Aljazeera: After the attacks Norwegians should continue to embrace internationalism and doing good

[pampango]

in the world.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/07/201172463425438291.html

The attacker, the terrorist - the person wanting to spread fear by violence - was a Norwegian. He apparently defined himself as a nationalist, and as being against internationalism. I've read he was deeply opposed to multiculturalism and that he was furiously anti-Islamic. He had written a manuscript about how Marxism and Islam would ruin Europe. And much more. For me he represents violence, sickness and hate.

However, one thing is sure: he wanted to attack Norwegian society, Norwegian politics, and what it is that is Norway.

The importance of internationalism

It is also clear that the attack was in opposition to Norway's internationalism. Criticised and admired over time as either naive or brave, hypocritical or groundbreaking; I still believe that it is an important pillar of Norway's essence. And I believe that now, this internationalism is more important than ever for Norway. In an attack on our outwardness, we have to stand up for our belief in an interconnected world with shared destinies. We have to continue to care about what is outside our home, and to not let geographical boundaries or the social constructs of ethnicity and religion define our morals.

Today, here in Norway, many politicians and people state that "today we are all AUF" (the name of the youth party). And we are. Just as we all were Japanese when the earthquake struck, or as we all are Somalis when we read about famine. This feeling of community is a part of being human. And this communality, the shared experience of humanity, is essential to hold onto. In the face of inhumanity, we have to be more human. Because there is only this one world, brutal and beautiful, and we only have one fragile life to make our difference in the world we all share as home.

The Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss once said: "Your humanity is dependent on your ability to act." When my grandfather was dying, his last words were both very simple, yet very complex: "The meaning of life is to do good." Today is the day to start being more human, to try to do good. Today is the day to start making the world we call home a better place.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. I had always ignored the possibility that psychopaths could exist anywhere...

Until that German a-hole locked his little daughter in his basement for years to sexually abuse her until she grew up and was able to get out, and this Norwegian psychopath murdered in this way.

However, I do believe that right wing ideology is in nature punitive and evil and encourages psychopaths.