How Sweden Weathered Its Financial Crisis

An article from the Times about what the US can learn from Sweden's economic crisis in the 90s. Excerpt:

Sweden did not just bail out its financial institutions by having the government take over the bad debts. It extracted pounds of flesh from bank shareholders before writing checks. Banks had to write down losses and issue warrants to the government.

That strategy held banks responsible and turned the government into an owner. When distressed assets were sold, the profits flowed to taxpayers, and the government was able to recoup more money later by selling its shares in the companies as well.

Yay, Sverige! (One has to wonder, though, how in the hell they managed to turn rightward after an economic crisis like that. People I talk to who live there---who are NOT rich---are pissed off at the government. They hate it and can't wait to oust the righties in the next election. I certainly hope that Swedes, and the world in general, have noted from the US's current troubles that this idea of oober-freemarket capitalism is SCREWED. It. does. not. work.)

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No Pumpkin Pie in Sweden?!?!?!?!?!?!

And last for today....

I'm very disturbed by this recent development. VERY disturbed. I cannot even convey my disturbenment. I've asked hundreds of Swedes--and by hundreds I mean about five--if they have pumpkin pie over there, and none of them had ever heard of it. One even asked me if it was sweet! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!?!?!?!??!

!? I'm bareily containing my hyperventilation just typing about it. I'm like Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Liaisons, when she's all huffing and puffing because Valmont came onto her and she's about to pass out because her corset's too tight. .....wait a minnut. That made no sense at all. The point is I'm flabbergasted. Just flabbergasted. ...Could it be my destiny to bring pumpkin consciousness to Sweden????? Then will we all turn into pure energy and live forever in bliss, like some neverending production of Hair (which, yes, I saw in Central Park this year)????? Maybe. Probably. Yes, definitely absolutely. What do those techies call it---the triangulation? Or the strangulation? Or the marmatanium? You know, the thing that guy who invented keyboards talks about? Whatever. I think my memory went down a black h0le created by that supper-collider in Switzerland. Yes, that's it.

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PQ

I Could've Called!

Now why is it that I hear about THIS when it's too late to do anything about it?!?!? Way to go, Very Short List, for letting me know a couple days before the thing ended. Hmmph!

Turns out I could've called Norway and had my voice projected over a loudspeaker to some village called Dale. But now, since it's deer season, the art installation is down, so they can only hear me on the internet. And I'm only, like, everywhere, you know, so, I mean, like, yeah. But anyway... Alas!!!!!!!

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PQ

Norwegian Easiest for English Speakers

So who knew? Apparently Norwegian is the easiest language for English speakers to learn. And so another piece of the puzzle falls into place. It's all according to this very exhaustive blog entry, which I admit that I haven't completely read but have chosen to believe. How Repuglican of me! I suppose I should quote the entry for good measure, so here you are:

Norwegian plurals are very regular.

There you go! Even the LANGUAGE in Norway understands the importance of a high-fiber diet! Talk about advancedness! w00t w00t for Norway!

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PQ (for Prince Quistvalden)