“A Christian fundamentalist with right-wing connections”

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Michael

That’s a phrase that nary an American official would use to describe a terrorist:

The Norwegian police on Saturday charged a 32-year-old man, whom they identified as a Christian fundamentalist with right-wing connections, over the bombing of a government center here and a shooting attack on a nearby island that together left at least 91 people dead.

The police said they did not know if the man, identified in the Norwegian press as Anders Behring Breivik, was part of a larger conspiracy. He is being questioned under the country’s terrorism laws and is cooperating with the investigation, they said.

“We are not sure whether he was alone or had help,” a police official, Roger Andresen, said at a televised press conference, adding: “What we know is that he is right-wing and a Christian fundamentalist.” So far Mr. Breivik has not been linked to any anti-jihadist groups, he said.

I’m not interested in holding up this scenario as an example of what religion can do. Unless Breivik is part of a larger Christian fundamentalist group, this is more or less an isolated incident. But it is interesting that Norwegian officials are so willing to describe this guy the way they have. It would be a rare official in America who was willing to throw out “Christian fundamentalist” when describing such a violent act – especially one that is being investigated under anti-terrorism laws.

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Weekend Window to Monhegan Island

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Michael

One of my favorite places in Maine has to be Monhegan Island. It’s a small artist colony about 12 miles off the coast, most commonly accessed from Port Clyde. Few people actually know that port by name – including many Mainers – but most people have at least seen it:

The relevant section begins at 1:29. That obviously isn’t the original scene (probably due to copyright issues), but we all remember the movie. I visited that very spot a few years back after learning Tom Hanks, my favorite actor, had been there. I even later met a gentleman who once lived on the narrow road leading to the point who told me his small harbor town had actually been the location for a number of big movies.

But as nice as Port Clyde is, that isn’t the big reason people go there. It’s really just the best point from which to depart in order to get to Monhegan Island. (Boothbay Harbor is also another point of departure for the island, but it isn’t as close.)

I’m making this post because of a recent video I saw on YouTube from ABC News. Titled Weekend Window to Monhegan Island, it unfortunately does not allow embedding, hence all the photos instead. It’s a nice little piece that made me nostalgic for all my past day trips to the island. Do watch it.

For anyone interested in visiting the island, get your ferry tickets here.

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