This summer Norway celebrates the centennial of its peaceful break-up with Sweden, which UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan lauds as "an example to aspire to in... a world still riven by conflict." It is not just its road to independence that is touted as a model. Seemingly able to combine equality with prosperity, the nation of 4,5 million is sometimes cited by US liberals as proof that Socialism can work. And the media loves to parrot this questionable line.
So it was refreshing when on April 17, The New York Times ran a revealing exposé entitled 'We're Rich, You're Not. End of Story.' Declared the paper on the myth of Norwegian affluence: "They believe it themselves. Yet the reality... is not quite what it appears."
Frontpaged at European Tribune, joining which is a great idea.