[thechat] West v. East (was: civilized vs. uncivilized)

[Bob Davis]

At 4:55 PM -0700 9/26/01, you wrote:


>>
>>Defending one's home is a very noble and honorable choice to make. Or do you
>>think Geromino, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull et al were just war mongers? I
>>think they were great heroes!
>
>I guess that depends on how you define "defending one's home." 
>Switzerland as I recall is a very militarized country.   How many 
>countries have they invaded?  How many bombs have they dropped?

Switzerland is not a very good example....They're a neutral country. 
Have been since around the time of the hundred years war, IIRC.  It's 
not a choice they make, it's a legal status in their constitution. 
They *can't* get involved. They do, however, bear the burden of 
protecting their borders vigilantly - it's part of being  a sovereign 
nation and a very important tenet of neutrality.

By the way - prior to becoming neutral, Switzerland was one of the 
largest exporters of mercenaries and weapons. The Cantons were full 
of fighting men willing to follow the money. There are only a few 
Swiss mercenaries around any more - at the Vatican.

bob

-- 
bob davis
bobd at members.evolt.org
http://www.bobdavis.org/