Explosion in Oslo

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

No threads here yet?
It looks like a very big explosion, one fatality reported so far. May be terrorism but bbc saying that is speculation.

"I wish that we could allow ourselves to defy this horrrendous behaviour by affording it the minimal attention it deserves and focussing on the victims not the perpetrators, but we are all sucked in to the 'rubber-necking' that is all too available"

I disagree with you there. Only by trying to understand how these criminals emerge can we have some hope of preventing them in future. It's always remarkable after a mass shooting or some other shocking event how many people will come out and say on the first hand 'he seemed like a regular bloke' closely followed by 'although he was a bit peculiar... but we thought nothing of it'. There's also a tendency to suspect certain stereotypes when maybe we ought to have a more open mind about who & what constitutes a threat. It's not rubber-necking to learn what we can.

"Only by trying to understand how these criminals emerge can we have some hope of preventing them in future"
Is that not a job for the experts who do that anyway and who, ironically, have urged us to eschew publicity for these atrocities?

I suppose the crux of my argument could be applied to a parenting technique. What are we advised to do when our children exhibit negative attention-seeking behaviour? We are told to ignore it, or underplay it so the intention and impact of the 'crime' is rendered negligible and is less likely to be repeated.
Conversely, attention, negative or otherwise only escalates the issue.

I hope that the norwegian courts locks him up for longer than their maximum 21 years for murder.

"I hope that the norwegian courts locks him up for longer than their maximum 21 years for murder."

Me too :(

I am a norwegian, living in Oslo.

even though our maximum prison sentence is 21 years, it is also possible for the court to give an extra sentence called forvaring (confinement - also in prison). This is not time limited, and is for people who represent a continued danger to society. It can be renewed for five years at a time, and can, in principle, be a life sentence.

I imagine that is what will happen to this man, as he clearly was not psychotic when he planned and executed the murders, but at the same time i cannot see how he could possible be rehabilitated. I imagine he will stay in prison for the rest of his life, or until he is an old man.

I am glad that we do not have capital punishments in Norway ( or lynchings). Look at McVeigh, the man who bombed Oklahoma city. The americans exectuted him, and that just made him a bigger hero in his circle. He was clearly pleased to be executed and in that way become a martyr for his cause. Much better to keep them in jail.

I am proud that our prime minister says that the way to honour the dead and fight extremism is to continue to be a democracy. If not he will have destroyed our country.

saralyn - I thought there must be a way out of the 21 yrs - sounds like the UK 'common law life sentence' where life really can mean life.

Must be a proud moment to be part of your country.

I was impressed by the Prime Minister's response too, and agree.
What is the purpose of a terrorist? To create terror.
I hope Norway continues to hold fast to the concepts of an open and free society and doesn't let fear and paranoia destroy what they have created.

saralyn - very glad that there is a way to keep him in jail for longer than the 21 years and hope it really is employed to the max.
Your PM is definitely one to be proud of.

I am so impressed with the Norwegian government and (majority of) peoples's response. And although it is a terrible tragedy they are showing themselves in such a good light. They definitely have something to be proud of.

He wants an open hearing. It is part of his manifesto, or rather Stage 2, after he has been captured alive, he will use the court as his forum for expressing his ideas to the world.

What a sick individual.

"He wants an open hearing. It is part of his manifesto, or rather Stage 2, after he has been captured alive, he will use the court as his forum for expressing his ideas to the world."

I hope they can deny him that.

Some people say "Let him speak and show the world what a madman he is" saying it is a discussion we need to take : Extremism and how to deal with it, and what we as a society can do to prevent such things. Democracy and free speech, you know. Not letting him speak might turn him into a bigger martyr or anti hero than he already is.

I for one can't think of anyting he could possibly say that would justify the killing of 100+ innocent people. Let him speak, it would be worse to deny him the opportunity to prove he is a loon.

Saralyn, your PM is an absolute star and a very genuine and sincere person, I hope this lunatic never gets released from prison and wish that the u.k was not so leniant on terrorists and mass murderers. My thoughts are with the Norwegian people today, R.I.P all the innocent souls.

His motive for this terrible crime was political -( like all terrorism) - He purposely didn't kill himself as he wants to explain his motivation to the world during his trial, and his subsequent 21 years in prison.

My heart goes out to the victims.

has this been linked already A discussion of his 1500 page manifesto. He's been planning it for years. :(

21 years does not seem like a long time but I doubt he will ever get out in reality, that said it is still a longer sentence that what would be handed out in U.K courts when you take into consideration the hundreds of ira murderers and bombers who got early release back in 1998 with the signing of the GFA. Many of those terrorists had only served a few years or even months of their so called life sentences.

Saralyn-I am also so proud of the pm and nation's response.

Sakura-ok, fair enough most of these incidents are caused by men. But I'm going to step away from suggestions that he should be ripped apart by the bereaved mothers in a public execution. That is as full of uncontrolled hatred as his own actions. It also shows a distinct lack of understanding of Norwegian society and the Norwegian response the tragedy.

The Norwegian justice system is just very different-strong leanings tonrehabilitation rather than vengeance. I'm liberal, but after discussingthis with Norwegian friends I'm amazed at their reaction to it all. We have a lot to learn-the USA have the death penalty but it doesn't deter mass murderers etc. It's not the answer, but what is? I don't know!

There isn't actually a punishment suited to killing 100 children, anywhere in the world.

The Norwegian government are showing that they will not lower themselves to behave like terrorists, and that can only be applauded in my opinion. A justice system should not be based on revenge.

hear, hear Jenny...well said