Posted on 12/03/2001 4:51:52 PM PST by t-shirt
Monday, December 3, 2001
Swiss reject army proposal
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SWITZERLAND: Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to abolish their armed forces, considered by many in the neutral, alpine nation as a vital part of their lives.
The referendum proposal was put forward by the Switzerland Without An Army group, which argued the country does not face any military threat and shelving the largely reservist-based army would not diminish security.
Some 78 per cent of Swiss voters disagreed, also rejecting a second initiative by the group to establish a voluntary civilian peace corps aimed at defusing violence at home and abroad.
Expressing disappointment at the results, the group nevertheless said it had expected defeat, blaming the current climate of insecurity and disarray in both Switzerland and around the world.
Twelve years ago, a similar referendum on scrapping the armed forces mustered 36 per cent support among voters and campaigners said yesterday they would continue their efforts.
Supporters of the referendum proposal had argued that the armed forces were an outdated institution and a "man's world where blind obedience and contempt of women still rules".
They had also questioned the nine billion Swiss francs (€6.4 billion) it costs to maintain the armed forces every year, arguing the resources could be better spent on non-military initiatives. - (AFP)
Thread from two days ago I ran before the vote was taken:
Swiss to Decide Army Issue (Socialists Want To Abolish Militia-AKA-All Citizens Armed,Free)
Insanity.
Stay well - Stay safe - stay armed - Yorktown
There is a book that all concerned citizens needs to get, and share with family and friends. Pray you never need to use the knowledge, but if such a time comes, it will be too late to get the book:
"Total Resistance" by von Dach Bern ( 5th printing Feb. 1981 by Paladin Press ) ISBN # 0-87364-021-7
I've been told this book can be found at:
and possibly here:
Maybe they're not really that intelligent after all...LOL
They have voted on this before, once while I was there, and I remember what the older women said about the military, besides wanting it for self defense: They said that it really made their boys into men. Young Swiss had it relatively easy, but since all the young men go into the army for 18 months at about age 18, it really has an effect on them.
There are deaths every year, because these troops are worked VERY HARD. The have an incredible air force, with hangars built into the mountains, and great inter-mountain flying skills. It's no summer camp, except maybe for the over 30s who have more of a cushy time as they go in for their stints each couple of years. Under 30 they go in every single year, and receive full pay while doing so, but they can be marching for days in snow or hot sun, or engaged in serious war games. My ex will always have the cigarette butt scars on his arms because he WOULD NOT TALK.
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