Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

User talk:BjornBenny

2007-07-28T22:31:51Z

BjornBenny:

{{welcome|sig=[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 19:14, 18 July 2007 (EDT)}}

Thanks for the welcome. I had posted here a while back, but couldnt et back in for quite some time. I'm not sure why? Anyway, it's good to be back, it's good to be back.... [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 17:55, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

: ABBA considered the biggest corporation in Sweden??? Also, your conservative tune does not seem particularly conservative. Looks like mischief in a deceptive conservative wrapper. Godspeed.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:19, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Don't take that too seriously! No, that's really true - the story may well have been apocryphal, and I suspect so myself - but if you do even a tiny amount of research you'll find that by the mid-Eitghties, ABBA were reoutinely touted as being "bigger than Volvo". I'll try to find a link. [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 18:29, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Here's a link: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/ugotthelook/abba.shtml]

User talk:BjornBenny

2007-07-28T22:31:37Z

BjornBenny: Here's a link to "bigger than Volvo" reference!

{{welcome|sig=[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 19:14, 18 July 2007 (EDT)}}

Thanks for the welcome. I had posted here a while back, but couldnt et back in for quite some time. I'm not sure why? Anyway, it's good to be back, it's good to be back.... [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 17:55, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

: ABBA considered the biggest corporation in Sweden??? Also, your conservative tune does not seem particularly conservative. Looks like mischief in a deceptive conservative wrapper. Godspeed.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:19, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Don't take that too sersiously! No, that's really true - the story may well have been apocryphal, and I suspect so myself - but if you do even a tiny amount of research you'll find that by the mid-Eitghties, ABBA were reoutinely touted as being "bigger than Volvo". I'll try to find a link. [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 18:29, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Here's a link: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/ugotthelook/abba.shtml]

User talk:BjornBenny

2007-07-28T22:29:53Z

BjornBenny: No, really!

{{welcome|sig=[[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 19:14, 18 July 2007 (EDT)}}

Thanks for the welcome. I had posted here a while back, but couldnt et back in for quite some time. I'm not sure why? Anyway, it's good to be back, it's good to be back.... [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 17:55, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

: ABBA considered the biggest corporation in Sweden??? Also, your conservative tune does not seem particularly conservative. Looks like mischief in a deceptive conservative wrapper. Godspeed.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:19, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Don't take that too sersiously! No, that's really true - the story may well have been apocryphal, and I suspect so myself - but if you do even a tiny amount of research you'll find that by the mid-Eitghties, ABBA were reoutinely touted as being "bigger than Volvo". I'll try to find a link. [[User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 18:29, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

Sweden

2007-07-28T22:09:18Z

BjornBenny: ABBA

[[Image:Swedenmap.jpg|200px|thumb|right]]'''Sweden''' is a country in [[Scandinavia]]. The capital city is [[Stockholm]], which is also the largest city. Sweden has approximately 9 million inhabitants. With an area of 173,750 square miles (450,000 square kilometers), Sweden is a big country in [[Western Europe]].

Sweden is a constitutional [[monarchy]] and a parliamentary [[democracy]]. The prime minister of Sweden is 41 year old Fredrik Reinfeldt, leader of the Moderates. The Swedish parliament has 349 seats. [[Carl XVI]] is the current king.

== Swedish Viking History ==

In Sweden the [[Viking]] Age was getting under way by the 9th century, and vast repositories of Roman, Byzantine and Arab coins attest to the wealth and power Swedish Vikings accumulated over the next century. Vikings traveled mostly to the east, making their mark in Russia, as well as trading with (and pillaging) Byzantine territories. They also traveled west and there is considerable evidence of artifacts (such as coins) on the North American continent. Vikings pillaged villages all over Ireland, and are the antecedents of many living Irish men and women, such as the former Taoiseach of Ireland, Charles Haughey and his cousin Sile de Valera, pop stars Bob Geldof and Phil Lynott, and artist Charlie Whisker. Remnants of a small settlement (called Ektorp) exist on Newfoundland which include the remains of small dwellings, deteriorated furniture and cooking utensils.

Christianity only took root in the 11th century.

== History ==

Sweden remained neutral throughout [[World War II]], although it began to take some steps toward rescuing [[Jews]] around 1944 as it became clear that the [[Allied Powers]] were winning the war. One of the most significant of these actions was the sending of diplomat [[Raoul Wallenberg]] to German-occupied territory to obtain passports for Jews.

== Christianity in Sweden ==

80% of the inhabitants belong to the Evangelical [[Lutheran Church]] of Sweden named The Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan in Swedish). This church is very different to other churches because it has decided to marry [[homosexuality|homosexuals]]. This Church is considered a [[liberal]] Church and does not protest against abortions, divorce, and other conservative issues. About 5% of the Swedish population belong to "conservative" Christian churches. Many Swedes are [[atheists]].

Sweden has 18 weeks of free [[abortion]] and 4 weeks during which women need to get special permission to be allowed an abortion. Swedish politicians are currently discussing whether foreign women should be allowed to have an late term abortion in Sweden, and much suggests that the parliament will vote in favor of that proposition. In the 1960's the government decided to reduce in school education about [[Christianity]]. In 2000, the Evangelical [[Lutheran Church]] and the government were separated. Before that, all children were born members of the church, except those whose parents took an active decision against it and both left the church. Even if a child were not christened, he or she became a member for life, having to pay a small tax to the church.

In 2005 a Swedish Baptist priest, [[Ake Green|Åke Green]], was charged with, and found guilty of hate speech, when preaching Biblical teachings regarding homosexuality. He was imprisoned for one month and then acquitted.

== Politics ==

Sweden has high taxes and strong trade unions. Despite recently electing a new government, is still a country where socialism is strong. Fredrik Reinfeldt says that he is not going to destroy the Swedish model - in fact he says he likes that model - he only wants make some small changes. Although one of the parties in the government alliance is named "The Christian Democrats", no decisions have been made to make Christianity stronger in Sweden.

Swedes are paying approximately 30% in taxes and additional 20-25% if ones salary exceeds 300 000 swedish kronar a year - approximately the same rate of income tax and social security tax as in the [[United States]]. According to figures released by the new government, the jobless rate 17%. This figure is said to include everyone between the ages of 18 and 65, that is out of job, but physically able to work. The former government lost the election for a number of reasons, with the strongest being that they had misrepresented the jobless rate, making it look lower than it actually was.
A lot of the money that comes from taxes goes to social welfare. Everyone in Sweden has the right to a home, food, water and clothes.

== Economy ==

Major economic sectors include the iron and steel industry, shipbuilding, motor manufacturing (notably the Saab and Volvo corporations), and 'forest industries' (timber, woodpulp, paper and packaging). The Swedish company IKEA has achieved worldwide reach (and inspired imitators) with its inexpensive 'Scandinavian style' furniture and housewares

==Some Notable Swedes==
* [[Alfred Nobel]], instigator of the [[Nobel Prize]]
* Greta Garbo, actress
* ABBA - comprised of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog. At one time ABBA were considered the largest corportion in Sweden, and bigger than Volvo.
* Roxette
* Dag Hammarskjöld
* [[Anders Celsius]]
* Astrid Lindgren
* Carl von Linné
* Fredrik Ljungberg
* Henrik Larsson
* Stellan Skarsgård
* Saint Bridgid
* Lars Magnus Ericsson
* Gustavus Adolphus (king, founder of Gothenburg etc, died 1632 in the Thirty Years War)
* Björn Borg, tennis player
* Olof Palme
* Ingemar Bergman

==References==
*[http://www.sweden.se SWEDEN.SE]
*[http://www.svenskakyrkan.se Svenska Kyrkan]
*http://www.lo.se
*http://www.moderaterna.se
*http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=913&a=324428
*http://www.gluefox.com
*[http://www.historyofnations.net/europe/sweden.html History of Sweden]
* Forte, Angelo. Oram, Richard. Pedersen, Frederik. ''Viking Empires''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005
* Hudson, Benjamin. ''Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire in North America''. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
* http://www.livetsord.se/default.aspx?idStructure=918
* http://perkornhall.se/LivetsOrd/index-eng.htm
* http://www.skattebetalarna.se

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:EU Members]]
[[Category:Scandinavian Countries]]

Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs

2007-07-28T21:58:30Z

BjornBenny: Was removed for some reason?

Conservative songs exist, and some are immensely popular. Here is our growing list:

#"My Love" by [[Petula Clark]]. Christian love in secular form.
#"Starting All Over Again" by [[Petula Clark]]. Keep moving onward, even in the most difficult of times.
#"Thank You My Lord" by [[Petula Clark]]. The title says it all.
#"I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)". Its title says it all. The version by [[The Clash]] has a good tempo.
#"Fast Car" by [[Tracy Chapman]]. Self-help with a criticism of alcohol.
#"You Can't Hurry Love (You Just Have to Wait)". Abstinence for rock fans. The versions by [[The Supremes]] and [[Phil Collins]] were popular.
#"In Your Eyes" by [[Peter Gabriel]]. Love and a thousand churches for those who are lost.
#"Pomp and Circumstance" ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOcvcBxrfN4 ''Land of Hope & Glory'']) By Freedom gain, by Truth maintain...
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ0oCmDXrVk&mode=related&search= "Jerusalem"] Don't let the sword sleep in the hand.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wahd2piIr4Q "Brothers In Arms"] by [[Dire Straits]]. We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms.
#"The Ascent of Stan" by [[Ben Folds]]. Tells the story of a former "textbook hippie man" who realizes that he has become everything that he was protesting against.
#"Brick" by [[Ben Folds Five]]. Shows the regret involved in abortion.
#"Revolution 1" by the [[Beatles]]: Against silly support of Communist revolutionaries.
#"Alive" by [[P.O.D]].: About being thankful for the gift of life.
#"Gotta Serve Somebody" by [[Bob Dylan]]. "It may be the devil or it may be the Lord."<ref>http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/serve.html</ref>
#"Stand By Your Man," by [[Tammy Wynette]]. Don't expect [[liberals]] to like that one!
#"I Can't Drive 55", by [[Sammy Hagar]]. A libertarian protest against highway speed limits.
#"Jesus Take The Wheel" by [[Carrie Underwood]]. A gospel-themed hit from the American Idol winner.
#"Sweet Home Alabama" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. Somewhat a response to hippie culture, as well as taking a potshot at liberal musician Neil Young.
#"Red Barchetta" by [[Rush]]. Tells the story of a future with excessive regulation, where even driving is illegal.
#"You Light Up My Life" by [[Debbie Boone]]. One of the biggest hits ever, but [[liberals]] omit that this song is about [[Jesus]].
#"Father of Mine" by [[Everclear]]. A reminder of the importance of good parenting. Everclear singer Art Alexakis wrote much of his material from his own perspective of a troubled childhood. At the end of the song, Alexakis promises to be a better father than his own had been.
#"The Taxman" by [[The Beatles]]. George Harrison said, "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes." [http://home.att.net/~chuckayoub/Taxman_Lyrics.html]
#"Back in the U.S.A." by [[Chuck Berry]]. A patriotic song about missing life in the U.S.A.
#"Where the Streets Have No Name" by [[U2]].
#"Government Cheese" by [[The Rainmakers]]. Humorous spoof of welfare.
#"Angry Young Man" by [[Billy Joel]]. The doctrinaire leftist radical with "his fist in the air and his head in the sand" comes in for biting criticism.
#"Let My People Go" by [[The Pursuit of Happiness]]. "How will you free us with your hate? How many heads will smash when you smash the state? You say march, I think I'll wait." An anti-protest song.
#"Don't Let 'Em Take Your Gun" by [[Grand Funk Railroad]]. A father gives his son some sage advice.
#"Something For Nothing" by [[Rush]]. "You can't get something for nothing, you can't have freedom for free."
#"Neighborhood Bully" by [[Bob Dylan]]. Israel's right to exist and defend itself.
#"Get It Right the First Time" by [[Louisiana's Le Roux]]. Wealthy Georgia politician is placed in high office and turns out to be a puppet with no ideas of his own. Released in 1980 when Jimmy Carter was up for re-election.
#"Only The Young" by [[Journey]]. "The shadows of a golden age, a generation waits for dawn, the brave carry on, the bold and the strong". An anthem for the Reagan Generation.
#"Yours Is No Disgrace" by [[Yes]]. Written to, and about, the troops headed for Vietnam.
#"Fair Exchange" and "Sparks of the Tempest" by [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]]. Warnings about totalitarian governments who want to take away your freedom in the name of utopia. Also much of their early 80s material, which has Christian lyrics.
#"In America" by the [[Charlie Daniels]] Band. Patriotism makes a comeback in response to the Iran hostage crisis and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
#"Storm the Embassy" by the [[Stray Cats]]. Another conservative song about the Iran hostage crisis.
#"We Must Take America Back" by [[Steve Vaus]]. Became an underground country music hit in 1992 after RCA dropped him and took the album out of print due to the political lyrics.
#"Renegade" by [[Steppenwolf]]. John Kay's childhood escape from Communist East Germany.
#"Capitalism" by [[Oingo Boingo]]. There's nothing wrong with free enterprise.
#"Unborn Child" by [[Seals and Crofts]]. This pro-life song was a hit single in 1974, but for some reason gets left off the Seals and Crofts greatest hits albums.
#"Bad Rap (Who You Tryin' To Kid, Kid?)" by [[Steve Taylor]]. Takes aim at LA and NY hipsters, the Village Voice, abortion, and "the left-wing band with their head in the sand".
#"Eat Starch Mom" by [[Jefferson Airplane]]. A pleasant surprise from their last album in 1972 to say the least. An angry tirade against vegetarians and tree hugging health food nuts, and a celebration of muscle cars. "It'll move faster than you can, vegetable lover!"
#"Last Kiss" by [[Pearl Jam]]. "Oh where oh where can my baby be; The Lord took her away from me; She's gone to heaven so I got to be good; So I can see my baby when I leave this world"<ref>http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=14</ref>
#"Does Your Mother Know", by [[ABBA]]. An older man teaches a young, lascivious girl about abstinence and moral responsibility.

== References ==

<references/>

Please add your best conservative picks.

[[category:essay]]

User talk:BjornBenny

2007-07-28T21:55:54Z

BjornBenny:

Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs

2007-07-18T15:29:23Z

BjornBenny: