What an appropriate way to celebrate a ghoulish anniversary. Two days before the one-year anniversary of the horrific massacre of young people on the island of Utøya in Norway, a university student shoots up the midnight premiere of Batman in Aurora, Colorado. Fewer deaths, just as scary.

I would like to congratulate the American National Rifle Association on yet another triumph, but what can I say about Norway? I'm a transplanted American & lived 3 years in Denver, way back when, from 1955 - 58. At the time Denver had the second-highest murder rate in the country, just behind Chicago. I'm sure that's ancient history. My mother loved Denver & Colorado best of all the places we lived; we all loved it. Aurora back then was a lovely out of the way place to go picnicking & skiing.
Now it will be remembered for James Holmes & his insane shooting spree, as Utøya & Norway generally - because what do you ever hear about Norway except it has oil? - are now known for an even worse crazy, Anders Breivik. Holmes shot up a cinema & timed his gun blast with the first boomboom in The Dark Knight Rises. Always plenty of those in a modern superhero movie. Breivik went after young people at a Social Democratic Youth summer camp - young people working in politics, engaged & following their ideals. So once again - down go some of the best & brightest because a psychopath can't get his head around making an honest effort. Anyway, it seemed to be the immigration of Muslims that was his - if you'll pardon the expression - trigger. No idea what Holmes' target was. Something about he was Batman's enemy?

The Norwegian prime minister was barely articulate after the massacre on Utøya, but President Obama knew exactly what to say & do, as always, & clearly it came from the heart. That man is my hero. Before I moved to Europe-Denmark-Svendborg, I paid no attention to what the rest of the world thought of America. What business was it of theirs anyway? My road to Denmark actually began in Ireland, where I took a summer course at the School of Irish Studies in 1971. Even though I had demonstrated against the Vietnam war at the University of Arizona in Tucson, I was angry to see 'America out of Vietnam' grafitti in Dublin, forcryingoutloud. Let the Europeans butt out! Now I wish Americans would realize what a rock star Obama still is over here, & what a very bad joke Mitt Romney & his Republican right are. A cut above Berlusconi, but just barely. Okay, what business is it of Europeans anyway? Well, for starters they are America's best allies & trading partners. Does this count, just a bit? It should! Now I think it really should.

But I didn't intend to go all political. Back in the late 60s & early 70s, when the more left-leaning of us drove around with 'Make love, not war' bumper stickers, the 'greatest generation' - the ones who saw Europe from a trench & the odd 3-day leave - joked that during World War II they did both. Didn't stop there either - that's why there are so many of US. The other side's bumper sticker snarled, 'America - love it or leave it.' I did both. No going back now - but this blog's in English, not Danish, even though it could be. A heart can divide & survive. A hitch overseas is a great way to learn more about your own country. It doesn't mean you will stop loving where you came from.