Niclas Gustavsson

Check this out. I have friends who live in Alsaka, and as luck would have it only a few degrees from the lattitude I grew up on in Sweden (in my case N 58 41′ 42″, E 12 28′ 12″). So I can say I understand much of how it is to live in a place like that. What I did not have however was high mountains, fjords and Glaciers. Take a look at this picture. How nice is this?

Today my friends Tammy and Dave moved into a new house. It is a super cool little house that will be a great place to just hang out. It is a good bit closer to our place too which is a plus.

All the best and i’ll see you all at the house warming party.

My first 4th as a US Citizen went off without a hitch. It is a strange feeling and I still see myself as a guest here even though I may have most legal rights. You would be hard pressed to find a person more proud of what America does around the world. I recall when the Tsunami hit on Christmas two years ago and over 3,500 Swedes died. The Swedish government could not even find the right minister to head up anything because he was on vacation. The union rules include even them. So people suffered. In contrast, one of the Aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean was on station within less then 12 hours and was flying rescue missions day and night. Delivering drinking water produced on the ship. I have never been so ashamed and proud at the same time. Granted Sweden is not used to the scale of this event, but that should have made people step up to the plate, not ignore it.

There was also a good amount of complaining in Sweden when New Orleans was under water. Some how not enough was being done. The lowest social class we being hurt because nobody helped them. How bogus is this? It was bad, but it was not bad only in New Orleans. Help had to be staged so far out it was very hard to make it in. The Coast Guard sure did a fine job though. It is estimated that over 80,000 people were air lifted to safety. 80,000!!! Have you ever heard anyone say thank you in public? I have not. I know the people saved said thank you and often hugged the crew so long upon landing that the return missions were being delayed. But we did not hear the Major of New Orleans talk about it. Or the Governor.

I am very proud to be an American now, because I live in the Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.

Happy 4th everyone.

We have all long known that our political leaders are out of touch but man this takes the cake. Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska is heading up a committee on Net Neutrality. What is that you say? That is the concept that all internet traffic is the same and should cost the same. The argument goes something like this. Consumer pays for internet access. Google pays for internet access. I get a movie from Google and all of a sudden they claim that Google is getting a free ride. It is so bogus that is should never even make it into a committee at all. Then on top of that, Senator Stevens is less articulate then a pet rock.

Download the mp3 here

Then listen to this recording and then get off your butt and write your Senator. They must hear from the informed masses that this is bull and lots of it.

Nina chilling at camp Gustavsson.