Berlusconi on campaign... (Italy)

17 january 2005 | an italian

[an italian]

The political scenario of Italy is today very churned.

The motive is a phrase that yestarday our Prime Minister (On. Silvio Belusconi) said.

"If Left won next election, Terror and death would reign in our Country".

You have to know that in Italy we will have election in 2006, and this is just time of campaign.

[an italian]

I personally think that this phrase is a little bit strong and hard, but the meaning is under the eyes of everybody.

In 2004 Kerry was not able to win because it had rapresented a victory of Terrorism. In 2006 Berlusconi must win for the same reason.

[Bahbah]

Berlusconi must win...."

I certainly hope he does. How are his chances?

[an italian]

Oh the situation is really hard.

Italy is not America, and Berlusconi is not Bush. To win he has to fight more than Dubya. But we have faith in him. He's the best Prime Minister Italy has had for ages. Sure, better than the "pacifist" ones...

[escapefromboston]

What are the polls saying on his chances?

[an italian]

We don't have polls numbers yet...

The Italian politics is differnt from the American's one.

[Max Combined]

"If Left won next election, Terror and death would reign in our Country".

Well terror does thrive on weakness and appeasement, so the odds are that he is correct.

[agere_contra]

Good luck Silvio.

[CasearianDaoist]

Tell us more about the nature of the opposition. Sometimes he seems like the only sane politician in "Old Europe." He certainly has raised the reputation of Italy in America. Do Italian know how their support has been valued in the US? Do they care?

[PieroC]

Berlusconi gets criticized every time he says something substantial.

[an italian]

Unfortunately Italy is a very divided country.

And left parties are really against Berlusconi. They believe that he's stupid (they think so even for Bush...) and that he only thinks about money and oil. They say he has send to die a lot of people in Iraq.

But their is not pacifism: it's anti-americanism.

I don't like this way of think: I stand with Berlusconi and his coalition that defends our Freedom and our right to exist fighting really terrorism. Standing next to you.

I don't know what America thinks about us (and I pray you to tell it to me), but I know what Bush thinks about Berlusconi. They are really friends. And I like their friendship. It's right.

We will continue to fight with you. That's the only think I know.

[an italian]

Berlusconi gets criticized every time he says something substantial.

so true!!! :-(

[Aetius]

How does illegal immigration play in Italy? Didn't Berlusconi score some points with the people by promising to be tough on it last time?

[CasearianDaoist]

Well I would say that there is very high regard for Italy now in the USA, and that this is true across the political spectrum. The Left in America, of course, does not like Berlusconi, but in America the Left is losing power almost daily. America is much more conservative than Europe. Over here the Left can not openly call themselves "Socialists," they must resort to calling themselves "Liberals."

I hope he wins reelection.

[CasearianDaoist]

Well I would say that there is very high regard for Italy now in the USA, and that this is true across the political spectrum. The Left in America, of course, does not like Berlusconi, but in America the Left is losing power almost daily. America is much more conservative than Europe. Over here the Left can not openly call themselves "Socialists," they must resort to calling themselves "Liberals."

I hope he wins reelection.

[an italian]

They made a law last year (the Bossi-Fini law) that say if police found illegal immigrants they must sent them to their countries.

It's a good law, the problem is that between a law and its material the road is long...

[an italian]

Me too.

It's nice that we are real support across the ocean.

I think that with a friend President like Bush, Berlusconi has more changes!!!

THAT'S WHY I LOVE AMERICA, BECAUSE THE LEFT IS LOSING POWER!!!!!!:-)

[CasearianDaoist]

Oh, and welcome to FR, I forgot to say that. We need more Europeans on this site (other than leftist trolls, I mean.)

But seriously, Americans have been reassured by the stout-heartedness of the Italians. I am sure that there are pragmatic reasons, but I also think that there are reasons that have to do with honor and loyalty. Americans deeply prize loyalty, by the way.

I had relatives that fought in the liberation of Italy as do many Americans alive today. When we hear the French say things like "Alliance with America but not allegience" it make our blood boil. We do not here this out of the Italians.

Also, you should remember that Italian immigrants and their offspring have made extraordinary contributions to America: Toscanini, Fermi, Lombardi, Coppola...the list goes on and on, and the contributions are in almost every field of endevour. People tend to forget that.

Of course knowledgeable and educated Americans recognize the great contributions of Italy over the centuries: Italy, the teacher of Europe, and so Italy is much admired in general in America. We viewed ourselves as liberators in WW2 no matter what the Left says to the contrary, and we were glad to so it. There is none of that rancor felt toward the Italians in America that there is toward the French.

But I think that many were surprised by the toughness that you have shone. We tend to lump all of Europe with the Left.

Anyway, welcome aboard.

[an italian]

I have really to thank you for your kind words.

They made me a smile, and they remembered me that the friendship between Italy and America is a real one. I love our two countries. And I will do it forever.