Switzerland: now with more intolerance (and bombs)

Regrettably, the Swiss people voted (with a 57.5% majority) to ban the building of minarets in Switzerland. The four (4!) minarets that are currently in the country will probably be able to remain.

Only four cantons -- Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Basel City -- rejected the proposal. For once, the French are the most tolerant? I am confused... So was the government, who had urged people to vote "no" to the ban, and the pollsters, who had predicted a clear "no" victory. Check out the (often disturbing) for and against campaign posters here.

Swiss Mister and Miss are disappointed at this turn of events, and remain hopeful that this new legislation can be successfully challenged at the European Court of Human Rights.

What else are the Swiss for these days? War. Also on the ballot was a proposal launched by a coalition of peace groups and centre-left political parties to ban the export of weapons and other "war materials." The ban was rejected by 68.2% of the electorate. Bombs away! Switzerland exports weapons worth SFr722 million to more than 70 countries.

What else...a proposal for a new nuclear energy facility was rejected, but Genevans approved an expanded rail-link between Switzerland and France.

It was a busy day not to be voting...