The brand “Swiss”
… Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group Ltd. is worried that its relations with Muslim countries—an important destination for its goods—will be imperiled if [a Nov. 29 referendum to ban the construction of minarets] passes. “The brand ‘Swiss’ must continue to represent values such as openness, pluralism and freedom of religion,” said Hanspeter Rentsch, member of the executive group management board at Swatch. “Under no circumstances must it be brought in connection with hatred, animosity towards foreigners and narrow-mindedness.”
Yes, that’s it, isn’t it? The first things that come to mind when one thinks of “the brand ‘Swiss’” are “values such as openness, pluralism and freedom of religion.” Not the pretty girls in their white blouses and dark aprons, dancing in sunshine and cool spring air on green lawns for May; not the tall, brave, blue-, red- and yellow-clad pikemen who guard the person of the Pope; not the flocks of white sheep quietly grazing the lower slopes of snow-capped Alpine peaks above sparkling mountain lakes; not the supersecure banks whose grim-faced, waistcoated tellers ward their imposing, lamplit lobbies of marble and brass. Certainly not that cheese with holes in it. No, it’s “openness, pluralism and freedom of religion.”
And minarets, the Friday call to prayer, suicide bombings, and unidentifiably swarthy Saracen women in black burkas.
With friends like Mr. Rentsch, what need has Western civilization of enemies?
HJH
November 5th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Mr. Rentsch is obviously in it for the quick buck (or mark, euro, or whatever it it) and could care less about the continued existence of Switzerland. He does not even think about the continued existence of Switzerland, or what Switzerland is at all. He needs to be left on the upper reaches of the Matterhorn in nothing but his undershorts for several days to have time to think about it. It might help him gain perspective. Shame on him, what a disgusting traitor!
Many years ago, I used to work in the watch industry and the Swiss were very acutely aware of protecting themselves at that time. They had a law that only allowed them to export what they considered to be obsoleted techhology. My company, Hamilton Watch, used to buy Swiss automatic screw machines (Tournos) and assembly machines from them, but they could not export anything that was not at least a 10 year old design. They were smart then; it is clear that with people like Mr. Rentsch running things today, they have lost their minds. What a pity!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Dr.D:
What a graphic illustration! I had no idea that the Swiss had recently been so protective. “Lost their minds,” indeed.
Howard