Italian PM Berlusconi tells Obama he's being persecuted
- Thread starter DarthTom
- Start date
Man, Berlusconi is really (d)evolving into everyone's crazy uncle.
OMG, that's even worse. That puts things in persepctive for most of us, I suppose. I feel for the Italians, though.
What's confusing to me is why in a Parliamentary system of government he is permitted to go on? Unlike here in the US where it takes an overwhelming majority of the congress to boot out the President in Italy his party can give him the boot - correct?
Why the delay?
Shit the man is accused of having sexual orgies with minors while on the job - what more will it take?
I don't think it's that simple. I don't know exactly how a Prime Minister can be ousted in Italy.
But his party is basically just a Berlusconi election club. Sadly, most parties in Italy seem to be in a sorry state, without a real base.
But his party is basically just a Berlusconi election club. Sadly, most parties in Italy seem to be in a sorry state, without a real base.
So... Who ever said Italy share the same democratic vaules as the UK, was silly.
THAT IS SOO UN-BRITISH/UN-AMERICAN... it's not even funny.
It's like to all those people who say Bin Laden was murdered because the US never told Pakistan... - To me; That's nonsense.
THAT IS SOO UN-BRITISH/UN-AMERICAN... it's not even funny.
It's like to all those people who say Bin Laden was murdered because the US never told Pakistan... - To me; That's nonsense.
Of course they share some of the same values, like freedom and democracy. One crazy PM doesn't change that, and not even widespread corruption.
And as for corruption and sex scandals, you might want to study your own country's recent history a little more closely, iBender. There were lots of juicy scandals in the 60s and 70s, if I remember correctly.
And as for corruption and sex scandals, you might want to study your own country's recent history a little more closely, iBender. There were lots of juicy scandals in the 60s and 70s, if I remember correctly.
... I doubt it. - One PM and all that crazy corruption does infact change that. There's no freedom and democracy when you're ONLY looking out for yourself. We look out for ourselfs as do they in America, but we also have vested interests in the stabilty of other nations... What this sounds like, is just some selfish Obama hating PM.
No, it's 2011, Italy should know better; there is no excuse in this day and age for that sort of conduct.
We belief in the rights of peoples, not states, so that's why our muslim women can wear what ever they're acustom to and feel most like them selfs in... Not even France has that.
No, it's 2011, Italy should know better; there is no excuse in this day and age for that sort of conduct.
We belief in the rights of peoples, not states, so that's why our muslim women can wear what ever they're acustom to and feel most like them selfs in... Not even France has that.
There was an attempt to get a vote of no confidence and it failed. He has not yet been convicted of a crime. He keeps getting re-elected. I'm not sure what you expect people to do just yet.
He's like the family member everyone else is embarrassed about, but they have to invite every reunion.
I guess this sums up his status among EU/NATO/G8 leaders.
Bunga Bunga.
I guess this sums up his status among EU/NATO/G8 leaders.
Bunga Bunga.
Look up Jon Profumo and Jeremy Thorpe for British scandals, iBender, the latter even involved an alleged assassination attempt.
Every country, even all the democratic ones, mostly look out for their own self interest, and often that includes the stability of other nations and is beneficial to them. Countries do very little out of the kindness of their hearts. It doesn't affect their being democratic societies, at all.
But that has absolutely nothing to do with Berlusconi because I highly doubt that his shenanigans serve Italian interests, on the contrary. I suspect he's not being taken very seriously as a partner in anything right now by other countries' leaders. Thankfully, a government consists of more than just one person and most stuff is discussed on the lower levels of experts at the various departments, anyway. But yeah, not a good time for Italy at the moment.
Berlusconi has been elected again and again by the Italian people in fair and free elections, so it's definetely a democracy. Though the concentration of media in his hands is also troubling, without a doubt. It's ridiculous to claim that one bad PM or President suddenly changes a country's values.
Every country, even all the democratic ones, mostly look out for their own self interest, and often that includes the stability of other nations and is beneficial to them. Countries do very little out of the kindness of their hearts. It doesn't affect their being democratic societies, at all.
But that has absolutely nothing to do with Berlusconi because I highly doubt that his shenanigans serve Italian interests, on the contrary. I suspect he's not being taken very seriously as a partner in anything right now by other countries' leaders. Thankfully, a government consists of more than just one person and most stuff is discussed on the lower levels of experts at the various departments, anyway. But yeah, not a good time for Italy at the moment.
Berlusconi has been elected again and again by the Italian people in fair and free elections, so it's definetely a democracy. Though the concentration of media in his hands is also troubling, without a doubt. It's ridiculous to claim that one bad PM or President suddenly changes a country's values.
I advise you to Watch Obama's address to the British Parliment if you can.
Basically, France; if France is soo different to us, 'and really, they're not' - but if France are soo different, then I have much to be shown about Italy relating to us. - Coalitions aside, we're talking national norms and vaules at the moment, and what the Italian PM did aginst Obama, spells betrayal.
Basically it should be people 1st, state 2nd, that's why I think France are different; because they're state 1st, people 2nd...
Basically, France; if France is soo different to us, 'and really, they're not' - but if France are soo different, then I have much to be shown about Italy relating to us. - Coalitions aside, we're talking national norms and vaules at the moment, and what the Italian PM did aginst Obama, spells betrayal.
Basically it should be people 1st, state 2nd, that's why I think France are different; because they're state 1st, people 2nd...
Perhaps I'm tainted by American sensibilities by these things but a US President had sex with an adult intern, lied about it and actually was impeached for doing so but not removed from office.
[Clinton]
If Bill had admitted to having sex orgies in the WH with minors I'm doubting the American public nor the Congress would have permitted him to have stayed on for long - crime or not.
Yea, yea, - were not Italy but I'm really shocked that the Italian public after this tirade at an economic summit for gods sake isn't demanding his immediate removal from office.
Berlusconi did not have sex with someone under the age of consent, he had sex with someone under the age for prostitution, iirc. The state has to prove that he gave her money or gifts for sex in order to convict him.
Berlusconi's been doing shit like this for years. He's a teflon President(e del Consiglio). Right now is actually the weakest he's ever looked. Even then, his conservative coalition owes their success to him. It could very well be suicide to force him out and then lose the election.
Berlusconi's been doing shit like this for years. He's a teflon President(e del Consiglio). Right now is actually the weakest he's ever looked. Even then, his conservative coalition owes their success to him. It could very well be suicide to force him out and then lose the election.
Well, it only just happened. Maybe this will be the hair that breaks the camel's back, maybe it won't. It's way too early to point fingers at the Italian public for doing nothing, not to mention that there have been protests against his government again and again and also criticism in the media.
Also, I don't think that it can be compared with Clinton. He didn't do anything illegal, originally, and the way he dragged in front of the tv cameras to be asked all those questions about intimate details of his life was disgraceful. It was a political smear campaign and I'm glad that in most of Europe, people are more relaxed and indifferent to their politicians' sex lives unless it involves illegal activities and threatens to unduly influence their politics.
Also, I don't think that it can be compared with Clinton. He didn't do anything illegal, originally, and the way he dragged in front of the tv cameras to be asked all those questions about intimate details of his life was disgraceful. It was a political smear campaign and I'm glad that in most of Europe, people are more relaxed and indifferent to their politicians' sex lives unless it involves illegal activities and threatens to unduly influence their politics.
Buttonholed--not cornholed.
Though I'm sure the President would have been even more suprised in the latter case.
Yes, I am SHOCKED, but not surprised.
Buttonholed--not cornholed.
Though I'm sure the President would have been even more suprised in the latter case.
I just can't wait to see the Republicans' response to this.