Nordic Nations Criticize Canada For Arctic Snub

[Midlodemocrat]

STOCKHOLM - Two Nordic nations criticized Canada on Tuesday for not inviting them to a meeting of Arctic countries, saying the gathering could undermine the work of the broader Arctic Council.

Sweden and Finland regretted that they and Iceland were left out of the Arctic Coastal meeting in Quebec. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed similar concerns at the meeting Monday. Only the U.S., Canada, Russia, Denmark and Norway were invited.

"We regret that Canada has decided to invite only five of the eight Arctic nations to this meeting," Swedish Foreign Ministry spokesman Teo Zetterman said.

More at link: http://tiny.cc/d2rj2

[Dr. Strange]

1. Does anyone really take the Arctic Council seriously anymore?

I wrote them off after the whole penguin fiasco.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I agree. Interesting stuff at the link, though.

[Dr. Strange]

3. Interesting? Hardly.

Sophistry at best. I wish more "leaders" would listen to what Teo Zetterman has to say.

[racaulk]

7. Oh, that Teo Zetterman!

He's clearly an intelligent man with great ideas, so I guess I can forgive him for his fondness for terrible music and posting semi-nude self-pics of himself on the Internets.

[Dr. Strange]

10. I love what he said about Greenland.

Greenland can suck my hairy crevices for all I care.

Or something to that affect--I'm paraphrasing, of course.

[Canuckistanian]

13. Exactly...

Go to the Arctic today and I DARE you to find a penguin.

They're not there. Damned Arctic Council.

[KamaAina]

14. So THAT'S why penguins are only found in the Antarctic!

:P

[racaulk]

4. But what about Greenland?

Everyone always forgets about Greenland.

:cry:

[Midlodemocrat]

5. You're thinking of Poland.

:rofl:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. What the hell is the US being involved with a league of Arctic nations?

Oh yeah, Alaska, never mind.

[Dr. Strange]

8. Palin can see the Arctic Circle from her bedroom.

She can also see Chuggo's bedroom.

[racaulk]

9. I hear Levi Johnston was selected as the US Ambassador to the Arctic Council.

The Council deemed him to be a hell of a lot better than the alternative.

[TZ]

11. Blame Canada!

The only thing that saves Canada is the awesomeness of Rush...

[racaulk]

12. !!!

:rofl:

[SidDithers]

15. I must have missed the part where Sweden, Finland and Iceland have coastlines in the Arctic...nt

Sid

[Xithras]

23. Iceland does have coastline in the Arctic.

The Arctic Circle cuts through an island just north of Iceland itself that is part of Icelandic territory. The north shore of the island is within the Arctic. It's not much, but it makes Iceland a nation with valid Arctic shoreline.

As for Sweden and Finland, both nations have waterways that drain into the Arctic. While they may not border it, they impact it directly.

It was silly not to invite them.

[Midlodemocrat]

16. Kick.

[LostinVA]

17. Great link -- whaling should be illegal, period

More Americans should be made aware of this and contact their Congresspeople and Senators.

[mtnester]

21. This is a horrifying thing to watch

I agree!

[Gormy Cuss]

18. Sweden's the same as Norway, and Finland is like Denmark. No need for their inputs.

[Shell Beau]

19. I really love that song. It is so touching.

The part about the polar bear... I am speechless.

[mtnester]

22. Speechless hardly describes it

I nearly peed my pants

It was stunning.

[KittyWampus]

20. Canada gave the Arctic Nations THE COLD SHOULDER!

[flvegan]

24. Kick!

Jedis of the sea!