Sex and Gender Identity in Skiing

The International Ski Federation (FIS) has decided to test the gender of women participating in competitions. According to its president, Johan Eliasch, “this policy is the cornerstone of our commitment to protect women’s sport, and we are convinced that there is only one fair and transparent way to do that: by relying on science and biological facts.”

I’m eagerly waiting to see whether this statement sparks protests among so-called woke people, who are often heard claiming that humans have a vast number of different genders. Eliasch’s comment, however, seems to rest on the assumption that there are only two: male and female, determined by genes.

On the other hand—in my understanding—the overwhelming majority of people do recognize that while there may be numerous gender identities experienced by individuals, sex is ultimately a fact tied to reproduction. Those who are capable of fathering children are men, and those who are capable of giving birth are women. Everyone else represents exceptions to this rule, not distinct sexes.

As for the issue itself, it should simply be said that the FIS decision is exactly right for women’s sports, since hardly any reasonable spectator would want to see the same kind of farce on the ski tracks as was witnessed in the boxing rings at the Paris Olympics, where male violence against women was legalized and broadcast live on TV.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Feminists, Woke, and DEI People Justify Violence Against Women
UK Supreme Court Distinguishes Between the Rights of Women and Trans Women
Finnish Trans Woman Speaks Out on Transgender Rights in Sports

An Economist’s Fact-Based Response to Polarizing Tax Claims

A social democratic think tank recently sought to fuel polarization between low- and high-income earners by claiming that the government’s decision to slightly ease tax progression would only benefit the very highest earners. To support this argument, the think tank used euro-denominated comparisons, which naturally make the differences appear large—especially between the very top earners and the rest of the population.

This narrative was swallowed whole by Finland’s two biggest media outlets—namely the publicly owned Yleisradio and the privately owned Helsingin Sanomat. Both repeated the claims without any critical scrutiny, effectively acting as a loudspeaker for a politically aligned left-wing think tank. Their coverage was soon challenged by Sami Pakarinen, Chief Economist of the Confederation of Finnish Industries, who presented a series of facts on social media.

* * *

According to Pakarinen, “Finland will lower its top marginal tax rate at the beginning of next year from 58% to 52%. This has been recommended for years, as Finland’s top rates are among the very highest in the world.”

He elaborated by noting: “In 2017, the IMF recommended that the top marginal rate should be capped at 44%. The OECD average is around 35%. Even after the reform, Finland remains well above this ceiling.”

Pakarinen also reminded readers that “the top 14% of earners pay 49% of all income taxes. When it comes to net public transfers, the top decile shoulders the lion’s share.” In fact, he emphasized that “Finland redistributes income through taxation more than any other OECD country.”

Furthermore, contrary to the social democratic think tank’s claims, he argued that “the self-financing ratio of the tax cut is very likely above 100%. In other words, by lowering taxes, the state will actually collect more revenue. Recent research points in this direction, and there is finally a growing consensus among economists.”

* * *

For international readers, it is worth noting that research shows the majority of journalism students in Finland lean toward the green-left. Perhaps this helps to explain why Finland’s otherwise exceptionally free press—at least in international comparison—can nevertheless appear remarkably one-sided. In practice, it often leans toward planned-economy thinking and value liberalism, as this very case illustrates.

As a result of all this, one is entitled to ask: what exactly are Yleisradio and Helsingin Sanomat aiming at by repeating the left’s polarizing and misleading claims as if they were facts? A society divided along American lines—or even outright revolution?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Jesuit Morality in Crime Reporting on Immigrants
Citizen Journalism, Free Speech, and EU Challenges
Why Were Violent Protests Acceptable for George Floyd but Not for the UK Child Murders?

Has Modern Education Strayed Too Far — and Is It Time to Change Course?

Finnish basic education was once the best in the world — at least if measured by PISA success. Unfortunately, Finnish children’s results in these tests have been declining for nearly 20 years.

The reasons for this trend have been debated in Finland, but the general view is that the root cause lies in changes to the principles of teaching, in such a way that students are required to have less and less precise knowledge. At the same time, teaching methods have shifted toward giving students significantly more freedom during lessons, and instruction has proceeded at the pace of the weakest pupils.

In addition, it appears that students have been moved up from one grade to the next even in cases where they have not mastered the objectives set for that level. Meanwhile, the most gifted pupils have been left without sufficient instruction. In this process, integrating children from developing countries into teaching has also led to classroom disruptions.

* * *

This issue was brought up today by Member of Parliament Jorma Piisinen (Finns Party), who stated: “We must acknowledge the facts. Not everyone is the same, and neither are learning needs identical. Talent is not elitism but a national resource that must be nurtured just as much as supporting the weakest.”

He further demanded that “gifted young people be allowed to grow to their full potential.” If that were to happen, “Finland would gain future makers who would move our country forward.”

According to Piisinen, paying attention to gifted youth “is not only in the interest of the individual, but of society as a whole. A fair school forgets no one. Not even the best.”

In my view, it would be important for Finland’s future that the MP’s proposal be taken into account when deciding on Finnish education policy — despite the fact that the minister responsible, Anders Adlercreutz (Swedish People’s Party), represents the most value-liberal wing of the government, for whom a return to the old teaching methods and principles — which produced good results — is likely to be unappealing from the outset.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Police to Finnish Graduates: Leave Fireworks, Blades, and Booze at Home
Marx in the Classroom: How Ideological Education Shaped Careers and Values

A Fair Game or Unfair Judgment?

A Sudanese Man Killed His Wife – So What?

A Sudanese man killed his wife in Tampere, Finland. The incident occurred when the man struck the woman in the neck with a knife that had a blade approximately 20 centimeters long while she was lying in bed.

After the crime, the man went to the police to report what had happened, which accelerated both the investigation and the judicial process. It was determined that the man was partially criminally responsible at the time of the murder, and he was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. In addition, he was ordered to pay €3,750 in compensation to the victim’s relatives for their loss and €1,000 for funeral expenses.

* * *

The convicted individual was one of those whom the Finnish green-left has touted as a savior of Finnish society as the native population ages. However, he is not the only person with such a background who has committed serious crimes.

According to a Wikipedia article referencing official statistics, individuals with African backgrounds in Finland have been reported to commit crimes against life and health at 4.5 times the rate of individuals with Finnish backgrounds. Among these, persons from the same country as the perpetrator mentioned above are statistically overrepresented in such crimes at 10.1 times the rate compared to the native Finnish population. Additionally, individuals of Sudanese origin have been found to be overrepresented in assault offenses, with a 10.9-fold rate compared to those of Finnish background.

Furthermore, violent crime is not the only area where statistical overrepresentation has been observed. For example, robbery offenses committed by individuals of Sudanese origin have been reported at a rate 25.7 times higher per capita than among the native Finnish population.

* * *

It is important to note that these figures are statistical facts but are influenced by multiple social, economic, and integration-related factors. Therefore, they cannot be used to directly categorize different human groups. However, these caveats do not alter the reality that Sudanese immigrants commit serious crimes in Finnish society at a significantly high rate.

One might expect this to spark interest within Finland’s political green-left. However, based on observations so far, it is likely futile to anticipate such a shift, as the belief in the woke culture is so deeply ingrained in their worldview that even statistical data cannot change it. Consequently, they continue to advocate for the continuation and even expansion of humanitarian immigration, justifying it with factors such as Finland’s low birth rate, human rights, and cultural enrichment (Left Alliance,  Greens).

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
EU Citizens Don’t Want More Migrants – But How Can the Flow of Asylum Seekers Be Slowed? 
Warnings from Jussi Halla-aho and Igor Girkin About Europe's Near Future
Can Peace Emerge from Horrific War Crimes?

Activism Without Truth

Politically left-wing Palestine activists seem to have an exceptionally poor grasp of facts. The latest example of this came yesterday, when Palestine Action Finland defaced the office of the Norwegian-Finnish ammunition and weapons manufacturer Nammo with red paint, claiming that the company had participated in Israel’s actions in Gaza by supplying weapons and ammunition to its army.

In reality, Nammo has not supplied weapons or ammunition to the Israeli army since it began its operations in Gaza to root out Hamas terrorists. The Nammo products currently in Israel originated from the United States, to which they were sold in 2008. About 15 years later, they made their way from the U.S. to Israel.

This raises the question: what should we think of people who resort to acts of terror without even bothering to check whether their so-called justifications are true? Not to mention that through their actions, these activists effectively showed support for the very terrorist act that started the war.

Likewise, this group of people seems unaware—or fails to grasp the significance—of the fact that Western countries have supported the Palestinians with massive sums of money over the years, much of which has been used to support terrorist activities, such as the construction of an extensive tunnel network in Gaza. For that reason, they cannot be considered blameless in the current suffering of the region’s inhabitants.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
UN Security Council Resolution Draft Risks Encouraging Terrorism
Why Hamas Is Unwilling to Give Up Its Weapons
Palestinians: acknowledging facts is the beginning of wisdom!

When Demands Become Damage

Yesterday I wrote that the demands of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in particular might prevent peace from being achieved in Gaza. However, according to recent news, it may in fact be Hamas’s far more limited demands that are already doing so.

At the same time, Israel has continued its military operations in the area, causing immense suffering to Palestinian civilians. This raises the question: whose interests are the aforementioned Palestinian organizations actually serving? Their own—or those of ordinary civilians in Gaza?

The answer is not difficult to find, provided one is able to put the facts in order. The first fact is that neither Hamas nor any other Palestinian organization is capable of challenging the Israeli military. The second is that, for this reason, their attempts to present demands to Israel are unequivocally harmful from the perspective of Palestinian civilians.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Will Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Demand Block Peace in Gaza?
UN Security Council Resolution Draft Risks Encouraging Terrorism
How Hamas Exploited Aid and Lost the Support of Many Palestinians

Jesuit Morality in Crime Reporting on Immigrants

Attitudes toward the problems of humanitarian immigration in the UK took a strange turn after Keir Starmer came to power. He began arresting people participating in protests and those complaining about abuses, and even started releasing criminals from prisons to make room for these political prisoners.

Since then, Starmer has changed direction and ordered investigations into the most serious crimes. From here in Finland, I can't say how seriously those investigations have been pursued.

* * *

In Finland, too, efforts were made to conceal the problems of immigration for a long time, but gradually this became difficult as the general sense of security—or lack thereof—became increasingly widespread. At some point, Finnish media decided that the names of criminals would be published if their sentences were at least two years long.

However, the fact remains that hardly anyone is interested in the names of those convicted. Rather, what is important—especially in terms of people's views on immigration policy—is that the ethnic background of those who commit crimes should be reported in all, or at least in more than minor, offenses.

* * *

Today’s crime news concerned a man about ten years older who had provided intoxicants and sexually exploited a girl who was originally 12 years old over a two-year period. Nothing is said about the man's ethnic background; instead, it’s stated that “the name of the convicted is withheld to protect the victim.”

This practice has become more common in most media in recent years. As a result, essential information about the perpetrators of sexual crimes—particularly those against teenagers—is increasingly being withheld. This is the case even though people aren’t interested in the offender’s name, as I stated earlier, but in whether the person belongs to the native or immigrant population.

This sharply contradicts the guidelines used by the Finnish press, which remind journalists that—quote—“journalism that strives for truth helps the public form a picture of society and the world.” Instead, it seems to follow the centuries-old Jesuit morality, in which "the end justifies the means."

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
EU Commission Should Take Migration and Related Crime Seriously
The Increasing Criminality Among Swedish Students Stems from Their Values
Is the UK's Democracy Facing an Existential Crisis?

Donald J. Trump

The President of the United States, Donald John Trump, accidentally misspelled his own name as Donakd J. Trump, which has naturally caused amusement around the world. However, the reason is most likely a simple typo, as the letters L and K are adjacent on a computer keyboard.

In Finland, it is customary to say to children who burst into fits of laughter, for one reason or another, that "even a snot-nosed kid can grow into a man, but not a mindless giggler." This saying came to mind unbidden when I saw the glee Trump’s blunder sparked among those who despise him.

Of course, I don’t mean to imply that I consider this particular Donald to be an especially good president for the United States, even though I do acknowledge that his strike against Iran’s nuclear weapons program was both necessary and seemingly successful. On the other hand, he has shown an inability to take a clear stance on the war between Ukraine and Russia, along with idiotic threats—and their hasty withdrawals—regarding massive import tariffs aimed at his own allies.

The fact remains, however, that Donald Trump is still the President of the United States and will continue to lead the world’s most powerful superpower for another three and a half years. And that is something all the people of the world will have to live with—whether laughing or not. Or, as another saying goes—perhaps one borrowed from the mafia—"either you accept it, or you cry and accept it."

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Trump Jeopardizes NATO Progress
Newsom Rising, Unity Fading
Trump Speaks from Putin’s Pocket – A Perilous Shift in the Ukraine War

Could Mohammed Sinwar’s Death Mark a Turning Point Toward Peace

Israel has come under increasingly critical scrutiny in Western media due to its ongoing fight aimed at destroying the terrorist organization Hamas, a fight in which it has used questionable tactics such as blocking aid shipments and relocating populations from one place to another, even abroad. So far, however, Western criticism has not appeared to influence the actions of the Israeli military.

It is, of course, extremely unlikely that Israel will succeed in completely destroying Hamas. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that the organization’s ability to continue operating will be significantly diminished.

In this context, the reported discovery of the body of Hamas's military wing leader, Mohammed Sinwar, in a tunnel located in the grounds of a hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, is excellent news for Israelis and for all people around the world who oppose terrorism.

So far, however, the discovery has not been confirmed by either Hamas or the Israeli military, so it is still wise to hold off on major celebrations in Jerusalem or anywhere else. And to hope that Hamas will finally understand that it must release the remaining hostages and lay down its arms, so that the rebuilding of a future for the Palestinian people can, once again, begin.

In addition, all Palestinians should consider whether it might finally be time to acknowledge the facts and seek to build their future by recognizing the existence of the State of Israel and striving to establish cooperation with its Jewish residents. And to hope that such a path is still possible after nearly 80 years of ongoing hostility.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Why Hamas Is Unwilling to Give Up Its Weapons
Understanding of Facts is Increasing in the Middle East
Western Countries Have Neither a Reason Nor a Need to Accept Asylum Seekers from Syria or Gaza

President of Finland Asked Whether There Are Top Politicians With Serious Intellectual Limitations

The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, outlined today in Kyiv the facts that must be realized in any potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. They are as follows:

1. Ukraine’s EU membership is for the European Union to decide, not Russia.

2. Ukraine’s NATO membership is for NATO to decide, not Russia.

3. Russia cannot decide on territories that belong to Ukraine or define its borders.

4. Russia cannot determine Europe’s security order, as it already exists.

All of these are, of course, self-evident facts that no serious politician would dispute. And that is why bringing them up would be unnecessary if every relevant party had common sense.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case, and even the most obvious facts must be reiterated time and time again. It remains to be seen whether the so-called top politicians of the world still include those with severe shortcomings in their understanding, revealing their intellectual limitations by advocating ideas that contradict the Finnish president’s list.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finally, Finland Speaks the Truth Without Fear!
Trump’s America: Criminal or Benefactor?
Putin, Trump, and the Prospect of Peace

Finally, Finland Speaks the Truth Without Fear!

During my childhood and youth, Finland was known for the fact that its inhabitants voluntarily self-censored everything negative that the Soviet Union did. This was the case whenever the Russians caused problems in the world, and even more so when the great power of the East humiliated Finland.

The Soviet Union eventually collapsed under its own misery, and finally, Finland dared to become a normal democracy, seeking its friends among like-minded nations—and ultimately joining the Western defense alliance.

The difference compared to past decades is truly astonishing. Or what should one think of the fact that Finnish Member of Parliament Timo Heinonen (National Coalition Party) has shared his own thoughts on social media as follows:

"Russia's ambassador to Finland, Pavel Kuznetsov! You, under the leadership of your dictator Vladimir Putin, started the war of aggression in Ukraine and committed war crimes. It is sad that you chose the path of a rogue state. The blame is entirely yours."

His statement is not particularly remarkable in itself but is firmly based on facts. And as such, it should be understood everywhere in the world—including in Russia.

However, as someone raised in a Finland that was once deeply influenced by the Soviet Union, this evokes very special feelings in me. Having experienced all that, it is truly great to see Finnish politicians addressing issues as they are and valuing adherence to facts!

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland Boosts Military Self-Sufficiency and Support for Ukraine
Finnish Minister Riikka Purra: “Putin Is a War Criminal, an Aggressive Imperialist”
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine

Time for Hamas to Accept the Facts

Health authorities in Gaza have reported the deaths of at least four newborns due to hypothermia. According to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, in addition to casualties caused by Israeli strikes, children are now also dying from cold and inadequate shelter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that yet another hospital in Gaza has ceased operations following an Israeli military operation conducted there on Friday morning. Israel has claimed the reason was that Hamas had been using the hospital as a military base, a claim Palestinians deny.

This, however, is irrelevant, as the outcome is horrifying regardless of the cause. Therefore, it must be asked: is it not finally time for Hamas to accept the facts and admit defeat in Gaza, lay down its arms, release its hostages, recognize Israel's right to exist, and begin working toward peaceful coexistence with the Jewish state?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Uncertain Horizons: Syria's Post-Assad Era
Hezbollah Uses Human Shields While the Green-Left Looks Away
A Fair Peace Proposal for Gaza

It Is Time for Vladimir Putin to Acknowledge the Facts and Do Dmitry Medvedev a Favor

Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russia using ATACMS missiles. The attack targeted facilities of the Main Directorate of Missiles and Artillery of the Russian Ministry of Defense located in the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region.

As noted by the Finnish Minister of Defense, the use of the missiles confirmed that Russian threats of nuclear war have lost their effectiveness. And showed that Western countries can continue to support Ukrainians even more extensively and with more effective means.

Thus, Russia finds itself in a position where it must consider its response to what has happened. Therefore I will offer them—and particularly Vladimir Putin—a free piece of advice: now is the time to acknowledge the facts, recognize Ukraine’s legitimate borders, and withdraw the military from Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula.

The strike demonstrated that Western countries will not abandon Ukraine in the future either, meaning Russia has practically no chance of winning the war. And the only reason left to continue it would be the senseless sacrifice of Russian soldiers.

At the same time, it’s worth noting that Dmitry Medvedev has once again made irresponsible threats involving nuclear weapons. He seems like a pleasant enough man, but is clearly not in his right mind. Therefore, I ask you, Comrade Putin, to do him a favor and arrange for him to receive appropriate care.

Aiempia ajatuksia samasta aihepiiristä:
Is Putin's Administration Rational?
Will Trump Push Ukraine Toward Peace by Breaking U.S. Promise?
Russians are, Intellectually, Spiritually, and Morally, a Deficient People

 

What’s the Issue With Russians?

Almost all Finns nowadays know that recognizing facts is the beginning of wisdom. In Russia, however, there seems to be some confusion about this.

A Finnish afternoon newspaper Iltalehti reported on this in an article where a film director warned that Russia could lose the war it started in Ukraine. According to the director, "we should always start from the premise that we can lose... we can lose if such blunders continue."

This was not about inciting defeatism, which he made clear by stating, "this is not about discouragement. It is not about spreading fear... It is simply a clear understanding of the price that we and our country will have to pay."

The director also wondered, "on TV, we always show Ukrainians who do not want to fight... But now we see that they are fighting well. And they are very motivated. Why are we deceiving ourselves?"

It is well known that in Russia, the "truth" is always what the country’s dictator—whether it be a tsar, the chairman of the politburo, or Putin—sees fit. And this time, the price has been paid by the soldiers sent to the war in Ukraine, especially the approximately half a million people who have lost their lives or health as a result of their country's leader's madness.

From what I have written above, the inevitable question arises as to why this is the case. That is, what flaw in the Russian people or their culture prevents our eastern neighbors from building a society where people could live well. After all, we are talking about the world's richest country in terms of natural resources, with a population that is also reasonably well-educated.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Ukraine Gives Kursk Residents a Clear Choice: Russia or Refuge
Russian games
Russian Tax Overhaul: Citizens to Bear the Burden of War Losses

Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs reminded Russians about their nightmare

Radosław Sikorski, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, gave an excellent speech at the UN Security Council. In his speech, he pointed out that Ukraine is fighting to be independent of anybody – not only Russia – and has a democratically elected government, including a Jewish president and a Muslim defense minister, and no political prisoners.

He also reminded us that Russia tried to exterminate Ukraine in the 19th century, again under the Bolsheviks, and during the last ten years. He explained that people in Western countries are being threatened almost every day by Putin's propagandists with nuclear annihilation, and therefore causes Russophobia in western countries.

Then he said that we are not denying Russia's security interests, but we only started rearming ourselves when Russia started to invade her neighbors. He reminded us that the Soviet Union attacked Poland together with Nazi Germany and even held a joint Victory Parade in September 1939.

Then he advised Putin's regime to withdraw his troops from Ukraine to the international border and reminded us that there was no coup in Ukraine in 2014. Instead, the former president, Yanukovych, was removed from office by a democratically elected Ukrainian Parliament, including his own party.

He also pointed out that Russia didn't win the Crimean War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, the Battle of Warsaw, in Afghanistan, or the Cold War. Fortunately, however, there were reforms in Russia after each failure.

Mr. Sikorski's view is historically correct and should be carefully dispersed, taught and learned in Russia. If that happened, it might finally encourage Russians – with the greatest natural resources in the world as well as relatively well educated and talented people – to change their political attitude now directed towards the rest of the world and become a superpower with economic, spiritual, and civilized culture instead of the nightmare they have lived for at least half a millennium since the Tsardom of Moscow was established.

Previous thoughts on the same topic: Desperate cry of Russians Victims of Russian leaders Should Putin´s regime be overthrown by supporting Russian opposition?

Fear drove Putin, a follower of Josif, to murder Alexei Navalny

The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin killed his only politically significant challenger - Alexei Navalny - far away in Siberia. In doing so, he demonstrated his faithful adherence to the path paved by his role model, Josif Stalin: it's better to eliminate those who threaten the leader's power before they become a real danger - or preferably at the first suspicion in the sick mind of the dictator.

Navalny's murder was, of course, no surprise considering Russia's previous events involving falling out of windows and various poisonings. It will also not be surprising that Putin commissions a report on Navalny's death, which has no connection to the truth, despite claims to the contrary - это правда.

There have been various reactions to Navalny's case, most notably the statement from U.S. President Joe Biden, who bluntly stated, "Russian authorities tell their own story. But make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death."

Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on the other hand, stated that "His death in a Russian prison and the fixation and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built." And he hit the nail on the head - Vladimir, like his Josif, is also similar in his neurotic fear, so it is not difficult to predict that he will continue to kill people with an even lighter hand in the future.

* * *

It remains to be seen whether Putin's latest operation will be met with any more than previous ones. That is, whether there will be a lot of critical talk directed at him, but only minimal real actions - and even those only temporarily.

However, it is hopeful that Navalny's murder would at least lead to a military awakening in Western countries and such extensive assistance to Ukraine, victimized by Putin, that Russian forces are forced to withdraw from the country.

Of course, it's difficult to extract much from the empty weapon arsenals of European states that have wasted their military capabilities until defense budgets are rectified. But if even the importance of the matter were understood in the U.S. House of Representatives before Ukrainians are forced to retreat from places other than Avdiivka?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Desperate cry of Russians
Victims of Russian leaders
Should Putin´s regime be overthrown by supporting Russian opposition?

Correct minister, ridiculous facts

The Finnish parliamentary elections were held last summer. As a result, the country's government switched from a red-green coalition to a political right-wing one in the summer.

Among the politicians of the previous government, Maria Ohisalo of the Greens first served as the Minister of the Interior and later as the Minister of the Environment and Climate. Therefore, it was interesting to note her criticism of the current government on messaging service X, stating that Finland's ranking had dropped by a whopping 11 places according to the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranking.

The situation became amusing when it was revealed that the former minister had not noticed that CCPI used two-year-old data for statistics, precisely from Maria Ohisalo's ministerial term. In other words, she blamed the current government for her own achievements.

It is clear that Ohisalo made herself appear ridiculous. What is less clear, however, is why she rushed to politicize the new information before verifying its accuracy.

If this behavior was typical for Ohisalo and the previous female-led government, it is no wonder that the previous government term was, especially in terms of the economy, downright catastrophic for Finland. For example, during the four-year period (2019-2022), the state debt increased by a whopping 33 percent, leaving the budget permanently about seven percent in deficit.

Hopefully, the current government will familiarize itself better with the facts before decision-making and succeed in revitalizing Finland's economy to make it comparable again to other Nordic countries.

Previous thoughts on the same topic: Advice to participants of the COP27 climate implementation summit 175 happy winners Minister Maria Ohisalo panicked

Advice to participants of the COP27 climate implementation summit

The climate implementation summit COP27 is starting tomorrow in Egypt. I just want to remind - or advice - its participants on two facts. 

The first one has to do with the climatic change and its scientific basis itself. To do that, I remind that the mathematical models predicting a climate crisis have one clear output: that is, the arctic north of the globe will warm up more quickly than the rest of the world. 

According to that, the area of arctic sea ice can be expected to melt in an accelerating rate. However, the minimum size of the ice was observed already in 2012 - that is ten years ago - and right now its size is largest in relation to time (November 4th) since 2015. Obviously, the arctic north is not warming right now. 

So, before major decisions to restrict people´s life, I would like to see a scientific explanation - compatible to the current climate models - for these observations. Or alternatively, a new model, that predicts a hiatus for the warming of the arctic north right now.  

Second, the threat caused by the climatic change is caused by an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in atmosphere due to the use of fossilized carbon sources. Therefore, if any action will be decided to stop the warming, we should rather focus on giving up on the use of fossilized carbon than to concentrate on carbon sinks, which will halt the global economy and almost certainly be used by world leaders only to lengthen the fossil-based era. 

With these two facts I wish to the participants of COP27 good luck in finding sensible decisions that - at the same time - reduce the risk of intolerable global warming and allow better life for all people in the world. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Fair policy will build a strong Union
Heat wave in Europe contrasts with the coldness of the Arctic sea
G-index challenges the theory of the global climatic change

A new justification is needed for environmental activists

Biodiversity crisis is one of the big environmental issues today. Although the problem is worst in the low latitudes, the topic is intensively discussed also in the European Union, which is in a process of preparing a stringent legislation to save the environment. 

In its current form EU biodiversity strategy would have serious effects on the Nordic forestry, which in Finland gives work to almost 100 000 people, and forms the basis of almost 20 percent of the export value. Despite these economic facts, a considerably higher amount of wood is growing in the Finnish forests now than was hundred years ago.   

One of the keystone species for biodiversity in North-European forests is bilberry. It is a valuable berry that many people are picking in forests, but it also is an extremely important source of food for many wild animals, especially birds - but also the king of the forests, bear. 

The environmentalists have for decades claimed that current forestry practices are reducing the amount of bilberries, and through food chain many other animals (example). The scientific basis supporting their claim are old investigations that showed bilberry area to have reduced between years 1950 and 1995. 

Now a new investigation is ongoing and its first results show that the forest area covered by bilberries has not reduced since 1995, but in contrast it has increased. Therefore the bilberry does not suffer from Nordic forestry, which has intensified between all those years, but may even have benefited on its current practices. 

Neither will many birds suffer from the lack of bilberries, but their reducing numbers result from some other causes. And those may or may not be related to forestry.  

In my opinion this little example demonstrates extremely well the problem typical to fanatic single topic movements. They have decided beforehand - based on their ideology - what is the problem they are opposing, and thereafter they search for evidence supporting their view from wherever that can be found. 

Therefore I do not expect truth about bilberries in Finland to change the opinions of environmental organisations towards commercial forestry. Instead, they will find other issues that seem to support their ideology. And use them against economic activities, that they have decided to oppose. That is, the Nordic forestry.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
A popular hobby risks ecological balance, private property and human health in Finland
They want to wipe out from Finland what is good for Africa
Climate change raises dishonesty in the Finnish media

Facts, US Supreme Court and the case of Roe v. Wade

US Supreme Court has prepared overturning Roe v. Wade to give up federally accepted right for an abortion. This was commented by professor Diana Greene Foster in Science magazine. She pointed out - based on her own research - that the aim of the Supreme Court is against scientific evidence. 

Her results have shown that patients who received an abortion were more than six times more likely to report aspirational 1-year plans than those who were denied one. They were also more likely to have a wanted child later and could better take care of the children they already had. 

It is also worth noting that most of abortion patients are already parents. Therefore she considers it clear that a legal abortion has powerful and positive multigenerational impacts. 

She also pointed out that if people are forced to carry a pregnancy to term, they have a higher risk to experience lasting financial hardships, and women from whom abortion has been denied had three times greater odds of being unemployed than those who obtained abortions. They also were four times more likely of being below the federal poverty level.

I am writing from Finland, and this issue does not directly concern me. However, I want to point out that here a new abortion law came into force in 1970. It allowed abortion on social grounds to women under 17 or over 40 years of age, or when a mother had already given birth to four children. And according to instructions from the Medical Board, abortion has been freely available to unmarried, widowed and divorced people. 

Year 1973 was the peak year for legal abortions in Finland, with more than 23 000 abortions recorded. That was equal to the number of illegal abortions before the law change - but removed serious health problems associated with operations performed by quacks. Thereafter the number of abortions has steadily declined and during the recent years the number of abortions per year has been about 10 000. Thus, the liberal attitude towards abortions in our country has in fact reduced the number of abortions. 

Taken together, I hope these facts affect decision makers in all states of the USA if the federal law will be turned down by the Supreme Court. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Sexual harassment and bullying in working life
Obligatory military service gains support