Berlusconi lives...!

[Nardini]

I felt that the old crooner was deserving of a thread to himself now that he has plunged Italy into yet another political crisis...

Firstly, I'm sure you will all be pleased to know that Berlusconi has, yet again, managed to slip the clutches of the law. Praised be to - well, yet another law he got through his company parliament last time he was in control.

Another thing I have been wondering about is what happened to his magical new party (also in BBC English here), launched in Piazza San Babila, Milano last November. Any news?

Of course, we already know about his taped conversations demanding that RAI give work to several of his young lady supporters - looking to lead directly to the courtroom. If - or is it now when - he gets the reins of power back again, can we guess the law that will be immediately passed to ensure both his innocence and immunity from prosecution? Again...

Anyway... Berlusconi. What's your view?

[pigro]

My view? I'll pass the buck to Woody Allen, who said it better (in 'bananas') than I ever could ...

"I object, your honor! This trial is a travesty. It's a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham."

[Licciana]

Oh my goodness you two are frightfully unreconstructed. Why on earth would anyone want to take on the heavy burden of running a country if it were not for the ability to pass on these gestures of largesse to one's mates. Hardly seems worth the bother otherwise.

I mean, get with the programme.

[Nielo]

I think there is an errant 'v' in the title of this thread!

If it is removed it reads much truer.

[Ghianda]

I'd have to agree with this sage comment, and in response to "Berlusconi Lives" would add... "sad, but true".

In my nearly 3 years in Italy, one of the things that has kept me constantly entertained is exploring the cultural differences between me and the locals. Most of the time it's a great fun pursuit, seeing where we look at things differently, and in most cases, I'm happy to say that I'm coming round to the local way of thinking, despite 40+ years of conditioning. The area where I really struggle to have any empathy though is in the general acceptance of people like Berlusconi - mbuh!!

Originally Posted by Nielo

I think there is an errant 'v' in the title of this thread!

If it is removed it reads much truer.

[deborahandricky]

I think I may have said this before, about the difference between Berlusconi and the likes of Blair, Brown and Bush.
We all know that Berlusconi is not the straightest of men, but at least he is honest enough to come at you in broad daylight,wearing a stripped black and white jumper and mask, with a knife.
Unlike the other three who dick around saying they are doing the right thing by us all, and then do u-turns faster then a rabbi at a BBQ.
I prefer honestly dishonest people, at least you know that is all BS with them.

[Nardini]

Originally Posted by deborahandricky

...We all know that Berlusconi is not the straightest of men, but at least he is honest enough to come at you in broad daylight,wearing a stripped black and white jumper and mask, with a knife...

Sadly, I cannot agree with you on this. Berlusconi has a long, long history of acting in a way that would make Machiavelli look like a cheer-leader for a Wyoming prep school! Perhaps you should delve a little into the matter of how Antonio di Pietro was discredited by Berlusconi - or just get hold of "Sack of Rome", of course. Belusconi wields immense power with his control of the media in Italy and uses it to the full. He is a brilliant salesman and, like many salesmen, not a very good manager. Italy has already paid a very high price to both keep Berlusconi out of jail and to enhance his ego at all levels. But to suggest that Berlusconi is not a wholly devious "person", as well as an out-and-out criminal, would be simply further highlighting his success as a frighteningly effective brain-washing force in Italy.

I realise that for many people Berlusconi merely represents a right-of-centre political view and it is easy to confuse him with the British Conservative party, or the US Republican party. This would be a mistake, however as I feel that Berlusconi has never presented any kind of idealogical reason for his actions. I would be much happier to see Casini or Fini heading the Centre-Right coalition - at least they have an idealogical agenda to press.

[numerouno]

Imagine working for an organisation that has just over 600 employees, of which:
29 have been accused of spouse abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad cheques
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
4 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drink driving in the last year!


Which organisation is this? Its neither owned nor run by Berlusconi......


























It's the House of Commons, whose 635 members are the same group that cranks out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line, and they want a pay rise!

[Nardini]

Originally Posted by numerouno

It's the House of Commons, whose 635 members are the same group that cranks out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line, and they want a pay rise!

In Italy it is called the Camera dei Deputati. Here, we have our own bunch of convicts in office, we don't need any English ones, thank you very much!

[deborahandricky]

Originally Posted by Nardini

In Italy it is called the Camera dei Deputati. Here, we have our own bunch of convicts in office, we don't need any English ones, thank you very much!

Do you mean these guys ????

Below is the list of names of Italian representatives in the Italian and European Parliaments that have been convicted of a crime:
Berruti Massimo Maria (Member of Parliament Forza Italia) Driving with due care and attention
Biondi Alfredo (Member of Parliament Forza Italia) Wearing Gucci knockoffs

Bonsignore Vito (Udc - Member of European Parliament) Not using his mobile
whilst driving
Borghezio Mario (Lega Nord - Member of European Parliament) Making a pass at an older woman
Bossi Umberto (Lega Nord - Member of European Parliament) Not having suger in his coffee
Cantoni Giampiero (Member of Parliament Forza Italia) Seen entering a starbucks
Carra Enzo (Member of Parliament Ulivo) Seen in public with a woman that was his wife
Cirino Pomicino Paolo (Member of Parliament Democrazia Cristiana - Partito Socialista) Seen in restaurant not watching the television

De Angelis Marcello (Member of Parliament Alleanza Nazionale) Not being seen in Hello for 2 issues
D'Elia Sergio (Member of Parliament Rosa nel Pugno) Not wearing brown shoes with a blue suit
Dell'Utri Marcello (Member of Parliament Forza Italia) For not employing his family as advisers
Del Pennino Antonio (Member of Parliament Forza Italia) Paying the correct amount of IVA
De Michelis Gianni (Nuovo Psi - Member of European Parliament) For asking for butter with his bread
And lets not forget the ex Boss himself ….Being in possession of a dodgy hair transplant