I like Iceland. By which I mean, I've never been, but from pictures on the web and the music of Bjork it seems a pretty progressive place.
They don't put up with a lot of shit either...
Following the 2008 Financial Collapse, orchestrated largely by the banks, they chose to hold their bankers accountable and imprisoned them. This is without precedent, the bankers who orchestrated the 2008 US Collapse not only profited hugely from their fraud and market manipulations, they continued to profit through bailouts, despite any number of clear and transparent examples of market manipulation and fraud.
This week, one of the reasons came to light with the leak of the "Panama Papers", the biggest leak in history, showing how the rich and powerful use tax havens like Panama to illegally store and launder their money. So far, not enormously big news in the west, despite any number of notable figures being named, but also interesting in that they've already begun censoring the internet in China for any mention of them...China's ruling party have a number of inconvenient ties to Panamanian Banks. Vladimir Putin as well. As well as any number of Western and European Companies, Political figures and celebrities.
How many banks are there in Panama, anyways?
As always in the west we'll probably ignore it, or find, vilify, and if possible imprison the person who leaked the information, certainly we will in no ways seek justice for those whose transgressions are made apparent.
The Prime Minister of Iceland's name was listed in the papers. And in the ensuing demonstrations has (apparently) resigned, despite no proof of wrongdoing, but in Iceland, after the Banking & Economic Collapse of 2008, appearances are everything, and the Prime Minister has resigned. Or not, maybe...
What is certain is that one way or another the people will demand, and have, justice. This, too me, demonstrates a nation of people with both will and a strong moral compass.
I've never been, but I like Iceland.