robby86
Nobility
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2004
- Messages
- 378
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- Tucson
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- United States
How many are still missing? What a horibale thing that has happend.
If it is possible, I am even more impressed with the King in light of this tragedy. His comments here are obviously very genuine, thoughtful and even critical of his own government but for the best of intentions.Lena said:Article from the local:
Carl Gustaf: "Nobody dares to take responsibility"
Lena said:
"We adults will listen to you, you who are children and young, to your stories of what you experienced and feel. Show us your drawings, your tears, sorrow and anger. We adults are here to protect and to help you."
A very human statement; you can sense how truly helpless he feels in this entire matter. That for all the riches in the world, for all the grandeur and luxury of his various palaces and all the glitz and glamour of all the galas and events he attends, he is still like the rest of us and can't wave any magic wand to make everything right and whole again for all these children.Lena said:In the most moving passage of the speech, the king asked how "parents, siblings, relatives, teachers and leaders will manage to handle the loss".
"I wish I had a good answer. Imagine if I, like the king in the fairytales, could make everything all right and end the story with "and they all lived happily ever after". But I, like you, am just a grieving, seeking person."
I wonder if heads will roll in light of this incident? While I can understand that when the tsunami first happened no one could've understood the magnitude of what was happening, 36 hours is a bit long to figure that out. (In a way I guess it partly -- but only partly, like 40 hours -- of Victoria's absence. Her parents wouldn't have thought to call her home if they themselves didn't understand how devastating things were. But after 48 hours that should've been sufficient to reach Victoria and make flight arrangments for her. That doesn't explain the six other days she was MIA.)Lena said:Revealing that he had waited over 36 hours to be briefed on the tragedy unfolding in Asia, King Carl Gustaf said, "In certain circumstances it is better to act than to do nothing at all."
"Then we tried to get information from the foreign office... and after a lot of hassle we managed to get hold of cabinet secretary Lars Danielsson on the evening of the 27th."
The king also compared the Swedish reaction to the crisis with that of the Italians.
"We are northerners and Scandinavians. Italians are latin and react in a different way. And it is often rightly said in Sweden that we react slowly but when we do we are extremely effective and organised and go about it calmly and methodically."
But on this occasion the king hinted that in his view the Swedish approach was not necessarily the best one.
"It's better to ring the ambulance and then send it back if it's not needed. But here in Sweden it's often the case that nobody dares to take responsibility," he told DN. "People are afraid to get things going."
"I think it is important that people dare to take responsibility. Then you'll certainly be hung out to dry but it's better than passively standing by."
Thanks for the translation of the speech by the King. Now with this film, I think it´s safe to say that admiration for the King continues to grow among me and my fellow TRF members. Yes, no doubt she did. The King was also upset with the government and no doubt with SÄPO as well. I mean the excuses about not being able to contact her are ridiculous. But then again the more important issue concerning Victoria is the 6 days MIA and not the lack of communication which appeared to be the government´s fault as well.Alexandria said:I wonder if heads will roll in light of this incident? While I can understand that when the tsunami first happened no one could've understood the magnitude of what was happening, 36 hours is a bit long to figure that out. (In a way I guess it partly -- but only partly, like 40 hours -- of Victoria's absence. Her parents wouldn't have thought to call her home if they themselves didn't understand how devastating things were. But after 48 hours that should've been sufficient to reach Victoria and make flight arrangments for her. That doesn't explain the six other days she was MIA.)
And speaking of Victoria, I wonder if she got any harsh words from Daddy when she finally came home. He seems to be critical of the Swedish government for taking so long to brief him -- he can't have been pleased that his heir apparent also took so long to come home.
This is one of the issues that has been completely ignored indeed by the Swedish media. Your points are quite right and the articles which I posted showed a strange summary of events. Like Alexandria noted, had one not been paying attention to what truly happened, one might have easily been fooled by Expressobladet´s accounts of the events of the week. Yet, we have heard no comment about this from the Swedish media. Tsk tsk tsk. And now they are lauding(Rightfully so) the King so the issue will now be pushed under the rug indeed.Genevieve said:Is it just me or has the Swedish media not been more outspoken about Victoria's behaviour during this entire situation? She makes her first appearance after 8 days of absence bows her head and cries a bit and everything is swept under the rug? She goes back to being the perfect little princess and back high on that pedestal she has been placed.
It would bequeath Victoria and her future role a lot if she could at least understand her error in this situation so that we don't experience a repeat.
Shame on the Swedish media for completely ignoring Victoria's mistake and her very apparent lack of consideration in this matter.
I couldn't agree more. The King has certainly been an inspiration in light of this tragedy. And thank you very much Grand Duchess for translating the articles. Most of us wouldn't understand anything if it wasn't for you.Emily said:Grand Duchess thank you for translating the King's speech. It was very moving to read his words. His sensitivity and compassion are so clear and his advice on approaching those who have sustained such a harsh and grievous loss(es) is excellent.