Almost everything about him makes me chuckle - he's broken all the rules; generally a good thing.

But quite seriously, those of us with any memory at all remember that Italy has always been a political disaster area. Ever since the Emperors, most of whom, like Berlusconi, were amusingly mad, they have had a series of leaders and parties that collapsed every few weeks. And the Lira - which I loved - ranged around 92 million to the penny. They have always survived quite happily (and will continue to do so) as will Greece, the UK and everywhere else.

Of course, the nervous normals - or Morons, as most of our species should clearly be known - can't stand Gaddafi or Berlusconi or any leader with a bit of charisma. They remember the days of strong leaders like Julius Caesar and the dreaded concept of an Empire. So they tear them down, spit on them, and ideally kill them after buggery with bayonet or hot poker (they don't have them these days - mulled wine is out of fashion).

Long live the Berlusconis of this world and God spare us from the Morons, represented, as usual, by our dear Media.

totally corrupt

In another life he might have ended up as a mafia capo; just take a look at any photo of him; he definitely has that 1920s New York mobster look, don't you think?

"Long live the Berlusconis of this world and God spare us from the Morons, represented, as usual, by our dear Media."

Berlusconi IS the Media.

JK2006 wrote:
Of course, the nervous normals - or Morons, as most of our species should clearly be known - can't stand Gaddafi or Berlusconi or any leader with a bit of charisma.

Good grief. Are you channeling Goebbels now?

No. What leaders need is vision, break the rules, but not out of greed, lust or power, but for the benefit of mankind. Visionaries equals leaders. Julius Caesar...perhaps...Berlusconi, Gadaffi...most definitely not!

I don't know whether Berlusconi is a good politician/leader, but as he still has the support of most of his party, there are those who believe that, once this current crisis is over, he will be back in power.

Lots of my Italian friends use the phrase 'village spire-ism' to refer to Italy's parochialism. Many outside of the biggest northern cities have an amazingly superficial sense of international opinion, so remain largely ignorant of how ridiculed Berlusconi is. And of course that's compounded by his control over so much of the media. But the idea he's some kind of admirable figure is crazy.