A cheat!

This is the new Nokia N8. A fabulous mobile phone. You know that I am a mobile phone freak. But this time, I will not buy it. Because I really would not have any justification to give to my wife. But I was interested by the price. At my phone provider it cost around 620 dollars if you don't take a contract. This is a bit high; normal, the phone companies want you to sign a contract.

It just so happened that I was passing through Geneva Airport Duty Free. And I saw the N8. I thought that one gets a good deal. I asked for the price: 615 dollars! In the Duty Free!?! Since quite some time, I am buying my phone from a company at really good prices. The N8 costs there 495 dollars.

Duty Free? A cheat.

Well, sometimes it is not bad. Whenever I pass at Doha Airport, I buy my favorite Dunhill cigarettes at the Duty Free. For 17 dollars per carton. In Switzerland they cost 70 dollars.

Our President (3)

I don't want to drag the story eternally. But it is of actuality. Yesterday, Mrs. Leuthard opened the summit of the French speaking countries, the "XIII sommet de la Francophonie". With the attendance of around 40 head of states or government.

Is she trying to seduce the French President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy?

Of course not. But it is nice to see that some of our leaders, with all the worries they have, still can smile.

We, the Montreusiens, are having big smiles as the event takes place in our lovely town. The more so as a lot of light is coming to Switzerland as this is the biggest summit that was ever organised in this country.

Our President (2)

Following a comment from "A Lady's Life", I have to explain something. She raises the question about what a President can do in one year of office. Indeed, a good question.

Here is how it works. The Swiss President is not elected with electoral votes like in the USA or by the population like in France. Our President is simply confirmed by Parliament. Our Government is composed of 7 Ministers. They are elected by Parliament. For a legislative period of 4 years. Ministers, in most of the cases are serving between 2 to 4 terms. Recently, the Minister of Finance resigned after 7 years in office and the Minister of Transport and Communication after 15 years.

One of the 7 Ministers will be President, for a year, whilst remaining Minister. So, in the case of Mrs Leuthard, she is at the same time President and Minister of Economics (for the time being). One can say that she is "primus inter pares". Should she stay in office for another 8 years, she will be President again in 7 years. She is coming to the end of her first term of 4 years. Mrs Leuthard is still young and excellent and chances that she will be in office for quite some time are big. Thank God.

The President's role is to lead the Ministers meeting and to represent Switzerland. And, of course, add his or hers personal touch.

There is, however, considerations that the President's mandate should be 2 years. Before he hands over to the Vice-President who will become President.

A final remark: With the resignation of the two Ministers above, Parliament elected two new ones. And now our Government of 7 Ministers is composed of 3 gentlemen and 4 ladies.

An achievement when you consider that until the 1970ties, the women in Switzerland had no right to vote.

Our President

Mrs Doris Leuthard is the President of Switzerland. Since 1st January of this year. And until 31st December of this year. Only for one year she is President. That is because of our system. Next years's President will be the actual Vice-President (I don't even know who it is, it slipped my mind). But formality wants that the Parliament has to confirm the new President and, of course, the new Vice-President who will become President the year after.

It is a pitty that Mrs Leuthard is in "power" for only one year. She is (and soon was) a great President. Very active. And running around in the world a lot during her mandate. Much to the dislike of some narrow minded Swiss people. For me, it was great that she travelled a lot and "sold" Switzerland. She is a good "sales" lady.

She has been very sharp (she is also the Minister of Economics, will though change and take the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Environment next year) throughout her political career. Being a member of the Christian Democrat Party she was a member of Parliament and then became the party boss. From there she joined the Government.

She has achieved many things as a Minister and President. She is clever, has a good sense of humor and is simply:

A Great Lady.

I miss them

The "crowd" is gathering. For my farewell (24.08.2010).

They have covered me with flowers and have given gifts.

A few words of thanks and encouragement from me.

The last time together.

I miss them, a lot.

15.10.2010: Sissi (not the Emperess)

A huge event, yesterday, for Switzerland, for Europe. The completion of the drilling of the Gotthard railway tunnel. 57 kilometers. A world record.

The moment everybody was expecting: Sissi, the drilling machine, breaking through the mountain.

Celebrations can start.

Joy and Pride.

The guys behind it: Former Transport Minister, Adolf Ogi, who started it and actual (soon also former) Transport Minister, Moritz Leuenberger, who continued to fight for it.

These are the heroes who did it.

They worked for close to 15 years to make this tunnel. They lost 8 of their comrades. But all of the 2'000 workers will go down into history.

Swiss and European Railway history.

The whole world will be looking at us (well, at least the French speaking one)

Next week, a major event takes place in Montreux. The summit of the French speaking countries of the world. About 70 head of states will be for 4 days in our small, but lovely town.

So, police and army are busy setting up the security measures. Which has an impact on our "freedom of movement". The area of the Montreux Palace Hotel and the Montreux Convention Center will be a "No Go" area for us, the common people. Unless we get from the city administration a special "macaron" which will allow us to pass. But I am not special, so I will not get one.

Of course, Montreux will do its best (as it always does) to show what a great town it is. We could feel the preparations since quite some time. In the last few days we hat our famous army pilots of the "Patrouille Suisse" flying, very low, over the city and performing their act over the lake. It was fabulous to see. They will present their show to all the participants.

You will recognise on TV all the head of states coming and see a lot of famous people.

You will not see me. Because I will not get the "macaron".

Jazz on the 5th, Nr. 28

I thought it is time to bring again something from my favorite musician, Woody Herman. Here we see "Days of Wine and Roses" played by his "Swinging Herd". It is from 1964. It is a "calmer" tune but even then, at the end the boys are blowing at you. And the master has joined the saxophone section. (The video does not play directly, click on "Visionner on YouTube").

60

Some people see things differently. And have their views, different views which makes this world interesting. And everybody has his own opinion (or at least should have). I am having my opinion. For instance, about retirement. Now, I am not talking about MY retirement which was two years ago and I have, as of today, not seen much of it yet. But that is my thing, as an individual.

I am talking about retirement in general.

Right now, since weeks, there is a big fuss in France about retirement, putting the French President and his government under a lot of pressure and strain.

Because they want to change the retirement age from 60 to 62. Mass demonstrations have taken place, more will come and there might even be a general strike. Of course, it is natural that people get angry when one of their social benefits gets modified and changed for the worse.

But in this case, is this uproar really justified?

In Spain, the government is considering to put the retirement age from 65 to 67. In Switzerland, as civil servant and providing that the head of your department agrees, you can work until you are 70. Naturally being of good health. And, as a rule, retirement at 65 seems to be the common practice.

People are living longer and look younger as they age. And some would like to work as long as they can. Which is OK because, today, at 65 one is not old.

Of course, many people have rough and tedious jobs. But for them, there is "retraite à la carte". Which means that they have to possibility to retire earlier.

So I really do not understand all the fuss the French are making about this issue. Perhaps I am too dumb?