misscam | Cam Reads the News and Is not Happy

I was reading an interview here (afraid it is in Norwegian) with our 70-year-old just departed (from the job, that is) Oslo bishop and some of what he said caught my eye. Translated, with his statements in italics.

"I studied two years in the US and the deep-conservative tradition fascinated me. I am systematic and like things to fall into their place. And in that tradition everything does fall very much into place. But when I saw what this did when meeting other people, I came to a point where I though: 'Either I have to put the Bible away, or I have to read it another way.'"
"Why did you have to turn 30 before you accepted female priests?"
"Firm fundamentalistic system is safety-creating. Are you trapped in one such system, you bow and see meaning in it."
"And those who today oppose female and gay priests: Their opinion is not out of ill will, but the fear of doing wrong?"
"The fear of God's judgement, yes."

In Norway, you see, we have gay priests as well as female priests (and one bishop). In fact, one gay priest is married to the city council leader of our capital. But there is deep discussion about this within the church itself. Not all are very happy with it. But where the Norwegian people is going, the church seems to slowly follow. Our church is a "state church", where the government appoints bishops and pay for its running. And extremists find no room. The two rabid anti-abortion priests in Norway got tossed out, for instance (I hear of late they've been in the US to learn American anti-abortion techniques. Oh bother.)

Speaking of others who are in the US - our King and Queen are dining in the White House with the Bushes. And King Harald has been about the White House longer than Bush - as a boy he stayed in (among other places) the White House with President Roosevelt during WW2 (along with other members of our Royal family. The King at the time stayed in London though, where he would speak on the BBC broadcast to occupied Norway). Bush has been there a mere four years. Bet you didn't know that. ;)

In other news:
Interesting BBC article on politics in the US media

Norway gets robbed yet again - Munch paitings gone. Double gah! Stop nicking our national treasures already.

Behold Norway's entry to Eurosong 2005 (There's a link here to listen - where it says 'hør sangen'.) Be very, very afraid.

Leno gets actor to tell Jackson jokes. Am I the only one bloody sick of the Michael Jackson trial already? It's everywhere! Even on the BBC. As one Norwegian commentator put it - "this is the trial that makes the OJ case seem like a small note in Svelvikposten" (local, local, local paper with a circulation of 2000 or so). Obviously, if he's done it, he should go to jail. But what are the chances of this trial giving any kind of fair and unbiased verdict? About as my chances of becoming Mrs. Bush, I think. Now go away so I can write CSI smut, kindly.

In wankier news:
Update on our darling 'cyber condoms!' lady of a previous entry:
Aw. Now banned. (She tries to get the last word in here, though.)

Can you help me hack a LJ? - Um, what?