Berlosconi beaten

[PogoPedant]

I'm against violence, but I'm also not really crying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8410946.stm

[Darth Rotor]

I'm against violence, but I'm also not really crying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8410946.stm
Meh.

Pope John Paul II got shot. Reagan got shot. Berlusconi will be OK. I note that the article says the assailant, 42, had mental problems.

Ya think?

DR

[PogoPedant]

Norwegian media claims he was hit with a miniature cathedral. Gotta smart, even if it's not a glamorous shooting like them big-time 'merricuns or popes or whatnot.

[Peephole]

Always remember to duck.

[Darth Rotor]

Always remember to duck.
:duck:

[plumjam]

Norwegian media claims he was hit with a miniature cathedral.

His first ever inspired speech

[Undesired Walrus]

When you make love to half the population of Italy, expect to become the target of a disgruntled ex-lover once in a while.

[Peephole]

Norwegian media claims he was hit with a miniature cathedral.
Whatever happened to seperation of church and state?

[quixotecoyote]

Whatever happened to seperation of church and state?
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f253/quixotecoyote/smilies/rimshot.gif

[T-BONE]

It's about time somebody smacked the crap out of this man.
Why?
1. He continuously insults foreign politicians. (The Obama's, Angela Merkel, he even compared a german politician with a nazi camp-guard.)
2. He owns 60% of all the media (TV-stations and newspapers)in Italy and uses it for his political ambitions.
He also uses his power to sue every competing media who write about his wrong doings.
3. He bribed a british laywer to keep evidence out of the courtroom.
(the laywer was sentenced for 4,5 years imprisonment!)
4. He changed the Italian laws several times to keep him immune to lawsuits filed against him. (Miss use of power is one of his greater talents)
5. He recently is accused of having ties to the maffia in the early 90's
6. He regularly shares the bed with teenagers for money.

There is no gentleman in him, there is no politician in him.
He is a disgrace for Italy and european politics.
He's a criminal that should be incarcerated a long time ago.

A man who tramples on other people and dignity in general deserves a good punch some once in a while.

[Darth Rotor]

It's about time somebody smacked the crap out of this man.
Why?
1. He continuously insults foreign politicians. (The Obama's, Angela Merkel, he even compared a german politician with a nazi camp-guard.)
2. He owns 60% of all the media (TV-stations and newspapers)in Italy and uses it for his political ambitions.
He also uses his power to sue every competing media who write about his wrong doings.
3. He bribed a british laywer to keep evidence out of the courtroom.
(the laywer was sentenced for 4,5 years imprisonment!)
4. He changed the Italian laws several times to keep him immune to lawsuits filed against him. (Miss use of power is one of his greater talents)
5. He recently is accused of having ties to the maffia in the early 90's
6. He regularly shares the bed with teenagers for money.

There is no gentleman in him, there is no politician in him.
He is a disgrace for Italy and european politics.
He's a criminal that should be incarcerated a long time ago.

A man who tramples on other people and dignity in general deserves a good punch some once in a while.
Maybe throwing a shoe at him would have gotten the same message across without the bloodshed.

It is possible for folks in The West to learn a thing here and there from Middle Eastern folks. Tossing footwear might not be Al Gebra, but it's a decent idea as a form of political protest.

DR

[tyr_13]

Maybe throwing a shoe at him would have gotten the same message across without the bloodshed.

It is possible for folks in The West to learn a thing here and there from Middle Eastern folks. Tossing footwear might not be Al Gebra, but it's a decent idea as a form of political protest.

DR

I say that we should carry cheap flip-flops to political events for just this purpose. Also, they're comfy.

[Kestrel]

Maybe throwing a shoe at him would have gotten the same message across without the bloodshed.

It is possible for folks in The West to learn a thing here and there from Middle Eastern folks. Tossing footwear might not be Al Gebra, but it's a decent idea as a form of political protest.

DR

The Western equivalent is hitting a politician in the face with a pie.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and broken teeth, according to the headlines. I'm afraid to read the story to see what fate befell the church-thrower.

[ponderingturtle]

Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and broken teeth, according to the headlines. I'm afraid to read the story to see what fate befell the church-thrower.

I found out that the criminal cases against him have resumed, as they removed the law granting him exemption. I have to wonder why he is still prime minister if he no longer has legal immunity.

[Darth Rotor]

The Western equivalent is hitting a politician in the face with a pie.

Even better! :)

[Beerina]

3. He bribed a british laywer to keep evidence out of the courtroom.
(the laywer was sentenced for 4,5 years imprisonment!)

Ummm...it takes two to tango, so why isn't he in jail?

[funk de fino]

I'm in Italy at the moment and I must admit I laughed when I saw it. So have most of the guys laughed when I asked them about it.

The mans a clown of the highest order IMO.

[stevea]

It's about time somebody smacked the crap out of this man.
Why?
1. He continuously insults foreign politicians. (The Obama's, Angela Merkel, he even compared a german politician with a nazi camp-guard.)
2. He owns 60% of all the media (TV-stations and newspapers)in Italy and uses it for his political ambitions.
He also uses his power to sue every competing media who write about his wrong doings.
3. He bribed a british laywer to keep evidence out of the courtroom.
(the laywer was sentenced for 4,5 years imprisonment!)
4. He changed the Italian laws several times to keep him immune to lawsuits filed against him. (Miss use of power is one of his greater talents)
5. He recently is accused of having ties to the maffia in the early 90's
6. He regularly shares the bed with teenagers for money.

There is no gentleman in him, there is no politician in him.
He is a disgrace for Italy and european politics.
He's a criminal that should be incarcerated a long time ago.

A man who tramples on other people and dignity in general deserves a good punch some once in a while.

Your inhumainty is showing.
Yes the guy is a creep, but that doesn't justify breaking his nose & teeth.
Half of your claims are just poor behaviour, not even close to criminal.

I guess we live in an age where incivility is considered a virtue.

[ponderingturtle]

6. He regularly shares the bed with teenagers for money.
.

Why would teens pay him to sleep with them?

[Tricky]

Your inhumainty is showing.
Yes the guy is a creep, but that doesn't justify breaking his nose & teeth.
Half of your claims are just poor behaviour, not even close to criminal.

I guess we live in an age where incivility is considered a virtue.
You are right. This is tragic not funny. There is nothing the least bit risable about a criminal, influence-peddling, philandring politician being hit in the face with a... {snork} church! He is the Prime Minister, for god's sake.... We should all show how serious we take this {snork snork} cardinal sin by composing limericks of outrage.


I'll start...


Berlosconi, no man of the people
Is a lying insidious creep. He'll
Steal your votes and your money
And sleep with your honey
Unless you smack him with a steeple.

[Pardalis]

It's about time somebody smacked the crap out of this man.
Why?
1. He continuously insults foreign politicians. (The Obama's, Angela Merkel, he even compared a german politician with a nazi camp-guard.)
2. He owns 60% of all the media (TV-stations and newspapers)in Italy and uses it for his political ambitions.
He also uses his power to sue every competing media who write about his wrong doings.
3. He bribed a british laywer to keep evidence out of the courtroom.
(the laywer was sentenced for 4,5 years imprisonment!)
4. He changed the Italian laws several times to keep him immune to lawsuits filed against him. (Miss use of power is one of his greater talents)
5. He recently is accused of having ties to the maffia in the early 90's
6. He regularly shares the bed with teenagers for money.

There is no gentleman in him, there is no politician in him.
He is a disgrace for Italy and european politics.
He's a criminal that should be incarcerated a long time ago.

A man who tramples on other people and dignity in general deserves a good punch some once in a while.

None of which is the reason why he got attacked. Apparently, Massimo Tartaglia has a history of mental problems.

Try again next time T-Bone.

[theprestige]

Is it like some 80-20 rule?


"For 80% of politician shenanigans, there's the rule of law."
"For everything else, there's violent physical assault."


Also, is there a sliding scale? If the President fails to follow through on campaign promises, do you put him down for slap in the face?

[Darth Rotor]

Is it like some 80-20 rule?


"For 80% of politician shenanigans, there's the rule of law."
"For everything else, there's violent physical assault."


Also, is there a sliding scale? If the President fails to follow through on campaign promises, do you put him down for slap in the face?
No, that's a swift kick in the backside. The face slap is for when he French kisses the German Ambassador's wife at the state dinner.

Guess we need another protocol officer around here ...

DR

[theprestige]

Guess we need another protocol officer around here ...
True that.

But seriously, for all you posting in this thread that it's about time that real person got really violently assaulted, for doing stuff you really disagree with: Really? Really? Is it just the one guy, or are you also up for violent and illegal beatdowns being delivered to everybody else anybody happens to be upset with?

[Tricky]

No, but some news is just funny. This is certainly bad, but hardly tragic. I laughed my ass off when Dick Cheney shot his lawyer friend in the face too. Nobody was permanently injured there either.

Let's face it. The woes of public figures are likely to be fodder for jokes. How many talk show hosts are doing Tiger Woods jokes right now?

Don't you ever read News of the Wierd (http://www.newsoftheweird.com/index.html)?

[Peephole]

It's also not just another politician we're talking about, but a corrupt *******.

No wait, scrap that.

It's just another politician we're talking about, a corrupt *******.

Better.

[Pardalis]

Auto-censors are working fine, it seems.

[theprestige]

No, but some news is just funny. This is certainly bad, but hardly tragic. I laughed my ass off when Dick Cheney shot his lawyer friend in the face too. Nobody was permanently injured there either.

Let's face it. The woes of public figures are likely to be fodder for jokes. How many talk show hosts are doing Tiger Woods jokes right now?

Don't you ever read News of the Wierd (http://www.newsoftheweird.com/index.html)?
Good point. Looking back over the thread, I see that everyone except, apparently, T-BONE, is cracking jokes. I have no objection to cracking jokes.

[tyr_13]

So, if we throw the church at them, and it breaks their nose, that makes them....



A WITCH!

[Darth Rotor]

It's also not just another politician we're talking about, but a corrupt *******.

No wait, scrap that.

It's just another politician we're talking about, a corrupt *******.

This comes off rather badly for you: if you think someone is wrong, it's OK for anyone else to discard the law, since, ya know, Peephole doesn't like this guy. :rolleyes:

An Italian politician corrupt? Well no kidding! Is this a revelation to you? Maybe Silvio is more corrupt than one sigma from the mean, I'd probably bet the over on that, but your high dudgeon smells of soemthing else.

DR

[Brainster]

If Obama ever gets anything thrown at him other than accolades from the media, the shrieks around here will certainly be hypocritical.

[Peephole]

Hey, I'm all in favor for egging Obama. I doubt the secret service is though.

[Tricky]

If Obama ever gets anything thrown at him other than accolades from the media, the shrieks around here will certainly be hypocritical.

I haven't heard the media making light of it. Comedians, yes, and I think that comedians would probably make jokes if Obama has something thrown at him too.

[Pardalis]

Hey, I'm all in favor for egging Obama. I doubt the secret service is though.

What about a rock solid ostrich egg?

Berlusconi got a little more than "egged", now did he?

[FreshHat]

There is no gentleman in him...

Well, so far, all his rumoured peccadilloes are of a heterosexual nature, but anything's possible with this guy.

[plumjam]

Joking aside, watching the video of him apparently in a mild state of shock did make me feel sorry for him. Sure, he has plenty of faults, but seeing a 73 year old man stunned and bleeding like that was just wrong.

[Puppycow]

I can't agree with condoning this whatever one's political disagreements.

I hope the guy goes to jail for a long time.

[Damien Evans]

So, if we throw the church at them, and it breaks their nose, that makes them....



A WITCH!

BURN HIM!!!!!!

zrzMhU_4m-g

[Peephole]

What about a rock solid ostrich egg?
The more yolk, the better I always say.

[Morrigan]

I can't agree with condoning this whatever one's political disagreements.

I hope the guy goes to jail for a long time.

Corruption and criminality != "political disagreement"

I laughed, too. Screw that piece of feces, he deserves worse.

[Darth Rotor]

Corruption and criminality != "political disagreement"

I laughed, too. Screw that piece of feces, he deserves worse.
In that case, why have you not organized a lynch mob, complete with pitch forks, torches, and nooses? :confused: If assault is OK with you, what isn't?

DR

[ponderingturtle]

In that case, why have you not organized a lynch mob, complete with pitch forks, torches, and nooses? :confused: If assault is OK with you, what isn't?

DR

Hey what if it was his daughter sleeping with the guy?

[Darth Rotor]

Hey what if it was his daughter sleeping with the guy?

Given that Silvio's filthy rich, his problem is exactly what??? :confused:

(See the movie "Arthur" to get a veiled ref to a joke here ... a line by Buddy Hackett)

[ponderingturtle]

Given that Silvio's filthy rich, his problem is exactly what??? :confused:

(See the movie "Arthur" to get a veiled ref to a joke here ... a line by Buddy Hackett)

It is more that you have made many comments about taking personal vengeance and now you are all about the rule of law. The man is a criminal who ran for prime minister so that he could get legal immunity.

[Morrigan]

In that case, why have you not organized a lynch mob, complete with pitch forks, torches, and nooses? :confused: If assault is OK with you, what isn't?

DR

Strawman much? Sod off.

[stevea]

Strawman much? Sod off.

Brilliant reparte. ! Think much?

No strawman. If you think that without sitting on a jury that you have heard both sides and have the ability to judge Berlesone - then you are an unreasoning, biased bigot. If you believe that treating any non-violent person to a savage beating is reasonable, just and deserved, then you are an anti-social psychopath. The number of ppl on this thread who are actually gleeful about this is attack is a measure of their incivility, inhumanity, and sadism.

[dudalb]

I can't feel much sorrow that a politician in bed with a criminal group as violent as the Mafia gets beaten up. You keep company with dogs, you get fleas.

[dudalb]

Brilliant reparte. ! Think much?

No strawman. If you think that without sitting on a jury that you have heard both sides and have the ability to judge Berlesone - then you are an unreasoning, biased bigot. If you believe that treating any non-violent person to a savage beating is reasonable, just and deserved, then you are an anti-social psychopath. The number of ppl on this thread who are actually gleeful about this is attack is a measure of their incivility, inhumanity, and sadism.

If seeing a scumbag like Berlosconi get a small fraction of what is coming to him makes me incivil,inhumane and sadistic I will willingly accept those labels.

[dudalb]

It is more that you have made many comments about taking personal vengeance and now you are all about the rule of law. The man is a criminal who ran for prime minister so that he could get legal immunity.

It's called the Clarence Darrow syndrome. No matter how big a scumbag a guy obviously is, somebody thinks he is being falsely accused and had to play Big Time Defense Attoney and defend him.

[willhaven]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/4189982192_5fc56b9d59_b.jpg

[dudalb]

I love Italian Politics.
It never seems to get any better. Italian Politics is constantly a big mess.
It serves a useful purpose,though: No matter how screwed up the political system in your country is, you can look at Italy and say "yeah, our system is screwed up, but Italy's is worse".

[Whiplash]

I'm against violence, but I'm also not really crying.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8410946.stm


If you are really "against violence" than you'd be against what happened to him. Period.

This crap about "not shedding any tears" is just rationalization for the same thing as being happy it happened to him.

People act like things like tolerance and being against violence are things that have a range of acceptable rationales for when it's ok to throw those ideals out the window. Then you are in fact NOT tolerant, and NOT against violence.

It's like being somewhat unique, or being a little bit pregnant.

Anytime someone says "I'm against <whatever>, but..." that's a red flag. They are about to demonstrate how they are, in fact, not really against whatever it was.

[dudalb]

A lot of people seem to be getting up on their moral high horse over this.
It's like seeing the school yard bully finally get a black eye.

[Whiplash]

If someone is "against violence", then when they hear of an act of violence, they should be against it, regardless of circumstance. That is consistent.

Regardless of circumstance. Regardless of how bad the person was. If that even enters into the mind, then the very idea of being against violence goes right out the window. Then you are tacitly admitting that you can consider violence acceptable in certain circumstances, if the person was a bad person.

I'm not even stating my own position in this regard, I'm responding to the OP. I personally consider myself against violence as well. But I'll admit that I may be overlooking things which may contradict my own feeling on the matter.. enough that I am wrong to think that I am "against violence", on the whole. I'm open to be shown to be wrong in that regard.

You can call it a high horse, but one thing that bothers me most in this world these days are people who (also on their own high horse) constantly proclaim their own tolerance and enlightenment, and belittle the lack of tolerance and enlightenment in people like myself who do not share their world view. So I seek to show them where they are wrong, and deluding themselves.

[Morrigan]

Perhaps. I for one am not "against violence in all circumstances", and have never stated that I was, so I couldn't care less for moral highgrounds.
That said, I'm pretty sure that when someone says they're "against violence", there's always a bunch of caveats that apply. Scarcely anyone is "against violence of any kind in every single circumstances ever imagined". :p

[dudalb]

I think that Mark Twain's comment about never having murdered anybody but having got a great deal of pleasure reading certain obituaries applies here.

[stevea]

I can't feel much sorrow that a politician in bed with a criminal group as violent as the Mafia gets beaten up. You keep company with dogs, you get fleas.

If seeing a scumbag like Berlosconi get a small fraction of what is coming to him makes me incivil,inhumane and sadistic I will willingly accept those labels.

It's called the Clarence Darrow syndrome. No matter how big a scumbag a guy obviously is, somebody thinks he is being falsely accused and had to play Big Time Defense Attoney and defend him.


That's all your OPINION, and based on nothing more than 3rd hand speculation and one-sided press reports. The problem is your willingness to see others harmed based on clearly biased reviews and a very superficial case without any possibility of hearing the other side of that position fairly. What if someone read a news story that your 65yo Mom is a scummy cheater, believes it, and then beats all the teeth out of her head with a brick. Is that OK with you too ? It's every bit as justified as your position.

Both you and that believer are the same sort of act-on-=ingorance types; you'd make a fine pair of BrownShirts. No need for a trial when you "know" the "real truth" as presented in the supermarket tabloids and cable news.

I love Italian Politics.
It never seems to get any better. Italian Politics is constantly a big mess.
It serves a useful purpose,though: No matter how screwed up the political system in your country is, you can look at Italy and say "yeah, our system is screwed up, but Italy's is worse".

I think the Italians use Greece as a negative example.
Perhaps the Greeks look to the Turks.

A lot of people seem to be getting up on their moral high horse over this.
It's like seeing the school yard bully finally get a black eye.

No high horse - I'd even defend you against a public beating or having your teeth broken off, even tho' by your self-admitted lack of any sense of justice, morality or civility makes it quite deserved IMO.

Perhaps. I for one am not "against violence in all circumstances", and have never stated that I was, so I couldn't care less for moral highgrounds.
That said, I'm pretty sure that when someone says they're "against violence", there's always a bunch of caveats that apply. Scarcely anyone is "against violence of any kind in every single circumstances ever imagined". :p

No I'm not against all violence. Self defense is a clear exception. When there is no on-going violence and when there is a possibility of a legtimate civil or criminal case against tthe alleged perp - then violence cannot be justified. So yes, blowing up Hitler or shooting Pol Pot can be justified. The Nigerian in the plane seat next to you starts shooting a chemical reagent into his explosive undies - so yes, poke his eye out. If you are directly threatened w/ physical violence and have no realistic chance of getting public support (say Saddam tells you you'll be killed if you don't XXX) then violence can be justified.

The Italian court system seems troubled, but not broken, Berlescone seems to not be part of any on-going violence. Excellent chance he'll eventually end up in prison.