XPost: soc.culture.swiss, alt.agriculture, alt.society.liberalism   
   XPost: sac.politics   
   From: vegan-idiots@nytimes.com   
      
   A vegan woman was denied Swiss citizenship for "being annoying,"   
   protesting cowbells.   
      
   A small Swiss town needs more cowbell.   
      
   Nancy Holten, a vegan anti-cowbell campaigner, was denied a   
   passport by the Swiss village "for being annoying."   
      
   Holten, 42, is a Netherlands native but has lived in Switzerland   
   since she was 8-years-old. Both of her children hold Swiss   
   citizenship.   
      
   Nonetheless, when Holten attempted to receive a passport from   
   her village, located in the canton of Aargau, she was denied by   
   locals – twice.   
      
   The Dutchwoman reportedly meets all passport requirements, but   
   the local council decided to reject her for failure to honor   
   Swiss customs, cowbell included.   
      
   "The sound that cow bells make is a hundred decibel," Holten   
   told the Daily Mail. "It is comparable with a pneumatic drill.   
   We also would not want such a thing hanging close to our ears?"   
      
   Town authorities reportedly wished to grant Holten citizenship,   
   but 144 of 206 residents voted against it, citing her blatant   
   disrespect of cultural customs. Holten has actively protested   
   the tradition of pig-racing, as well.   
      
   Locals say that they honor Holten's opinions, but resent her   
   excessive interviews with members of the media.   
      
   Obtaining Swiss citizenship is difficult, with 20 percent of   
   citizens being foreigners. Local residents often have a say in   
   granting citizenship, rather than the federal government.   
      
   Nonetheless, there is still hope for the animal lover. Holten's   
   case is under review by the Cantonal government of Aargau, which   
   can override local objections.   
      
   http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Woman-denied-Swiss-passport-   
   because-she-s-vegan-10854310.php   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)