2006-04-20

less green peace in the greenhouse

One of the co-founders of Greenpeace is reluctantly agreeing that nuclear power remains our best hope for cutting down emission of greenhouse gases. Carl Bildt comments on an interesting article.

"More than 600 coal-fired electric plants in the United States produce 36 percent of U.S. emissions -- or nearly 10 percent of global emissions -- of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Nuclear energy is the only large-scale, cost-effective energy source that can reduce these emissions while continuing to satisfy a growing demand for power. And these days it can do so safely."

We have wasted so many years wishing that something ”better” would be available shortly. Meanwhile the global warming continues and accelerates.

2006-04-11

notizie difettose per l'Italia

Well, Silvio wouldn’t be Silvio if he just left silently without a fight and so far he hasn’t conceded defeat. It does appear though that the centre-left coalition of Romano Prodi has won the Italian election with a razor-thin margin.

Italian leftist coalitions are unstable by definition. This time the populous mandate is weak at a time when the young Italian nation is being challenged by stagnating growth as well as increasing domestic tension. Formally Prodi has won a five year term. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have turmoil within five months. So if he really wants this job, Silvio Berlusconi would be well-advised to stick around for a while.

2006-04-09

five more years?

So, Silvio is up for re-election and tomorrow we’ll know. He’s obviously not the kind of person you would embrace wholeheartedly. Too many arrogant statements over the years have partly undermined his credibility.

Still, I give him credit for providing a stable government coalition in Italy. That was something unheard of in a country which on average changed government once or twice per year. I give him credit for keeping the communists in the cold. The fact that the communist party has been considered one of the country’s leading forces has been a national shame for decades. And I give him credit for standing by the US on the Iraq issue. When most leaders on this continent went into hiding in 2003 or tried some populist pirouettes Silvio stood firm.

Berlusconi remains the best choice available as far as I’m concerned. We’ll soon find out what the Italian voters think.

2006-04-01

April in Lund


Domkyrkan, Lund Posted by Picasa

Not entirely unlike something from Star Wars, the Lund Cathedral is a colossal stony thing from just about any perspective. Not much beauty around but impressive for sure. Go see.
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