Category Archives: politics

Love came down

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Are you enjoying the latest cat-fight as much as I am? I’m talking about the one between the Vatican and the Northern League, after Roberto Calderoli, minister for simplification (and they don’t come much simpler than Calderoli) criticised Milan’s Cardinal … Continue reading →

Posted in italy, politics, racism, vatican | Leave a comment

Punished for good behaviour

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Charles Lambert

If you’re in Rome on 5 December you might like to take part in No-Berlusconi Day, the product of a viral campaign to eject the Buffoon from power before he does any more damage. Don’t be put off (or encouraged?) … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, corruption, mafia, politics | Leave a comment

Not very well known people in important places

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Charles Lambert

A lovely piece of self-fulfilling reporting yesterday on RAI One’s evening news. They were talking about the appointments made by the EU for president and foreign minister. After telling us that neither Tony Blair nor the Italian candidate for foreign … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, politics, power | Leave a comment

Shame

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Lambert

This cleverly designed bag with the handy noose-shaped handle might be the closest we’ll ever get to seeing justice done in Italy. It’s the old story. You’ve read it here on this blog a tedious number of times and pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy, justice, politics, racism | Leave a comment

They know no shame

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Charles Lambert

As you may already know, Berlusconi brought down the Prodi government a couple of years ago by purchasing the support, if not affection (i.e. they fucked but refused to kiss), of several senators. One of the first to slide his … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, corruption, italy, mafia, politics | Leave a comment

Sniff, sniff

Posted on September 26, 2009 by Charles Lambert

First item on the lunchtime news programme on RAI 1 today was a hurriedly organised photo opportunity for Berlusconi and Benedict 16 at Rome’s second airport. B16 said it was a ‘joy’ to see Berlusconi, who responded with a cheesy … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, politics, pope, sex | Leave a comment

Shut yo’ mouth, Part Three

Posted on September 19, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Last Tuesday evening, prime time television on the main state channel (RAI 1) was devoted to Silvio Berlusconi,as regular readers of this blog will know. Alternatives to Berlusconi – with the exception of football on Sky – were cancelled or … Continue reading →

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Go to jail. Or not.

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Charles Lambert

As a sop to the thirsty for blood electorate of the Northern League, who seem to regard anyone born south of Florence as, in the words of their noble leader Umberto Bossi, bingo bongo, the Italian government recently voted in … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy, politics, racism | 3 Comments

Shut yo’ mouth, Part Two

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Silvio Berlusconi has just taken the extraordinary step of suing Repubblica on the grounds that the ten questions the newspaper has been asking him (click to embiggen above or see here) since the Papi-and-Noemi shit hit the fan last February … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, freedom of speech, politics, vatican | 4 Comments

Ownership

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Charles Lambert

I was party to a fascinating, albeit inadvertent social experiment a couple of evenings ago. We were still in Fondi, floored by the sweltering heat of the past month or so. Even our house, which has yard-thick walls and traditionally … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | 1 Comment