens when these people are allowed in, but apparently we all have to learn it the hard way. Chalk up another victory for Political Correctness.
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29.
Norwegian girl.
Oslo, Norway.
July 22nd, 2011
11:40 am
There are unfortunately several dead people, and many who are hurt. :( A terrible day for Norway.

The police had confirmed that the explosion is caused by a bomb, and have arrested 3 persons, and have surrounded a car at Gardermoen airport as we speak. :(
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30.
Fiona
NY
July 22nd, 2011
11:47 am
In the lah-lah world people are admonished against "profiling" and "stereotyping". In the real world every explosion is immediately suspected to be the work of Islamist terrorists. And almost every time it turns out to be true. Norway is in the forefront of supporting Palestinians and pushing for boycotts against Israel, thinking that it would buy her safety. Wake up and smell the putrid scent of burning buildings, Oslo! Appeasement of terrorists never works and only makes them bolder.
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31.
decker
WA
July 22nd, 2011
11:47 am
The time to do as Denmark has done hass come, their immigration policies are finally strict, and the open-doors of Sweden and Norway that have brought them both nothing but trouble must be ended.

Close the doors.

Only those of actual Nordic and Germanic heritage belong as citizens in Scandinavia.
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32.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
BR
Times Square
July 22nd, 2011
11:54 am
The Nordic sensibility seems to be that issues like free speech and religious fundamentalism is not a conflict, but something that can be downplayed and will fade away on its own. Sorry: it's not fading away.

Religious fundamentalism needs to be confronted directly, it does not back down. It in fact feeds off of ambivalent or conciliatory attitudes: "see? they are weak, they will bend to our will."

Make no mistake, the defining conflict of the 21st Century is between religious fundamentalism and societies that respect and cherish civil liberties.

Notice I didn't say the conflict was between Islam and the West.

To frame the conflict as between Islam and the West is a degenerate trollish way to understand the conflict we are facing in today's world. As if the Muslim world can't appreciate civil liberties. As if the West doesn't have its own homegrown problems with religious fundamentalism.

Civil liberties or religious fundamentalism. Choose your side. Because there is no ability to remain neutral in this conflict, as this bombing has just shown.
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33.
Sven
SKI near Oslo, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
11:54 am
Now, two hours after the explosion 2 peoples are confirmed dead and the police confirms it is a bomb attack.
Windows were blown out at least half a mile away from the place (ten street blocks New York style).
A police press conference has been announced for now, but has not yet started.
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34.
Mauren
Holden, MA
July 22nd, 2011
11:55 am
What a tragedy! Norway is not a nation one normally associates with such acts.

It's truly time for us to reevaluate global policies of large states and what we do to stop and punish such savagery.

For instance, must US really work with tainted nations such Pakistan and Saudi Arabia? Should China continue to send nuclear reactors and fissile material to Pakistan? What is the role of Western powers in Afghanistan?
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35.
K.A. Berg
Oslo, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
11:55 am
"Each year the Police & military sections get less, and less money. "
from Norway central bureu of statistics, in million NOK:
Money to the police
2005-2010
8 897 9 502 10 218 10 985 11 766 12 766
Stop your golf clapping
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36.
Katie
Portland, Oregon
July 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
I wish I could take a peek into the Muslim extremist's mind. What are they hoping to accomplish? Do they think that the death of innocent people will make the rest of us embrace Muhammad? Do they think that explosions will encourage people to follow Islam's archaic and barbaric rules? Do they think that the rest of the world will fall over and bow to their religion because of explosions? It will never happen.

What is pathetic is that Norway was probably targeted because they printed cartoons of Muhammad. Do the Muslim extremists not get that it is pathetic that they were angry about a cartoon in the first place? Do they not get that this type of violence only sets them back another century in the eyes of the world and hardens people's hearts against innocent Muslims and their beliefs? Can't they see that their countries are tragically unsuccessful and uneducated and the way they are living now will only keep them stuck in the pre-middle ages?

Muslim extremists do not think like normal people. We can never, ever forget that. And we should never change our lives, our beliefs, in order to cater to these monsters in any way. "Politically Correct" behavior that does not acknowledge the truth of this situation, that does not acknowledge that this fundamentalist belief system is not compatible with freedom and liberty, will only harm us in the end.

I'm sorry, Norway. I'm sorry for your country and for your people. We are all wishing you the best and standing beside you. May justice be swift and sure and fair.
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37.
Joanne600
NYC
July 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
The government of Norway has had its collective head in the sand regarding its immigration policy. I weep for the good people of Norway, their government has let them down.
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38.
Laura
Madison, WI
July 22nd, 2011
11:57 am
This is terrible news, and my thoughts go out to all of the injured and their families.

I am confused by the information presented in this article, however. The report cites no leads or suspects. Why have the writer and by extension the Times chosen to include information about Muslim extremist violence without any confirmed connections to the present situation? It doesn't serve your readers well to provide context when we don't yet know if that context is relevant.
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39.
Kim L.
New York City
July 22nd, 2011
11:57 am
O God, I am so disgusted and tired of all the violence in the world. Somehow, the very idea of violence has to change; many people actually are attracted to violence: witness the popularity of violent movies, violent video games, the "glamour" of fighting men. We have to start seeing all this as pathetic, idiotic. Not entertaining, not exciting, just plain stupid. Young people all over the world, especially right now in the extremist lands, have to wake up and start seeing the path of violence as a ridiculous one, not a brave and heroic one. Men and women everywhere must BOYCOTT the use of force, refuse to take up arms, bombs, guns.
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40.
Domingo Tavella
San Francisco
July 22nd, 2011
11:58 am
Islamic fundamentalism was brought about by decades of American and British meddling in the Middle East. Unfortunately, Islamic extremists can't tell the difference between nation in the West, just as GW Bush could not tell the difference between Afghanistan and Iraq, Reagan could not tell the difference between countries in Latin America, American voters can't tell the difference between Indus and Muslims, or just as Sarah Palin does not know that there are countries in Africa. Ignorance and its consequences, it turns out, are not the exclusive privilege of Islamic terrorists.

By believing that terrorism is a universal issue, the civilized nations of northern Europe are making it a universal issue. Norway does not have military bases in Saudi Arabia, does not need Middle Eastern oil, and has no reason to send troops to Afghanistan. The onus for combating Islamic terrorism should have fallen on the UK and the US exclusively, since they are the ones who originated it and the ones who perpetuate it - no amount of terrorism will persuade the US to dismantle its bases in Saudi Arabia, nor the UK and the US to stop meddling in the Middle East.
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41.
Yabaulee
NYC
July 22nd, 2011
11:59 am
@ poster # 5 & 10
You must have some magical crystal ball that tells you who did what& where!!!
Too easy to jump on the ugly Islamophobia bandwagon.
What if turn out some local sicko with deep psychological problems?
Or a foreign agency hit (the mossad) to stir up new anti Muslim bigotry?
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42.
Mr. Helpmann
Brooklyn, NY
July 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
Bad sportsmanship. A ruthless minority of people seems to have forgotten certain good old-fashioned virtues. They just can’t stand seeing the other fellow win. If these people would just play the game, they’d get a lot more out of life.
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43.
IA
Norway
July 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
I am proud of my country, our way of life and our society. I don't see how the hard ways has made any type of progress what so ever!

#8 Put a golfsock in it!
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44.
Don
NY
July 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
This is the kind of horror Sri Lanka went through for 30 years and finally eradicated the menace in 2009. Recently it was learned that Norway secretly funded the Tiger terrorist group while brokering peace with the Sri Lankan government. And now Norway with the EU is pressing the UN to investigate war crimes against the Sri Lankan Government!
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45.
PL
Sweden
July 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
@ Dr. R.D.B. Laime:
"Indian" is a European word. It was applied from the beginning to boith the East and the West Indies (both European concepts). Columbus's goof has nothing to do with it. If you have to distinguish, what's wrong with "red Indian"? (something bad about red but not black or white? c'mon). As for "native American", what country are the rest of us who were born in America natives of? Not to mention that "America" comes from the name of a dead white male.
As for "military/Zulu" time, why not go further: life would be more rational if we all just had numbers instead of names. Easier for our masters to keep track of us that way.
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46.
WillT26
Durham, NC
July 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
Perhaps indiscriminately invading countries is not the answer to the world's terrorism issues.
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47.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Henrik Eriksson
Uppsala, Sweden
July 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
This is not anything you'd ever expect. Scandinavia has never experienced such a terrorist attack in modern times. According to Norwegian media there are at least 2 people who are confirmed dead. How horrible, I feel chocked, sad and angry at the same time.
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48.
Lars Welle
Norway
July 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
The explosion in government offices, is caused by a bomb, police said.
It is speculated that there may be a car bomb, but can not be confirmed yet.
Nine people are still injured and two killed.
The bomb has caused major material damage in several quarters.

Norway's prime minister was not in office when the bomb went off, and is now in safety.
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49.
Avinash
College Station
July 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
This is sad and sickening. What does anyone get out of killing random innocent people?

Stand strong Norway. We are all with you!
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50.
WillT26
Durham, NC
July 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
I feel very bad for Norway and send my best wishes to all of its people and hope that the number of dead/injured does not increase.

I am also happy that Norway, unlike a different country, will not invade two nations and kill millions of innocent civilians in an orgy of violence and revenge.
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West Sider
NYC
July 22nd, 2011
12:56 pm
And 3 days later a Government building blows up in Norway?

Norway backs Palestinian path to UN statehood vote
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND REUTERS

18/07/2011
Norwegian FM says it is "perfectly legitimate" for Palestinians to take case to UN; Syria officially recognizes Palestinian state, SANA reports.

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=229906
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57.
vijay
NJ, USA
July 22nd, 2011
12:58 pm
My God, I hope it's not some crazed Buddhist terrorist again!
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58.
sp
Sacramento CA
July 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
People need to understand an Islamic crusade is underway, why are these people tolerated at all. The resounding silence from the Muslim community says more than enough.
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59.
Trumpit
L.A.
July 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
I believe it is God's wrath toward people who persist in hunting intelligent whales in their ocean habitat. The Japanese were hit with an earthquake and tsunami and now the Norwegians are getting a taste of their own medicine. STOP all hunting of whales now! Don't mess with Mother Nature or Mother Superior! Humans must stop playing God with the environment and her creatures. We are shooting ourselves in our collective foot for sure.

Bob Barker is a legend and a hero in the global efforts to stop whaling in the 21st century. He put up millions of dollars of his own money to stop the senseless slaughter of whales. God bless Bob Barker!
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60.
feelin' adrift
Canada
July 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
Thoughts and prayers to the people of Norway who are suffering.

Until more pressure is brought to bear on Israel for its oppressive, imperialist policies, we will unfortunately experience more acts of violence such as what the Norwegian people experienced today.
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61.
RJ MacReady
sf
July 22nd, 2011
1:00 pm
Norway is "such a neutral country"? I guess that the Norwegian educational system is as deficient as ours when it comes to teaching history and geography. After 5 years of Nazi occupation in WW2, Norway became a founding member of NATO in 1949.
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62.
Ken
Norway
July 22nd, 2011
1:01 pm
There's been two confirmed deaths so far, with several injuries.
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63.
CJ Laity
Chicago
July 22nd, 2011
1:01 pm
A few weeks ago Ghaddafi promised to attack Europee in retalitation to what's being done to his country and Hilary Clinton shrugged and told him to step down instead of making threats. What makes us think we can jump into another country's civil war and start arming rebels and bombing the government and that there aren't going to be any consequences.
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64.
andre
up in the hills of Mount Tamalpais
July 22nd, 2011
1:01 pm
I live in California, and on days like this I'm glad our unskilled workers come from the Pacific Rim and South America. More importantly, I'm glad that those workers don't arrive here mentally at odds with our culture.
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65.
Pipi
Sweden
July 22nd, 2011
1:02 pm
Decker 31, I presume you are of native American heritage, right?

I understand from a friend in Norway that the media there is largely reporting it's a terrorist act and that maybe as many as three explosions were involved but of course none of these accounts has been conclusively corroborated.
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66.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Okyoman
Norway
July 22nd, 2011
1:03 pm
Let's not rush to conclusions, and above all let's not allow this to paralyze us with fear. This is horrendous, and that it's happening here is quite surreal. For better or for worse things like these can, apparently, happen just about anywhere. This is something very unfamiliar to us, but we are not immune. But brutal force only breeds more brutal force, and this will never get us anywhere. We're shocked, but let us not be overwhelmed. A society infused with fear is not a way to go.
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67.
S.B
Oslo, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
1:03 pm
Several buildings in Oslo Cetre is now being evacuated, reports of shooting on an island(Utøya) in the oslo-fjord.
Still can´t believe this has happend...
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68.
Adam
Tallahassee
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
"Norway is such a neutral country?" I think someone needs to contact the national PR department.
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69.
califpoppy
california
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
so apparently,no country is safe from terrorists.
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70.
THOP
SA
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
Lot's of speculation at this point, with no evidence. Islamic terrorists? Environmental terrorists (this was the oil HQ)? Some domestic issue in Norway (think Timothy McVeigh and OK)? Who knows? "Round up the usual suspects!"

It will become clear, and then we end the speculation. Until then....
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71.
K.A. Berg
Oslo, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
From the police press conference:
15 hurt, 2 confirnmed dead,so far, buildings are being secured.
No one is arrested so far.
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72.
BC
Boca Raton, FL
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
Seems as if the Norway government's growing anti-Israel rhetoric and Islamist appeasement hasn't protected the country from terror.
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73.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Paul
California
July 22nd, 2011
1:06 pm
There is a real problem here. One of the world's major cultures has failed, and a billion people have been left behind in the advances of the last several centuries. They have discarded the human potential of half of their people(women) and have lived in states controlled by a reactionary clergy that has kept them in ignorance. Now modern communications have made them see where the rest of the world has gone. They are angry. They are ill equipped to join the modern age and so they lash out and build bombs. I see no easy resolution. It will take generations before they can be competitive in this world. These poor hopeless disadvantaged people, and their anger, will be with us for a long time.
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74.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Emmanuel
New York, NY, USA
July 22nd, 2011
1:22 pm
"Norway is such a countral country...." says a passerby in Oslo. That was true before the Norwegian government caved in to the pressures of US and Nato allies and sent troops and equipments in Afghanistan. Lately Norway has been involved in Nato operations against Al-Qaddafi's libyan regular army. Can the term "neutral" be applied to Norway today? People outside of Europe and North America don't think so. They have seen Danemark and Norway abandon their traditional stance in world affairs and embrace EU and US policies of meddling interventionism in the developing world.

Today in the eyes of many observers only Sweden, Finland and Switzerland deserve to be called "neutral". But the Swedes might lose that definition if they are succesdul on the global arms markets -they are currently trying to sell fighter jets, Saab Gripen, in many parts of the world-. Cowardly terrorists attacks are always wrong and must be condemned. But practionners of foreign policy know how actions taken by nations internationaly sometimes bring retribution by aggrieved parties. We are afraid the Scandinavian governments have been a little naive if they thought there would be no consequences to their involvement in what we call operations to enforce the keeping of "international peace and security", be it under the banner of Nato or any other Western coalition...
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75.
Weird Harold
NM
July 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
_______________________________
638.
HIGHLIGHT (What's this?)
Bejay
Williamsburg VA
July 23rd, 2011
1:48 am
Now it has been revealed that this was the act of a Norwegian Timothy McVeigh, and not a Muslim.

The enemy is not Islam, or Christianity, or Conservatism, or Liberalism, or Communism, or Libertarianism.

It is Extremism. It is "by any means necessary". It is "never compromise". It is "our way, or death".

Unfortunately, too many people hear "MUSLIM extremist" when they should hear "Muslim EXTREMIST".

Extremism in Defense of Liberty is no Vice? Nothing could be further from the truth. That's no different than saying terrorism in defense of liberty is no vice. Or rape, or murder, or torture in defense of liberty is no vice. Extremists always think they are acting in defense of some noble cause, like liberty.

The dictum ought to be "Extremism even in defense of liberty is still a vice."
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565.
Sondre I.
Stavanger, Norway
July 22nd, 2011
10:38 pm
In the moment of writing, there is no less than 551 comments on this article. I have not read all of them, but I've seen some few trying to push in the direction I will attempt to push myself, and a whole lot going the other way.

It's about the mass-murderer Anders Behring Breivik and his connection to Islamic terror organizations. You see, he has absolutely no connection to any Islamic group at all, in fact, he is rumored to be a member of a christian group in Norway. Anders B. Breivik is a nationalist, more of a tea-party kind of guy, who would oppose Islamic terror rather than support it. For a long period of time he has expressed criticism against the media for not criticize Islam enough, and he has made comments that are very much indeed against multiculturalism. He has written lot's of pro-nationalist comments at Document.no and other sites alike.

So to sum up, he was born in Norway, he became a right-extremist. He does in no way give any impressions of being pro-Islamic, and gives more the impression of being a tea-party kind of guy, Norwegian version.

I cannot stress this enough, anyone who still thinks this is the work of an extremist Islamic group, must, with all respect, get rid of the tin-foil hat and have a look at reality.
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RJay
Westwood, CA
July 23rd, 2011
2:09 am
Having scanned most of the comments here, I'm sickened by reading so many chest-beating displays of hatred, xenophobia, ignorance and vengefulness. It's all part of a very destructive and irrational cycle that feeds on itself. And in the end, who pulled the trigger and set the detonator(s) in Norway? A right-wing Christian "Nordic" caucasian, who self-identified as "conservative." The same kind of person who, in America, would brandish firearms outside a presidential event, or who would join a border militia to deliver "justice," or who would crucify a gay person on a Wyoming fence, or who would even shoot an Arizona Democratic senator. How cowardly, and how utterly un-American.
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Ignatious Riley
Chicago, IL
July 22nd, 2011
10:34 pm
So it turns out it wasn't the Muslim boogeyman so many Americans could not wait to blame without a shred of evidence. But instead this act of murder was perpetrated by a very white, very Christian, right wing conservative. Will we see apologies from those blindly casting stones, will they likewise question what goes on in the vicious cold blooded mind of conservative right wing Christians? One commentator said Islamic fundamentalism was a humanitarian issue. In our land of no health care and cruel cuts to the most vulnerable of society in the name of greed, we can see that perhaps it is truly fundamentalism of all colors, especially Christian and its 12 centuries penchant for war, that is the humanitarian crisis. Next time, perhaps you could wipe your frothing mouths and wait for the bodies to rot a little longer before inciting your tired witch hunt.
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grypewater
Canada
July 23rd, 2011
2:09 am
well i hope that all the islamaphobes weighing in on this feel very sheepish and small. I can't believe how many people have tried to hijack this tragedy for a chance to hate on islam and or immigration. Last time I checked it was a western nation that has an army based in almost every single country in the world. And now it comes out that not only was it not jihadists, but a muslim hating fascist christian that was the alleged perpetrator of this atrocity.

it is our man made ideologies that will be the death of us, regardless of the slant. but the people using this to talk about their own hatred and ignorance is beyond shameful.
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Dharma
Singapore
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 pm
So now it looks like it was not some Muslim who did this. In fact, Mr Breivik sounds very much like some of the commentators who have been eager to blame Muslims for the crime.
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583.
danp
Washington DC
July 22nd, 2011
11:15 pm
Now that the suspect has been identified as a right wing extremist, I hope the commenters who rushed to blame Islam will return to post their apologies.
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Harveydad
Melbourne Florida
July 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
If Norway were like the United States, they would invade some country and kill/destroy the leader of that country as some kind of retaliation. I hope the persons or country responsible are not thought to have WMDs. I also hope Norway does not ask Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld for advice.
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592.
WillT26
Durham, NC
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 pm
It wasn't Muslims at all. It was right-wing hatred against liberals. Intolerance knows no nationality, race or religion. Hate knows no nationality, race or religion.

The greatest fear I have is not Islamists- it is right-wing ideology which declares that might is right and that the ends justify any means. It is the don't retreat, reload mentality I see and hear everyday in the US.

I feel so terrible for the good people of Norway. People of good-will must stand together against the forces of right-wing fascism.
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anon
anon
July 23rd, 2011
1:05 am
Horrible, and my thoughts and prayers are with Norway.

But what is also appalling is the immediate assumption that islamists were to blame, and then the paragraphs about islamic terrorism after acknowledging that it was a white, blond, westerner who appears to be responsible.

Are we that racist in the West that we think only dark people, only "Others", want to kill us?

Are we that blind to the violent ideologies and desperation we are breeding within our own societies?

Have we forgotten Oklahoma City?

In America we have left wing ideologues who howl for violent Soviet style revolutions on the internet. We have right wing nut jobs who use violent language towards opponents. We have religious believers who think they speak and act for God. We have a lot of poor, unemployed, and desperate people, lots of guns, and lots of ideology.

When the TSA tightened up, I was taken aside several times for extra random frisking at the airport. People would laugh; why pull aside a blond, Scandinavian-American? What a waste of time!

What blindness. Anyone can be violent.

The enemy is within. This can happen as easily in America as in Norway. And what is most frightening is that we will miss the warnings because we are too busy being scared only of muslim terrorists that we consider "Other".
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Vijay
India
July 22nd, 2011
3:52 pm
What Justin (comment #5) says is true: Islamic fundamentalism is not a problem for America alone - it is a problem for the entire world.

However, America has a far greater responsibility in exacerbating this problem, and in *nurturing the growth* of fundamentalism than most Americans know, or are willing to admit. Religious fundamentalism has always existed - but this brand of bombing, violent cross-border Islamic terrorists were created by America. They were created by the CIA in Afghanistan to fight the Russians - they were trained, given weapons and money by the CIA.

America then actively supported governments that nurtured this disease to grow. American oil purchases continue to fund these killer. Billions of dollars of foreign aid continues to pour into Pakistan, long after India has presented the US with irrefutable evidence that the Pakistani establishment is encouraging, planning and carrying out these attacks.

I know America is trying to fix this problem by starting wars in foreign countries. But if the Americans take off their blinders and start earnestly looking for solutions closer to home, I think the rest of the world may be able to heave a collective sigh of relief.
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sp
Sacramento CA
July 22nd, 2011
12:59 pm
People need to understand an Islamic crusade is underway, why are these people tolerated at all. The resounding silence from the Muslim community says more than enough.
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Rafael de Acha
Cincinnati, Ohio
July 22nd, 2011
6:26 pm
My wife and I traveled for our work in the 1970's and 1980's and Norway is one of the countries we visited and loved the most. We often tell an (real-life) anecdote about a group of Americans on tour encountering a dignified older gentleman outside the Royal Palace and asking him who he was. He answered "I work there" pointing to the building in the background. It was the King himself. No bodyguards. That is but one memory of Norway, one of the loveliest countries on earth peopled by some of the nicest, most honest, most hard-working people we ever encountered. That a horror such as today's could be visited on that country is heartbreaking. Out thoughts and prayers go out to the wonderful Norwegian people.
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english44
Vermont
July 22nd, 2011
5:36 pm
Many are laying the blame at the feet of religious fundamentalism. Perhaps that is a short-sighted and convenient explanation. It destroys the equation underlying revenge and impedes understanding, ensuring the continuation of confrontational policies.

We Americans never asked nor allowed anyone to ask, why 9/11? The answer for we Americans is always, always to demonize an enemy and by that process exonerate ourselves. Just as we need the illusion of heroes, so, too, the illusion of absolute evil. What, then, with that mentality, is our responsibility beyond vindication through methods and actions as violent or more so as those used against us.

Perhaps religious fundamentalism obscures more than it illumines. How many Muslim children have been killed by NATO (read America) in Afghanistan and Iraq? How many innocents are collateral damage to us and loved ones to others? Do our actions call out fundamental human passions for justice and revenge?

Is their an equation? Perhaps an eye for an eye? Were Nagasaki and Dresden strategic bombings or revengeful passion? It is important how one frames language. Some explanations close down understanding and lead to violence...and so do not.
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Dave
Pa
July 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
I didn't know there was anybody that angry in Norway.
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597.
Angel
New York, NY
July 22nd, 2011
11:22 pm
More than anything else, these comments reveal how much rampant prejudice there is against Islam and its practitioners in the United States. It is shameful.
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555.
Adauto Araujo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
July 22nd, 2011
9:16 pm
I wonder, if it is confirmed that this attack was perpetrated by a radical right winger, all the hatemongers that were calling for war on Muslims will be defending in the same way an attack on right wing groups. After all right wing extremism is becoming a strong second in the causes of terrorist attacks.
What people don't seem to realize is that radical Islam is also a form of right wing ideology: hatred of foreigners, religious fundamentalism, centralized powers... aren't these things common to both groups?
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Tim
Castle Rock, CO
July 22nd, 2011
5:24 pm
Let's hold off conclusions about who did this until either the police determine the perpetrators or somone legitimately claims responsibility.
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Joanne600
NYC
July 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
The government of Norway has had its collective head in the sand regarding its immigration policy. I weep for the good people of Norway, their government has let them down.
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melissa
New York
July 22nd, 2011
9:10 pm
My prayers and thoughts are with Norwegians everywhere! I am humbled by the many posts from Norwegians demonstrating an admirable calm and willingness to suspend judgment and blame in the face of this shake up. We all stand to learn something from the dignity, patience, and humaneness of their response. Please know that I stand in solidarity with you!
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Good thing we've got Christian fundamentalism and Tea Party alternatives when Islam cannot be blamed. Wait, I did not specify which Bush, and in what capacity, turned Islam into the Piñata of our times, since we surely recall the collective reaction after the Oklahoma bombing. That Bush you're are thinking about must have made Islam into the western world's Piñata.