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While Sweden Slept

Submitted by Anders Gardebring, Dec 8, 2006 09:19

I feel that I have to correct some of the very serious errors portrayed in this column. Being a Swede I am not a fan of the social democrats, nor their partial control of the media, and the long ruling of the social democrats is not good for democracy, however they were voted out in the last election which was held this year and now sweden has a right/center/liberal-based coalition.
The situation here is not even remotely as bad as this article seem to imply. Let's list some of the errors portrayed in this article:

While it is true that the state run television (SVT) has been rightfully accused of being leftist in its views this is not true for some of the other free tv-channels in the country. The claim that all swedish press organizations are government subsidized is simply put, not true. Several TV-channels are sent from abroad to escape swedish advertising laws, and hence, by definition cant be subsidised. Swedish channel TV4 acutally pay big amounts of money each year to the state to be allowed to send TV in the state run analog tv-network (which is to close down in 2008, being replaced with a digital one). There is also a lof of web-based online media expressing other views, which importance should not be neglected considering the internet penetration in sweden is among the highest in the world. If the media was entirely controlled by the left/social democrats, would there have been a change in government this fall to a center/right-wing coalition?
Also, the claim that the murder rate is twice that of the unites states, is simply put, not true. I wonder where this odd claim came from? It is true that the murder rate in the Swedish capital of Stockholm is higher than that of for example London, but other cities, for example in the US has much higher rates including for example Houston and Washington. Perhaps you have looked in the these erroneous figures?:
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2158414

Lets move on. The article claim that the "Sweden Democrats" articulates most swedes concerns about their countrys immigration and integration policies. This is a rather big claim to put on a political party that got 2,9% of the votes in this years election. That didn't even get them a seat in the parliament, which has a 4% threshold. Most Swedes rightfully think of the sweden democrats as xenophobes and racists. It is true that Sweden has problems with its integration policies. The sweden democrats "solution" to basicly throw them all out is not a solution most Swedes agree with. The new center/right-coalition however had a strong policy about better integration and to get people into work and out of subsidies, which in part were responsible for their win.
And on to the closing of the Sweden Democrats website in the turmoil surrounding the Muhammad drawings, where the article claim "But the incident was hardly reported in Sweden — and, of course, barely caused a ripple abroad.". Quite on the contrary this issue was rather widely discussed in Sweden, and in the end forced the Swedish foreign minister at the time, Laila Freivalds, to resign.

Another quote from the article:
"Mr. Friedman has suggested that one reason why the party has no seats in Parliament is that Swedish elections aren't really secret — other people at the polling place can look at your ballot and see which party you support"
Once again, entirely untrue. Swedish elections are entirely secret and Swedes guard their election secret quite strongly, as opposed to some states in the US according to eye witness accounts from friends of mine living in the US. In Swedish elections we normally vote for government, municipality and counties. When entering the election location you are handed three envelopes (sort of like the ones you get your credit card pin code in, you can't see through them). The voting ballots are placed in those envelopes while you are behind a screen and then handed to the voting officials.

With this said, Sweden is not at all without problems. But in articles such as this one, you should keep your critisism to facts. Not fiction.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Yes everything described in the article is true. To those who are brought up already in school into the social democratic... [MORE]	Jan	Feb 10, 2008 17:11
I live in sweden and I think I'm a reasonable intelligent individual and I don't recognize a single thing said... [MORE]	Mikael	Dec 22, 2007 17:36
Dear Bruce! I am a strong admirer of your book "While Europe Slept". It was just the kind of book I... [MORE]	Magnus Nordlänk	Nov 13, 2007 07:09
The Govts of Europe want a Federal State, the People Do not, Solution, Wipe out the Peoples of Europe, their... [MORE]	BritishPatriot	Jul 26, 2007 18:15
Indeed the author of this article has a few points, although I must say, once again bias has proven its... [MORE]	Joe	Jul 16, 2007 16:35
In the whole och western Europe it´s a similar story. If you voice an opinion of concern about immigrants not... [MORE]	Joe	Jul 20, 2007 04:10
People who criticise the Swedish immigration policy are treated worse than criminals by media in Sweden. Murderers and rapeists earn... [MORE]	Eric	Jan 28, 2007 07:45
i might approach this debate a little late but i would still like to post some of my words and... [MORE]	tobias	Jan 9, 2007 13:36
I´m from Sweden, and I have to say that it seem like the US should not kriticis a land that... [MORE]	Caroline	Dec 21, 2006 07:59
You are obviously a victim of the Orewellian propaganda fed to you by the politico/media establishment which Mr. Bawer describes... [MORE]	adam	Dec 23, 2006 02:39
Sweden has 22 p.c. most foreign immigrants of which 18-20 p.c. (of the whole population) descent from muslim dominated areas... [MORE]	Sonia	Dec 17, 2006 05:17
"Sensational statistics — but in all of Sweden, they appear to have been published only in a daily newssheet that... [MORE]	Roger	Dec 16, 2006 22:04
I hate the fact that whats said in that article is truth, but not all swedes belive in all the... [MORE]	Anders Swede	Dec 16, 2006 21:31
On Ideology and why it goes wrong The ideological elite(s) strives for total control. In doing so it has to have... [MORE]	Joern E. Vig	Dec 16, 2006 16:57
It surprises me that you pass liberalism along the same path as other ideologies. If you knew what you were... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Jan 3, 2007 07:30
I know, because I live and work here in the middle of Sweden. The crime rate rises and the welfare is... [MORE]	Knorr	Dec 15, 2006 06:48
It`s ridicoulous seeing such a teardripping speech in order to defend the Sweden Democrats. Their agenda are full of prejudice... [MORE]	Fredrik Andersson	Jan 28, 2007 09:38
it's horrible what people do to each other we all sit here and act as if we care when all... [MORE]	candice	May 22, 2007 13:50
Your comment is ridiculous. You just have to travel all around the world and watch other countries, societies and cities,... [MORE]	Jonas	Sep 15, 2007 11:57
The Scandinavian countries have the greatest spending power per capita, or real income as it is commonly called. So that... [MORE]	Daz	Dec 14, 2006 02:07
What's wrong with Norwegians eating sandwiches? It's how they have lunch and more of a traditional thing! For your information... [MORE]	Victoria	Dec 13, 2006 09:30
"I am getting tired of the constant debates" in the Swedish media about immigration, writes Victoria. And the topic is... [MORE]	Anders Smeds	Dec 13, 2006 14:24
So how are we supposed to debate it? Should we say let's kick them all out? What do you mean... [MORE]	Victoria	Dec 14, 2006 04:23
Well when immigration are up for "discussion" on Swedish television they're only trying to convince us it's good for us.... [MORE]	Convict	Dec 17, 2006 09:37
I hope you will enjoy the machines that will treat you when you become old ;)Sweden needs it's immigrants since... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Jan 3, 2007 07:24
"I'm simply critizising the article authors claims that ALL media is controlled and subsidized by the government. That claim is... [MORE]	Anders Smeds	Dec 12, 2006 11:16
Not all swedish journalists goes to "Journalisthögskolan". To claim that is to lie. There are several different educations, and you... [MORE]	Putte Kock	Dec 20, 2006 07:48
The information in this article is obviously incorrect. Here are the correct figures: Murder rate (per 100,000 people) United States 8.40Canada 5.45Denmark... [MORE]	Paul	Dec 11, 2006 19:28
The figures (at least some of the figures) in this comment are not correct. Irrespective of what the murderrate is for... [MORE]	Anders Smeds	Dec 13, 2006 08:01
Reading your table showing a murder rate of 8.4 per 100,000 for the US sent me scurrying around the net... [MORE]	Donald	Dec 30, 2006 21:29
After reading your comments about Sweden, which as a country, has never done anything for anyone, as far as I... [MORE]	Ken Muise	Dec 11, 2006 00:17
I first heard this ditty this past Dec. 24, 2006 Xmas eve TV here in Minnesota," I Remember Momma" 1948,... [MORE]	T Rolseth	Jan 5, 2007 20:00
The correct words are: Ten thousand Swedes came through the weeds at the battle of Copenhagen, ten thousands Swedes came... [MORE]	Marplan	Oct 13, 2007 14:14
Europe in a coma? [MORE]	J. Maksim	Dec 10, 2006 19:11
all thats in their is lies. dont point your finger att sweden when amerika is the country that envading every... [MORE]	america sucks	Mar 6, 2008 10:01
I'm not surprised, when a people look to government to take care of their brain and body, it also steals... [MORE]	Tom Kendrick	Dec 9, 2006 21:17
To further the goals of Globalization you must allow muts , murders, and rapist into your country. Conform or you... [MORE]	Patriot	Dec 9, 2006 20:22
It's sad to see such open racism as "Patriot" shows here. Swedes also murder and rape. As do americans. And... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 10, 2006 12:18
As an Australian, I applaud Mr. Bawer's bravey. Thanks for telling us about the real Sweden, a nation bent on crushing... [MORE]	Ben	Dec 9, 2006 19:43
Socialism is the perpetual motion of politics. It sounds like a great idea, if it would only work. Socialism must morph... [MORE]	Joe Miller	Dec 9, 2006 07:06
Socialism is doomed to fail in the long run. Because it takes away the driving force of humanity. If everyone... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 10, 2006 12:21
I totally agree, but you can't have complete capitalism either. It's doomed to fail as well. History has shown it.... [MORE]	Jonas	Sep 15, 2007 12:10
What Bruce Bawer says is reasonably correct, but he gives no explanation. I would say that basically, it is a... [MORE]	C. H. Danell	Dec 8, 2006 17:27
Consider this. Religion has been responsible for more man-made deaths in the history of time than any other cause. Of... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 11, 2006 16:08
Bawer is largely correct, but wrong on a number points. The murder rate in Sweden is not higher than in... [MORE]	Claes Larsson	Dec 8, 2006 16:18
Come on! it was on the news a LOT! [MORE]	Victoria	Dec 13, 2006 09:24
As a Swede living in the States, I have to, unfortunately, concur with the writer. Dissent is socially not accepted.... [MORE]	Caroline	Dec 8, 2006 15:57
With this view I greatly concur. The state television is strongly left-biased (compare with the right-biased views of Fox News... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 11, 2006 16:15
The UK also has a license fee, about a 1000 pounds a year (I lived there in 2000 so it... [MORE]	Victoria	Dec 13, 2006 09:10
I cannot comment on the factual accuracy of Mr. Bawer's comments on Sweden because I do not possess specific knowledge... [MORE]	david etherington	Dec 18, 2006 07:05
The UK does not have a licence fee of £1000. It is just over £100 per annum, and funds the... [MORE]	MarkyMark	May 28, 2007 12:43
Speaking as a Swede, this article by Bruce Bawer sadly gives a correct picture of Sweden. (The reader who dismissed the... [MORE]	Anders Smeds	Dec 8, 2006 11:45
Anders Smeds asks in an ironic tone if I am perhaps paid by the ruling elite.No. I am not. In... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 9, 2006 17:38
Anders Smeds seem to take the easy route and blaming "the others" (read, immigrants) for the increasing crime levels in... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 9, 2006 17:51
"I'm simply critizising the article authors claims that ALL media is controlled and subsidized by the government. That claim is... [MORE]	Anders Smeds	Dec 11, 2006 16:22
ALL Swedish journalist go through a school for journalists (Journalisthogskolan) where they are indoctrinated and saturated with a socialist view... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 12, 2006 16:09
I am an "invandrare", living in Sweden for the past four years & as a result of the attitudes of... [MORE]	'invandrare'	Dec 12, 2006 23:32
Although I do not condone what your are doing I do somewhat understand that being in an extreme situation, not... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 13, 2006 19:07
Forty years ago when I visited Sweden, the crime problem was considered nonexistent. There just wasn't a great deal fo... [MORE]	DavidE	Dec 29, 2006 00:13
Anders Gardebring... You say we are in great need of immigrants. Are you insane? This year, our politicians will accept... [MORE]	Henrik	Feb 13, 2007 21:41
Bawer's article makes many very good and lucid points about the Swedish political debate and media. But I share Anders... [MORE]	R Mattsson	Dec 8, 2006 11:02
Al over europe you see countries following the ideas and solution to the immigrant problem that already are in place... [MORE]	A dane	Dec 8, 2006 17:26
The problem with Sweden is and HAS been for more than a century the constant will of being neutral. What's... [MORE]	G Dawg	Dec 17, 2006 14:55
I actually agree on you on the Afghanistan matter. If Sweden as a country has agreed to have a peace... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Jan 3, 2007 07:18
I don't quite follow your logic here.If you are a, as you put it, "anti-immigration party", does that not, by... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Jan 3, 2007 07:22
Does anyone know the immigration figures for Eastern Europe, do any of those countries have Immigration problems. I know Serbia... [MORE]	Brian	Oct 4, 2007 15:29
I feel that I have to correct some of the very serious errors portrayed in this column. Being a Swede...	Anders Gardebring	Dec 8, 2006 09:19
First of all: Are you claiming that control of the media is the only factor determining the outcome of an... [MORE]	Eric Persson	Dec 8, 2006 11:19
In order to rebut the assertion that the government controls all television stations, Gardebring points out that TV stations beam... [MORE]	Dan Marsh	Dec 8, 2006 14:41
Yes, there are certainly ballots spread out in everybody's view. From every single party that you can potentially vote for.... [MORE]	Trazan Apansson	Dec 8, 2006 14:48
Eric Persson had some comments on my comments to this article.No, I am not claiming that control of the media... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 9, 2006 17:24
I always have to laugh at any claim by the Swedes that they are somehow above the fray. The Swedish... [MORE]	j adams	Dec 10, 2006 00:38
Dan wrote:"In order to rebut the assertion that the government controls all television stations, Gardebring points out that TV stations... [MORE]	Anders Gardebring	Dec 13, 2006 18:48
After reading this article, I realize how fortunate I am for having a grandfather who had the wisdom to leave... [MORE]	Ean Erickson	Dec 17, 2006 01:50
If you are to say something about swedens acts during ww2 you should at least have a thought about it... [MORE]	Oscar Frick	Jan 6, 2007 14:01
the Swedes always use the old saw of "if we didn't help the Nazis they would have invaded and had... [MORE]	J Adams	Jan 7, 2007 14:58
It can clearly bee seen that you do not live in sweden, we do/didn't have much of military defence and... [MORE]	Oscar	Jan 8, 2007 00:58
I am glad that the truth has finally come out. The Swedes did it for the money. There are a... [MORE]	J Adams	Jan 8, 2007 07:56
" always have to laugh at any claim by the Swedes that they are somehow above the fray. The Swedish... [MORE]	Sven	Mar 23, 2007 15:44
compare sweden's relationship to nazi germany, and then consider finland's resistance to a much larger and aggressive soviet union at... [MORE]	josil	Sep 3, 2007 20:18
It seems to be coming here. The political left, the mainstream media, and the univesity inteligencia think we should be... [MORE]	Max Spinner	Dec 8, 2006 07:12

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