Fast forward, I’m standing still

In predictable tabloid fashion, all Norwegian newspapers have been dominated by the Heath Ledger’s early passing, and in the days before this unfortunate event, the thriller that is the European Handball Championships for Men. Its exactly what I expect when I point my browser to these websites. But alongside such sensational news, I also expect some proper analyses of what we might call pressing issues or say, events of significance. And I usually do. The situation in Gaza is reported on daily, thoroughly, with coverage from both (or all) sides. With the last power station now shut down, Gaza is indeed in a state of emergency. Hospitals are shut down, supplies have run out and a great number of lives are at risk.

The reason for the power station shutdown are not as immediate or as violent as in 2006, when Israeli forces bombed the Enron-funded power station to pieces, but its no less controversial. The Israeli blocade of Gaza has drained the strip of all resources, and there is no more fuel and no more funds to keep it lit and heated. But y’know, that is the sort of thing you’ve got to expect when you democratically elect Hamas to govern you.

But I’m not writing to complain about Israeli politics (substitute more fitting word after Israeli, if you please), rather, I want to express my surprise about the invisibility of the situation in US media. Browsing my regular news feeds, therewas no sign of Palestine until tonight. In trying to make intelligent small talk at a reception tonight, the subject of Heath Ledger more than exhausted, I brought up power stations in Gaza .. and the conversation ended. Only now, after days of coverage in norwegian media, was there mention of it in major US newspapers and news channels. Is Palestine out of fashion? Are primary elections all consuming? Or do the Americans simply listen to Olmerts "assurances" that this is not a crisis and suggests the Palestinians "try walking"? Norwegian tabloids manage to squeee in handball, the young dead, Clinton, Obama, space travel, asylum seekers gone M.I.A., cross country victories and Gaza all at once.

I’m just saying ..