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Swiss Guards Get A Rest
Philly.com ^

Posted on 02/28/2013 7:38:50 AM PST by Perdogg

The pope's retirement means his famous Swiss Guards get a few days off before they have to protect the new guy.

Stern-face and standing as erect as the halberds they grasp, Swiss Guards rarely betray emotion on duty. Â But their storied history has its early roots in a bloody drama.

(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: benedict16; benedictxvi; catholic; pope; vatican
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To: oh8eleven

Sort of like the 300 Spartans, right?


21 posted on 02/28/2013 8:58:15 AM PST by tanknetter
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To: discostu
Sometimes the sign of being a highly skilled force is never having to fight.
Like plumbers and electricians?
One does not get a reputation in the military just by being highly skilled.
Battle worthiness is earned - the hard way.
22 posted on 02/28/2013 9:03:21 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

It’s tough to imagine great military victories won by countries that are historically neutral. /s


23 posted on 02/28/2013 9:06:56 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy

That’s essentially my point.


24 posted on 02/28/2013 9:10:29 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: tanknetter
Sort of like the 300 Spartans, right?
Spartan military reputation was forged long before Thermopylae.
Even the Marines "attacked in a different direction" at the Chosin Reservoir.
25 posted on 02/28/2013 9:14:04 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

No, not essentially . . . your point is that they are not effective as guards because they have no noted military vicotries. In other words, your assertion has no relevant basis.


26 posted on 02/28/2013 9:15:11 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: oh8eleven
"Ah, that would be considered a loss, hence, not in the book of great victories."

You could certainly say that it was a loss, the same way you could say Bataan, Corregidor and the Alamo were...but there's a little more to all those stories, wouldn't you agree.

27 posted on 02/28/2013 9:21:08 AM PST by VR-21
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To: oh8eleven

But then once they have fought the reputation is there. And really in the modern world of information you can get a lot of military reputation without fighting, what do you think bomb tests are for. And as others have pointed out, periodically the Vatican Guard does show some of their training to various TV crews for various reasons. There are many ways to show force, and if the force shown is sufficient potential enemies come up with other plans.


28 posted on 02/28/2013 9:42:23 AM PST by discostu (Not just another moon faced assassin of joy.)
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To: 1rudeboy
In other words, your assertion has no relevant basis.
No, it's their reputation that has no relevant basis.
29 posted on 02/28/2013 10:53:07 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

You are doing the equivalent of asserting that a baseball player is poor defensively because he has a poor batting average (or can’t hit homeruns).


30 posted on 02/28/2013 10:59:18 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Perdogg

It is 8 p.m. in Rome.


31 posted on 02/28/2013 11:01:09 AM PST by Excellence (9/11 was an act of faith.)
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To: oh8eleven

In May 1527 about 150 out of 190 Swiss Guards gave their lives fighting the troops of Charles V and allowing Pope Clement VII to escape capture. Anyone who thinks the current Swiss Guard wouldn’t do the same to protect the current Pope is kidding themselves.


32 posted on 02/28/2013 11:06:02 AM PST by DoodleDawg
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To: oh8eleven

Wow, you must be pretty tough. Why don’t you pick a fight with one and see what happens?


33 posted on 02/28/2013 12:53:33 PM PST by Romulus
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To: oh8eleven
No, it's their reputation that has no relevant basis.

Not even Hitler invaded Switzerland. You think he didn't like chocolate?

34 posted on 02/28/2013 12:56:26 PM PST by Romulus
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To: Excellence

Yep, Rome is Popeless


35 posted on 02/28/2013 1:23:09 PM PST by Perdogg (Sen Ted Cruz is my adoptive Senator)
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To: Perdogg

Pooped Pope popped out!


36 posted on 02/28/2013 1:25:00 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: Romulus; a fool in paradise; Slings and Arrows
Not even Hitler invaded Switzerland.

As a matter of fact, during one of his press conferences, Adolf was asked why he hadn't invaded Switzerland. He answered: "Because that's where the money is!"

37 posted on 02/28/2013 1:28:48 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: Romulus
Wow, you must be pretty tough.
Me - a keyboard commando? Do your homework before throwing out ignorant insults.
38 posted on 02/28/2013 1:47:20 PM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

You are the one who needs to be doing some homework.


39 posted on 02/28/2013 1:49:05 PM PST by Romulus
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