Mailbag
Subtle, current and well drawn
I would like to respond to the letter entitled “Offensive” by Ms. Zingg from Taiwan. The “Drop it!” caricature by Peter Gut in your September edition is subtle, humorous, current and well drawn. I would not have felt offended even if I were a Federal Councillor. It may just be a case of the end justifying the means. But many things are all too readily called “misogynistic”. I am grateful to “Swiss Review” for allowing me to appreciate some current Swiss humour.
Carole Dauberschmidt, Luxembourg
Sexist and lacking in respect
“Drop it!” - have I missed something or do I completely lack a sense of humour? I find this caricature misogynistic, sexist and lacking in respect. It certainly does not belong in “Swiss Review”.
Gabriele Müller Gloor, Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica
A rare blunder
I was saddened and extremely disappointed to find a caricature of our Federal Councillors in such bad taste and a rare blunder in “Swiss Review”. I am astonished that the editorial team allowed those so courageous and willing to commit themselves where men are not brave enough to be ridiculed.
Alexis Waridel, Quebec
Aloof internationalists
Philosophy professor Georg Kohler unprofessionally said of the Swiss army: “It still exists but is no longer fit for purpose in its current form. It must urgently join an alliance because the opposition forces have become too powerful.” Which alliance? The EU and/or NATO? Such writing by internationalists who see themselves as being above the electorate is inaccurate, undemocratic and extremely questionable in terms of state politics. The incorrect claim that the modern army is no longer fit for purpose is an affront to all those who perform military service in accordance with the constitution and, above all, the officers.
Heinrich L. Wirz, retired colonel, Bremgarten (Switzerland)
Great on the iPad too
We are delighted that we can now read “Swiss Review” on the iPad too. It is great that you have decided to do this, and we are sure that lots of readers are also grateful for the app. My wife and I have been living in Antigua and Florida for six years and continue to read “Swiss Review” with great interest. Many thanks for all your efforts.
Roland and Silvia Bachmann, Antigua
Extremely frustrated
As an avid reader of “Swiss Review”, I followed the articles on developments in Swiss politics and was preparing to vote by post. I was extremely frustrated when I received the election update on 20 October. Owing to a postal service strike, all mail was delayed and it was too late to send the ballot envelope via the consulate in São Paulo. It is time the Swiss government thought about electronic voting in all countries by using the Swiss diplomatic representations.
Alexandre Develey, São Paulo, Brazil
Goodbye Swissinfo disk
The last Wahl-CD from swissinfo.ch will become a collector’s item as it is the last one. What a sad loss. We are constantly encouraged to follow mainstream trends and in fact to become sheep. It has been a great source of information, enabling people to listen to the pros and cons from party representatives on upcoming vote and election issues. To hear someone’s voice and points provides so much more clarification, especially to those abroad who are not “bombarded” with daily debate. This is another example of how technology separates people.
Helene Lettau, Grindelwald, Tasmania
Voting by the Swiss abroad
As a Swiss citizen abroad, I do not agree with those who argue that the Swiss abroad should not be allowed to have an opinion on decisions taken about Switzerland and its political affairs. Thanks to the Internet and TSR/1, expats are well informed about current affairs and politics and can vote with full knowledge of the facts. These citizens live abroad for a variety of reasons and often remember Switzerland as a good place to live where workers focussed on ensuring a job well done. If Switzerland joined the European Union it would lose its national sovereignty and become dependent on Brussels. I do not wish to see Switzerland become like France, Germany and Italy. The bilateral agreements go far enough. If Switzerland were tempted to accede to the EU, it would no longer be the highly regarded and much envied country that it is today.
Guy Nicolas, Dijon, France
Much handier
I just wanted to give you some quick feedback on “Swiss Review”. I love the fact that it gets sent out in printed paper form again. I had stopped reading it when it became electronic. The paper form is so much handier.
Sandra Cafazzo, London
Editorial note: Any Swiss citizen abroad can order the printed version of “Swiss Review” at www.swissabroad.ch
The biggest idiots
In the last edition of “Swiss Review”, your reader, Bernhard Balmer, lambasted the European Union and bemoaned how “we again find ourselves in thrall” to it. However, in recent years Switzerland has not been humbled by the European Union, losing its dignity and honour, but rather by Muammar Gaddafi and the US tax authorities. (…) But Mr Balmer is right. The majority of Swiss people have had “enough of multiculturalism”. Let’s shut ourselves off from the outside world – not their wealth, of course, just everything else, and let’s hope that they will not become resentful enough to withdraw their money too. Let’s cast aside our principles of hospitality and tolerance, which are part of our enlightenment tradition. We are a small country, so let’s remain one. What could be better than keeping ourselves to ourselves? It is a well-known fact that inbreeding produces the biggest idiots.
Edouard Reichenbach, Antony, France
