 Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is having his final day in Court today, August 24. Breivik killed 77 people, many who were young, plus injured more than 240 others when he went on a killing spree in Norway, July 2011. Apprehended at the scene of the killings on Utoyea Island he never denied his actions. He did however try to justify them as "necessary" to stop the spread of Islam in Europe. The Court case has revolved around whether or not he was sane at the time of the murders. Many people in Norway viewed a possible verdict of insanity as inappropriate. They tend to view a spell in a mental institution as a "soft option" rather than an extended period in jail. Norway has no death penalty. Breivik himself wanted to be declared sane even though he knew he would go to jail. It was part of his plan to persuade the Court and the Public that his actions were not those of a madman but rather those of an intelligent person who was on a divine mission. The verdict that he is sane will do nothing to convince sane people that he acted for the good of all. He acted in a monstrous manner. He has been sentenced to 21 years in jail with a minimum jail term of 10 years. Not long enough by a long chalk. He is aged 33 and will still relatively young if and when he is released.At time of writing the last day of the trial is ongoing. Although the verdict has been passed the legalities today will be lengthy. As he was declared sane a fleeting smile touched Breivik's lips.Opinion: The far right around the World, who are so quick to attack Islam and Muslims, should remember that they are no better than the ranting extremists of Islam. Whilst they may use their Western education to play with words the meaning is not wasted on anyone with an ounce of intelligence. There are good and bad in all faiths and all countries. The increase in far right views and their senseless activity is as great a concern as that of terrorists in foreign lands. After all it is how Hitler and his misguided followers gained power. RIP with thoughts to those injured and the loved ones of the victims.
 Political fervor is a strange business. We all live in our own country and on the same planet and so what happens in one country may touch you directly but even if you do not it may indirectly affect you. It is good to have a knowledge of world affairs and form your own opinion rather than being browbeaten into someone elses beliefs but what off extremes? The far right tends to be thought of as Fascism and the far left Communism. Along the way some people have their ideologies mixed up. When you come across the extreme of either political direction you will know it.Anders Breivik's politics were to the extreme right. So far to the right that many so called far right groups will have nothing to do with him nor his beliefs. Breivik supposedly in the name of his beliefs shot and killed 77 people, injuring many more, in Norway in 2011. Tomorrow August 23, 2012, he will return to Court to hear the verdict on his crime and his sanity. The families of his victims want the court to act in what they say would be a "brave" manner and jail Breivik for Life. If he is declared insane he will be sent to a mental institution which some see as a "soft option". That may not necessarily be the case. Whilst he has been waiting the verdict he has continued to write online his extremist views gathering some misguided followers. Earlier this week it was revealed that in Czech Republic a man with a similar mission was thankfully intercepted before he could carry out a copycat massacre.Surely Breivik should be kept well away from the means to publish his extremist views which will result in the spread of more hatred. There is plenty of hatred spewed online regarding Muslims in Europe without Breivik being allowed to post his views.Breivik does have some sympathisers and followers who belong to that far right group who are inherent racists. If Breivik is sentenced to life in jail t will be a 20 year sentence which is not long enough. There is no death penalty in the country. He is aged 33 now and so could still wreak havoc in the future. Teams of psychiatrists do not believe that he is insane so it will be interesting to see tomorrow the outcome of his trial. For the loved ones of his victims it will hopefully offer justice and some closure. No sentence however will be sufficient for the massacre in Norway. RIP
 On July 22, 2011, lone, rogue gunman Anders Breivik went on a killing spree in Norway. By the time he was apprehended 77 people, including children were dead. On July 20, 2012, James Holmes went on a killing spree in an Aurora, Colorado cinema. By the time he was apprehended 12 people, including children, were dead. Both of these cases have similarities. Both gunman were apprehended at the scene. Neither resisted arrested. Both did not die at the scene. In so many of these cases the perpetrator is killed at the scene of the crime, either at the hands of police or themselves. Many of these gunmen ultimately turn their weapon on themselves. In 2011 Jared Loughner shot 18 people, including, injured Senator Gabby Giffords, killing six. He too was apprehended at the scene although in his case there was a struggle.The US appears to on the whole support its peoples right to bear arms. Surely now though the easy access to purchase weapons and ammunition must be being considered.Well if you think that, then think again. Since Holmes' killing spree the sale of guns in Colorado has increased. Gun classes have reported a surge also. This news may calm fears in the US but it would increase ours. The fact that you could be sat in the cinema with gun toting individuals prepared to use their weapons is worrying to say the least. It is a backward step. One that reverts back to hang em high days and vigilantes. That however is another article. Back to the gunmen. What happens when these gunmen are captured alive? Obviously a trial follows. That is the justice system. In these cases, were guilt is never in doubt, the trial is more about ascertaining the mental state of the gunman and deciding what punishment will fit the crime.In Norway there is no death penalty. Breivik will face life in jail or if deemed insane, in a mental institution.In America the punishment so often depends on the State laws. Again though the trial will ultimately be about trying to find out what caused the attack. Most right minded people would see the ability to turn a gun on other people in such a way as insane. Does this mean that all of these gunman are insane? The Courts would say no. How you determine the difference between madness and hate though is unclear. Yes psychologists will question, assess, interview and more before declaring sane or not. However if you are evil enough to commit torture, murder and more surely you are insane? We will all assess the recent murders in a slightly different way but we will all condemn them. Those who do not must surely be insane themselves?Sane or evil then will be the question. Premeditation in the US case will probably mean that an insanity plea is thrown out. Do you have to be sane to plot evil acts? The courts it seems would say Yes. Most people view a life term in a mental institution as a soft option though that may not be the case.The trial will be followed with "what do we do with the gunman". In Colorado for Holmes it could be death by lethal injection.We have no answers but think it must be time for change. It must be time to put in place practices which will prevent such massacres from happening over, and over, and over again. Having more citizens carrying weapons will not do that. Tags: US gun crime,US politics, Anders Breivik, James Holmes, Aurora Cinema shooting, sane or evil
 The trial of mass killer Anders Breivik in Norway is in its final throes. The 10-week trial is due to end tomorrow, June 22, 2012. For the survivors of his horrific attack on July 22, 2011, the trial has been a necessary evil. They have faced Breivik across the court room stirring up terrible memories of that fateful day. Breivik killed 77 people, including children, in the bomb and gun rampage he launched. Loved ones of those who died have also endured being close to Breivik during the trial. All have said that they want justice for those who died. Deciding just what that justice will be, is the remaining job of the court. From the start of the trial determining Breivik's state of mind prior to the attack, during the attack and since has been paramount. The verdict of the trial in expected on one of two days, either in July or August.. The disputed issue is Brevik's state of mind. The prosecution are asking that he be declared insane. If the court agrees Breivik will be placed into compulsory psychiatric care. This will mean that he will not face criminal charges for his actions in attacking so many people. In other words he will not be held criminally resposible. Many eople will claim such a verdict will offer Breivik a soft option. However it is one he deos not want.Brevik has maintained a not guilty plea throughout the trial. His argument is that his actions were politically motivated. The judges at the trial will have to decide if he is insane or sane and then issue the appropriate sentence. The Juky 22 massacre is the worst in Norway's peace time history.Tomorrow June 22, 2012, Brevik's defense team will respond to the prosecution'sclaim that Breivik is insane.Update: June 22, 2012, the trial ends.Today Breivik has taken to the stand to protest his sanity. He has maintained yet again that, "he acted to stop a Muslim invasion, and has asked to be considered sane and to be acquitted." That statement alone in many people's minds shows how insane he is. Around 30 people, the family members of Breivik's victims walked out in protest during his testimony. They have had to listen to gut wrenching details, of the murder of their loved ones, throughout this 10-week trial. Their stance today was that Breivik had the right to speak but they did not have to listen to him. They had heard all that was relevant already. Brevik had to formally ask to be acquitted as he does not accept any guilt. However he talked for 45 minutes detailing his political extremism and hatred of many people. Much of today's evidence, including Breivik's plea statement was not broadcast. The judges now face the task of deciding whether or not Brevik is sane. Their verdict will be revealed on August 24, 2012.
 Anders Behring Breivik is currently standing trial in Oslo Norway for the acts of terror he carried out in July 2012. Murdering 77 people for what he believed to be a political purpose, almost as a religious crusade, the court has been trying to pin him down about an alleged European network of extremists.
Day three in court began again with Breivik making his now trade mark closed fist salute. The act of defiance or political martyrdom perhaps. The man it seems is either very clever, very foolish or very mad. Maybe he is all three to differing extents.
Today, April 18, 2012, Breivik has made claims that he worked with an English mentor who he allegedly met in London during a 2002 visit. As the prosecution tried to find fault with his evidence Breivik asked not to be ridiculed. The prosecution currently is attempting to show Anders as something of a fantasist rather than a fanatic. A "Walter Mitty" character almost.
As the prosecution kept up the pressure Breivik said in an agitated manner, "I have told more to police than I wanted to about the networks," he said. "It is not in my interest to shed light on anything that could lead to other arrests."
As the court tries to get to the heart of Breivik, that is find out just who Anders is, He continues to make wild claims. At times the courtroom has been filled with laughter at his statements. At others it has had a chilling feel to it. He claims to be a militant Christian. The two words in most people's minds would be a contradiction. He is however plainly a racist who also belives in a pure Norwegian race. Of course he believes that he is part of this pure race.
As Breivik continues to maintain that he would carry out the attacks again there is no doubt that he is guilty of the attacks, deaths and injuries. Just what to do with him will be the problem. Much will depend upon whether in the final analysis he is deemed simply insane or evil.
For my money I would keep the cuffs on in court for one thing and deny him the closed fist salute. For another I would make sure his actual words were not reported and so deny him an audience. Of course doing that could run the risk of making him a hero to other misguided fools.
Tags: Anders Breivik trial, day three in court, Norwegian trial, Norwegian massacre, Oslo court, Utoyea Island
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