Queen Cartimandua has been rutting for revenge after her cover was blown in December 2007. At the time Deborah Bergamini, alias Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, was running the RAI as a soporific adjunct to her Emperor's designs. As one of Berlusconi's most faithful marketers it was only natural that when he came back to power in 2001, she should hold a key role in State television so as to sell her Boss's image as well as all his miracles to an enchanted audience.
When Wojtyla died she made sure the masses were not unduly traumatized by the event to the point of neglecting to participate in the upcoming administrative elections- a crucial appointment for Berlusconi. So Bergamini saw to it that the State TV broadcasted the right atmosphere.
But what she didn't know is that she was being wiretapped as part of a larger investigation into alleged slush funds abroad. Thanks to newspaper scoops, Bergamini's improper professional conduct was exposed. She was suspended- and shocked to the point she abandoned her alter ego, Queen Cartamandua. Like Richard Nixon she crossed the desert alone only to reap severance pay within a year for the paltry sum of € 390,000 and a nomination as Deputy in Parliament by her Boss.
Two days ago her amendment to Berlusconi's outright criminal wiretapping bill passed in commission. It mandates one to three years in prison for any reporter who publishes wiretaps, whether in full or in synopsis. The bill is very likely to pass as is because of Berlusconi's large majority and his constant recourse to confidence votes.
Now you might say, hey, wait a minute- what's this all about? Are we missing something? Well, a wiretap bill in one guise or another has been on every political hack's agenda for years now. The political class in general is tired of being called to account for possible criminal activity. Since wiretapping is one of the most efficacious investigative tools, it's only natural that a law must be made to prevent its use. All the more so when the mafia has a stake in the matter. It's all game to pass anti-mafia legislation. It makes good PR, especially with the Americans. But then with the vacuous excuse of privacy a self-serving law is contrived that makes wiretapping nearly impossible and definitely ineffectual to contrast crime.
Now I could go on about other aspects of this criminal bill. D'Avanzo for la Repubblica summed it neatly: public opinion is being outlawed. When the bill becomes law, reporters can no longer write about a crime, name names of alleged parties involved, publish the name or the photo of the investigators or the judges that handle the case. Not even public documents may be discussed in the press once investigative secrecy has been let up. Blogs can be blacked out on the whim of the Minister of Interior- no longer an affair of due process. Opposition MP's have promised to publish news abroad when the law passes.
Queen Cartamandua has added the finishing touch: three years prison for anyone who discusses her professional improprieties. She must certainly keep the wild boars out of her queendom. Where only the pure at heart may adventure to find true love. Oh, Ms. Bergamini is ready to enter her liquid dale. She's even put on her high heels made of the finest antler. She'll find her man there, in his Diesel jeans with a roast of pheasant and grapes. We're all ears, Queen Cartamandua.
It is a solid wall going up in the architecture of a modern totalitarian democracy. Will Europe allow it? Probably. So long as it's done sneakly without upsetting the proforma democratic mechanisms, such as voting.
As for many other aspects, Europe appears slow or impotent. The European courts will soon proceed to sanction Italy over the Gasparri Communications Law that practically turned over all future digital communication to Berlusconi. Berlusconi simply shuffled around a few commas in the law and sent it back for review. Time passes. Europe then opens up the procedure again. Berlusconi in the meantime goes ahead and further monopolizes the media. Europe will sanction Italy but it will be too late- a fait accompli.
Italy is an upside down state. Here, Murdoch is a hero of free information. The ACLU would be shamed face and champion harsher laws were it here in Italy.
In effect Berlusconi passes laws that willfully violate the constitution. However, it takes nearly two years for a Constitutional Court ruling or a referendum against the law. By that time, damage is irreversible.
A large part of the voting population just adore it. Berlusconi is perceived as a man of action, decisive.
Great show. Applause. It works.
Exactly what my neighbors say about Sarkozy: Man of action. Decisive. Does what he says he will do.
Great Planet; Funny People Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
