Homeless in D.C. moved out before inauguration

As the city of Washington D.C. prepares to spend $47 million (plus another $27 million by neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia) on President Obama's inauguration ceremony - the city's estimated 12,000 homeless people are being told to disappear for a week!  (see this news article from AFP)

It struck me as a harsh reminder of the reality and priorities of this great nation - to witness first hand the despair and hopelessness of the people on the streets of Washington D.C. - As I walked home to my hotel room on Thanksgiving night, past the White House, I felt like I was in a different world.  The streets were empty except for myself and the unfortunate homeless people, whom during the day I had hardly noticed.  

While most Americans enjoyed their stuffed turkey with their extended families - I walked by hundreds of faces - shivering from the cold and starving.  Young and old - men and women - white and black - some even displaced from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

I can't forget those faces - and while America celebrates and brushes it's undesirables under the carpet...I can't stop wondering how many lives could be changed if those $47 million were being spent on housing and employment for those who have absolutely nothing!  Actual human beings.

100 milljarðar dala til að taka á vanda heimilanna

Bilateral agreements and the EU - Icelandic Christian Conservatives - Obama misses the point

Iceland has long enjoyed excellent relations with the United States of America and it has been our good fortune to share cultural and economic ties with our American friends, that far exceed those of most European nations.  Perhaps our close kinship with North America is partially thanks to Iceland´s geographical location as well as our free thinking spirit, inherited from our ancestors who fled half way to America to escape the European-style oppression found in the old Norse Monarchy. 

Today, Iceland´s acting foreign minister, Össur Skarphéðinsson, signed new bilateral trade- and investment agreements with the USA and expressed interest in making further agreements pertaining to securing Icelandic citizens special VISAs to the US, making travel and commerce between the two nations much easier.

When discussing the EU question, we must not forget that if Iceland joins the EU - there would be no more bilateral agreements with anyone.  Iceland would be forced to trade almost exclusively with other EU member states and mandated tariffs would almost certainly slice trade with the U.S. (now worth over 100 billion icelandic kronur per annum) quite dramatically.  Is that what we need?  Or should Iceland aim to adopt the Dollar and perhaps seek to join NAFTA?  I don´t know...I´m just asking!

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I was somewhat surprised and saddened to see the introduction of a new political party in Iceland today.  The "Nordic Conservative Party" claims to be a Scandinavian-type right wing party, whose goals are to join the EU and reduce American influence on Icelandic culture!  Furthermore their goals are to strenghen the National Church of Iceland and force cultural and ethcial changes towards "traditional Christian values"!   Oh and of course they also want to create an Icelandic military force!  

Yikes... is it just me or do they sound like fascist lunatics???  I don´t believe Icelanders will take these clowns seriously... but then again...the current political situation in Iceland may be becoming a breeding ground for the rise of all kinds of dangerous nut jobs.  Seriously folks!  Be aware!

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Finally some Obama news - In an effort to appease his gay supporters who were heartbroken by his selection of homophobic pastor Rick Warren to perform the invocation at his inauguration - Obama yesterday announced that also performing at the inauguration will be none other than Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in America.  While the GLBT community appreciates the nod - I believe Obama completely missed the point!  We don´t need a gay priest!  Religion and Government does not mix!!!  Why not skip both Warren and Robinson and skip using the bible when swearing in and skip using the words "So help me God"!

Dear President Obama:  While I appreciate your effort to correct your misstake in selecting Rick Warren and your attempt to calm down your substantially large gay base (oh and thanks for addressing the "Don´t ask - Don´t tell" policy in the military by the way) - you nevertheless continue to alienate a rapidly growing segment of Americans - Atheists!  

Why - in spite of your message of incluision - do we not have a place at your table, Mr. Pesident?

Samningur um viðskipti Íslands og Bandaríkjanna