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Superb article. The Foreign Minister Frattini as well as the Minister of Defense La Russa were quite vehement over it, calling for the expulsion of the Guardian from the venue of international papers.

The U.S. no longer "needs" a lobotomized berlusconian Italy. The present government is one of those mummified vestiges of extreme rightwing Israeli politic that was so convenient for the Cheney White House in dealing with Iraq. It is now nothing more than a rural night club act with Khadafy as a happy hour comedian.

Berlusconi will attempt to get his photo opportunities while his utterly mediocre Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, will give away concessions at bargain basement bankruptcy sell-outs just to get his Optimus Poffarbacco on the front page.

Once that is done, our hero will rush to the Vatican to get a cheesy smile photo session with Ratzinger.

Berlusconi must go. He's no longer useful. The world has other priorities. He's decrepit. Europe needs another Italy, certainly not this charade of sleazy racists and wannabe fascists.

Italy is in dire need of a political earthquake.

by de Gondi (publiobestia aaaatttthotmaildaughtusual) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 05:10:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
But even the Repubblica sounded a bit half-hearted about the Guardian article, I think becaue the article didn't give any idea as to whether the source was anybody of any importance.
by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 05:12:26 PM EST
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In due course. The Repubblica article does a straight news summary of all the positions and reactions in the English language press. It does not enter in merit of authority on the source of the Guardian's criticism. As far as I'm concerned- and this is my opinion, no more- it is the position in itself that lays down several of Italy's failures towards the G8, most notably Kofi Annan's alleged irate letter to Berlusconi on failed promises (as reported by the FT). Or Geldof's apt depiction of Berlusconi as Mr. Three-Percent. 3% of what Berlusconi promises comes through. While the Guardian has taken the lead today, the FT, the WSJ and Der Spiegel have been very critical.

The case has been covered by all the major Italian dailes: Il Sole 24 Ore, il Corriere della Sera, la Stampa.

by de Gondi (publiobestia aaaatttthotmaildaughtusual) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:01:30 PM EST
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I mean, just the Potemkin-village idiocy of hosting the meeting in l'Aquila...

A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds; a man of deeds and not of words is like a garden full of turds — Anonymous
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:23:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Berlusconi must go.

Who will take responsibility for depriving us of the highest/lowest class of entertainment in the entire world?  

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:20:37 PM EST
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You're right, between that and Sarah Palin quitting, it would be too great a loss.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:23:23 PM EST
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It's a blessing the Outdoor Muscle Man stayed on as prime minister.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:33:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Indeed it is. :)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:42:34 PM EST
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We've still got Sanford. And there are quite a few Republican governors and senators left, who I'm sure will provide the desired entertainment when needed.
by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:33:45 PM EST
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I must also aim a special thanks not only at Mr B. but also at de Gondi. Without his diligent reporting and his exquisite style I wouldn't be able to entertain all my political junkie friends about fantastically juicy scandals week before they're summarily reviewed in the Swedish media.

Last time we we're all laughing so loud and giggling like little girls that half the pub kept staring at us.

("And then there is this mayor in Catania who has his office in the luxury hotel and is B's potence advisor...")

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Tue Jul 7th, 2009 at 06:31:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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