There is definitely an aura and a mystique to being neutral. Not too many things are neutral. Maybe monks. Maybe water. Maybe Ziggy.
My old college roommate Zheke used to talk about how great it would be to be neutral on everything.
"Do you like Coke or Pepsi?"
"I'm neutral."
"Republican or Democrat?"
"Neutral."
"Chicken or steak?"
"Neutral."
The cool thing about being neutral is you never get involved in people's messes. You never take sides. You are just there, detached from the conflict. You are just observing.
I bring up being neutral because of this recent article on ForeignPolicy.com entitled "Switzerland Goes Rogue". According to the article,
Recently, however, Switzerland has been acting anything but neutral. Globalism and a shrinking world has forced them to make decisions that have had negative effects on their international image. Like an awkward teenager, they been forced to interact. And with decisions comes consequences - some good, some bad. Some, as the authors states, have made them look like a rogue state.
Of course, there is a big difference between being a rogue and being neutral. Being a rogue is nefarious, dark, and selfish. Highwaymen can be rogue, but they are definitely not neutral. Clowns, on the other hand, can be neutral, but they can't be rogue. Unless of course, they are the clown from "It". Or the clowns from "Killer Clowns from Outer Space".
Now I am left with this dilemma: when I do reach the enlightened state of neutrality, where will I live, now that the neutral homeland is anything but? Where will be my Walden Lake? Is there anywhere remaining neutral? The article mentioned Sweden, so that's a possibility. Maybe Antarctica.
Sweden or Antarctica?
I can't decide. I'm neutral, remember?
My old college roommate Zheke used to talk about how great it would be to be neutral on everything.
"Do you like Coke or Pepsi?"
"I'm neutral."
"Republican or Democrat?"
"Neutral."
"Chicken or steak?"
"Neutral."
The cool thing about being neutral is you never get involved in people's messes. You never take sides. You are just there, detached from the conflict. You are just observing.
I bring up being neutral because of this recent article on ForeignPolicy.com entitled "Switzerland Goes Rogue". According to the article,
Switzerland established its neutrality at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and has not fought a war since, making it second behind Sweden as the longest-standing neutral country. But in Europe this is, to say the least, old news.
Recently, however, Switzerland has been acting anything but neutral. Globalism and a shrinking world has forced them to make decisions that have had negative effects on their international image. Like an awkward teenager, they been forced to interact. And with decisions comes consequences - some good, some bad. Some, as the authors states, have made them look like a rogue state.
Of course, there is a big difference between being a rogue and being neutral. Being a rogue is nefarious, dark, and selfish. Highwaymen can be rogue, but they are definitely not neutral. Clowns, on the other hand, can be neutral, but they can't be rogue. Unless of course, they are the clown from "It". Or the clowns from "Killer Clowns from Outer Space".
Now I am left with this dilemma: when I do reach the enlightened state of neutrality, where will I live, now that the neutral homeland is anything but? Where will be my Walden Lake? Is there anywhere remaining neutral? The article mentioned Sweden, so that's a possibility. Maybe Antarctica.
Sweden or Antarctica?
I can't decide. I'm neutral, remember?
