Posted on 07/27/2003 9:23:10 PM PDT by Rennes Templar
The Western White House in Crawford, Texas was recently visited by Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy. Signore Silvio, the best export from that country since foccachio, has the distinction of being the most despised European in Europe. Previous holders of the title usually spring from the British Isles; most recently, Lady Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Given the fact that Mrs. Thatcher is merely a woman and Mr. Blair merely a poodle and that the rest of Europe looks down its collective nose at all non-continentals, it is a mighty achievement indeed.
After long being deluged by his enemies with comparisons to 'the Godfather' and Benito Mussolini, Berlusconi recently fired back at a bearded German Socialist, saying, "I know there is a man in Italy producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps. I would like to suggest you for the role of the leader. You would be perfect."
Strong words? Yes, but only surprising in that the term Nazi was not used to refer to the leader of a country where a TV comedy starring a German Jewish refugee as a Nazi commandant of a prison camp was a big hit.
Mr. Berlusconi is no stranger to the barbs of European Socialists, having been in Dutch with them for years. As the richest man in Italy, head of a multimedia conglomerate, owner of A.C. Milan (a premier soccer team) and an avowed capitalist, he is an easy target. Think of Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch and George Steinbrenner all rolled into one and you get the picture. Or, think of George W. Bush, likewise a capitalist, though not as successful a sports team owner and you'll understand why they get along so well and are universally loathed by the left.
"We share a clarity in the way we say things: Yes is yes. No is no," Berlusconi recently told Time magazine. "We only met two years ago, but I feel I know him like I know my grammar school friends." Refreshing, no? Yes!
At a time when American interests and ideals are best represented by 'New' Europe, it is quite startling that the most vocal supporter this country has abroad should come from one of the oldest countries in 'Old' Europe. In the weeks following September 11th, no one spoke with more clarity or honesty than he in addressing the differences between Western civilization and Islamism:
"We must be aware of the superiority of our civilization, a system that has guaranteed well-being, respect for human rights – and in contrast with Islamic countries – respect for religious and political rights, a system that has as its values understandings of diversity and tolerance," Berlusconi said. "This respect certainly does not exist in Islamic countries." Western civilization "has at its core, as its greatest value, freedom, which is not the heritage of the Islamic culture."
The West "is bound to occidentalize and conquer new people," he said. "It has done it with the Communist world and part of the Islamic world, but unfortunately, a part of the Islamic world is 1,400 years behind. From this point of view, we must be conscious of the strength and force of our civilization."
This statement of simple truth was met with howls of indignation from all corners of the world, including Washington. Mr. Berlusconi was similarly criticized for likening anti globalization protesters to the terrorists who perpetrated 9/11. The terrorists, he said, "were trying to stop the corrupting effect of Western civilization on the Islamic world," while, "the anti globalization movement criticizes from within...the Western way of life, trying to make Western civilization feel guilty." Sounds like the mission statement for ABC News.
Silvio, the soccer stud recently broke the hearts of many a Milan fan when he passed on signing the great English player, David Beckham. "There are many better ways of spending money that has been earned with many sacrifices other than hiring Mr. Beckham." Just think of the scorn still heaped on President Bush today for trading the rookie Sammy Sosa.
And, in a stunning display of reverse Euro snobbery he outdid even the French. Bidding for Parma to win an EU Food Agency office over Helsinki, he said, "Parma is synonymous with good cuisine. The Finns don't even know what prosciutto is. I cannot accept this."
And speaking of the French, he turned one of their most ill-advised comments during the run-up to the Iraq war squarely at them saying, ''They missed a good opportunity to shut up,'' in response to French criticism of his decision not to meet Palestinian leaders during a recent trip to Israel.
His most eloquent comment came when he visited Washington in January to show solidarity with President Bush. This man who, last year on Memorial Day placed wreathes on the graves of Americans at a military cemetery in Italy said:
"We will never forget that we owe our freedom – our freedom – our wealth to the United States of America. And our democracy. And we also will never forget there have been many American young lives that were lost and sacrificed themselves for us.
"So for us, the United States is not only our friend, but they are the guarantee of our democracy and our freedom...every time I see the U.S. flag, I don't see the flag only representative of a country, but I see it as a symbol of democracy and of freedom."
Bravo Silvio, and thank you.
To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Lisa at FabLi@aol.com .
The last few paragraphs made me cry.
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