Newsgroup: it.politica.sinistra
Titolo: Papi visto da Londra

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6401859.ece?Submitted=true
From The Times
June 1, 2009
The Clown's Mask Slips
Berlusconi must answer allegations of womanising and questions about
inappropriate behaviour. The quality of government is a not a private matter
The most distasteful aspect of Silvio Berlusconi's behaviour is not that he
is a chauvinist buffoon. Nor is it that he cavorts with women more than 50
years younger than himself, abusing his position to offer them jobs as
models, personal assistants or even, absurdly, candidates for the European
Parliament. What is most shocking is the utter contempt with which he treats
the Italian public.
The ageing Lothario may find it amusing, or even perhaps daring, to act the
playboy, boasting of his conquests, humiliating his wife and making comments
that to many women are grotesquely inappropriate. He is not the first or the
only one whose undignified behaviour is inappropriate to his office. But
when legitimate questions are asked about relationships that touch on the
scandalous and newspapers challenge him to explain associations that, at
best, are puzzling, the clown's mask slips. He threatens those newspapers
and televisions stations that he controls, invokes the law to protect his
"privacy", issues evasive and contradictory statements and then
melodramatically promises to resign if he is caught lying.
Mr Berlusconi's private life is, of course, private. But as President
Clinton found, scandal does not become high office. To his critics, Mr
Berlusconi retorts that he still commands high popularity ratings, is very
much in control of his Government and will not be intimidated by what he
calls opposition attempts to smear him. Many may also say that Italy is not
America: that the puritan ethic framing standards in the US has never
dominated Italian public life, and that few Italians are shocked by
womanising. This is patronising nonsense. Italians understand just as well
as Americans what is and what is not acceptable. And like Americans, they
regard a cover-up as contemptible.
Few media outlets in Italy are able to make this point without fear of
retribution. But to its credit La Repubblica has continually raised
questions about the Prime Minister's relationship with the 18-year-old Noemi
Letizia, whose birthday gift of a necklace was the pretext for Mrs
Berlusconi's divorce action. To most of these questions, on the lips of
every bemused Italian voter, there has been no satisfactory answer. When and
how did he meet her family? Did Mr Berlusconi ask for photographs from a
model agency and initiate contact with Ms Letizia? What truth is there in
reports that dozens of young women were invited to parties at his Sardinian
villa?
Mr Berlusconi has promised to explain everything to parliament. But he can
hardly have reassured his critics with his weekend injunction blocking
publication of about 700 photographs purporting to show what went on at
these parties. Nor is he helped by his hapless Foreign Minister, who
attempted to defend his boss by pointing out that the age of consent in
Italy was 14 - as if this were relevant.
Does it all matter? Some Italians will say no. Others will say it is no
business of outsiders. But Italian voters, in the run-up to the European
elections, ought to reflect on how their Government is run, on the
candidates thought suitable for Strasbourg and on the level of prime
ministerial candour during political and economic turmoil.
It concerns others too. Italy hosts the G8 meeting this year. Important
discussions are taking place in that forum, where Western governments are
pressing for greater co-operation in combating terrorism and international
crime. Mr Berlusconi sees himself as a friend of Vladimir Putin. His country
is an important member of Nato. It is also part of the eurozone, which is
being tested by the global financial crisis. It is not only Italian voters
who wonder what is going on. So do Italy's nonplussed allies.

 the Italian public.
Il Times parte dal presupposto che gli italiani siano differenti dal
pagliaccio che li governa e come tutti i presupposti controfattuali porta
a conclusioni fuorvianti.
m
-- 
Ever noticed that people who believe in Creationism look really unevolved? 
- Bill Hicks
questo articolo e` stato inviato via web dal servizio gratuito 
http://www.newsland.it/news
 segnala gli abusi ad 
ab...@newsland.it

 a conclusioni fuorvianti.
beh, visto la percentuale di astenuti, la speranza non la perdo.

 beh, visto la percentuale di astenuti, la speranza non la perdo.
Ste elezioni "inutili" possiamo anche "vincerle"; sta di fatto che quando
ci sono quelle che contano i destri non solo si manifestano ma sono anche
belli allineati e coperti.
Se ne sbattono del Times evidente frutto di complotto internazionale volto
a sovvertire l'ordine mondiale.
Come ho detto a Maurizio, non sai come vorrei condividere il vostro
ottimismo.
