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White House forced to say sorry to Italy over Silvio Berlusconi insults
Times Online ^ | Paul Bompard

Posted on 07/08/2008 12:16:07 PM PDT by indcons

The White House was today forced to apologise to Italy after distributing a biography of Silvio Berlusconi to journalists which alleged that he only gained high office because of his "considerable influence” on the media.

The press kit, which was handed out to reporters as they boarded Air Force One on the way to the G8 summit in Japan, also described the Italian Prime Minister as “one of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for governmental corruption and vice”.

The White House was today investigating how the four-page biography was included in the pack after apparently being pulled directly from an encyclopaedia without the wording having been checked.

The profile dwells on Mr Berlusconi's influence and wealth, suggesting that he is “hated by many, but respected by all, for his 'bella figura' or charismatic style, and for his force of will".

It adds: “Considered by many an amateur in politics, he conquered his high office only thanks to his substantial influence in the national media."

He is also described as having used "His business acumen and his influence to create a personal empire which produced Italy's longest-lasting government, and to become the richest man in the country.”

In a section of the profile which appears to mock Mr Berlusconi for his self-made roots, it adds: “He earned money by organising puppet shows and making people pay a ticket, he sold vacuum cleaners, worked as a singer on cruise ships, made photographic portraits, and did the homework of other students in exchange for money.”

The profile of Mr Berlusconi appeared to have touched a raw nerve in the Prime Minister's camp.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: apology; berlusconi; biography; govwatch; italy
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The staffer responsible for this gaffe must be fired ASAP.
1 posted on 07/08/2008 12:16:08 PM PDT by indcons
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To: indcons

Obviously a Donkey-crat mole.

Bolsheviks, every stinking one of them.


2 posted on 07/08/2008 12:17:40 PM PDT by Westbrook (Having more children does not divide your love, it multiplies it.)
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To: indcons

This has Wikipedia written all over it.


3 posted on 07/08/2008 12:18:17 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: indcons

Why hand this stuff out at all? Make the media work for its pay.


4 posted on 07/08/2008 12:19:23 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: indcons
The White House was today investigating how the four-page biography was included in the pack after apparently being pulled directly from an encyclopaedia without the wording having been checked.

Probably a hostile wikipedia article.

Who the heck was in charge of doing this?

5 posted on 07/08/2008 12:20:19 PM PDT by livius
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To: indcons

“The White House was today forced to apologise to Italy after distributing a biography of Silvio Berlusconi to journalists which alleged that he only gained high office because of his “considerable influence” on the media.”

Here it’s the other way around....the media considerably influences the choice for high office. In our case, Obama.


6 posted on 07/08/2008 12:23:35 PM PDT by Slapshot68
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To: indcons
“He earned money by organising puppet shows and making people pay a ticket,...”

THE B*STARD!!!

7 posted on 07/08/2008 12:23:58 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (Vote For McCain But Trust In The Lord.)
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To: Brilliant

Amateurs briefing amateurs.


8 posted on 07/08/2008 12:24:11 PM PDT by johnnycap
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To: Brilliant

Amateurs briefing amateurs.


9 posted on 07/08/2008 12:24:17 PM PDT by johnnycap
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To: indcons

This was done on purpose....another successful mission by the RATS


10 posted on 07/08/2008 12:25:13 PM PDT by rrrod
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To: Slapshot68

Well dang. Our own Obama has rather considerable influence over the media. What is so offensive to the Italians? Are they defending the fact that their media must be bought off for influence, while the U.S. media can be suckered by mere stupidity?


11 posted on 07/08/2008 12:26:42 PM PDT by mbarker12474 (If thine enemy offend thee, give his childe a drum.)
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To: indcons
Some idiot staffer cut-and-pasted an internet profile, probably from Wikipedia, into an official handout - and didn't even think to check the content, let alone grammar.
12 posted on 07/08/2008 12:27:55 PM PDT by wideawake (Why is it that those who call themselves Constitutionalists know the least about the Constitution?)
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To: indcons

I have always said stop letting the press fly on Air Force 1. They need to pay their own way and do their own leg work.


13 posted on 07/08/2008 12:31:00 PM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: wideawake

Likely. How do these folks get these jobs when they don’t have the intelligence and political savvy of a cabbage? < /rhetorical>


14 posted on 07/08/2008 12:31:19 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: indcons

Should’ve opened up the hatch for Air Force One and dumped this guy’s ass over the Atlantic.


15 posted on 07/08/2008 12:32:08 PM PDT by toddlintown (Morons; all of 'em.)
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To: 1rudeboy

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5229/is_2003/ai_n19152873


16 posted on 07/08/2008 12:34:11 PM PDT by Shermy ("But when democratic society says "no", you need some sort of democratic solution." /sarc)
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To: indcons

Another Democrat plant in the White House press office. Damn!


17 posted on 07/08/2008 12:34:23 PM PDT by Ben Reyes
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To: indcons
I'm not keen to defend Berlusconi - some of these accusations have merit (but obviously they have no place in the official documentation of the government, at least when leveled at an ally). The entire Italian political apparatus is incredibly corrupt (the most corrupt in Europe), corrupt even by Louisiana or New Jersey standards. I'd rather not be affiliated in any way with any mainstream Italian political group, Berlusconi and his party/coalition included. Some local parties in the Lombardy and North-Eastern regions have my sympathies.

Yes, I am happy the pinkos and the greens got whipped last time around, and I credit Berlusconi with causing enough fear amongst the furthest left socialists to abandon Rainbow/Communist and instead vote in greater numbers with center-left parties. There, I said something good about him.

18 posted on 07/08/2008 12:35:53 PM PDT by M203M4 (True Universal Suffrage: Pets of dead illegal-immigrant felons voting Democrat (twice))
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To: rrrod

“done on purpose”

I think you’re right; it smells.


19 posted on 07/08/2008 12:36:24 PM PDT by OldNavyVet
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To: indcons

Silvio Berlusconi? Who cares?


20 posted on 07/08/2008 12:39:04 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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