[Nakura]

August 1st is the National Day of Switzerland! I don't know about you, but I for one have a great deal of respect for the Swiss. The Swiss have many admirable qualities and, in my eyes, are one of the few truly free countries. The Swiss operate a system of conscription, which is to say that every citizen is required to own a firearm and undergo military training. In my eyes, Switzerland is one of the few remaining bastions of freedom in this world.

For over 700 years Switzerland has stood as beacon of hope as it's neighbors fought amongst each other and forced their citizens into serfdom. The Swiss have always been fiercely independent, have maintained a non-interventionist foreign policy for centuries, refuse to join the European Union and only joined the United Nations in 2002. Today the Swiss operate a mixed system of representative democracy and direct democracy, where citizens can vote on laws and propose new laws. The largest political party in Switzerland is the right-wing Swiss People's Party, which strongly opposes Swiss involvement in the European Union and United Nations, as well as supporting free-markets and agrarianism.

Anyway, let's celebrate this brilliant country! Anyone have any plans today to celebrate?

[haloboy100]

Yes, we know how much you love Switzerland...

Out of curiosity, do we even have any active native swiss users?

[Nakura]

Yes, we know how much you love Switzerland...

Out of curiosity, do we even have any active native swiss users?

I'm not sure if we do or not, but I sure hope so.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think of Switzerland?

[headdie]

Yes, we know how much you love Switzerland...

Out of curiosity, do we even have any active native swiss users?

i am sure we did but not sure if they are active atm

[Lorric]

The Swiss have many admirable qualities and, in my eyes, are one of the few truly free countries. The Swiss operate a system of conscription, which is to say that every citizen is required to own a firearm and undergo military training. In my eyes, Switzerland is one of the few remaining bastions of freedom in this world.

This doesn't sound like freedom to me. I for one am glad I haven't been pulled from my home and forced to serve in the military whether I like it or not here in the UK.

[Luis Dias]

...one of the few truly free countries. The Swiss operate a system of conscription...

Brilliant follow up. Not even the best poes could ever dream surpassing this ****.

[haloboy100]

Just out of curiosity, what do you think of Switzerland?

Neutral.
Swiss cheese.
Red Cross.

[StarSlayer]

I like how the OP's reasoning pretty much centers around easy access to weapons.  I suppose under this set of criteria Somalia must be a paradise. 

Anyway yay Switzerland

[An4ximandros]

The only true paradise is the one where everyone gets at least a free nuke.

[haloboy100]

The only true paradise is the one where everyone gets at least a free nuke.

The ultimate freedom is from life?

[headdie]

The only true paradise is the one where everyone gets at least a free nuke.

Nuke stop hijacking peoples accounts lol

[EvidenceOfFault]

Considering the Swiss used to be something like a landlocked version of the vikings, plundering their neighbours, working as mercenaries and generally making a nuisance of themselves (much like the Scots...or the Afghans. Must be a mountain-dweller thing), it's really no surprise that Nakura feels kinship with them.
Hick.

[Polpolion]

The Swiss have many admirable qualities and, in my eyes, are one of the few truly free countries.

The Swiss operate a system of conscription, which is to say that every citizen is required to own a firearm and undergo military training.

I can't handle all the freedom, I need the government to intervene in my life even more.

[Nakura]

The Swiss have many admirable qualities and, in my eyes, are one of the few truly free countries.

The Swiss operate a system of conscription, which is to say that every citizen is required to own a firearm and undergo military training.

I can't handle all the freedom, I need the government to intervene in my life even more.

Freedom isn't free.

[Polpolion]

Freedom isn't free.

Irrelevant. Forcing an unwilling person into military service is not freedom and never will be.

[haloboy100]

Here we go.

Freedom isn't free.

Then what makes Swiss "freedom" any different from the rest of Europe?

[Nakura]

Freedom isn't free.

Irrelevant. Forcing an unwilling person into military service is not freedom and never will be.

Which is why I opt for the Heinlein route instead. You can choose to not serve society, but in doing so, you will not be able to make decisions for society.

[Luis Dias]

The Swiss have many admirable qualities and, in my eyes, are one of the few truly free countries.

The Swiss operate a system of conscription, which is to say that every citizen is required to own a firearm and undergo military training.

I can't handle all the freedom, I need the government to intervene in my life even more.

Freedom isn't free.

Of course it isn't. That's why it's called free.. wait.

[Nakura]

Here we go.

Freedom isn't free.

Then what makes Swiss "freedom" any different from the rest of Europe?

Freedom is more than just a government, it's an ideal. In order to have freedom, the people have to value freedom. I believe I covered this in my European serfdom thread. Though it would probably be best if we didn't bring that up, as not to offend anyone. We should all get along and respect each other, this is a thread to celebrate Swiss culture and their identity.

[Luis Dias]

Freedom is more than just a government

Really, this thread is gonna be a massive source of amazing quotes. Keep it up man!