Quote:
Originally posted by Memnoch:
Western society superior to Islam, says Berlusconi
|
In my view, Berlusconi is a utter right wing arsehole, and I for one hope that nothing he says will be taken as being in any way representative of any 'collective' European view. He certainly does not represent mine in any way shape or form, and I resonate with NOTHING that he says. The man has been tried for corruption, (in 1992 - I believed he wriggled out of that) and linked with the Mafia on more than one occasion. (As have many many Italian policians, to be fair...)
Berlusconi is the richest man in Italy. Amongst his vast holdings are signficant stakes in both Italian television and newspaper publising. (He is Italy's Rupert Murdoch, its media mogul). How this man was allowed to run for office as Prime Minister I do not know. There is a huge conflict of interest here.
I'm not surprised that he made the comments above. Berlusconi has a lot invested in some of the less appealing aspects of the western way of life. He's certainly made his money out of it (not particularly honestly, either).
His Italian TV channels - they are the most banal, rubbishy shit. Tabloid TV with a vengeance. Virtual pap. When I lived in Italy, they were a hissing and a byword for anyone with even a small claim to a functioning brain.
This link between terrorism and the anti-globalisation movement that he makes. (Well, big surprise that is, after his contribution to events in Genoa. Its totally in his interests to dis the anti-globalisation movement.). It's not the first time I've seen statements such as these, and it won't be the last. I was afraid this would happen. These tragic events are a great opportunity for politicians to go about firmly squashing the anti-globalisation movement by making associations that do not exist.
The right wing media (i.e. the large majority of the media) are already enthusiastically backing politicians and big business by portraying the a.g. movement as incoherent, crazy groups of violent yobs and anarchists protesting mindlessly and violently when in fact this element (which does exist, unfortunately, in much the same way as football hooliganism) is but a small part of the whole, who are mostly just ordinary concerned citizens.
------------------
Ascended Mistress of Illumination OR Paws R Us