Norway Reacts to Terror Attack With Commendable Peace

Thanks Paul for your comment. I find it remarkable that there is this continuing wish to have peace with people in your country. When things are difficult, generally people will either go with a jaded approach, that of hatred and revenge, or people can choose to weather the most serious situations and move forward with a sense of solidarity and wish for harmony. I was touched by what you said about so many people in Norway coming together and bringing a rose, a symbol of peace.

As your country wishes to give good values to young people, of compassion and loving kindness, those seeds will grow.

Observer of WA 12:46PM July 26, 2011

Thank you for the kind words. A lot of young, politically interested people were killed and I, like most people here think that the best way to honor their memory is to continue what they stood for. Political youth camps in Norway is not ment for political indoctrination as one radio host claimed, but to learn our young of the political process, freedom of spech, democracy and respect. Hate is the opposite of what we want.

As mentioned here before several hundred thousand people gathered in all major cities of Norway, which considered our population is impressive, bearing roses. As of yet i can`t see our society beeing shattered, and I hope it won`t be. When politicians can agree to hold campaigning for a month or two there is hope!:-)

Paul 2:42AM July 26, 2011

Thank you for sharing your views on the tragedy there in Norway. My heart goes out to the many people's lives who have been changed forever in your country. The author of this column states:

'That image (of peace) was tragically shattered when a crazed gunman with apparent racist and anti-immigrant leanings launched what police believe was a dual attack, bombing a building in the city and shooting scores of young people who were at a Labour Party camp on an island. Initial worries were that the attacker was a member of al Qaeda or another terrorist group with Islamic connections. In fact, the accused mass murderer, Anders Behring Breivik, said he was on a crusade against multiculturalism and Islam'.

I applaud those in your country who are exercising restraint in a most difficult time. I don't agree with the author's contention that the image was 'shattered' as that gives far too much weight to the actions of one individual, a very sick and deluded person. When Timothy McVeigh carried out the bombing in Oklahoma City, did that suddenly change everyone in our culture in the U.S.? No, of course not, though it brought fear and it likely did change some people’s thinking.

Thank you for your insights. It is refreshing to read comments from someone who appreciates peace and harmony. To those who think this 'naive', was Jesus or Buddha 'naive'? There was great discord and extreme violence in the times of those spiritually enlightened people, certainly we have the capacity in our times to see beyond the misguided actions of one clearly disturbed person and to strive toward peace and understanding.

Observer of WA 2:15AM July 26, 2011

you overlooked my comment as we are a country of 320 million not 6 million , big difference . Keeping our lifrstyle and a promise for a brighter future for our children and grandchildren depend on what we do today . Depend on a goverment or yourself , I prefer myself .

Hunter of WI 1:53AM July 26, 2011