”Enduring Freedom – forever and forever”

In Afghanistan some children are toiling collecting firewood for cooking the evening meal. They work hard, and they are sweating. The blazing sun is hot, and they wish they were in the shadow of the grey concrete building near by.

Eventually they move closer and closer to to the building and ends up sitting in the shade. What kind of building is this? They do not know, and they will never know.

Up in the sky, above the few scattered clouds, a silver aircraft makes it way towards the targets of the day. The pilot pushes a button, the aircraft shakes a bit, and the smoke of the missile points downwards.

The children hear nothing when everything around them disintegrates. They are freed from their daily chores in the blazing sun. They will never know and will never experience that this is, for them, what enduring freedom is about…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Enduring_Freedom

Free Counters

”Do we see a change in the role of the UN?”

If the UN in the future will act to protect civilians against atrocities committed by political leaders, then the role of the UN has changed. This might be a first step towards a world not only ruled by national law but also by a set of laws based on The Human Rights and the rulings of the international court in Haag.

If the political leaders can risk to be indicted, arrested, and sentenced to many years in jail if they commit atrocities against their ”own” population or other populations, this will be a major breakthrough for civil rights worldwide.

For the leaders of many countries this would be a disaster, e.g. nations like Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, White Russia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan just to mention a few. Even the leaders of the USA and Norway would have to think if their actions to fight terrorism are legal actions or not.

If we look back at history as we know it from thousands of years ago and up to now, the population of the world has suffered from the vile actions av leaders of various kinds, religious, military etc.

A set of laws and effective rulings of an international court some time in the future would curb vile actions of political leaders.

If you want to get more facts, you can go on reading:

”For the first time in two decades, the United Nations Security Council authorized a no-fly zone resolution.  The Security Council adopted Resolution 1973 and approved “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians who are under attack by the Moammar Gaddafi government.
Of the 15 Security Council members, 10 agreed and five abstained.  Bosnia, Colombia, France, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States voted in favor.  Brazil, China, Germany, India and Russia abstained from voting.” http://www.helium.com/items/2120894-united-nations-libya-resolution

”17 March 2011 –

The Security Council today effectively authorized the use of force in Libya to protect civilians from attack, specifically in the eastern city of Benghazi, which Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi has reportedly said he will storm tonight to end a revolt against his regime.

Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which provides for the use of force if needed, the Council adopted a resolution by 10 votes to zero, with five abstentions, authorizing Member States “to take all necessary measures… to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamhariya, including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force.”
The abstentions included China and Russia, which have the power of veto, as well as Brazil, Germany and India.” http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1=

The full text of the resolution you can read here http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sc10200.doc.htm or below:

”Resolution

The full text of resolution 1973 (2011) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolution 1970 (2011) of 26 February 2011,

“Deploring the failure of the Libyan authorities to comply with resolution 1970 (2011),

“Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties,

“Reiterating the responsibility of the Libyan authorities to protect the Libyan population and reaffirming that parties to armed conflicts bear the primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of civilians,

“Condemning the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions,

“Further condemning acts of violence and intimidation committed by the Libyan authorities against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel and urging these authorities to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law as outlined in resolution 1738 (2006),

“Considering that the widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity,

“Recalling paragraph 26 of resolution 1970 (2011) in which the Council expressed its readiness to consider taking additional appropriate measures, as necessary, to facilitate and support the return of humanitarian agencies and make available humanitarian and related assistance in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Expressing its determination to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian populated areas and the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance and the safety of humanitarian personnel,

“Recalling the condemnation by the League of Arab States, the African Union and the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have been and are being committed in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Taking note of the final communiqué of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of 8 March 2011, and the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 10 March 2011 which established an ad hoc High-Level Committee on Libya,

“Taking note also of the decision of the Council of the League of Arab States of 12 March 2011 to call for the imposition of a no-fly zone on Libyan military aviation, and to establish safe areas in places exposed to shelling as a precautionary measure that allows the protection of the Libyan people and foreign nationals residing in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Taking note further of the Secretary-General’s call on 16 March 2011 for an immediate ceasefire,

“Recalling its decision to refer the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya since 15 February 2011 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and stressing that those responsible for or complicit in attacks targeting the civilian population, including aerial and naval attacks, must be held to account,

“Reiterating its concern at the plight of refugees and foreign workers forced to flee the violence in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, welcoming the response of neighbouring States, in particular Tunisia and Egypt, to address the needs of those refugees and foreign workers, and calling on the international community to support those efforts,

“Deploring the continuing use of mercenaries by the Libyan authorities,

“Considering that the establishment of a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya constitutes an important element for the protection of civilians as well as the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a decisive step for the cessation of hostilities in Libya,

“Expressing concern also for the safety of foreign nationals and their rights in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Welcoming the appointment by the Secretary General of his Special Envoy to Libya, Mr. Abdul Ilah Mohamed Al-Khatib and supporting his efforts to find a sustainable and peaceful solution to the crisis in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Determining that the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians;

“2.   Stresses the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis which responds to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people and notes the decisions of the Secretary-General to send his Special Envoy to Libya and of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to send its ad hoc High-Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution;

“3.   Demands that the Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law and take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs, and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance;

“Protection of civilians

“4.   Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the Member States concerned to inform the Secretary-General immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council;

“5.   Recognizes the important role of the League of Arab States in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security in the region, and bearing in mind Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, requests the Member States of the League of Arab States to cooperate with other Member States in the implementation of paragraph 4;

“No-fly zone

“6.   Decides to establish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civilians;

“7.   Decides further that the ban imposed by paragraph 6 shall not apply to flights whose sole purpose is humanitarian, such as delivering or facilitating the delivery of assistance, including medical supplies, food, humanitarian workers and related assistance, or evacuating foreign nationals from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, nor shall it apply to flights authorised by paragraphs 4 or 8, nor other flights which are deemed necessary by States acting under the authorization conferred in paragraph 8 to be for the benefit of the Libyan people, and that these flights shall be coordinated with any mechanism established under paragraph 8;

“8.   Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flights imposed by paragraph 6 above, as necessary, and requests the States concerned in cooperation with the League of Arab States to coordinate closely with the Secretary General on the measures they are taking to implement this ban, including by establishing an appropriate mechanism for implementing the provisions of paragraphs 6 and 7 above,

“9.   Calls upon all Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to provide assistance, including any necessary overflight approvals, for the purposes of implementing paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above;

“10.  Requests the Member States concerned to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General on the measures they are taking to implement paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above, including practical measures for the monitoring and approval of authorised humanitarian or evacuation flights;

“11.  Decides that the Member States concerned shall inform the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States immediately of measures taken in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above, including to supply a concept of operations;

“12.  Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Council immediately of any actions taken by the Member States concerned in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above and to report to the Council within 7 days and every month thereafter on the implementation of this resolution, including information on any violations of the flight ban imposed by paragraph 6 above;

“Enforcement of the arms embargo

“13.  Decides that paragraph 11 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall be replaced by the following paragraph : “Calls upon all Member States, in particular States of the region, acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, in order to ensure strict implementation of the arms embargo established by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011), to inspect in their territory, including seaports and airports, and on the high seas, vessels and aircraft bound to or from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 or 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, calls upon all flag States of such vessels and aircraft to cooperate with such inspections and authorises Member States to use all measures commensurate to the specific circumstances to carry out such inspections”;

“14.  Requests Member States which are taking action under paragraph 13 above on the high seas to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General and further requests the States concerned to inform the Secretary-General and the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) (“the Committee”) immediately of measures taken in the exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 13 above;

“15.  Requires any Member State whether acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, when it undertakes an inspection pursuant to paragraph 13 above, to submit promptly an initial written report to the Committee containing, in particular, explanation of the grounds for the inspection, the results of such inspection, and whether or not cooperation was provided, and, if prohibited items for transfer are found, further requires such Member States to submit to the Committee, at a later stage, a subsequent written report containing relevant details on the inspection, seizure, and disposal, and relevant details of the transfer, including a description of the items, their origin and intended destination, if this information is not in the initial report;

“16.  Deplores the continuing flows of mercenaries into the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and calls upon all Member States to comply strictly with their obligations under paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011) to prevent the provision of armed mercenary personnel to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

“Ban on flights

“17.  Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft registered in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or owned or operated by Libyan nationals or companies to take off from, land in or overfly their territory unless the particular flight has been approved in advance by the Committee, or in the case of an emergency landing;

“18.  Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, except in the case of an emergency landing;

“Asset freeze

“19.  Decides that the asset freeze imposed by paragraph 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply to all funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories, which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and decides further that all States shall ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and directs the Committee to designate such Libyan authorities, individuals or entities within 30 days of the date of the adoption of this resolution and as appropriate thereafter;

“20.  Affirms its determination to ensure that assets frozen pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall, at a later stage, as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

“21.  Decides that all States shall require their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction and firms incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction to exercise vigilance when doing business with entities incorporated in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or subject to its jurisdiction, and any individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, and entities owned or controlled by them, if the States have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that such business could contribute to violence and use of force against civilians;

“Designations

“22.  Decides that the individuals listed in Annex I shall be subject to the travel restrictions imposed in paragraphs 15 and 16 of resolution 1970 (2011), and decides further that the individuals and entities listed in Annex II shall be subject to the asset freeze imposed in paragraphs 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011);

“23.  Decides that the measures specified in paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply also to individuals and entities determined by the Council or the Committee to have violated the provisions of resolution 1970 (2011), particularly paragraphs 9 and 10 thereof, or to have assisted others in doing so;

“Panel of Experts

“24.  Requests the Secretary-General to create for an initial period of one year, in consultation with the Committee, a group of up to eight experts (“Panel of Experts”), under the direction of the Committee to carry out the following tasks:

(a)   Assist the Committee in carrying out its mandate as specified in paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution;

(b)   Gather, examine and analyse information from States, relevant United Nations bodies, regional organisations and other interested parties regarding the implementation of the measures decided in resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution, in particular incidents of non-compliance;

(c)   Make recommendations on actions the Council, or the Committee or State, may consider to improve implementation of the relevant measures;

(d)   Provide to the Council an interim report on its work no later than 90 days after the Panel’s appointment, and a final report to the Council no later than 30 days prior to the termination of its mandate with its findings and recommendations;

“25.  Urges all States, relevant United Nations bodies and other interested parties, to cooperate fully with the Committee and the Panel of Experts, in particular by supplying any information at their disposal on the implementation of the measures decided in resolution 1970 (2011) and this resolution, in particular incidents of non-compliance;

“26.  Decides that the mandate of the Committee as set out in paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall also apply to the measures decided in this resolution;

“27.  Decides that all States, including the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, shall take the necessary measures to ensure that no claim shall lie at the instance of the Libyan authorities, or of any person or body in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, or of any person claiming through or for the benefit of any such person or body, in connection with any contract or other transaction where its performance was affected by reason of the measures taken by the Security Council in resolution 1970 (2011), this resolution and related resolutions;

“28.  Reaffirms its intention to keep the actions of the Libyan authorities under continuous review and underlines its readiness to review at any time the measures imposed by this resolution and resolution 1970 (2011), including by strengthening, suspending or lifting those measures, as appropriate, based on compliance by the Libyan authorities with this resolution and resolution 1970 (2011);

“29.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Libya: United Nations Security Council proposed designations

Number	Name	Justification	Identifiers
Annex I: Travel Ban
1	QUREN SALIH QUREN AL QADHAFI	Libyan Ambassador to Chad. Has left Chad for Sabha. Involved directly in recruiting and coordinating mercenaries for the regime.
2	Colonel AMID HUSAIN AL KUNI	Governor of Ghat (South Libya). Directly involved in recruiting mercenaries.
Annex II: Asset Freeze
1	Dorda, Abu Zayd Umar	Position: Director, External Security Organisation
2	Jabir, Major General Abu Bakr Yunis	Position: Defence Minister	Title: Major General DOB: --/--/1952. POB: Jalo, Libya
3	Matuq, Matuq Mohammed	Position: Secretary for Utilities	DOB: --/--/1956. POB: Khoms
4	Qadhafi, Mohammed Muammar	Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime	DOB: --/--/1970. POB: Tripoli, Libya
5	Qadhafi, Saadi	Commander Special Forces. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations	DOB: 25/05/1973. POB: Tripoli, Libya
6	Qadhafi, Saif al‑Arab	Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime	DOB: --/--/1982. POB: Tripoli, Libya
7	Al‑Senussi, Colonel Abdullah	Position: Director Military Intelligence	Title: Colonel DOB: --/--/1949. POB: Sudan
Entities
1	Central Bank of Libya	Under control of Muammar Qadhafi and his family, and potential source of funding for his regime.
2	Libyan Investment Authority	Under control of Muammar Qadhafi and his family, and potential source of funding for his regime.	a.k.a: Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO) Address: 1 Fateh Tower Office, No 99 22nd Floor, Borgaida Street, Tripoli, Libya, 1103
3	Libyan Foreign Bank	Under control of Muammar Qadhafi and his family and a potential source of funding for his regime.
4	Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio	Under control of Muammar Qadhafi and his family, and potential source of funding for his regime.	Address: Jamahiriya Street, LAP Building, PO Box 91330, Tripoli, Libya
5	Libyan National Oil Corporation	Under control of Muammar Qadhafi and his family, and potential source of funding for his regime.	Address: Bashir Saadwi Street, Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya

”Mann drept av elefant i jungelen i nærheten”

Regntiden har så vidt startet, og til glede for folk er det mye sopp inne i jungelen. Når det begynner å regne trekker elefantene ut mot jungelkanten. For et par dager siden var fire menn på vei innover for å drive (ulovlig) jakt. De møtte en elefant. Tre av mennene løp for harde livet, mens en av mennene skjøt et skremmeskudd. Det skulle han ikke gjort; han endte sine dager der og da.

Jeg var på Khao Sadao fredag og lørdag, men været var ikke samarbeidsvillig. Det regnet kraftig fredag ettermiddag. Lørdag var det for lite vind til å henge.

"Håper det blir bedre vær enn dette"

på landingen eller i lufta på Khao Sadao til helgen. Det er imidlertid varslet en god del tordenbyger rundt omkring...

”Hvor ble det av makspulsen?”

Bare drøyt 30 grader på formiddagen i dag, men luften var så fuktig at den kunne skjæres i skiver med brødkniv. Ideell temperatur for litt intervallkjøring. Tenkte jeg. 

Jeg startet derfor opp med 5-10 minutter oppvarming og fikk pulsen opp i 120-130. Så fulgte jeg opp med et drag på omtrent 200 meter etter det såkalte ”lystprinsippet”. Når melkesyregrensen er nådd, begynner dette prinsippet å bli ganske utvannet. Kroppen var nok ikke helt varm, for jeg greide ikke å bli plagsomt andpusten. Jeg sjekket pulsen: 160 omtrent. Etter en pause med småjogging var det nytt drag. Denne gangen ble det mer fart på sakene. Det gikk så fort og jeg ble så andpusten at jeg rett og slett ikke greide å finne pulsen før den hadde krabbet ned til 130. Hvor varmt det var nå, vet jeg ikke, men det var varmt! Sikkert mer enn 50 grader i sola.Flere drag fulgte, men pulsen var ikke der den pleier å være - i håndledd eller i halsen.

Varmen, sola, svetten som rant ned i øynene, lungene som arbeidet som blåsebelger – jeg vet ikke hva det var, men maksimalpulsen lekte gjemsel med meg og jeg var ikke kar om å finne den før hjerteslagene krabbet ned til 130.

Vel hjemme ble jeg stående på samme flekken ett minutts tid. Jeg ble noe overrasket over den svære dammen med svette jeg etterlot meg på standplass.

Er jeg nødt til å få meg en pulsklokke eller ny mobil med dertil egnet ”app” (application software) i jakten på den forsvunne makspulsen (om det da finnes en app som kan ta pulsen min)?

”Fly ikke ut av løftet du har”

før du har tynt ut av det alle de metrene du kan få. Iallfall gjelder det rett etter start. Det er slett ikke sikkert at du finner bedre løft. Tre ganger på rad denne helgen endte jeg opp på bakken fordi jeg ble overoptimistisk da det gikk til værs i bra fart.

Det var til dels kraftige forhold på lørdag, men ingen av dagene bød på overraskende bevegelser i skjermen. Noe som overrasker meg litt selv om det har skjedd mange ganger, er at når vinden ikke er så kraftig fra morgenen av, så blir vinden drept av termikken når det lir litt utpå dagen. Dersom det er startbart om morgenen, er det derfor ingen grunn til å vente på eventuell bakvind på formiddagen når termikken herjer på flatlandet. Dersom det i tillegg er hengbart om morgenen, bør man absolutt ikke vente på bedre forhold. Det går alltids an å ta en tur til.

”Khao Sadao 14. og 15. mai - speedriding”

Mange piloter her i helgen, men været var ikke samarbeidsvillig. På lørdag lå byger hele tiden og truet og vinden var veldig variabel på styrke. Rett som det var tordnet det også, og det var så disig at det var vanskelig å se hvor nær tordenskyene var. En byge trykket på fra sør. Plutselig økte vinden, og de pilotene som var ute, ble presset ned (bilde). Alle kom ned før regnet kom. En franskmann hadde med speedglider (Gin Bobcat), og da vinden frisknet til i betydelig grad med over 10 sekundmeter boltret han seg foran starten (liten video) til stor underholdning for oss som aldri hadde sett noe slikt før. Etter hvert ble vinden så kraftig at han ikke greide å topplande i vindkompresjonen. I full fart dro han tilbake og landet  på gress-sletta hundre meter lenger bak.

”Tre turer fra Khao Sadao”

Jeg hadde noen ærend i Khorat på mandag og dro derfor til Khao Sadao dagen før for å prøve lykken. Det ble faktisk tre PG-turer på søndagen. Ikke dårlig, for det var noe variable forhold. På første turen ble jeg nesten hengende, men boblene var for trange og jeg var for lavt inntil terregnet til at jeg fikk noe tak på det; det går ikke å fly åttetall når mer enn halve åttetallet er i synk.

Andre turen kunne blitt bra hadde bare ikke et regnvær ligget og trykket på. Sa til de andre at de måtte starte nå om det skulle bli flytur, men de rakk ikke å gjøre seg klare. Jeg regnet med at turen kunne bli kort når skyene begynte å slippe langt unna. Egentlig burde den blitt kortere, men det løftet så grassat fort at jeg plutselig var noe høyere enn jeg ønsket. Regnværet utviklet seg og ble til en skikkelig tropisk byge utpå innsjøen syd for fengselet Klong Pai. Jeg ga signal med store ører og kraftige 360 graders svinger at jeg ville ned – litt etter pakket de tre andre sammen. Etter hvert kom jeg meg ned uten at det hadde blitt noen vindøkning. Jeg rakk å pakke sammen og bli hentet før de første regndråpene. Rett etter fulgte kraftig vindøkning. Interessant tur, selv om jeg nok burde stått på bakken 5-20 minutter før.

Regnværet forsvant, men etterlot seg kraftig vind på 8-10 sekundmeter. Var oppe på start igjen mellom 4 og 5 på ettermiddagen og måtte vente litt. Så ble det perfekte hangforhold. Bare å skli frem og tilbake langsmed åsen til det begynte å mørkne. (Video)

Mandag morgen var det for sterk vind til å starte, 8-10 sekundmeter.

”Nesten kaldt (!) på fingrene i 1.600 meter,”

men bare nesten. Stille og rolig på vei oppover. Et par vindskjæringer gjorde at det ble litt bevegelse i skjermen. Utrolig så sakte det siger fremover når høyden er stor og bakkefarten er under 30 km. Bedre å dra mot Soengsang; da ble farten omtrent 60 km. Kanskje jeg burde fly mer medvinds?

Video over Khok Noi. Bilde fra Hat Chomtawan og en ligten elv som meandrerer i rismarkene.

”…. So help me God”

The oath of office of the American President is this: ”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office_of_the_President_of_the_United_States

”The option of taking an oath or an affirmation

Franklin Pierce was the only president known to use the word affirm rather than swear. Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when taking the oath in 1901. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and Richard Nixon swore the oath on two Bibles. John Quincy Adams swore on a book of law.^[4] Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on a Roman Catholic missal on Air Force One. Washington kissed the Bible afterwards,^[5] and subsequent presidents followed suit, up to Harry Truman,^[6] but Dwight D. Eisenhower broke that tradition by saying his own prayer instead of kissing the Bible.^{[7]” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office_of_the_President_of_the_United_States}

All presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt have used the phrase ”So help me God”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_help_me_God

During our lifetimes, either we are you or me or people in power, we face moral issues when we have to choose. Sometimes we choose wrong, sometimes we choose right. Right or wrong – that is our responsibility. When you swear an oath and use the phrase ”So help me God”, I would expect you to ask God if He would approve your choice if you, when you are in office, are in doubt concerning moral and other issues.

I AM THINKING ABOUT WATERBOARDING AND OTHER ENHANCED INTERROGATON TECHNIQUES.

After The Second World War ”The United States hanged Japanese soldiers for waterboarding American prisoners of war.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

BUT SOMETHING, EVIDENTLY, MUST HAVE CHANGED SINCE THAT TIME:

”The CIA sources described a list of six "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" instituted in mid-March 2002 and used, they said, on a dozen top al Qaeda targets incarcerated in isolation at secret locations on military bases in regions from Asia to Eastern Europe. According to the sources, only a handful of CIA interrogators are trained and authorized to use the techniques:
1. The Attention Grab: The interrogator forcefully grabs the shirt front of the prisoner and shakes him.
2. Attention Slap: An open-handed slap aimed at causing pain and triggering fear.
3. The Belly Slap: A hard open-handed slap to the stomach. The aim is to cause pain, but not internal injury. Doctors consulted advised against using a punch, which could cause lasting internal damage.
4. Long Time Standing: This technique is described as among the most effective. Prisoners are forced to stand, handcuffed and with their feet shackled to an eye bolt in the floor for more than 40 hours. Exhaustion and sleep deprivation are effective in yielding confessions.
5. The Cold Cell: The prisoner is left to stand naked in a cell kept near 50 degrees.  [10 degrees C] Throughout the time in the cell the prisoner is doused with cold water.
6. Water Boarding: The prisoner is bound to an inclined board, feet raised and head slightly below the feet. Cellophane is wrapped over the prisoner's face and water is poured over him. Unavoidably, the gag reflex kicks in and a terrifying fear of drowning leads to almost instant pleas to bring the treatment to a halt.
According to the sources, CIA officers who subjected themselves to the water boarding technique lasted an average of 14 seconds before caving in. They said al Qaeda's toughest prisoner, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, won the admiration of interrogators when he was able to last between two and two-and-a-half minutes before begging to confess.
"The person believes they are being killed, and as such, it really amounts to a mock execution, which is illegal under international law," said John Sifton of Human Rights Watch.” http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Investigation/story?id=1322866
 
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS STILL AGAINST ENHANCED INTERROGATION. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Investigation/story?id=1322866  IF THAT IS TRUE, IT IS TIME THAT HE TAKES STEPS TO PROSECUTE FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH AND THOSE WHO EXECUTED ENHANCED INTERROGATION.

I am 100 % sure that God would not have approved enhanced interrogation. For President Bush to have used the phrase ”So help me God” is sacriledge (Norwegian: helligbrøde) and blasphemy (Norwegian: gudsbespottelse).

President Obama used the same phrase. I am 100 % sure that God would approve if he took legal actions as mentioned above. Maybe President Obama would lose the next election because of this, but he would live on in history as one of the great American presidents.

”PPG-turen på lørdag – hva rører seg i hodet til piloten?”

Det er ingen spøk å våkne før 6 om morgenen og ligge og tenke på om jeg skal fly eller ikke. Siden det bare er jeg som flyr PPG her i området, er det ingen ”drahjelp” å få fra andre. Så er det alt slepet, eller logistikken, med å få med seg alt nødvendig utstyr til startplassen.

Skjermen legges ut, og jeg lurer hver gang litt på hva som er den optimale måten. Jeg holder en knapp på skikkelig U-form hvor kun de to midterste A-linene er stramme.

Motoren varmkjøres og jeg lytter etter eventuelle ulyder eller vibrasjoner. Deretter plasseres triken i startposisjon, risersettene kobles til karabinkrokene. Jeg setter meg til rette og fester seletøyet, spenner fast gasshendelen i venstre hånd, griper venstre brems, venstre A-riser og starter motoren. Deretter høyre brems og A-riser. Jeg sprer armene slik at risersettene er stramme, er konsentrert og litt nervøs før jeg gir gass.

Det ble to bomstarter på lørdag. Noe som både er fysisk og psykisk slitsomt. Og ikke minst varmt! Den høye luftfuktigheten gjør at svetten renner. Så er det samme prosedyre igjen.

På tredje forsøket er jeg i lufta. Det virker som om skjermen er ganske tung. Kan hende fordi den er våt etter å ha vært i kontakt med morgenduggen to ganger. Jeg stiger ikke så fort som jeg kunne ønske, men passerer trærne i enden av idrettsplassen i grei høyde. Så flyr jeg over husene i Sunti Pattana-delen av Suntisuk. De fleste takene er av rustent bølgeblikk. Under takene er det et svært nøkternt innhold. Så nøkternt at de fleste nordmenn ville sperre opp øynene.

Ikke mange gode landingsplasser i denne tidlige fasen av turen. Å lande i rismarkene med vann og dyp gjørme er et dårlig alternativ. Jeg tanker noen hundre meter mens jeg flyr mot jungelen og soi 10. Under meg er folk på vei til arbeid med å ta opp eller plante tapioka. Noen vinker opp til meg. Jeg vet mange i Suntisuk kunne ha lyst til å fly. Sannsynligvis tror de at det er annerledes enn jeg føler at det er.

Under meg ligger det rekker av små hvite sekker med hønsegjødsel (se bilde) som skal spres manuelt før traktoren kommer og pløyer ned gjødselen. Det er tung, varmt og illeluktende arbeid. Det er så mye hardt arbeid forbundet med landbruket her (ris, sukkerrør og tapioka) at det forundrer meg gang på gang å høre at thailendere er late, ikke kan arbeide.

Jeg bestemmer meg for å gå lavere og følger den røde veien som går som en rett strek mot jungelkanten. Det bør gå greit å lande her. Noen der nede ser opp. Jeg vinker til dem. De vinker tilbake. I bare hundre meters høyde kjenner jeg meg litt ukomfortabel. Ved motorkutt er jeg nede i løpet av under ett minutt. Jeg gir mer gass før jeg nærmer meg skogen der veien slutter.

På tilbaketuren får jeg et overraskende motorkutt i tre hundre meters høyde. Et par startforsøk gir negativt resultat, og jeg liker meg ikke helt. Det er litt ubehagelig at det går så fort nedover – over to meter i sekundet. Når alt er klart for landing og jeg ligger på motvindslegget, forsøker jeg den elektriske starteren igjen. Denne gangen tenner motoren, og jeg er lettet over at jeg slipper å lande der nede på veien.

Jeg tanker ny høyde og er fornøyd med at jeg taklet overraskelsen så greit. Uten høyde til å områ meg er det ikke sikkert at det hadde gått så bra.

Uten at jeg egentlig vet om det, klatrer jeg opp til over 1.100 m asl. Det må være underbevisstheten som slår inn. Etter motorkutten er jeg litt var for smålyder fra motoren, men den går som en klokke bak meg. Her oppe er det greit å ha vindtett jakke. Ikke akkurat kjølig, men heller ikke varmt.

Her oppe ser det ut til å være mange landingsmuligheter (se bildet). De fine og grønne rismarkene er et dårlig alternativ. Det samme gjelder der hvor det er trær (eucalyptus og gummitrær), sukkerrør og tapioka i god vekst. Det er de bruneste jordene som er det beste alternativet, helst de som er nær vei. Over mot Khok Noi driver en rekke med småskyer rett over bakken; de følger trolig et elvedrag hvor vannet er varmere enn luften rett over.

Landing på idrettsplassen er bestandig litt spennende. Jeg vil ikke sirkle for mye i lav høyde, så jeg velger å sjekke vindstyrken på downwindlegget før jeg går inn på finalen noen hundre meter fra Suntisuk. Plassen kunne med fordel vært litt større. Den ser ganske liten ut på denne avstanden. Før jeg når frem til idrettsplassen må jeg sjekke synke og kontrollere det med gasspådraget. Det er en viss treghet når jeg synker med mer enn to meter i sekundet, og økt gass gir ikke stig før etter noen sekunder. Jeg må krysse over noen trær og et luftstrekk med ledninger. Dersom jeg har for mye gass her, kan jeg lett komme for langt og lande i trærne på andre siden. Jeg passerer derfor tretoppene i 5-10 meters høyde med et synk på mellom 1 og 1,5 m og lander i gresset uten å ha brukt hele rullebanen.

Dette var en interessant tur, spesielt når motoren kuttet.