We visited Vestre today, which is Denmark's center-right party. The biggest party in Denmark.
The party has 16 full time staff. An annual budget of about $6 million dollars, most of it funded by the state. That is their total budget for the entire country. Smaller than a senate race in the US?
Denmark has a 3 week election cycle. The prime minister calls the election, and then in 3 weeks it happens. I get the impression that this is a very busy time. :) Political television advertising is *not* allowed, so costs are kept down.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Travel break traveling
Our next study tour runs March 17-24. We then have March 24 until April 9 to travel on our own. I've been busy researching different places and trying to decide where I'd like to go and what I'd like to see.
A lot of people are trying to do the whole London->Paris->Barcelona->Rome->Vienna super whirlwind tour in 2 weeks. I don't have any interest in that at all. Besides the fact that those transportation costs add up, you don't really actually see any of those places. You see the top 3 sites in a town, and then it is off to sit in the airport waiting for the next flight. It is probably delayed too.
I think I'll pick one area of Europe I'd like to see, and then leave myself time to actually see some stuff without sprinting to the next. Where that destination will end up being, I do not know. I'm definitely going to stop by Vienna and visit Johannes. I've been thinking of going down and exploring Italy from there. Maybe Praque (where our study tour ends) -> Vienna -> Venice -> Florence -> Rome -> Sicily? Unfortunately that means bringing my business attire with me in the suitcase for those two weeks. Maybe I can just mail it back to Copenhagen inexpensively... The alternative is to go with DIS on the bus back to Copenhagen, but that seems a waste of time and heading in the wrong direction.
Europe has dozens of really low-fare airlines. This is good when you are trying to find really cheap flights (sometimes $10-20 flights, although the tax more than doubles that), but it also means that you have to spend *a lot* of time searching different airlines, different flight dates, and different destinations. The majority of really cheap flights go to and from the UK. I think it is usually cheaper (sometimes quite a bit) to fly to one of these hubs in the UK and then fly to Copenhagen or Malmo, Sweden (across the strait) from there. You also get a day or part of a day in London or Dublin out of the deal.
A lot of people are trying to do the whole London->Paris->Barcelona->Rome->Vienna super whirlwind tour in 2 weeks. I don't have any interest in that at all. Besides the fact that those transportation costs add up, you don't really actually see any of those places. You see the top 3 sites in a town, and then it is off to sit in the airport waiting for the next flight. It is probably delayed too.
I think I'll pick one area of Europe I'd like to see, and then leave myself time to actually see some stuff without sprinting to the next. Where that destination will end up being, I do not know. I'm definitely going to stop by Vienna and visit Johannes. I've been thinking of going down and exploring Italy from there. Maybe Praque (where our study tour ends) -> Vienna -> Venice -> Florence -> Rome -> Sicily? Unfortunately that means bringing my business attire with me in the suitcase for those two weeks. Maybe I can just mail it back to Copenhagen inexpensively... The alternative is to go with DIS on the bus back to Copenhagen, but that seems a waste of time and heading in the wrong direction.
Europe has dozens of really low-fare airlines. This is good when you are trying to find really cheap flights (sometimes $10-20 flights, although the tax more than doubles that), but it also means that you have to spend *a lot* of time searching different airlines, different flight dates, and different destinations. The majority of really cheap flights go to and from the UK. I think it is usually cheaper (sometimes quite a bit) to fly to one of these hubs in the UK and then fly to Copenhagen or Malmo, Sweden (across the strait) from there. You also get a day or part of a day in London or Dublin out of the deal.
No more snow
Yea, our "most snow Copenhagen has had in 10 years" is gone. I guess higher than freezing temperatures and rain will do that.
A few things I learned my Danish Politics and Society class. Denmark's labor force is highly organized into unions. Actually everything in Denmark is highly organized into groups, businesses too. These groups are an engaged part of the political decision making process, so Denmark has very few "outsider" lobbyists as we might have in the US. In return for having a say, these groups also have responsibility to hold their members to the agreements that are made, otherwise they won't continue to get that access.
Anyways, the overall-umbrella worker's union and the overall employer's union (Danish Industry something) have been at odds for quite a while, and it was looking like there was going to be a general strike in about a month of all members of this union. Which would have been about every worker in the country. 2 days before the first deadline they reached an agreement though.
Employers will give a 4% raise in salaries, increased funding to the job-training fund, increased funding to the pension fund, and raised the minimum wage slightly to 103.6 kroner. (about $18)
About the Danish flag... it isn't a patriotic symbol like our flag is. It is more a symbol of the Danish people. It isn't something they salute, but rather something used at birthday parties, etc.
I feel at home and settled in here. This really hit after our little trip and we came back home to "familiar" Copenhagen. There isn't anything in my daily routine that I feel uncomfortable with anymore. On the first day here, there was a lot of anxiety (if thats the right word) in just buying a danish at the bakery. Not knowing where anything was and dealing with jet lag... I feel very comfortable with the geography of Copenhagen now (and of Denmark overall). I've been taking the bus more and more, both due to the fact that I recognize where the stops are at and it is generally faster than the metro I think. Not faster in direct comparision, but faster when walking times are factored in. Contrary to what I normally end up doing, it *isn't* faster to just walk rather than wait the 5 minute for the bus to show up. :)
A few things I learned my Danish Politics and Society class. Denmark's labor force is highly organized into unions. Actually everything in Denmark is highly organized into groups, businesses too. These groups are an engaged part of the political decision making process, so Denmark has very few "outsider" lobbyists as we might have in the US. In return for having a say, these groups also have responsibility to hold their members to the agreements that are made, otherwise they won't continue to get that access.
Anyways, the overall-umbrella worker's union and the overall employer's union (Danish Industry something) have been at odds for quite a while, and it was looking like there was going to be a general strike in about a month of all members of this union. Which would have been about every worker in the country. 2 days before the first deadline they reached an agreement though.
Employers will give a 4% raise in salaries, increased funding to the job-training fund, increased funding to the pension fund, and raised the minimum wage slightly to 103.6 kroner. (about $18)
About the Danish flag... it isn't a patriotic symbol like our flag is. It is more a symbol of the Danish people. It isn't something they salute, but rather something used at birthday parties, etc.
I feel at home and settled in here. This really hit after our little trip and we came back home to "familiar" Copenhagen. There isn't anything in my daily routine that I feel uncomfortable with anymore. On the first day here, there was a lot of anxiety (if thats the right word) in just buying a danish at the bakery. Not knowing where anything was and dealing with jet lag... I feel very comfortable with the geography of Copenhagen now (and of Denmark overall). I've been taking the bus more and more, both due to the fact that I recognize where the stops are at and it is generally faster than the metro I think. Not faster in direct comparision, but faster when walking times are factored in. Contrary to what I normally end up doing, it *isn't* faster to just walk rather than wait the 5 minute for the bus to show up. :)
Monday, February 26, 2007
Smoking
I saw a man biking through København today and smoking a cigarette at the same time. That is a new one for me. He wasn't just biking with one hand either...both hands on the handlebars. Not exactly sure how that works.
Our first of two larger papers in my business class was due today, so I was up late last night writing it. It was an analysis of the competitive strategies of the three companies we visited on the western Denmark (Jutland) tour. Naturally I put off writing it until late. I kind of like writing papers late at night. You can focus completely on the paper, you have no distractions, and you are forced to keep at it or you lose out on sleep. Managed to get some laundry done and popcorn ate too.
Gangs of New York was on Danish TV yesterday while I was eating (with Danish subtitles). The Man with One Red shoe (Tom Hanks) was on TV the other day as well. Lots of American movies and TV shows.
Vi ses!
Our first of two larger papers in my business class was due today, so I was up late last night writing it. It was an analysis of the competitive strategies of the three companies we visited on the western Denmark (Jutland) tour. Naturally I put off writing it until late. I kind of like writing papers late at night. You can focus completely on the paper, you have no distractions, and you are forced to keep at it or you lose out on sleep. Managed to get some laundry done and popcorn ate too.
Gangs of New York was on Danish TV yesterday while I was eating (with Danish subtitles). The Man with One Red shoe (Tom Hanks) was on TV the other day as well. Lots of American movies and TV shows.
Vi ses!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Denmark pulling out of Iraq
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced on Wednesday that Denmark is pulling its 430 troops out of Iraq. They did this the same day that Tony Blair in Britian announced the Britian was reducing its troop levels in southern Iraq.
We talked about this in my Danish Politics class. The reason for the pullout is basically based on the domestic political climate here in Denmark currently, and has really nothing to do with a military decision or something like that.
The current government here is a coalition of the parties on the right. Fogh Rasmussen is from Vestre, which is the largest Danish party and center-right in ideology. They have a coalition government with the Conservative party. Their government is also supported by the Danish People's Party, which is a very nationalistic party. So the government is run from the right.
They have been the coalition in government since 2001, and supported the Iraq War from the start. The left-wing parties were initially against it. Then after Bush declared "Mission Accomplished", the UN Security Council passed a resolution regarding helping rebuild Iraq. At that point, the left-wing parties in Denmark supported troops in Iraq to help rebuild.
Late last year the left wing parties in Denmark changed their position in opposition to Denmark getting bogged down further in the Iraq War, and wanted Danish troops out. This was a politically smart move for them, because public opinion is against the war. The Social Democrats (2nd biggest party) would like to regain control of the government, and opposing the Iraq War would help that. It was an issue they could attack Anders Fogh Rasmussen's party with.
Basically, Vestre wants to keep control of the government and they are diffusing the campaign issue now before it becomes a problem for them. The justification is that things in southern Iraq are "getting better", so Denmark has fulfilled its agreement. This is painted in contrast to Italy/Japan who just withdrew last year without finishing the job. They are sending 200 new troops to Afghanistan, because they don't want the impression that they are giving up on the war on terror.
From a small-country perspective, they need to have strong allies if they want to have influence. It isn't in Denmark's interest to alienate the US, so thats the reason for the increase to Afghanistan. Politics in Denmark is all based on compromise, and I think their foriegn policy is kind of being run the same way. They want to have good relations with the US/Britian, but still get out of an unpopular war. So they compromised and sent more troops to Afghanistan.
We talked about this in my Danish Politics class. The reason for the pullout is basically based on the domestic political climate here in Denmark currently, and has really nothing to do with a military decision or something like that.
The current government here is a coalition of the parties on the right. Fogh Rasmussen is from Vestre, which is the largest Danish party and center-right in ideology. They have a coalition government with the Conservative party. Their government is also supported by the Danish People's Party, which is a very nationalistic party. So the government is run from the right.
They have been the coalition in government since 2001, and supported the Iraq War from the start. The left-wing parties were initially against it. Then after Bush declared "Mission Accomplished", the UN Security Council passed a resolution regarding helping rebuild Iraq. At that point, the left-wing parties in Denmark supported troops in Iraq to help rebuild.
Late last year the left wing parties in Denmark changed their position in opposition to Denmark getting bogged down further in the Iraq War, and wanted Danish troops out. This was a politically smart move for them, because public opinion is against the war. The Social Democrats (2nd biggest party) would like to regain control of the government, and opposing the Iraq War would help that. It was an issue they could attack Anders Fogh Rasmussen's party with.
Basically, Vestre wants to keep control of the government and they are diffusing the campaign issue now before it becomes a problem for them. The justification is that things in southern Iraq are "getting better", so Denmark has fulfilled its agreement. This is painted in contrast to Italy/Japan who just withdrew last year without finishing the job. They are sending 200 new troops to Afghanistan, because they don't want the impression that they are giving up on the war on terror.
From a small-country perspective, they need to have strong allies if they want to have influence. It isn't in Denmark's interest to alienate the US, so thats the reason for the increase to Afghanistan. Politics in Denmark is all based on compromise, and I think their foriegn policy is kind of being run the same way. They want to have good relations with the US/Britian, but still get out of an unpopular war. So they compromised and sent more troops to Afghanistan.
Snow Effects
Copenhagen can't handle this snow. The entire town has been barely getting by. The buses are all off schedule and coming at odd times ... the metro sometimes doesn't go all the way to the end of its normal runs ... the S-trains (trains to suburb areas) are all running really late or cancelled. Some kids who live farther out (and take the S-train in) were an hour late for our test in the business class today.
My Danish politics professor said this is the most snow he can remember in the last 10 years. My history professor made the comment that all Swedes keep tire chains in their garage so they get by just fine.
The roads are now starting to get cleared off a little bit better. I had to wait a long time for the bus today though. Here is a news article in USA Today about it. Jutland got more snow, but there is some reference to Copenhagen transportation at the end.
My Danish politics professor said this is the most snow he can remember in the last 10 years. My history professor made the comment that all Swedes keep tire chains in their garage so they get by just fine.
The roads are now starting to get cleared off a little bit better. I had to wait a long time for the bus today though. Here is a news article in USA Today about it. Jutland got more snow, but there is some reference to Copenhagen transportation at the end.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Visit to Øster Farimagsgade
I visited Julie's 7th grade English class today at Øster Farimagsgade. The class is about 20 kids. They were taking a test today, so I had a chance to sit and work on some of my Danish homework. 2 of the kids finished about a half-hour early, and they gave me a tour of the school. I commented to them that they must be pretty good to finish the test so fast. "Oh, no, we just don't look over our answers" was his reply. These two guys only took 30 minutes to do the test, and the rest of the class took an hour. I don't think the rest were looking over their answers for 30 minutes. :) Thats the response I would have expected though from a Dane.
The school is kindergarten through age 16. 3 stories and a basement. The gym is in a separate building in the "backyard". The kindergarten is also in a separate building back there.
I peeked at the front page of one of the tests. They were given about 30 words and had to write the plural form. Child, negro, deer, etc. I'm not sure what else was on the test.
For the last 10-15 minutes of class, I gave a little powerpoint presentation about Minnesota. I compared it to Denmark by putting a map of Denmark inside Minnesota. Denmark fits inside, and is about 1/4 the size of MN. We have nearly identical populations and size of economy.
Then I showed a bunch of pictures of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Ortonville, and our farm (got these from Johannes). Gave some facts about Minnesota, talked about the Mall of America, did a 2 minute overview of Minnesota history, and then told them the Minnesota sports teams.
I'm going to be going on Tuesdays after school to help in the library, and then on Thursdays in the 7th grade English class.
The school is kindergarten through age 16. 3 stories and a basement. The gym is in a separate building in the "backyard". The kindergarten is also in a separate building back there.
I peeked at the front page of one of the tests. They were given about 30 words and had to write the plural form. Child, negro, deer, etc. I'm not sure what else was on the test.
For the last 10-15 minutes of class, I gave a little powerpoint presentation about Minnesota. I compared it to Denmark by putting a map of Denmark inside Minnesota. Denmark fits inside, and is about 1/4 the size of MN. We have nearly identical populations and size of economy.
Then I showed a bunch of pictures of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Ortonville, and our farm (got these from Johannes). Gave some facts about Minnesota, talked about the Mall of America, did a 2 minute overview of Minnesota history, and then told them the Minnesota sports teams.
I'm going to be going on Tuesdays after school to help in the library, and then on Thursdays in the 7th grade English class.
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