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I guess it's not yet definite that Sweden joins NATO. Erdogan could still make difficulties, unless he fast gets his F16-airplanes from the USA. But sooner or later we will be there. Where? In a nuclear weapons alliance. An organization thet lets a non-democratic nation like Turkey decide if a far more democratic nation like Sweden should become a member. What kind of organization is that?

G�ran Greider in Dala-Demokraten
July 11, 2023

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Lars Winnerb�ck
"N�t som verkligen �r bra"

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Sveriges v�g in i NATO
Regeringskansliet, April 5, 2023 (Swedish)

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Hard Rain No 41 August 18, 2023

Teasing Sweden

Today mobbing at school is widespread and hard to stop. Now even free and independent nations can be the target of mobbing, like the Kingdom of Sweden.

When we were children - in the middle of the 20th century - and not yet fully americanized there was no such word as to mob. We were teasing. There was always some vulnerable child in the class who was teased for his or hers looks, clothes, language or just for being on the whole. One could also be teased for being successful at school, a "grind".

Today mobbing at school is widespread and hard to stop. The pattern from childhood is obvious and the problems roll on into the grown-up world. Now even free and independent nations can be the target of mobbing, like the Kingdom of Sweden.

Sweden has been a non-aligned country for more than 200 years. It started of necessity in 1809 when the country was more or less bankrupt and forced to withdraw after a humiliating defeat against Russia. Continued warfare would have put the whole nation at stake.

Non-alignment has been good for the country. In later years, especially the second half of the 20th century, Sweden had to show a certain prudence towards Russia, i.e. the Soviet Union. Being the closest neighbor Finland had a more difficult situation, but problematic situations were usually solved the diplomatic way.

For Sweden the policy of neutrality has been unwavering and non-alignment a basic requirement. "Non-alignment in peace, aiming at neutrality in war".

Then occurs what was unforeseen just a few years ago. Russia invades Ukraine and immediately we have a completely new situation regarding world security. Finland finds it necessary to join the defense alliance NATO. Sweden is now a closer neighbor to Russia and doesn't manage to stand alone. It becomes inevitable even for Sweden to knock on NATO's door.

And so enters another bigtime mobster, the Turkish autocrat Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who thinks that he has the right to decide if Sweden should be a member of NATO or not. The Swedish Government bows and makes concessions that tend to weaken our unique laws guaranteeing freedom of speech.

Enough is enough. We must continue to stand up for our Swedish values. Show honesty and good sense. Always do right and help others in difficulty. We do what we can do, and we can stand criticism.

Our country will no longer be non-aligned. We can no longer show courage and wisdom from the stands. We have become poorer as a nation.

But we will not let ourselves be mobbed by despots who hate freedom of speech and religion, and the right to meet and demonstrate your beliefs.

Stop teasing Sweden!