Sandberg grew up in Harstad, attended Heggen from 1997 to 1999. He worked at Statoil in Medkila for a short period right after high school, before traveling to Australia for his education. After his studies, Rune Sandberg got a job in Silicon Valley and has been working there since 2005.
Here is the mood report from Rune Sandberg over there:
I notice that there is quite a nervous atmosphere among people, especially the Democrats. I can’t sense the same engagement as during Obama‘s campaigns in ’08 and ’12. At work, there is little political talk aside from policies that could impact the industry. I have a good relationship with my boss and I strongly suspect he votes for Trump. He is pleasant, has traditional values, and thankfully is not anti-vaccine.
I now live about an hour north of San Francisco and you can notice the difference outside the Bay Area. I have been surprised to see so much support for Trump here. It is common to express support for a candidate by having signs on the lawn. Some have large flags and signs hanging. There has been a conflict between the sides where signs have been taken down from both sides. The other day I saw large letters spelling TRUMP cut out of signs with Harris/Walz along the road.
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Ellen Christine in the USA: – The women I know are very engaged
There are often demonstrations in the city center. On one side of the street, you have progressive Democrats demanding an end to the war in Gaza, that women should have the right to choose abortion, etc. On the other side of the street, there are often military veterans, families of enlisted individuals, anti-abortion activists, and Israeli flags. It is polarized even here in northern California, although there are far more Democrats.
A strange election where the Democratic nomination had to withdraw a few months before the election. No primary election was held, and the forces in the Democratic Party decided that there was no time to lose and nominated Kamala after much pressure. This is also reflected in the support. I know many Kamala voters who are voting out of duty to democracy and not enthusiasm. The Democratic Party is split between the progressive wing and the center-right wing. The progressive wing probably doesn’t feel that their issues will be prioritized under Kamala. Some progressives have shifted to the center, often in accordance with age and growth in their personal economy due to a strong economy.
One last thing to mention is that here in California, we vote on many other issues in addition to the presidential election. Locally here in the “county,” there is particularly one issue that has engaged people. There is a vegan group with support from artificial meat investors trying to redefine what is considered a concentrated operation where animals cannot move freely. Some have 10-20 goats that would become illegal if it is passed. It would have enormous consequences for small providers, the food supply, and the local job market. There has been much greater engagement against this legislative proposal than for the presidential candidates. Voting on local issues has a greater impact on people here than who the president is.
Best regards from Rune Sandberg
Sebastopol, California
November 5, 2024
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Rune Sandberg
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Rune. Thank you for joining us today from your home in Northern California. It’s interesting to hear about your experiences since moving to the U.S. Can you start by sharing what it’s been like for you in Silicon Valley?
Rune Sandberg: Good afternoon! It’s great to be here. Living in Silicon Valley has been a unique experience, especially coming from Harstad. The innovation culture is palpable, but there’s also a sense of nervousness permeating the atmosphere these days, particularly among Democrats. It feels quite different compared to the enthusiastic campaigns of Obama in ’08 and ’12.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to hear you describe a nervous atmosphere. What do you think is causing this feeling?
Rune Sandberg: Well, I think the political climate has become increasingly polarized. People are less engaged in political discussions at work, and when they do come up, it often revolves around industry-related policies rather than broader political discourse. My own boss, who likely votes for Trump, showcases this disconnect. He’s pleasant to work with and has traditional values, yet there’s a noticeable gap in political discussions compared to previous election cycles.
Time.news Editor: That disconnect must be quite striking, especially given the heavily charged political environment in the U.S. right now. You mentioned living about an hour north of San Francisco, could you elaborate on the political dynamics there?
Rune Sandberg: Absolutely. Outside the Bay Area, especially in these northern regions, there’s a surprisingly significant amount of support for Trump. It’s evident when you see the campaign signs and flags displayed openly. I’ve even witnessed conflicts where signs from opposing sides are taken down. Just recently, I saw ‘TRUMP’ cut out of signs supporting Harris/Walz along the road.
Time.news Editor: That sounds intense. It seems like there are clear divides in the community. You’ve observed protests in the area. Could you describe what those have been like?
Rune Sandberg: Sure. The protests reflect that division quite drastically. On one side of the street, you’ll see progressive Democrats advocating for issues like ending the war in Gaza and women’s reproductive rights. On the opposite side, there’s often a gathering of military veterans, anti-abortion activists, and people waving Israeli flags. The level of polarization is stark, even here in Northern California, despite it being traditionally more liberal.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a microcosm of the larger national divide. How do you see this tension evolving as we approach the next election?
Rune Sandberg: That’s a tough question. I think the polarization will likely intensify. People are strongly entrenched in their beliefs, and social media plays a huge role in amplifying this division. It’s disheartening because it becomes harder to have constructive dialogue, which is crucial in a democracy.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. Dialogue is essential for progress. Given your background and experiences, what advice would you give to someone trying to navigate these complexities in their own community?
Rune Sandberg: I’d say, first and foremost, it’s essential to listen. Engaging with people from differing viewpoints can be enlightening. Finding common ground is crucial, and while it may be uncomfortable, it’s important to encourage open conversations rather than shutting them down.
Time.news Editor: Wise words, indeed. Thank you, Rune, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. It’s invaluable to get a sense of the ground realities from someone living in such a pivotal region at this time.
Rune Sandberg: Thank you for having me! It’s been great to discuss these important issues.
Time.news Editor: And we look forward to hearing more from you in the future.