What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident after a company of Swiss soldiers got lost at night and marched into neighboring Liechtenstein. The 170 infantry soldiers from the neutral country wandered more than a mile across an unmarked border into the tiny principality early Thursday before realizing their mistake and turning back.
A spokesman for the Swiss army said that there were unlikely to be any serious repercussions for the mistaken invasion. “We’ve spoken to the authorities in Liechtenstein and it’s not a problem.”
Liechtenstein, which has about 34,000 inhabitants, does not have an army.
If it was American soldiers crossing into Mexico, they probably would have been shot by ex-Mexican officers, trained at Fort Bragg, now working as assassins for drug gangs.
If it was Mexican solders crossing into the U.S., they probably would have been offered jobs soliciting votes for the Democratic Party — or working for Republican contractors building homes for Halliburton executives.
The Swiss invade countries by accident. The United States invades countries on purpose.
Ever wonder why the Swiss don’t have a problem with terrorism while the U.S. does? Could it have something to do with Swiss foreign policy that the U.S. might want to emulate?
If it was American soldiers crossing into Mexico, they probably would have been shot by ex-Mexican officers, trained at Fort Bragg, now working as assassins for drug gangs.
That would assume the American soldiers can’t defend themselves…
#1 Could it be that the US is the protector of Israel?
Could it be that we are the largest target in the world?
Could it be that we are (for now) the largest economy is the world?
Could it be that are culture is 100% opposite of what the terrorist wish for in their perfect state?
Oversimplifying a bit are we?
I do not agree with all the US government is doing or has done, but lets not oversimplify the issue. Even if we hadn’t invaded any muslim country, we would still be at war with the terrorists, and a target for the radical muslim regimes.
#1 & 3 – More likely that Switzerland is acting in its traditional role as banker to the terrorists, and favored place for the laundering of money, art, diamonds etc from all sorts of nasty sources. Oh and a hub for that most corrupt of organizations, the U.N.
#2, That would assume the American soldiers can’t defend themselves…
That would only be if they were armed. For safety, troops on maneuvers are not always given ammunitions.
#5 How can a group of unarmed trainees be called an invasion?
Isn’t it great, two societies, ah Countries, with Such High regard and Trust of each other, living together with unmarked boarders. The invaded country saying “it’s not a problem”. And the SWISS have a draft, where every Male of age has to serve.
Why ca’nt other countries trust the US the same way, we don’t have a draft???????????????
If it was the US being invaded, we would likely make a federal case of it.
The swiss marching into neighboring Liechtenstein by accident ?
Unmarked borders between Liechtenstein and Switserland ?
The border between Switserland and Liechtenstein is called Germany and France. It is approximately 150 miles wide.
Breaking news: The swiss army invades France, Germany and Liechtenstein.
#8
“The border between Switserland and Liechtenstein is called Germany and France. It is approximately 150 miles wide.”
What the hell are you talking about? Try looking at a map.
And while you are at it, learn to spell Switzerland correctly.
#8,
Liechtenstein borders Switzerland (41 km) and Austria (35 km).
If you are going to correct someone, make sure you have it correct first.
#8 and #9 are fine examples of American Education Dollars at work.
Hmmm, I wonder if USA 5 graders know this one?
I’d like to See a show “ARE US 5 graders smarter then third world country 5 graders”.
#11
#8 and #9 are fine examples of American Education Dollars at work.
Hmmm, I wonder if USA 5 graders know this one?
I’d like to See a show “ARE US 5 graders smarter then third world country 5 graders”.
Comment by noname — 3/4/2007 @ 6:37 pm
Not if you are the prime example.
#9 did nothing wrong in his post. He chastised #8 for incorrect geography and spelling. Your grammar and spelling are both wrong.
Ok Mrs Fusion what 5 grade speller are you reading; exactly, what spelling is wrong?
#10
Mr. Fusion, I realise that your intentions were good in providing the correct answer. However, I purposely did not do that, hoping that the gentleman would be inspired to find a map and work out the answer for himself. In that way he might have remembered what he found out. Education is less a matter of knowing answers than it is mechanisms leading to them.
#14, fred,
Point well made. I’m sorry I screwed up your purpose. Personally, I doubt he would have bothered though.
Did the North Vietnamese take it lying down when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? I don’t think so. So why shouldn’t the Swiss invade Mexico? If they didn’t they might get stuck between Iraq and Ahardplace.
Switzerland is known for their Army Knives, not Compasses