Risto Ikonen, Joensuu
@ristoikonen.bsky.social
No one has direct access to the world as it is. That's why I want to know how others see it.- I am a true democrat and a former university teacher (University of Eastern Finland, Education and Adult Education).
A shorter version, as in Reader's Digest. "Did you discuss the peace plan with Zelensky?" Trump: "No."
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A shorter version, as in Reader's Digest. "Did you discuss the peace plan with Zelensky?" Trump: "No."
Alright. So it is QW-2. Thank you!
November 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Alright. So it is QW-2. Thank you!
It is incredible that even after all this there are MAGA people who believe that Trump is actually supporting Ukraine. Where is that little boy who dare to say that the Emperor is in fact naked?
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It is incredible that even after all this there are MAGA people who believe that Trump is actually supporting Ukraine. Where is that little boy who dare to say that the Emperor is in fact naked?
Of course, Putin and his oligarchs see carbon-neutral energy as a threat to their personal well-being.
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Of course, Putin and his oligarchs see carbon-neutral energy as a threat to their personal well-being.
If a nuclear power plant overheats, a radioactive cloud will spread over an area of tens of thousands of square kilometers. A drone that destroys a nuclear reactor's cooling system is, in fact, a dirty bomb. No massive explosion, just a lot of deadly radioactive fallout.
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
If a nuclear power plant overheats, a radioactive cloud will spread over an area of tens of thousands of square kilometers. A drone that destroys a nuclear reactor's cooling system is, in fact, a dirty bomb. No massive explosion, just a lot of deadly radioactive fallout.
Lisäys. Ohjusten valmistaminen maksaa paljon (ks. kuva). Onneksi vuonna 2024 EU-maat ostivat venäläistä fossiilista energiaa 21,9 miljardilla eurolla (25,4 bil. $). Myös Oreshnik ohjuksia on tilattu. Vuoden 2025 tilaus oli 95 ohjusta, yhteishinta n. 148 milj. € (171 mill. $). Homo Stultus.
October 31, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Lisäys. Ohjusten valmistaminen maksaa paljon (ks. kuva). Onneksi vuonna 2024 EU-maat ostivat venäläistä fossiilista energiaa 21,9 miljardilla eurolla (25,4 bil. $). Myös Oreshnik ohjuksia on tilattu. Vuoden 2025 tilaus oli 95 ohjusta, yhteishinta n. 148 milj. € (171 mill. $). Homo Stultus.
The Fico exercise: fall on your knees and tie your shoelaces.
October 22, 2025 at 7:11 AM
The Fico exercise: fall on your knees and tie your shoelaces.
Maksumuuri. Ihan vain vinkkinä, että osa lehdessä julkaistusta materiaalista kannattaisi jättää avoimesti luettavaksi. Ihan niin kuin mainosmielessä. Vieraskolumni sopisi tällaiseen tarkoitukseen oikein hyvin. Miten se menikään, "mieluummin ilman kuin Hillman".
October 19, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Maksumuuri. Ihan vain vinkkinä, että osa lehdessä julkaistusta materiaalista kannattaisi jättää avoimesti luettavaksi. Ihan niin kuin mainosmielessä. Vieraskolumni sopisi tällaiseen tarkoitukseen oikein hyvin. Miten se menikään, "mieluummin ilman kuin Hillman".
Yes, Gripen rules! Unfortunately Finland bought F-35s because...I really don't know.
October 18, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Yes, Gripen rules! Unfortunately Finland bought F-35s because...I really don't know.
In fact, what you are talking about, narcissistic sociopathy, is the real personality of "Homo Capitalism". Like most billionaires, Trump is loyal only to himself. And the step from billionaire to dictator is so short.
October 17, 2025 at 6:23 AM
In fact, what you are talking about, narcissistic sociopathy, is the real personality of "Homo Capitalism". Like most billionaires, Trump is loyal only to himself. And the step from billionaire to dictator is so short.
Interesting. For 80 years, we Finns have been ready to face an attacking enemy. That doesn't mean we were afraid. It is just a kind of "realpolitik". You never know.
October 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Interesting. For 80 years, we Finns have been ready to face an attacking enemy. That doesn't mean we were afraid. It is just a kind of "realpolitik". You never know.
A minor addition. If the MAGA can consolidate its power, the more enlightened parts of the United States could very well follow Finland's example. No one needs to be part of a nation ruled by bigots. Independence is actually a pretty nice thing to have.
October 13, 2025 at 7:48 AM
A minor addition. If the MAGA can consolidate its power, the more enlightened parts of the United States could very well follow Finland's example. No one needs to be part of a nation ruled by bigots. Independence is actually a pretty nice thing to have.
The irony of history is that the coup d'état was a stroke of luck for Finland, because the real majority would never have given us independence. What do we learn from this? A minority, if it is ruthless enough, may be able to seize power. Once that's done, it's hard to undo what had happened. 3/3
October 13, 2025 at 7:12 AM
The irony of history is that the coup d'état was a stroke of luck for Finland, because the real majority would never have given us independence. What do we learn from this? A minority, if it is ruthless enough, may be able to seize power. Once that's done, it's hard to undo what had happened. 3/3
The Trumpists are such fanatics that, in order to save democracy, you have to be ready to take up arms. Recall that in 1917, the Bolsheviks ("Majority") were actually a minority. Still, they managed to seize power in Russia. Lenin spoke of a "dictatorship of the proletariat." Like the... 1/3
October 13, 2025 at 7:12 AM
The Trumpists are such fanatics that, in order to save democracy, you have to be ready to take up arms. Recall that in 1917, the Bolsheviks ("Majority") were actually a minority. Still, they managed to seize power in Russia. Lenin spoke of a "dictatorship of the proletariat." Like the... 1/3
...comprehensive school and the entire education system exist. This is also what the supporters of so-called "progressive pedagogy" strove for when reforming the education system. They were not leftists, they were true democrats. Is this why the conservatives hated them? 11/11
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
...comprehensive school and the entire education system exist. This is also what the supporters of so-called "progressive pedagogy" strove for when reforming the education system. They were not leftists, they were true democrats. Is this why the conservatives hated them? 11/11
But this is only true in a "true" democracy and only if the press adheres to journalistic ethics. Negotiations are not possible without the truth. Lying and malicious slander must be revealed (this is what "freedom of speech" means!). The purpose of the press is to maintain public debate. 8/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
But this is only true in a "true" democracy and only if the press adheres to journalistic ethics. Negotiations are not possible without the truth. Lying and malicious slander must be revealed (this is what "freedom of speech" means!). The purpose of the press is to maintain public debate. 8/
...efforts to stop climate change, immigration, quarantines caused by pandemics, etc. These are the issues that populists exploit. Climate change is a hoax, quarantines are useless, leftists want to increase the number of immigrants because they vote for the left. It is so easy to say... 6/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
...efforts to stop climate change, immigration, quarantines caused by pandemics, etc. These are the issues that populists exploit. Climate change is a hoax, quarantines are useless, leftists want to increase the number of immigrants because they vote for the left. It is so easy to say... 6/
3. People don't care about public affairs. Or, to be more precise, no one has enough time to familiarize themselves with politics. That's why we have representative democracy. On the other hand, there are political decisions that affect the lives of ordinary people. The price of gasoline... 5/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
3. People don't care about public affairs. Or, to be more precise, no one has enough time to familiarize themselves with politics. That's why we have representative democracy. On the other hand, there are political decisions that affect the lives of ordinary people. The price of gasoline... 5/
...all the promises made during the election campaign. This is how democracy works. However, populists proclaim that they will correct all the mistakes made by other parties, but only on condition that they are given full political power. This is why populist movements are often anti-democratic. 4/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
...all the promises made during the election campaign. This is how democracy works. However, populists proclaim that they will correct all the mistakes made by other parties, but only on condition that they are given full political power. This is why populist movements are often anti-democratic. 4/
2. People do not understand democracy. In a "true" democracy, where the winner does not take all, candidates cannot say before the election what they will do if elected. Democratic decision-making is based on negotiation and compromise. Therefore, no one has the power to fulfill... 3/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
2. People do not understand democracy. In a "true" democracy, where the winner does not take all, candidates cannot say before the election what they will do if elected. Democratic decision-making is based on negotiation and compromise. Therefore, no one has the power to fulfill... 3/
...easily turn into mudslinging contests. This kind of political manipulation has created a special industry that spends huge sums of money on discrediting opponents. It is not the issues that matter, but the individuals. Such smear campaigns tarnish the reputation of all politicians. 2/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
...easily turn into mudslinging contests. This kind of political manipulation has created a special industry that spends huge sums of money on discrediting opponents. It is not the issues that matter, but the individuals. Such smear campaigns tarnish the reputation of all politicians. 2/
I've been wondering why right-wing anti-democratic groups are so popular these days. Here are some enlightened guesses.
1. People don't like politicians. There are several reasons for this. In "limited" democracies (the UK, the US) that favor political polarization, election campaigns... 1/
1. People don't like politicians. There are several reasons for this. In "limited" democracies (the UK, the US) that favor political polarization, election campaigns... 1/
October 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I've been wondering why right-wing anti-democratic groups are so popular these days. Here are some enlightened guesses.
1. People don't like politicians. There are several reasons for this. In "limited" democracies (the UK, the US) that favor political polarization, election campaigns... 1/
1. People don't like politicians. There are several reasons for this. In "limited" democracies (the UK, the US) that favor political polarization, election campaigns... 1/
Here in Finland, the Russian border is closely guarded. There are roads crossing the border, but not ones that people can use on their own. Do Estonians still think they have a special connection to Russia?
October 12, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Here in Finland, the Russian border is closely guarded. There are roads crossing the border, but not ones that people can use on their own. Do Estonians still think they have a special connection to Russia?
But where are Poland, the Baltic states, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark? Oh, right, they are on the front line, forming a buffer zone for these consumers of Russian fossil fuels. France, the Netherlands, and other supporters of Russia must be targeted with sanctions.
October 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
But where are Poland, the Baltic states, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark? Oh, right, they are on the front line, forming a buffer zone for these consumers of Russian fossil fuels. France, the Netherlands, and other supporters of Russia must be targeted with sanctions.