Posted on 04/10/2006 7:36:49 AM PDT by an italian
I sure don't think so, and I marvel that anyone could think Berlusconi is a 'conservative' in anything but name only. Could a true conserative preside over Italy's current economic stagnation? Berlusconi's cause is Berlusconi himself, end of story.
The tragedy is, Italy could get lumbered with a leftist socialist like Prodi, who is capable of great harm. It is a pity if that's how it turns out; our best hope then must be that right-thinking Italians get their act together and find a decent leader. 5 years of Prodi's tax-and-spend socialism would open a few eyes--but what an awful way to learn the lesson.
I am grateful for his support on the WOT
Of course, but there is less there, IMHO, than meets the eye (I can't prove it, but believe there is reasonable evidence Italian government has paid ransom to Iraqi terrorist kidnappers). It is somewhat similar to our situation here in the UK: Blair mostly 'gets it' about the GWOT, and earns a few points for some things in that regard, but he remains a socialist and responsible for great harm to Britain. As in Italy, our best hope here is that a spell in opposition is making us raise our game to get back in power.
In most European countries, the government owns the media anyway. In the case of the UK, not monopolistically, but the BBC dominates the discussion.
The BBC's dominance is not as much as it used to be - I watch Sky News, which is available even to people like me who don't own a satellite dish.
I am of the firm belief that the BBC should be privatised and the TV license abolished (I'd do it just for the fun of it as well as for the principle of the thing). Same holds true for any other state media in Europe.
Regards, Ivan
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