Yes, but he doesn't wear a track-suit to lunch
I can say what I like because I'm a billionaire
Silvio Berlusconi has done it again. Now he’s advised earthquake survivors who have lost their homes to think of living in emergency-supply tents as a “camping weekend”.
Around 17,000 people are now homeless, and they are living in tent cities, with temperatures plummeting to zero degrees and below at night. There are not enough tents to go round, and many of those people are sleeping in their cars, struggling to stay warm. And we won’t even begin as to the hygienic conditions with no running water or lavatories.
Berlusconi told a German television station: “They have everything they need. They have medical care, hot food…Of course, their current lodgings are a bit temporary. But they should think of it as a camping weekend.” It goes without saying that the remark made the international headlines.
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However, his hands-on approach to these tragic events is commendable. It contrasts sharply with Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina.
It’s not the done thing for a prime minister to say such a thing, I admit, but he is right at the end of the day. One has to remain positive, even in the face of extreme adversity. It’s no use mumbling and moaning – that’s not going to bring your house back is it? Look at me – I’m gutted after yesterday’s CL result, but I’m dealing with it…
‘CL’ seems to be as damaging as botox.
A bit like the ‘give them cake’ mentality, isn’t it?
Silvio Botoxsconi is the living proof: botox CAN affect your brain.
This man is dead set to beat the ‘gaffe record’ so far held by George W. Bush. My bets are that he will make it.
Sounds like just the guy we need to ‘calm down’ our ‘uninvited guests’.
Nothing at all to do with Berlusconi, but …
A little while ago, I remember posting a comment aimed at Moggy about heart transplants, about taking a beating heart from one person to save another.
Anyway, I’ve just come across this:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Canada-Babys-Parents-Left-Distraught-After-Transplant-Fails-To-Go-Ahead-In-Ontario-Toronto/Article/200904215258044?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15258044_Canada%3A_Babys_Parents_Left_Distraught_After_Transplant_Fails_To_Go_Ahead_In_Ontario%2C_Toronto
Berlusconi never misses a chance to prove that he is a pompous, self-centred, over-blown village idiot. Even the Queen remarked that he is ‘loud’ at the reception for the recent G20 (or was it 27?) in London. How the Italians keep on trusting this man is beyond me.
@ eros ” over-blown village idiot” – Clearly, you know very little about Berlusconi. He entered the political arena when the largest political party – the Christian Democrats – collapsed due to corruption, and no government could be formed from either side. Likewise did Di Pietro, the judge turned politician, whose mission in life is to see Berlusconi behind bars (that horrible word, envy).
Within months of his setting up of Forza Italia, it became the largest political party in Italy, and he is also a self-made billionaire – some idiot!
Berlusconi is averse to political correctness, so many deem his comments as gaffes. Gaffes are the stupidities uttered by George Bush.
Berlusconi has single-handedly transformed Italian politics. Last November he shocked his political opponents by announcing that he was dissolving his Forza Italia and he regrouped 13 centre-right parties to form Popolo della Liberta. The left has attempted a less coherent party called PD. For the first time in post-war Italy you have a semblance of a two-party democracy – some idiot.
Getting back to the earthquake: watching Porta a Porta (not Xarabank) the main criticism was that the authorities did not predict it, with Di Pietro going as far as criticising the Seismology Institute of “snobbismo”. It is in this context that Berlusconi said that within 48 hours, all 28,000 homeless had shelter, hot food and medication – without any outside help. Again, some idiot.
You then have The Financial Times stating that a quake like that in California would have resulted in no deaths – clearly the journalist forgot that Aquila and the surrounding medieval villages are some two centuries older than the American constitution.
Berlusconi, who did not climb the political ladder, probably finds leaders’ meetings so stuffy, he loves a bit of political incorrectness. Probably Richard Branson would be no different if he tried his hand at politics.
It appears that those commenting here are easily influenced by the media and all too ready to scoop some sensational “gaffe” by Berlusconi.
Just had the same thoughts about your essay: easily influenced by the media. Berlusconi’s media.
For once I have to agree completely with you, David. My reading exactly. It’s only bigger fools who think that Berlusconi is a fool.
eros, it’s not like they have much choice. Prodi did absolutely nothing in Italy and ignored the country’s problems and
the other parties are Commie or Fascist.
Hi Andrea!
I think he also had a hair transplant. Would fit right in with our follicle-challenged local ‘bigwigs’.
I have a suspicion, when every time Berlusconi was seen on TV lately, he was seen with his mobile phone to his right ear, as if hiding something. Could it be a hair transplant gone wrong?
When Berlusconi…went bandanas…
http://www.repubblica.it/2003/e/gallerie/politica/villacert/1.html
…heard Paul McCartney (Wings)…
You’d Think That People Would Have Had Enough Of Silly Love Songs.
But I Look Around Me And I See It Isn’t So.
Some People Wanna Fill The World With Silly Love Songs.
And What’s Wrong With That?
I’d Like To Know, ‘Cause Here I Go Again
I Love You, I Love You,
I Love You, I Love You.
…and went for it
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/berlusconi-records-an-album-of-his-love-songs-to-captivate-italy-585122.html
@ Graham: ” Prodi did nothing for Italy”. He did. He decommissioned Italy’s nuclear power plants, which cost the country a few billions of euros, cancelled infrustructural projects, and mishandled the Naples garbage crisis.
@ Andrea: Fact – Italy had 50 governments in 50 years, while Berlusconi’s 2002 legislature was the first to last the full five-year term, and his 2008 legislature will probably do so too. If you think Bruno Vespa supports Berlusconi, then I suggest you stick to German politics.