I do not think ABB would listen to either Erna Solberg or me. But maybe someone else will listen to us?
The debate post expresses the writer’s opinions.
Today I received an eight-page densely written letter from Anders Behring Breivik. It is a reminder of how different we humans are. I have only looked quickly over, but could quickly conclude that he is still stuck in his own bubble where he cultivates his alternative reality.
I agree with Jonas Gahr Støre that «we on the right must raise our voices and draw clearer boundaries towards the far right. Do not close your eyes. ” This is a responsibility we all have, regardless of political position. Whether we are politicians or not.
I think Støre could have addressed the same appeal to SV and SP.
Who is listening?
I do not think ABB would listen to either Erna Solberg or me. But maybe someone else will listen to us? We must never be afraid to take up the debate and oppose extremists and extremist thoughts and actions. If we do not oppose them, then who will?
Click here to subscribe to newsletters from the Norwegian debate
Democracy is fragile and must be defended every single day. The American extremists’ attack on Capitol Hill in January was a reminder of just that. We can not let extremism get hot in Norway.
But who are the extremists?
Right, and right-wing extremists
In 2017, Red Youth, which is Red’s youth party, celebrated 100 years since the Russian Revolution. The revolution led to a civil war that cost 13 million lives. To celebrate the rise of a brutal, undemocratic police state, I think is extreme. More people should raise their voices after the cake party at Rødt.
I have always wondered why some are called right-wing extremists, because there are no political similarities between the Conservatives and the right-wing extremists. The neo-Nazis in the Nordic Resistance Movement (DNM) profess a National Socialist worldview. The Alliance party aims to get Norway out of the EEA and Schengen agreements. Party leader Hans Jørgen Lysglimt Johansen is also a denier of the atrocities that took place during the Holocaust, and has called us in the Conservative Party for Jewish ownership.
In the Conservative Party, we are proud of Jo Benkow and everything he stood for. Benkow did military service in England during the war. Large parts of his Jewish family were killed in Auschwitz. He himself was a supporter of the EU and the EEA – as well as the diversity among us humans. A diversity of DNM and parties that the Alliance despises.
It is not reminiscent of our policies among these extremists, but we still have a responsibility to oppose the extremists. We do not close our eyes to what the extremists stand for. Jo Benkow is a reminder of that.
The opponent of immigration
I know at least two people who have been radicalized in recent years. There is no beautiful sight. It’s just a scary reminder that life’s paths are unfathomable. I have clearly distanced myself from their opinions several times, without it seeming to help. Their views have a religious tinge to them. To say no to them is like telling a Christian that Jesus is not alive.
None of them have anything left for ABB and his extreme wing. One is opposed to immigration, which in principle must be okay in a liberal democracy. But it is not okay to grade human dignity because of skin color, functionality, religion or sexual orientation.
The conspiracy theorist
The other has disappeared in the dark world of conspiracy theories where QAnon is God and Deep state represents the devil. Here, too, the Jews get to review. The salvation of the world will come through the New world order, which are secret groups. Those who attacked Capitol Hill were part of the New World Order.
Conspiracy theories have had good growth conditions under Trump and the corona. QAnon flourished under Trump. A hot conspiracy theory was that the vaccines against covid-19 contained microchips, which would make it easier for Deep State to control us.
Also read: Should we take Arild Rønsen seriously, who gives FRP responsibility for the July 22 attack?
Theories like this are extreme, but they hardly pose a violent threat ala ABB, although vaccines are the main cause of enhanced public health and increased life expectancy.
The dangerous link
There is a link between conspiracy theories about Deep State and right-wing extremism. PST writes in one of its reports that there is an “overlap from right-wing extremist ideology to anti-state conspiracy theories.” The e-service writes in its assessment for 2021 that “Increased uncertainty about the future is exploited by right-wing extremist actors who promote conspiracy theories and alternative perceptions of reality.”
Extremists love fishing in rough water. The Soviet Union was experts on it. Putin is a skilled fisherman. Chaos, insecurity and fear provide fertile ground for extremism.
Read more opinions from the Norwegian debate
We answer Jonas
This winter, the government launched a series of measures against conspiracy theories and anti-Semitism. A national competence environment within hate crime will also be established, which will support the police districts. This is one of the measures we on the right are taking, and is actually a response to Jonas Gahr Støre’s call.
It was AUF and government employees in the ministries who were the goal of ABB, not the rest of us. I share the Labor Party’s disgust for ABB and everything he stands for. The rest of us have a responsibility to distance ourselves from extremism in all its forms.
All terrorists are extremists, but not all extremists are terrorists.
–
