NazIKEA

Ingvar Kamprad--or, as I called him in my earliest notes, "the guy who founded IKEA"--has been a Scandinavian 81 candidate from almost the start. In a previous post, I mentioned the flatpack furniture tycoon in a discussion on influential Scandinavians with known ties to Nazism. In the mid-90s, Kamprad confessed to having had a teenage association with the SSS (the Swedish Nazi party). It was, he said, his "biggest mistake," a "youthful sin," resulting from "stupidity." He had deeply repented.

A new book claims that Kamprad's Nazi assoications were stronger, and went on longer, than he has admitted. According to author Elisabeth Asbrink, Swedish intelligence files demonstrate activities going well beyond "teenage confusion." Kamprad was an enthusiastic recruiter, says Asbrink, and seems to have been some kind of an SSS functionary. He also maintained ties with Nazi sympathizers at least into the 1950s, she says.

Kamprad spokesmen dismissed the allegations "old news." "The IKEA he created is based on democratic principles and embraces a multicultural society."

Ten or twelve days ago, I got around to ordering two books about Ingvar Kamprad. The first was Leading By Design: The Ikea Story by Kamprad and a collaborator. The second was The Truth About Ikea:The Secret About the World's Fifth Richest Man, by John Stenebo. It advertizes itself as an expose of the dark side of the IKEA empire by a long-time corporate insider. (The extent of Kamprad's wealth is disputed; according to Forbes he's "only" the 162nd richest human being.) These books arrived in my mailbox just a day or two before Ingvar Kamrad and his infamy were back in the news. A perfect example of the synchronicity that has frequently, though still-startlingly, attended to this project.

Vikings vs. Social Democrats

My knowledge of 20th century Scandinavian political history is relatively weak. I began at the beginning, and so of course, as yet, I know more about Vikings than Social Democrats. It only makes chronological sense.

So I tell myself. I don't believe me. This is the truth: I know less about Tage Erlander than Erik Bloodax because Vikings fascinate me much, much more than modern statesmen. Maybe this speaks poorly of my character, but so would denying the truth.

Indeed, I dread trying to learn as much about modern politicans, economists, activists and social reformers as I already know about ancient Norsemen. I could die of boredom.

Which may be as good as admiting this multibiography needs another author.

But since I couldn't stop now if I wanted to, here are the names of several Social Democrats newly under consideration for the Scandinavian 81: Tage Erlander, Karl Hjalmar Branting, Ernst Wigorss, Gustav Moller, and Knut Wicksell. They're all Swedes. Along with Gunnar and Alva Myrdal and Olof Palme (and, in Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland) they seem to bear important responsibility for developing and implementating the modern Scandinavian welfare state.

None of them, insofar as I have any reason to believe, ever killed anyone with an ax.

Utoya Massacre Update

By November 1st, court-appointed psychiatrists are scheduled to make their recommendation as to whether Anders Behring Brievik is sane enough to be tried for murdering 77 people last month in Norway. Brievik has agreed to be evaluated, but has demanded to be also to be seen by a Japanese psychiatrist. "The wish has to do with the concept of honor," explained his lawyer, Geir Lippestad. "He believes that a Japanese person would understand him better than someone from Europe."

Brevik's manifesto supposedly exhibits an admiration for Japanese and Korean cultures--presumably for their unwillingness to admit, assimilate or extend citizenship to large numbers of foreigners.

A few days ago, Brievik returned to Utoya island, where he spent eight hours reenacting his shooting rampage for the police. The simulation was required to clarify details of the attack for the trial. Portions aired on Norwegian television and show Breivik restricted a tether harness, demonstrating details of his murder spree with an imaginary rifle. He was reportedly calm and cooperative. He displayed no remorse for his actions.

Lippestad claims that Brievik spared those on Utoya island whom he considered too young to have been indoctrinated by Labor Party propaganda. Brievik's youngest victim is believed to have been Sharidyn Svebakk-Bohn. She was 14.

Fjordman Revealed

The pseudonymous right-wing, anti-Islamic blogger "Fjordman," who was cited frequently and deeply admired by terrorist mass murderer Anders Brievik, has revealed his identity. Peder Jensen, 36, has professed deep disgust at Brievik's acts. He will no longer use the "Fjordman" pseudonym. He will go into hiding.

Anders Brievik's mother has also absconded; his father, who lives in France, has claimed that he may never return to his native Norway.

In other Norwegian news, a 17 year old Norwegian boy was recent killed by a polar bear on a remote island. This sad story reminds me of the premise of the recent horror film, "Troll Hunter:" A spate of supposed bear attacks in rural Norway turn out to be the work of not-mythological-after-all trolls. The Norwegian government is aware of their existence but, as in the Xfiles and such, covers it up. At least, this is how this movie has been described to me: I haven't seen it yet. I intended to, while it was still playing in Seattle theatres, but then I got distracted by the real monster in Norway.