Wow I missed it. I was watching Larry King live. Maybe for the best. How many of these episodes of The Wanted did they make? Sounds like maybe these people just wanted a vacation in Norway, where will be be off to next?

Okay, just so no one is confused about the scheduling. I was not watching Larry King live at 10:00 p.m., that would have been at 9:00 p.m. and then Anderson Cooper came on and well I have said this before it was snooze time.
Sorry again Anderson, it is not your fault really, I just can't stay awake.

I'm going to Dresden today, home of the Longaberger baskets, if anyone remembers them. See ya.

Dave, Could you please update us on how ROB LONG is doing in the ratings since his move to 1370 am. Also, how is his old ststion 1570 am doing in his old time slot? In other words was it a good move? Thanks for any information, Steve from Rosedale.

"All of us in the news business are trying these days to find new models with which to make money." They were using the same journalistic integrity that FOX news has used for years - hype-at-any-cost.
There is no more moral high ground to stand on - the world is awash in the spin of materialism - need an image? A rhinoceros taking its morning dump.

You're pretty spot-on with this review. I had a look at the show today -- through the wonders of the internet; it doesn't air on TV here until Thursday evening -- and I felt like a mixture of watching Battlestar Galactica and 24 mixed with my worst impressions of american action style war reporting. I was just waiting for Jack Bauer to come busting in and torturing Krekar.

The guys lives in the open, and there was a much more balanced and down-to-earth documentary made by some Australian guys a couple of year ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S0j8WZvYIs

The SAD part is that this is the kind of things that are needed for politicians here to wake up, and being an election year, this is also something they will suddenly try to cram into that whole selling-party-votes package.

I'm Norwegian and I can't stop laughing!

"talking about how "people could get killed" if they slip up on their surveillance, which amounts to hiding behind shrubbery in an upscale Oslo neighborhood"

Too freakin funny!!!
We all know where krekar lives. We go grocery shopping in that area, we send our kids to school there, we go to work, we go to cafes with our friends. It's just like any other neighborhood.
I can't even imagine how rediculous it must have looked when these guys were hiding behind trash bins, claiming they could die.
I wouldn't call it "upscale" though, that place is the shabbiest part of Oslo.

"Norway has a governmental procedure for deporting people, and Ciralski and his team are angry because it has not yet deported Krekar back to Iraq. Can you believe the arrogance of a cooked-up, American, prime-time news-entertainment show telling a government like Norway how it should behave?"

This is even funnier. Norway, of course, follows the human rights convention. We have no way of knowing if he will get a fair trial. We WANT to get rid of him, but our hands are tied.
So as for the politicians saying they want him out; they're telling the truth. If we shipped him out, Norway would be in big trouble.

The US tried to kidnap him years ago but failed. They used CIA agents the first time, then they wanted to try a second time with Navy seals but Norway responded saying our special forces would have to open fire.
Our hands are 100% tied when it comes to Krekar.

He's not in any danger to us or anyone else though, he's a harmless, crazy old man. And he IS under house arrest and he's being watched 24/7.

I'll have to find a way to watch this episode. It's airing here in Norway this week but I don't have a tv. :(

My husband and I actually thought that this show was interesting and enlightning. How often are we able to actually hear the terrorists themselves speak about their actions?

Zurawick, you are a sissy ! This is not only the best NEWS program NBC has ever produced but the only truly useful one to the "american way of life". You must think guys like mulla krekar are just miss guided and need counciling.When shows like the office win awards for what appears to be pure stupid antics NBC needs something that will cause someone besides actors to turn on. America needs to know that there is some one "trying to achieve justice" for them.

Great review. I`m Norwegian myself. Haven`t seen the "documentary", and problably won`t.

Those politicians you mentioned are what you would refer to as ultra conservativ republicans. Non of the other political parties in Norway even take them seriously. They`ve never been in government, because no other parties wants to cooperate with them. Simply because they build on fear and lies. Thanx Btw congratulations with Al Franken. You need more people who dear to tell the truth.

As a Norwegian seeing this episode was pure comedian gold!
Populist party FRP politicians, criticizing our government?!!?! Who could belive it!
I also loved how the ex-military guy also actually said that someone might end up dead if he got spotted. That just screamed Everything I say from now on is bs.

I have yet to see any of you who think the show is an embarrassment refute the charges against the man. So now he is harmless and should be provided safe haven from his crimes in order to assure he is not somehow 'mistreated' by the very government who's citizens he has been responsible for blowing to bits. None of you also noted that he is in process of being deported so how is that for embarrassment.

As Christian points out, both of the politicians interviewed by "The Wanted" are members (one current and one former chairman) of "Fremskrittspartiet" or FrP, or in English, "The Progress Party". Don't confuse their name with the US term "progressive" (a.k.a. "liberal"). FrP is the most right-wing party in Norway; interviewing the former and current chairman is akin to interviewing Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh on their opinion of the Democratic party.

I also loved the dramatic conclusion of the show: just a few hours before broadcast, Norway announced Krekar would be deported. Uhm, not so fast: the Norwegian foreign ministry just issued the statement that the fundamental situation has not changed, it still is too dangerous in Iraq to extradite Krekar without being in violation of International Human Rights.

See http://www.frp.no/no/Andre_sprak/English/,
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/1.506599 (Norwegian)

Hello Oskar: This is briliant. Thanks. Z

Hey you guys NOW KNOW, how dangerous it is to be a cop, or do survellience, and remeber,
PEOPLE KILL, not guns, infact, GUNS SAVE LIVE, you liberals get it through your thick skulls, go take a shooting lesson, instead of living in FEAR!

As a Norwegian, I want sooo bad to see this now.

Just for the apparent pure gold-standard unintentional comic value of it. Not least Siv Jensen - I assume it is her, since no Norwegian politician is anywhere near as cynically opportunist in her approach to political 'debate'.

One thing, though. If those parts of Oslo is considered 'upscale'... the s..t REALLY must have hit the fan in the US.

@Mr. Fredriksen:
You'll get your chance (if you're in Norway) on Thursday on TV2.

Heimdalsgata 36, 0578 Oslo, Norway (for those who want to look it up) is portrayed as "the compound". They don't really get into whether or not it's a good or bad part of Oslo, the footage shows leafy greens, concrete and asphalt - it could be any part of any city anywhere in the northern hemisphere.

And yes, of course it was Siv Jensen and Carl I. Hagen (mispronounced Carl 'Haygan').

Next time I want Obama to act, I'm gonna hand a piece of evidence to Jim DeMint.

Just about everything I wanted to say has already been said by other Norwegians: The show is horribly inaccurate and reeks of American arrogance and misunderstandings.

However, one thing that seems to be brushed under the carpet is the highly questionable way in which the interview with Krekar himself was edited. Apparently the crew interviewed him for a full 3 hours of which maybe 4 minutes was shown. In those 4 minutes they did a lot of cherry picking and cross cutting that plainly shows questions and answers that don't link together.

Worst of all was the question "so American civilians are legitimate targets" followed by the answer "American civilians are like Norwegian civilians" making it sound like Krekar would attack both. The truth is the reverse: Krekar has stated repeatedly that he does not and will not attack any civilians - only people who are engaged in what he calls warfare in Iraq. he even says so later in the interview but it's cut in such a way it loses its meaning.

This is deliberate misinformation and history falsification by the producers and it is shameful and unforgivable.

Krekar is a problem and he will be deported once the situation in Iraq is reasonable (which it is not, no matter how many pieces of paper a TV crew are able to obtain), but lying about what he says is not going to help matters in any way.

Well, Krekar may not be our favourite citizen, but in our country one is not guilty until convicted in a fair trial.

I know this might seem strange to some, but we have found it quite hard to bring people back to life, even if new evidence prove them not guilty.

Krekar is to be sent out of Norway as soon as Iraq will provide guaranties that he will not be executed.
Norway (as rest of Europe) does not execute people, and does not deport to countries that might (incl USA).

Regarding where Krekar lives,The journalist does not have very good taste.
Krekar lives in upscale Oslo?
It's like Bronx in the 70's..It's a dump, and he is at 24/7 Surveillance.

If you think we are not up to the challange, we cought Mossad agents in 1973...

Speaking of dump, how about those people down at Gitmo? Any journalists hiding in the bushes or behind a barrel, waiting for an exclusive interview?
Oh..Sorry, US citizens are not allowed to enter Cuba.

Regards
Gunnie

The moment I read they interviewed two people from FrP, I knew who it was.
But I gotta give it to them, they did a good job finding the two most "anti-current-government" politicians in Norway.

I just think it's ridiculous of a "documentary" team consisting of ex "this" and ex "that", to aim fire at the Norwegian government in this particular case.
YES we do know Krekar is/was a terrorist, YES we do want him out of the country, and YES we do want to see him imprisoned.
But Norway's official view of death penalty is that we see it as a lack of human-rights, most of us don't believe that violence will scare others from doing what the one punished have done.

I think the team could of atleast bothered to find some politicians in the government, like Gahr Støre (our foreign minister) to explain why he haven't been sent out yet, to give another view of things, and not just "we havent sent him out cos we dont bother".

Most FrP politicians don't care if he get killed, then again, most of their voters support death-penalty.
Siv Jensen doing the whole "thank you on the behalf of the norwegian people" part really disgusts me.
That woman has no right to talk for me, and thank people I think are giving a completly one-sided aspect of a case that has been discussed for a long while in Norway.

FrP is also a political party that wants to send new immigrants to Africa whilst waiting for an answer to wether they can live in Norway or not, that says abit about how seriously they take foreign politics.

FrP is offcourse not the only political party in Norway with flaws, but it sickens me how two of their representatives suck up to an american "documentary team", just 'cos they're american, and so they can complain even more and try to boost their popularity abroad.

Documentaries are just getting lamer by the years..

@Oskar,

Ah good. TV2 could use a new hit comedy show.

David, as you are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I strongly disagree with it. I did miss the intro and probably the first 5 minutes of the show. So when I turned it on, I wasn’t sure if it was a documentary or another Reality TV show or completely fictional or something like The Unit. I was so intrigued, during the commercials I went on the net and looked up Mullah Krekar. Turns out he is indeed a known Terrorist wanted by the US and Iraq and the Kurds for starters. He is linked to Al Qaeda, he led Ansar al islam- a well trained terrorist group which performs suicide bombings, they are funded by Al Qaeda, he supports and teaches Jihad, etc, etc, etc. The list is long for sure. Look it up - see for yourself.

So NBC hired a former Green Beret, a Navy SEAL, a prosecutor and others for the show. The situations they’re in can be dangerous – so why not hire the best of the best for the job? If they do get into a situation, at least they are well trained and will be able to handle it. Before this show, I had never heard of this terrorist Mullah Krekar, and I'm sure millions of others have never heard of him either. That makes it educational. Watching a couple of REAL, well trained US Elite Special Operations men go after some terrorists - I don’t care if they are sitting in stake outs in cars, bushes, trees or someone’s back yard - makes this entertaining. Since you sit in a desk on Calvert Street in Baltimore, MD writing for a living, you probably have no prior military background, no prior detective experience, and probably have never staked out someone who has killed people - you have no idea what could be possibly dangerous. You certainly have no idea what kind of situation these men are in. Even if a portion of it is in Norway in a residential neighborhood in one particular case.

Out of all the Reality shows on TV, the Dateline - type shows (which this is a little more similar to) I find that this is 1.Educational 2. Real 3. Entertaining 4. Suspenseful

What more do you want from a show? Do you want to see people actually getting killed? So they spoke to some Politicians in Norway - is it possible they spoke to whoever would agree to meet with them? Was it not like meeting with Obama? No but would the Prime Minister himself meet with the crew? I doubt it - but who cares what their positions were. Maybe one of the leaders in their government will hear about the publicity the story is getting, or see the show or the info the team presented and be so embarrassed and they'll actually do something about Mullah Krekar and send his @ss back to Iraq or to the Kurds where he belongs. Doesn’t Chris Hansen on Dateline go after bad guys and turn over evidence to the authorities – thus helping catch bad guys? Obviously yes - on a different level - sure. What kind of ratings does Dateline get? Big ratings. Is there a need for a show like this one? Absolutely.

So how is this show a joke? These guys are actually going after some real bad people - Tell me - how often does the public get to actually see special operations personnel, whether it be prior or current, use some of their training, no matter how small? How about NEVER. We never get to see them do anything - why? Because it's all done in pure secrecy. They do what they do, they don’t talk about it to anyone, they keep our @sses safe, they take huge risks and get almost zero thanks from anyone, except for some medals. I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in watching some Former SEALS and Green Berets doing some cool sh1t and chasing down some bad guys. It can be an interactive show, since it is in fact educational, and get people more interested and aware about terrorists living among us.

So I say, keep the show going and good job NBC. People will have their opinions and criticize, maybe NBC will make some changes along the way and develop this into a great and highly rated show.

Your critique of this show makes you sound like you're on the terrorists payroll. What makes you an expert and what have you done to bring anyone to justice? You sit behind a keyboard and make a living by degraded people that are trying to make a difference in the world. Most Americans are not the calloused hard core journalist you think you are and have a vested interest in seeing people who do something about the state of the world succeed. Get off your haunches and do something good or for goodness sake, zip it.

this is the BEST news show ive ever seen i think ur high dave

Zurawik you ignorant Liberal Lackey. I suppose you wish to forget 911 and go on the Obama World Forgiveness Tour too? Pay attention to what these people like Mullah Kreker say, they find great joy in the killing of Americans no matter what their beliefs, liberal or conservative you are still an American and your life to them means nothing more than a few extra virgins in a paradise that doesnt exist. This is an awesome show and I highly recommend it for everyone especially you liberals who think that the radical islamic nation is just misunderstood. Next thing you know Zurawik and Rosie Odonnel will be accusing George Bush for the bombings in Mumbai and Jakarta....

Hi Steve, Don't make me direct you to some of my favorable Fox News postings. Then, you'll have to call me an ignorant conservative lackey -- and the alliteration is not quite as ringing, is it? Thanks. Z

This show is so bad in so many ways and on so many levels I can't keep track of them all. Please NBC - cancel this turd.

I really find interesting the reaction of some of the people who admittedly haven't even watched the show. Some here are glowing with pride that this admitted terrorist lives amongst you in a nice neighborhood where you shop for groceries. I find this troubling and extremely perplexing. I hope its really a gut reaction defensive move and not the stance the majority of Norwegian people think is correct.
As for the show, I think NBC is trying to get people who normally wouldn't pay attention to these important subjects to do so. And to put a spot light on these problems to expedite its resolution. And I found the final interview with the proud terrorist at the end very compelling.

Hiding in the bushes? Why not just ring his doorbell? It's not like he's living in Tora Bora. He has a normal apartment in Oslo that he shares with his elderly mother, and I'm pretty sure he's listed. And also, yes, we know he's a (suspected) terrorist and that he supports al-qaida. The supreme court has decided that he shall be sent back to Iraq as soon as the Norwegian government gets guarantees that he won't be executed. Problem is - we don't have those guarantees yet, and (incredible as it may seem) we're actually one of those bleeding heart liberal countries that like to uphold the law (Yes - in Norway you actually need evidence before locking someone up!), and Norwegian law says that it is illegal to deport someone to a country where they might be executed for the crimes of which they are accused (including the U.S.).
On a different note : I actually almost broke the guy's nose once. I swung open the bathroom door at Gardermoen airport in Oslo (those doors are HEAVY, and they swing out) and missed his nose by about two inches. Shame I didn't do it two seconds earlier really..

**David why not come clean with readers about your very real and very obvious journalistic blind spot when it comes to this show? You blew by it in a piece the other day but it clearly needs to be addressed... if not by you, then by your editors.

Apart from your work at the Sun, you teach at Goucher College, which as we know hired an indicted war criminal to teach on campus. He was arrested by Homeland Security in February and is in the process of being deported

As you know from your conversations on campus, NBC is planning a future episode on this matter. Your boss and Goucher President Sandy Ungar, is at the center of that controversy.

Don't you think you should demonstrate some intellectual honesty and recuse yourself? And if not, how in good conscience can you write (or worse, lecture) about journalistic ethics?**

Hi A. Keller: I had a statement of full disclosure yesterday (the first time I wrote about The Wanted), and one today on my last post about The Wanted. All you have to do is read them to see no one is trying to hide anything. In my conversation with NBC News today, the spokeswoman declined to say whether or not the former visiting Goucher professor is even part of the series. Thanks. Z

I turned this off after 10 minutes of cringing. Glad I did.

I can vouch for the fact of the full disclosure, I noticed that in the article and there was also a link to read more about the professor from Rwanda, which if you read it as I took time to do explained a lot about the tribal differences in that country and the laws there would not be at all like the laws here. In fact the professor said it was "brother against brother" and not a civil war they were fighting.

First I would like to thank Mr. Fredriksen for putting my feelings into such an articulate response. I would just like to reiterate the fact that this show brings attention to a very important situation that people are for the most part ignorant about. The fact that it is mad eto be somewhat entertaining is neccesary to A. get the ratings B. use those ratings to generate profits C. use the profits to ensure its survival. Without the capacity to make money they would yank this show off the air fast as can be. Lets be honest, they are in it to make money. If they can make money producing shows like this then I would much rather them bring important social and security issues to the forefront than watch another episode of the office(which I love).
There is a large portion of the population that doesnt watch the news because they work hard all day and want some time where they just want to be entertained. Those people now have the opportunity to be entertained and learn something important at the same time. I'd like to point out that I watch the news every day and I have never heard any mention of Krekar.
I would like to congratulate NBC on taking what would normaly be a semi-boring documentary and turning it into something that I enjoyed and still got the information across to me.

To the people in Norway that perpetualy point out the fact that he is innocent until proven guilty, has it occured to you that he is only still "innocent" because he has not had a trial yet? Also I have not heard anyone say that he would not receive a fair trial in any of the countries he is wanted in, true? So you believe that he would receive a fair trial then I assume. So since you are defending his pressense as I'll quote Ramirez as"we know he's a (suspected) terrorist " why not give him the chance to prove his innocence? He will receive a fair trial. Then once he is found not guilty you will be vindicated. But when he is found guilty all of your arguments will be unfounded and baseless.
Personally I find the fact that people would even defend this guy's rights in any form disgusting and disgraceful. I know that if this guy was living in my country I would be foaming at the mouth. But I guess a lack of integrity and moral outrage lets people just shrug off injustices like this.

But it got terrible ratings. See the accompanying post. Thanks. Z

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has posted some pretty extensive documentation on their website (www.mfa.no) explaining in detail not only why Krekar has not been deported but also that the documentation obtained by the NBC crew in no way fulfills the requirements under international law to send him to Iraq.

Not that it's a big surprise, but the documentation pretty much demolishes the premise of the show and proves that the artistic licenses taken in the show have drained it of all value and have done nothing to help the situation.

Oh, and by the way: The statement at the end about the Norwegian government going on TV hours before the airing to say Krekar would be expelled is a complete fabrication. Just saying.

http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/Whats-new/News/2009/conditions_krekar.html?id=571419

http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/selected-topics/civil--rights/spesiell-folkerett/the_wanted_qa_en.html?id=571958

http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/Whats-new/News/2009/the_wanted.html?id=571959

Hi Morten, This is great information to share with readers. It really demonstrates what shoddy journalism the show was. Thanks. Z

@Jeremy Chupella :
A couple of points :
1. I'm not an expert in the Iraqi justice system, but I don't think someone like Mullah Krekar can expect anything like a fair trial in that country at the moment, and to be honest, looking at what Obama is doing with the Guantanamo prisoners right now, I don't think he would get a fair trial in the States either.
2. Of course we (Norwegians) would love to see him be tried (fairly) and either convicted or found innocent, that's not the problem. The problem is that according to norwegian law we can't send him to a country that might execute him. And if we can't send him to the countries he's wanted in because of that, then our hands are tied. Rule of law and all that stuff, you know.

So, to sum up :
-Yes, we too hate Mullah Krekar.
-No, we are not willing to compromise on the rule of law just because Iraqis or Americans think we should.

The whole Krekar "incident" is really embarrassing, the incompetent governments(2) have tried to deal with him for years, with nothing to show for. While you Americans haven't heard about him until now, he's quite famous here and have been in the media a lot since 2001. He went through a long trial, but PST(our NSA) which prosecuted him, wouldn't give much evidence other than stating he was a threat to national security. They probably did this in fear that terrorists organization would get their intelligence, reveal agents and stuff like that, though this is just really speculation. The most stated words during the trials from PST was “No comment”...

The situation is really frustrating, we all hate this guy and want him out of the country. What he and his organization has done is terrible and just plain evil, and we all want to see him behind bars. We have been given the impression that he quit the terrorist organization prior to the Iraq invasion(this guy's original enemy was infact Saddam), but just the thought of him being responsible for beheddings and ieds after the invasion sickens me.

The problem though is that we condone torture and death penalty here, so the government will not send people to other countries where they risk torture and execution. I think the only solution for cases like this for this country, is to start sending alleged terrorists to the Haag, or I'm afraid nothing will be done at all.

It's to sad the show was so bad as it was, I love the idea and it could have been pretty interesting if it was more serious(give 60 minutes!). It reminded me a lot of 24 with strange gestures, speech and annoying camera handling. I must admit that I got quite a good laugh, when they were sneaking around outside Krekar's resident like in an action movie, while normal people were just walking up and down the streets, claiming that this was highly dangerous and a risk to their lives. The interview with Krekar also was terrible, it was clearly cut a lot and the interviewer appeared extremely arrogant. To bad really because it's rare you get to see these guys, except for appearing in their raging mad propaganda videos. The people also violated the law when they sat up surveillance equipment outside Krekar's residence, only to get a shot of him picking up the newspaper or something at his door(a big deal and an offensive gesture here, as we have strict laws on rights to privacy).

BTW: Believe it or not but even the heathen vikings condemned death penalty: “There east in gardariki(kingdom of farms; Russia) they reward manslaughter with manslaughter”... Though you could get deemed an outlaw or “forestwalkingman”, usually for 3 years. In both cases you became free game, and anyone could kill you without having to pay the silver fine to your family at the next court session ;)

I didn't know anything about this until I heard an interview of one of the actors Monday. I think this show is an idiot's idea. As an American, I am deeply embarrassed. If the show wants to find internationally famous unindicted war criminals, they don't have to go to Norway. They can find one of the top ten in Crawford, Texas.

I wouldn't watch anything NBC does. They are a disgrace. MSNBC either shows biased programs or shos about prison or catching child molestors. I remember when the riots were happening in Iran: Fox News carried them, CNN carried them, and MSNBC wa showing its 10th hour of "Lockup: Indiana."

Pathetic.

I saw the second half of this program and was most entertained.

It is funny to see how peoples opinions can change so dramatically depending on the direction of the muzzle. For example, if Krekar's statements included substituted Norwegian soldiers (if they exist) or civilians, I believe the Norwegians would sing a different tune.

Lastly, I find the irony so deliciously sweet when I read TV/film critics negative critiques. If they had the ability to write for TV/film, then they would and would cash in. If they say they wouldn't, then they are lying because they wouldn't have published their opinion if they didn't want to be read. More people will visit the NBC website to learn the outcome of "The Wanted" cast's efforts than will ever read this blog.

A most meaningless existence.

After reading all the posts above, watching the show and doing my own independent research I have come to a few conclusions.

1. Mullah Krekar is not only a dangerous individual but also a very intelligent one who has very cleverly placed himself in a position where he can most probably continue to run his terror organization full time while enjoying the benefits of the Norwegian welfare system.

2. If Norway hasn't done anything about him in 18 years other than provide him a place to plan and coordinate and an income, what would be their motivation to do anything about it now? Why does it take a major media news to expose force their hand. The US government or any other government hasn't managed to effect any sort of change in seeing this individual face justice.

3. David Zurawik, you appear to have a vested interest in seeing "The Wanted" fail and are trying to cover for your place of employment (Goucher College), which appear to have not done due diligence when they hired a internationally indicted war criminal to help mold the minds of their young students...absolutely reprehensible!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/05/goucher-professor-accused_n_164464.html

4. Your article(s) seem very unfounded and scurrilous, not to mention sloppy. I hope that you are rewarded justly for your attempts to defend an international terrorist who openly admits to killing Americans and others. I along with my friends and family, that have served and continue to serve honorably in the armed forces, take considerable exception to you having the audacity to criticize a group of people who have obviously stepped up to the plate to take on issues that no one else seems willing to able to address (including you). "The Wanted" is something that needs to happen and should have happened a very long time ago. Bravo to them and shame on you.

As to "trying to cover" anything, I had a statement of full disclosure Monday (the first time I wrote about The Wanted), and another Tuesday on my last post about The Wanted. Each day I wrote on this blog about the show, I posted a full disclosure. All you have to do is read them to see no one is trying to hide anything about teaching part-time at Goucher. In my conversations with NBC News this week on the phone and via email, the spokeswoman for the network declined to say whether or not the former visiting Goucher professor is even part of the series. Thanks. Z

My comment is this:

Does anyone really care what the Norwegians think of anything? Have the Norwegians ever contributed anything useful to the world? How long did it take Hitler to take over Norway? about 2 days? And I almost forgot-- that wonderful and beautiful example of Norwegian virtue-- Vidkun Quisling. The very archetype of a traitor.

So again I ask... Does anyone really care what Norwegians think.. about anything?

LOL @ mr. Internet Tough Guy above here.

David... Evidently you care. Since it has compelled you to post here.

David V.
I care about what the Norwegians think. They have given us great insight about Mr. Krekar, where he lives, the issues surrounding his case and insight into how there government is dealing with him. How could we make an informed decision without their input, it would have been much harder. Thanks to all the Norwegians who have posted here.

Sherry, I agree, Thanks. Z

I watched this program and thought it was fantastic. Especially the interview with the terrorist. It shows you how dangerous these people are. I have visited Norway and admire the country and people and they are doing good work in Afghanistan, standing along side us. But I'd like to see this Krekar get sent to Iraq and if found guilty,hung by the same rope they used for Sadaam.

Wow, David. How ever did you come by that little historic gem? You must be some kind of über1337 google wizard.

In all seriousness, I beleve we norwegians are among the biggest contributers of peace through diplomacy. We're in an insignificant corner of the world populated with half the number of people in Manhattan. Still we manage to negociate cease-fires and in some cases peace in major conflict areas. It seems to me that alot of people care about our opinion.

The case of Krekar is just an example of how we respect the international community by upholding it's laws even though we have ordered his expulsion.

I myself live in "Greenland", the district of Oslo where Krekar also lives. It's by no means upscale, but it ain't THAT bad either :) I find this multi-cultural neighbourhood rewarding and interesting. I've never seen Krekar myself, but I heard he rarely leaves his apartment.

First of all, as a proud norwegian, I have to say something about David V's innuendos about us as pushovers. We actually have a lot to be proud about, espacially when it comes to WW2 and our resistance and contributions.
Quisling only had the support of about 10% before the war, and far less after his coup.
The Norwegian campaign lasted from april 9th to june 10th, meaning we were the nation that resisted a german land invasion for the longest amount of time, except for the Soviet Union (Remember we are a small nation and there was only about 3.5 million Norwegians at the time). Because of the resistance, the germans had more than 350.000 troops stationed here, not counting the Luftwaffe, large naval forces, about 6000 SS special forces and the gestapo. There was 1 Wermacht soldier here for every 8 citizens, the highest ratio anywhere during the war. The resistance, amongst many other things, managed to blow up a heavy water production facility, meaning that Hitler was unable to develop (and use) the A-bomb before the US.
The norwegian merchant fleet was of great importance to the allies and there were many norwegian pilots, several squadrons actually, under RAF command. There are loads more examples, but I'm not gonna bore the other readers with more...I'll just let you hear your own president of that time tell you his thoughts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfnnK76nVt0

Second, like mentioned above, we have contributed much to peace in the world (most notably the Oslo Accords and the annual Nobel Peace Prize) and will continue to do so in the future, so apparently, many cares about what we think...

And third and final, although I am not personally against extraditing him or others to legitimate governments that may execute prisoners after a fair trial, I am glad to see that my government sticks to their principles and to the law. I think it's a shame how some other nations have set themselves above even their own laws and robbed from certain individuals the rights they like to think their own nation is based on...

Hi, Thanks for sharing this history with the readers here. It is painfully clear that some commenters needed to be informed on Norway's proud history. Z

Terrible show or not, fact remains, ultra liberal Europe has always let justice get in the way of justice. Is this not the same continent where two world wars started, under the noses of everyone? Is this not the same continent where a good amount of the worlds most notable terrorist attacks have been planned on? Where some of the worlds most notable terrorists have found safe havens, at one point or another?

I mean, the ability of Europeans to simply look down their nose, like they have it all figured out, is absurd. Look at your history, please.

I read a paper this morning and I have more to be proud of and boast about, like an ethical, self-analytical press.

We have something called Pressens faglige utvalg (PFU), an organization with members both from the press and from other segments of our society. The members are chosen by the national press association. Their job is to be the press' own "watchdog". They set ethical standards and guidelines for the press to follow and if anyone feels they are abused, misrepresented or such by a member of the press, they can report it to PFU. Although PFU does not have any power, I've never heard of anyone not accepting PFU's ruling. It is normal for someone who has been found to use non-ethical methods to issue public statements of apology to the offended party.

Since the norwegian television channel TV2 has aired the episode (under the pretext that it is of common interest to see what the foreign views in this case are), Krekars lawyer is considering to report them to PFU for the unethical use of a hidden camera outside his home. (Yes, we are talking about the danger of filming him from behind the shrubberies outside his house, were people may get killed if caught...) According to PFU, the use of a hidden camera is only deemed ethical if used to expose something worthy of critique and/or something of great public interest. This camera could not be hoped to, and did not, get anything more important than him getting his morning paper...
The chairman of PFU has already said that, although he has not seen it, it sounds as it is against the guidelines set.

Why am I proud of this? Because it means we have a serious and ethical press, who does not lower itself to this kind of quasi-journalism, but protects the rights and privacy of individuals, even if it is individuals that the majority of us does not appreciate having around. The press is supposed to *report*, they cannot choose who are worthy of human rights and the protection the law guarantees, and who is not, like this crew did and tried to tell the norwegian government how to.

@Ryan Isn't that the same rhetoric your previous president used before he invaded Iraq. You aren't by any chance thinking of invading Europe? I don't think that weapons of mass destruction shit wil work again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...

My name is Adrian, and I am Mulla Krekars neighbour. I live about 200 metres away from his apartment in Oslo, and I wish to tell people one thing:

This show (The Wanted) is hilarious, and can not be taken seriously. It's bad journalism.

The neighbourhood is no more dangerous than any other.
The "Iraqui Authorities" they talked to have no authority to give such promises as they did.

Also, there is no reason no put up any surveillance to find out wherwe he lives. All one needs to do is to ring his doorbell.
The "high security front door" is a normal door.

Also, the politicians interviewed are heavily biased, as they represent an extreme right-wing party.

Hi Adrian, Thanks for your first-hand account and testimony. Z

As a regular norwegian person, I must say a few things clearly not everybody have understood:

1. When you speak of Norway being ''A obstacle to justice'', or something like that being said in this ''Documentary'', please note that the reason mulla Krekar isn't already hung is that Norway have laws that other countries also should have, such as Norway will not send a fugitive or a felon to a country that operates with death penalty.

Also, don't speak of Norway as a whole when you hypocrites say that Norway is idiots that don't send Krekar back, when it is the staff at UDI (Foreign Department) that really are the morons that doesn't.

2. When people say that The Wanted is a educational documentary, quoting Mr. Fredriksen ''Out of all the Reality shows on TV, the Dateline - type shows (which this is a little more similar to) I find that this is 1.Educational 2. Real 3. Entertaining 4. Suspenseful''

If you would call this educational, I disagree. The Wanted is twisting and turning the reality, such as they did when they interviewed Krekar himself; When the interviewer asked him if he could kill an american. He than replied: ''There is no difference between an american and a norwegian citizen'', as if he would kill both, but he wouldn't kill either! They interviewed him for around 3 hours, and they showed like 7 minutes. I am convinced that they twisted what he said so that the viewer would think he could kill civilans and do things I doubt he would actually do. But while up in this, we must not forget; This man is the leader of Ansar-al Islam, and is suspected for the murder of many american soldiers.

Next you say this is real?? Could you be any more wrong? As the spokeswoman for NBC said to The New York Times; ''The intention of this show is that the person who watches feel like him or her is a part of the investigation''. Does this sound like a recipe for a BBC documentary?

When The Wanted chose politician to interview they chose they two biggest heads of the Progress Party, quoting Rusty; ''...this are what americans would refer to ultra conservativ republicans'', the party that have promised that one of the first things they are going to do if they win the election, is to kick Krekar out of Norway for good. The chiefs of this party were the only politicians interviewed.

3rd you say it is entertaining. Well that is the purpose of the show!

3. Americans who think the Norwegian Government sucks because they need proof to send him back, and still think the piece of paper the team gave Siv Jensen (FrP) is enough. Remember that this piece of paper were given by a guy, who Z himself said was a guy who i one place was general, and in another scene was a some random dude. And again, it isn't the whole nation of Norway that decide wether Krekar stays or not.

Thank you, Henning. I read these smart and informed comments from Norway and I wonder if maybe there is a newspaper looking for a TV critic in Norway. I'm happy here, but I am so impressed by how thoughtful the audience in Norway is. Thanks. Z

Don't go Z, we would miss you. It does sound tempting though to live in Norway, a country with a much lower crime rate and such sensible people. I check eveyday to read their comments. I hope they stick around.

So many great comments, yes. Z

You... realize now that you are going to be inundated with links for job opportunities in Norway right???

Probably not? But the commenters do seem like they would be nice to have as regular readers. Z

I also saw the "show" ("documentary" isn`t the right word..) on norwegian television last night, and I have to say that I was shocked.

Not about the Krekar-situation but the utter stupidity of the show. The overdramatization, the harebrained and selective editing of interviews, the worthless piece of paper which they meant should solve everything, the "mean streets" of Oslo etc etc.

Have the ordinary american been so "dumbed down" that crap like this actually gets taken seriously?

It is a relief to read that it has gotten bad reviews and low ratings because anything else would have made the whole thing even more scary...

To be honest; I don`t think NBC has anything to teach or learn the Norwegian government about this Krekar-case. He will be sent back to Iraq when the appropriate guarantees can be secured. Meanwhile I think it is actually something to take pride in that we stick to the human rights declarations even when they are protecting a nasty piece of work like Krekar. They would be of little value if we just observed them when we felt like it or nobody objected to it.

Thank God you still have "60 minutes" but those guys are getting older.. I hope you`ll be able to find better replacements than this sorry lot when that day comes...

I find myself getting hooked on these comments, but the one by Robert from CT almost made me spill my coffee. He enjoyed the show because it was real. REAL?? I haven't seen a more blatantly obvious staged show since Jerry Springer was on. Staking out for a guy whose number is in the phone book, rigging cameras where dozens of other journalists routinely ring the doorbell, bringing a sniper to where he couldn't possibly carry a firearm legally. And the editing of the interviews..."Do you support the killing of civilians?" [clip] "There's no difference between american civilians and norwegian civilians". That's no answer, it was all edited out. This was all about presenting one angle, the Progress Party angle. I suspect they were involved in getting these guys to come to Norway in the first place, so they could use it to rally support. Good thing the program was so ridiculously bad made that the scheme if that is the case backfired. Krekar's lawyer is smiling from ear to ear now.

We have had some pretty sharp coversations here during the election, particularly about Sarah Palin. But I have to say this might be the most addictive and illuminating string of comments yet. I think the comments from Norway have really made a difference for the better. They really exposed this dishonest and sleazy show if nothing else. Thanks. Z

I read a paper this morning and I have more to be proud of and boast about, like an ethical, self-analytical press.

We have something called Pressens faglige utvalg (PFU), an organization with members both from the press and from other segments of our society. The members are chosen by the national press association. Their job is to be the press' own "watchdog". They set ethical standards and guidelines for the press to follow and if anyone feels they are abused, misrepresented or such by a member of the press, they can report it to PFU. Although PFU does not have any power, I've never heard of anyone not accepting PFU's ruling. It is normal for someone who has been found to use non-ethical methods to issue public statements of apology to the offended party.

Since the norwegian television channel TV2 has aired the episode (under the pretext that it is of common interest to see what the foreign views in this case are), Krekars lawyer is considering to report them to PFU for the unethical use of a hidden camera outside his home. (Yes, we are talking about the danger of filming him from behind the shrubberies outside his house, were people may get killed if caught...) According to PFU, the use of a hidden camera is only deemed ethical if used to expose something worthy of critique and/or something of great public interest. This camera could not be hoped to, and did not, get anything more important than him getting his morning paper...
The chairman of PFU has already said that, although he has not seen it, it sounds as it is against the guidelines set.

Why am I proud of this? Because it means we have a serious and ethical press, who does not lower itself to this kind of quasi-journalism, but protects the rights and privacy of individuals, even if it is individuals that the majority of us does not appreciate having around. The press is supposed to *report*, they cannot choose who are worthy of human rights and the protection the law guarantees, and who is not, like this crew did and tried to tell the norwegian government how to.

Proud viking, The PFU sounds like a great idea. So is it kind of a community -media watch group. But if it doesn't have any power how does it work. Just a kind of community-media pressure group, which hopefully can presudade someone to do the right thing? I think we need one of these here then we could file complaints if our media was not doing its job. Apology is always a good thing.

Proud Viking - Someone who is smarter than I am says the PFU would be the FCC here, who pays attention to certification rules for electronics besides an electronics major? I learned something today. Ignorance is bliss.

That is why I am in the medical field.

I think the Norigian Goverment,is not intelligence enough to care how dangerious this man is. After the fact that they have a Noble Peace Prize Winner showes how unintressing they are looking at the world on national terrorist around the world. They are living in the past as they were in world war 2 and did't see hilter coming an 2 days later they were initiated very quickly so you have to go to thier mind set,they are just sitting on a time bomb an if he should have a reason to take out anyone in Norway then an only then will they will have a reget as in The 2nd world war after the fact. I am very glad I will never travel to Norway an I will never again buy anything from them, but what is really hilarioes is what do they do far the world, other than furniture an the store in my city over my city the 2nd largiest in Tx. they are out of business. Thank you far airing the show it is very informative to Americans we know the world have a lot of terroristall over the world. Good job reat show

L.J. Radicke.

You're talking nonsense!
The fact that the germans took over Norway so fast (which was way more than two days), is because the germans came in with so unbelievable many troops. Norway has one of the biggest coastal lines in the world(!), which were a big advantage for anyone who used it properly. Not to mention the heavy water factory which Hitler needed to make A-bombs.

Hitler saw a huge potential in Norway, that is why he brought so many troops. Qouting Kristian A., there were 1 german soldier for every 8th norwegian person, not to mention the Luftwaffe, SS and the Gestapo.

And do not forget the small population of Norway 4,6 million people.
Still, we came up with several of the biggest sabotage operations during the WWII, search ''Gunnar Sønsteby'' or ''Max Manus'' in Wikipedia and you'll learn alot, L.J.

And why do you pick on us just because WE are one of the few countries in the world that follow the human rights. And don't forget, it isn't the whole population of Norway that is responsible for Krekars mooching on the Norwegian Government. Remember, we all hate him!

And why don't you pick on Denmark, or Sweden? The only neutral nazis throughout the war..

And by the way L.J. Radicke, the norwegian economy is going great opposite to the american economy. You do not seem like the guy that watches the news, rather the guy that watch NBC ''documentaries''.

A Chance to Make My Opinion Known:

NBC is nothing but a propaganda machine for the Obama administration.

How sad that fair and balance reporting is no longer available on NBC, CBS, ABC. Where have all the true journalist gone!

You know, it's pretty sad that one of the few shows on T.V that acctually does some good in this world is getting such a bad review, a terroist is to be deported and behind bars for mass murder where as previously he was living an average life, is that not sickening, the fact that no one cares and the people who do get bad ratings for it?

It is true, he is innocent until proven guilty. It is also true that this is because he has not been tried. This is because the Prosecution (at the highest level) decided that there was not enough evidence to prove his guilt in a court of law.

It should also be noted that when he arrived in Norway in the early nineties, he did so as a UN quota refugee. His refugee status was revoked when the Directorate of Immigration was instructed to expel him from the country.

If the rule of law is to be worth anything, it has to apply to everyone. The European Convention of Human Rights does not have an article saying "These rights do not apply to terrorists".

So, David, you'd prefer to allow all these governments to harbor terrorists and murderers without us knowing about it?

I loved this SHOW! they have just single handly got rid of 1 terriost who lives among us in 1 show! These guys rock!

On a comic note, if you send these guys and the Dog the Bounty Hunter Team out to Afganastan to find Bin Ladin, I will give the over/under of them finding him in 3 days!

How did they get rid of Mullah Krekar? He is stilliving exactly as he did before they showed up will all their ridiculous, hotdog, macho nonsense. Thanks. Z

You probably think the biggest problem the US has overseas is an image problem. Are you nuts? Did you see 9/11, don't you live near Washington DC? Despite all the crap about a nice neighborhood, low crime, and in general how lovely Norway is, they have a known terrorist whom they won't deport, even when given a guarantee about not torturing or using the death penalty. I hope you people wake up when we have another 9/11.

Although catching terrorists is a good thing, I thought The Wanted was awful. It felt like I was watching something of importance that had been dumbed-down and dragged out to last an hour. It reeks of cheesiness like a bad '80's action flick with loads of over the top acting and artificial drama. Its a different type of news show alright.

Walter Cronkite is rolling over in his grave.

Yes, Thank you Brian. Please go back and read my post from last week on what an "embarrassment" this show is to network news. Also, read the post about how the Norwegians mocked this show. It's a joke on two continents. Z

I really believe that they will deport Krekar when they have a gurantee of no death penalty. I hope we never have another 9/11, the vision of long lines of people lining up outside of the hospital where I worked to donate blood that day is something I really won't ever forget. Two of our physicians happended to be at the Petagon that day. In fact, one of them was my neurologist Dr. Feerick who treated me for five years. A captain in the navy he was given a letter from the White House for exceptional work in helping that day with casualties from the 9/11. Also, ended up with post-traumatic stress and moved to another state. Shows like The Wanted are not helpful. They are only feeding us with a false fear.

I just watched the second episode (I missed the premier show). After the show was over, I immediately got on the internet to read more about the group behind The Wanted. This program is joke! They are hot on the trail of Mamoun Darkazanli, a Syrian business man living in Hamburg, who is wanted in Spain on terrorism related charges. They show how they prepare their vehicles for photographing Darkazanli by installing mosquito netting on the windows with tape and pins. This will hide the camera crew who, by the way, are also out filming on the street with one of the team members as he stands in front of Darkazanli's apartment in broad daylight! This crack team carefully checks out the area around the apartment in order to find the best spot to set up surveillance only to discover there are several other unidentified vans already watching the apartment and are now probably aware of the team's presence. Of course, there is now way to know whether the other vans belong to the good guys or the bad guys. There is an obligatory car chase scene where Darkazanli's taxi manages to lose- by accident?- Ciralski's team when the team's pursuit vehicle gets stuck behind a slower moving van. After acting as go betweens between Spanish and German officials, it boils down to informing the Spanish judge who handed down the original warrant to reissue the warrant and German authorities will get it done. It appears the whole problem was due to the fact that after Germany revised their extradition laws, Spain never re-requested Garmany to turn Darkazanli over to Spanish authorities. This is incredibly stupid stuff and an insult to anyone who watches this program and to journalists and law enforcement/counter terrorism personel who waging the "real war" against terrorists and their support networks.

You are being kind by calling it a "joke" -- really. It is awful. Like I said, it makes you wonder if anyone at NBC News management has any sense of journalistic responsibility. Thanks. Z

Well Petagon should be Pentagon. Sometimes the brain works faster than the fingers on the keyboard. That is why we have spell check at work or we would have some very upset doctors, their dictations are legal documents, unbelieveably some people don't use spell check though.

Have a great day. I have to paint the house today! I'll be back.

I found it while channel surfing and thought I was watching a spy version of Spinal Tap. I kept expecting Micheal Mckean or Raine Wilson to show up in a cameo.

Trust me, these guys know nothing about conducting surveillance. It's 2009 - you don't need or want to use blacked out traceable rental vans.

I think they should work the comedy angle. With a little tweaking this show could be the investigative journalism version of "The Office" or Spinal Tap.

As an American working here in Oslo, I had the opportunity to watch this episode last week here in Norway on Thursday evening in regards to Mr. Krekar.

I too was laughing at the comments about someone getting killed during the "stakeout" of Mr. Wack Job; Oslo and all of Norway is very safe and I like many other western workers and tourist here I have never felt threatened or unsafe.

Yes I agree this man is a concern to us all but rest assured he is being watched and recorded by agents other than that of NBC; however, American t.v. producers are not the answer for Mr. Krekar and his removal from Norway.

Finally to my fellow Americans; Norway is a beautiful peaceful country, do not let this NBC joke of t.v. production deter you from visiting and enjoying this great country.

I am glad that a Baltimore Sun's TV critic has exposed the operational safety non-hazards of surveillance operations. Very ingenious of you to compare this group to the Mossad as well.

I agree that it is not the most well put together production on television, but I believe it is a great way to bring debate to the issue of international law and how it can be used as a veil.

Just as you claim there are holes in this show, there are just as many holes in international law that can be used to protect oneself from prosecution.

I dont think the creators of this show attempted to cast a bad light upon Norway and to deem it unsafe, but to think that Norway is immune to an international terrorist organization is naive. The Dutch had the same mentality until the events at Eindhoven and Amsterdam took place.

http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/testimony/292.pdf

Although I do agree that 90% of this show is over dramatized, I believe it is a great way to get people thinking and debating on issues of international law and terrorist organizations that use them for malicious purposes. It is also a great way of getting around bureaucratic stalemates by getting the story out to the populace and causing the citizens to question their political leaders about these issues.

I suggest you stick to criticizing sitcoms and not international law and operational tactics.

Just a short comnent to the last statement that a show like that is a " a great way of getting around bureaucratic stalemates by getting the story out to the populace and causing the citizens to question their political leaders about these issues." As it happens , this has been a hot potato in Norwegian media for many years (althought unknown to people in the US), and it certainly will not change the Norwegian authorities view of when it is approapriate to ship Mr. Krekar home. I guess that the downside to stick to huma rights convention, but there is alway a downside. Perchy

...well I can agree that the filming is not the best and some of the situations may be a bit overblown, these guys are doing some good. Who cares if they are using somebody from the opposition party who has a personal agenda (to be elected as prime minsiter), these guys are trying to take extremely dangerous terrorists off of the street. Mullah Krekar is probably sitting in his Oslo apt. organizing suicide bombings to kill innocent people in Iraq and Mamoun Darkanzali is probably plotting many more 9-11 crimes freely in Germany. The bottom line is these guys should face justice and probably the death penalty - and this team is taking these liberal do-nothing govt's to task and making sure people are aware of these crimes so the govt's are forced to act. ... Maybe Darkanzali is plotting his next terrorist act on a much grander scale in Baltimore, how would you feel about that?

Edited for coarse language.Z

Eurotrash that give support to scum like this make me sick. Whenever I run across one of these pieces of crap traveling through this country, I treat them like the shit they are. We do urge that all Eurotrash stay right where they are. We are keeping an eye on you when you are here. Muslim garbage like this and their supporters need to be eliminated

I happened to like The Wanted, a different kind of a show, something badly needed from all of the stupid "reality" shows on now. Has it been cancelled???? If it has, shame!

The critic has my permission to be embarrassed, bored, cheesed out, etc...so long as the leaders of al qaeda reach prison before they create more bombings, nuclear events, murders.

Kyle - We are superior to those muslim terrorist... You are NOT!
Greets from Norway

Lynn,

The Wanted is a reality TV show with pretend journalists.

How did we miss church today. Everyone here sleeps for 16 hours in a row.

The show is a joke, and that`s a shame. It makes a mockery of serious problems, and I seriously don`t understand how anyone can defend the show.

As far as I know, a majority of americans think the deathpenalty is a good idea in some instances. Problem is, most norwegians do not like the idea of killing or torturing people. There lies the real debate - whether or not to kill people who have done terrible acts. Krekar has done terrible acts, no question, but we do not want to kill people, even those who have done terrible things.

The solution to the problem is "simple": remove the deathpenalty and torture. Then close to 100% norwegians will be most eager to throw Krekar out of Norway. We do not want him here, he has unquestionably commited violent and terrible crimes, and deserves to rot in jail for a very, very, very long time. We just don`t want to contribute to any human beeing murdered or tortured.

Are norwegians bad people for not wanting to murder anyone?

Hey, David.
Have you thought about writing something on the difference between Norwegian and US debate mentality?
I'm not saying we don't have our share of the "you're stupid"-type of arguments in blogs (they're universal), but it seems to me that in Norway people are generally more concerned with arguing factually rather than emotionally. It's actually kind of scary to see that you're impressed with the Norwegian readers who try to be reasonable about this farce.From the outside it's easy to get the impression that in America it's OK to skip the hard work of debating facts if you go straight on to fear and aggressive recriminations. But surely such a big nation can't be populated solely with people who apparently shoot first and don't ask questions later?

Good idea. I love the Norwegian bloggers and how much homework they do on facts. Great idea, in fact. I'm going to start working on it. Thanks, Niki. Z

Niki has a really great idea. I loved the comments from the people in Norway. They do seem to debate with facts. Why are we so emotional? I hope they come back to the blog we could learn a lot from them. We will leave you alone Z so you can write a great article with Niki's idea!!

Does it matter if it was a good show or does it matter that some people love to hunt down scum and bring them to justice. And to the people of Norway -please stop the b.s., you have your lovely laws which prevent you from releasing rats to a country with the death penalty (I'm crying tears of love for your compassion). Why not let every country ship our worst criminals to you and let them be safe forever in Norways arms. Europe seems to just live with their problems while Americans at least try to deal with them. I applaud anyone who exposes terroist or scum.

Gary, I find it very touching that you're actually crying tears of love for our compassion. And you didn't seem the type ;-)
I do see the popular appeal of taking action to prove to all those nice people who voted for you that you're doing _something_. And it's true that thinking before you act has a tendency to limit your range of action (especially if you're daring enough to consider the consequences of your actions) .Also, obeying domestic and international laws usually complicates matters. However, until we can ship Krekar out legally (which we'd very much like to do) I think I can live with the opinions of those who think any action is good action. I actually like it when people are strong enough to resist taking the easy way out.

Gary, us norwegians also applaud anyone who exposes terrorists or scum. We further applaud anyone who brings them to justice and scentences them to jail. We just don`t applaud those who torture or kill, even those who kill unarmed terrorists or scum.

If you find it troublesome that norwegians aren`t as eager to kill as you, then that is you prerogative.

I thought USA was a nation of laws, at least the US made some serious legal manouvering to make it ok to disregard the Geneva-convention to "unlawful combattents" (NOT prisoners....) at GITMO........