Closing the Norwegian consulate?

Somehow it just doesn't seem right! According to the Star Tribune, quoting the Grand Folks Herald (good librarians cite their sources), Norway is planning on closing the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Minneapolis. The article says "The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to convert consulates in Minneapolis and Edinburgh, Scotland, to "honorary'' status while opening new consulates in China and Spain. Officials said the move would make better use of government resources." It further says that Norwegian-American groups dissuaded a similar intention in 2001 through a letter-writing campaign.

Norwegian-Americans unite. This is the closest we'll get to the homeland. Join Ole and Lena and Sven carrying signs in Nicollett Mall.