Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, cancel New Year's revelry

[Bluebear]

Remembrance and mourning trumped revelry at many places around the world as people and nations sought to honour those who died in the tsunami disaster.

"Never has the step into a new year felt heavier," said Goeran Persson, Sweden's premier who urged Swedes to light candles in their windows as a vigil. "We should have celebrated with fireworks and festivities. Now that feels completely wrong." ...

Some European countries -- such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Germany -- also planned to fly flags at half-mast to mark the beginning of 2005 as a day of mourning for European tourists, as well as the Asian citizens, who died in the devastated regions.

In Paris, black mourning crepe was placed on trees lining the Champs Elysees. Several Italian cities also cancelled parties and pledged to donate saved money to charities.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1104509465060_18/?hub=TopStories

[Merlot]

1. How classy and thoughtful.

Maybe regis will say something nice, too.

[oasis]

2. My hat is off to those nations.

:thumbsup:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Some countries obviously have class.

Unfortunately, it seems ours doesn't. Any black crepe on the trees in D.C.? I didn't think so. Of course, we would disdain anything the French did.

[BernieBear]

4. Some nations, unlike the US, have a LEADER

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Yeah; that sure would help, wouldn't it?

Bush is such an embarrassment.

[jdj]

7. Who?

Oh, but you mean Cheney right.

He's in an undisclosed location, celebrating the debut of the tsumani machine. He's selling it to bin Laden for $350 million. Osama got first bid as thanks for all that terra help.

[NuttyFluffers]

9. i agree, quite classy. empathy and tactful.

would that *some* nations follow their example.

[nine23]

6. It's 10:20 PST here at Whistler. We haven't brought in the New Year yet...

Things are rather subdued, for obvious reasons. Nobody is REALLY happy. Why? What the fuck for? What the fuck is there to be happy about?

Bring on the despair. We deserve it.

[Tsiyu]

8. I understand the gesture and appreciate it

But I wanted to really chase those 2004 demons away at midnight, and that's just what we did.

No fancy clothes or bands, just some loud fireworks in the woods to keep those bastards out of 2005.

We must have hope even as we grieve....

[Deja Q]

10. It took a week for * to acknowledge, give a little, then give a lot...

If you ask me, by Jan 9 the United States will officially apologize and rescind its New Years festivities.

[NVMojo]

11. too awesome ...people with a conscience ...nations with a conscience ...

amazing ...what would it be like?

[BernieBear]

13. It would be like it was here decades ago!!!!

[cire4]

12. The Scandinavian countries were hit very hard in the tsunami

Official numbers

Sweden: 44 dead 2500 missing
Norway: 21 dead 430 missing
Finland: 14 dead 263 missing
Denmark: 7 dead 24 missing

I'd have a hard time celebrating too. It's too bad that the US didn't do more during its NY celebrations to draw attention to this tragedy.

[Cha]

14. Bless their feeling hearts! It's good to know

there are places in the world where people as a whole are capable of real compassion for their fellow earth dwellers.

To have the carlyle candidate out there putting a faux compassionate face on this tragedy is repulsive to thinking people all over the Planet.