  jan simonsen (born 3 march 1953) is a norwegian writer, freelance journalist and politician. he was a member of parliament from 1989 to 2005. he was a member of the progress party until he was expelled from the party in 2001. from 2003 to 2004 he was deputy leader of the democrats party. since then he has largely withdrawn from party politics to focus on his writing and journalism. he is also active on his blog, which is one of the most popular blogs in norway. frequent issues in the blog revolve around immigration, multiculturalism, israel, islam, politics and foreign affairs. ==early and personal life== simonsen was born in stavanger to businesspersons viktor holck simonsen (1913â90) and martha espevoll (1917â91). he was born and raised in the city district vÃ¥land, and later lived a few years in eiganes. he studied social science at rogaland university college and has a minor in history. he has been editor for the publications strandbuen, video- og tv-guiden and the official progress party publication fremskritt. he is not married. while he was christened in the church of norway, and as an adult remained a strong supporter of the church, he left it during the term of gunnar stÃ¥lsett as bishop of [[diocese 
1953_births Anti-globalism_activists Critics_of_Islam Living_people Members_of_the_Parliament_of_Norway Norwegian_Lutherans Norwegian_newspaper_editors People_from_Stavanger Progress_Party_(Norway)_politicians