The meaning of democracy

After a nice workout saturday morning i went to Malmö to meet up with Lina for a nice fika. Following that we joined the crowd at Stortorget in Malmö to look at the spectacle which was the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) expression of opinion. Malmö was completely invaded with police coming from other cities such as Gothenburg and Stockholm. Roughly 600 in total. The problem was not the approximate 100 Sweden democrats, it was the protestors in the crowds surrounding them. The kept yelling "Inte rasister på våra gator" (No racists on our streets), booing them and making so much noice that their speech could not be heard. I don't agree with their message, but at the same time Im rational enough to understand that democracy works both ways. They have a right to express their opinion peacefully in a little marsch. They should not need 600 police officers to protect them. If ppl only understood the foundation of democracy, there would be no such need. If we were to push all this underground, what good would that do? Has history not taught us what happens when important issues and small extremist parties are ignored and not allowed to air their concerns? One thing however that did annoy me and confuse me was that the Sweden Democrats are allowed to use the Swedish flag in their political marsch. It does not feel right for a national flag to be connected to one particular party. I don't see any other party ever flagging the national Swedish flag. They all stick to their own party flags. Why should it be any different for the Sweden Democrats. I don't wish the national flag to be associated with the ideals and values which the Sweden Democrats stands for. Rationally it doesn't have to be, but people are emotional and thus likely to make that connection whether conscious or not! So in short, you have the right to speak your mind and engage politically, but please do so without involving the Swedish flag!

So much to tell, where do I start?!

So much has happened since my last blog. First of all, I do have an excuse for not writing. I simply have been unable to sign in. Good excuse is it not?

Here's the story of the last two months of my life if you care to know :)

I've started getting used to my job as a "pest expert" and "people-calmer-down-person". There are so many nice and polite people, even a few that makes me smile and laugh. Then there's the few that just have this amazing ability to destroy my day.

The first course of my masters is completed and the second one if well on the way. I'm happy to start getting to know my new class mates. A great bunch of people. Looking forward to our first proper get-together soon.

I've been visiting my sister in Kalmar. Nice little weekend away from the parents and catching up with Erika. Got a lot of studying done but also just simple relaxing :) apart from the little run I decided to go for on the Saturday. I got slightly lost out in the forest and nearly ran 20km. Took me 2 hours, 15min to return back to my sister. Needless to say, next day I couldn't walk!

Latest news!

One of my new class mates who knows a girl who is moving out of her apartment in Malmö any day now. If my finances allow, I might decide to take over her contract. I might make this decision already monday next week. I will keep you updated on this! It's so exciting! Finally finally I might have found my first true place on my own!

Tomorrow is Friday!