Berlusconi's First Appearance in the European Parliament

[CWL]

Well, Mr. Berlusconi certainly procured a flying start for the Italian chairmanship of the EU. To a parliament member who offered some critisim Mr. Berlusconi made the following remark:

"I know there is a man producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps," Mr Berlusconi exclaimed. "I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (guard chosen from among the prisoners) - you'd be perfect."

BBC reports on the incident here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3039912.stm).

[MRC_Hans]

We can barely bear having that clown as temporary EU chairman. How Italy can bear having him at president is beyond me.

Hans

heheh, just found this:
:den:

[CWL]

I know - the new smilies are cool.

:sw:

Anyway... this is most likely not the last caper we have seen from Mr. Berlusconi. I wish the Italians would stick with exporting wine, cheese and operas and keep their clowns to themselves.

[Jon_in_london]

:uk:

[Mendor]

Where's the saltire?

Berlusconi = Exhibit A for "Why we should elect the EU President directly" (and I know that'll never work, so, better, "Why we should abolish the EU Presidency")

Can anyone better informed than me tell me what it is that the Presidency actually does?

Mendor

[headscratcher4]

Not to really get into it...but after all of the noses in the air pooh-poohing the US for how it elects its president and the quality of the current White House resident...it is nice to see that the systems in Europe are so much better at delivering statesmen of intelect, qualitiy and thoughtfulness to the global stage...;)

[Pad]

Fortunately, he will have to leave in 6 months... And the future European constitution will prevent a national president from being elected as the UE chairman.

[CWL]

Originally posted by headscratcher4
Not to really get into it...but after all of the noses in the air pooh-poohing the US for how it elects its president and the quality of the current White House resident...it is nice to see that the systems in Europe are so much better at delivering statesmen of intelect, qualitiy and thoughtfulness to the global stage...;)

Hey - who ever claimed that our statesmen were better?

Sometimes I wonder if there is a special gene which is particular to politicians... :crazy:

[Tricky]

Hmmm... an ultra-right wing, ultra-wealthy politician who appears to have gotten into office through bribery and corruption? Look out, George Bush. You've got competition.
:wink8:

[CWL]

Originally posted by Tricky
Hmmm... an ultra-right wing, ultra-wealthy politician who appears to have gotten into office through bribery and corruption? Look out, George Bush. You've got competition.
:wink8:

Apparently, they get along quite well (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030130-10.html). Anyone for conspiracy theories?

[CFLarsen]

In quotes: Berlusconi in his own words (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3041288.stm)

Example:

On himself:
"The best political leader in Europe and in the world."

Things are going great!! :j1:

[CWL]

Well as BBC reports (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3040714.stm) Berlusconi has finally given the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder a call to appologize for his Nazi remark.

Still:

Mr Berlusconi blamed Italy's left-wing opposition for deliberately trying to wreck his appearance in the European Parliament on Wednesday - but did not say how.

Calling people Nazis... blaming the left for everything without further explanation... hmm... that rings a bell...

[Tony]

Berlusconi is the perfect person for europe. The limp-wristed beaurocrats must be $hitting in their pants.

[MRC_Hans]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
In quotes: Berlusconi in his own words (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3041288.stm)

Example:

On himself:
"The best political leader in Europe and in the world."

Things are going great!! :j1:

Ahh, I have a conspiracy theory:

Berlusconi = Jedi Knight :eek: :eek:

Hans :bricks:

[CWL]

Originally posted by MRC_Hans


Ahh, I have a conspiracy theory:

Berlusconi = Jedi Knight :eek: :eek:

Hans :bricks:

Originally posted by CWL

Calling people Nazis... blaming the left for everything without further explanation... hmm... that rings a bell...

Well... as you can see I preferred being more subtle... buy I must admit that I too believe that we're on to something here...

[Brian the Snail]

Originally posted by Tony
Berlusconi is the perfect person for europe. The limp-wristed beaurocrats must be $hitting in their pants.

Yes, especially since Italy is renowned throughout the world for it's tough stance on bureaucracy.

[Brian the Snail]

Originally posted by CWL
Anyway... this is most likely not the last caper we have seen from Mr. Berlusconi. I wish the Italians would stick with exporting wine, cheese and operas and keep their clowns to themselves.

The impression I get here is that a lot of Italians feel your pain. The difference is that they've been putting up with this $hit for the last two years, while now rest of us can join in the fun!

Anybody want to place bets on whether there's still an EU in six months time?

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by MRC_Hans
We can barely bear having that clown as temporary EU chairman. How Italy can bear having him at president is beyond me.

Hans

heheh, just found this:
:den:

He owns all the major Italian TV stations, does that give you a clue?

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
In quotes: Berlusconi in his own words (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3041288.stm)

Example:

On himself:
"The best political leader in Europe and in the world."

Things are going great!! :j1:

Now he's trying to p**ss off Dubya and Ronnie, not a good move.

[MRC_Hans]

Originally posted by a_unique_person


He owns all the major Italian TV stations, does that give you a clue? U mean Italians believe what they see on TV????
:jaw:

That does explain a lot... :rolleyes:

Hans

[CWL]

Originally posted by Brian the Snail


Yes, especially since Italy is renowned throughout the world for it's tough stance on bureaucracy.

Dammit Brian! You just broke my irony detector.

[ZeeGerman]

Originally posted by CWL
Well as BBC reports (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3040714.stm) Berlusconi has finally given the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder a call to appologize for his Nazi remark.

Still:



Calling people Nazis... blaming the left for everything without further explanation... hmm... that rings a bell...

Heheheh,

the latest spin is that, Nope he didn't apologize on the phone, he just regrets that his ironical remark might have hurt some peoples feelings, but he DIDN'T apologize (link - German though (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,255940,00.html) )
:D

German officials in Berlin are still brooding over the semantic fine print in this.

Seems, the guy just HAS to have tyhe last word

:roll:

Zee

[Shaun from Scotland]

What do you expect from a man who dodges corruption charges by using his position to pass a law meaning he cant be charged on corruption charges?:eek:

Clever but not exactly honest.......

[bjornart]

Originally posted by Shaun from Scotland
What do you expect from a man who dodges corruption charges by using his position to pass a law meaning he cant be charged on corruption charges?:eek:

Clever but not exactly honest.......

And this after his attempts to dodge the charges by making a law where he could get a different judge if the old one was 'biased'.

Makes me glad I don't live in the EU. :no:

Now why isn't there a Norwegian flag smiley? This is a clear EU-istic policy! :D

[Craig]

Originally posted by Mendor
Where's the saltire?

http://www.glasgowlands.org/images/scotlandWHT.gif

A bit dark though...

[Mike B.]

Hey,
I couldn't find an Italian flag...;)

[CWL]

Originally posted by ZeeGerman


Heheheh,

the latest spin is that, Nope he didn't apologize on the phone, he just regrets that his ironical remark might have hurt some peoples feelings, but he DIDN'T apologize (link - German though (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,255940,00.html) )
:D

Here you go in English: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3044866.stm

Mr Berlusconi indicated that he would not apologise, telling reporters: "As far as the European Parliament is concerned, the situation is the same."

He said he had telephoned Mr Schroeder to express his regret that his comments were "interpreted badly".

"I did not offer apologies," he said. "I expressed regret that what I said in jest and irony was misunderstood."

:D Mr. Berlusconi does indeed seem to have a lot in common with a certain resident poster.

I support Berlusconi 100%.


He's one of the few European leaders that doesn't support the Arabian terrorist entity.

[Shaun from Scotland]

Originally posted by Hanns__Schmidt
I support Berlusconi 100%.


He's one of the few European leaders that doesn't support the Arabian terrorist entity.

And who are the European leaders that do support the "Arabian terrorist entity"?

[JamesM]

Originally posted by Shaun from Scotland


And who are the European leaders that do support the "Arabian terrorist entity"?

I suspect we will have to wait for the arrival of Hanns___Schmidt (or Hans____Schmidt, depending on how fast he gets banned) before we get the no-doubt fully referenced and incisive answer to this question.

[Sandra25]

Originally posted by Shaun from Scotland


And who are the European leaders that do support the "Arabian terrorist entity"?

I happen to agree with Hanns on this matter.


I believe France, Belgium and the Scandenavians form the main axis.

However other countries put out anti-Israeli statement in return for cheap oil from the Arabian terrorist entity.

The British are to blame too.

[CWL]

Originally posted by Sandra25

I believe France, Belgium and the Scandenavians form the main axis.


Er... reality check? The Swedish Government was rather positive towards the removal of Saddam Hussein, although it certainly would have preferred a UN led intervention. Denmark joined the war for Pete's sakes! How does this make the Scandinavians part of the "main axis"?

[Sandra25]

Originally posted by CWL


Er... reality check? The Swedish Government was rather positive towards the removal of Saddam Hussein, although it certainly would have preferred a UN led intervention. Denmark joined the war for Pete's sakes! How does this make the Scandinavians part of the "main axis"?


The Scandenavians are some of the most racist and anti-semitic people on earth.


I wasn't refering to Iraq as such. More on the middle east problems between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist entity.

[ZeeGerman]

Heheheh,

the spin goes on...

Now an Italian state secretary (responsible for economics and thus tourism) had to throw in the following remark about German tourists visiting Italy (my translation from here (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,256202,00.html) ):

"During summer they noisily populate our beaches full of arrogant self-confidence. They are a bunch of super-nationalistic blondes :roll: who loudly mob our beaches"

Naturally, our chancellor is outraged and considers to cancel his planned Italy vacation.

:D :D

Zee

[CWL]

Originally posted by Sandra25

The Scandenavians are some of the most racist and anti-semitic people on earth.

First of all, we are Scandinavians.

:den: :nors: :sw:

Second, I am Scandinavian and rather proud of it. I further pride myself on not being neither racist, nor anti-semitic. I could therefore take your statmenent as a direct insult, but I will first offer you the opportunity to explain in detail exactly what you mean.

I wasn't refering to Iraq as such. More on the middle east problems between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist entity. [/B]

Again, what exactly is it that you mean that the Scandinavians have been or are doing wrong in this context?

Edited to add

Oh. You've been banned (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/announcement.php?forumid=14). Never mind.


On another note - does anyone know why the [IMG] function does not appear to work?

[Shaun from Scotland]

Originally posted by CWL


First of all, we are Scandinavians.

:den: http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?s=&postid=1869991772 :sw:


Oh. You've been banned (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/announcement.php?forumid=14). Never mind.

On another note - does anyone know why the [IMG] function does not appear to work?

It has been disabled for Scandinavians after I complained to Hal about Fascist, matriarchal, Islamo-sympathisers who burned down Lindisfarne Abbey in 987 AD.

I hope you have all learned your lesson....

[CWL]

Originally posted by Shaun from Scotland


It has been disabled for Scandinavians after I complained to Hal about Fascist, matriarchal, Islamo-sympathisers who burned down Lindisfarne Abbey in 987 AD.

I hope you have all learned your lesson....

Actually I believe it was in 793 AD... anyway... we're sorry...?

[bjornart]

Originally posted by CWL


Actually I believe it was in 793 AD... anyway... we're sorry...?

No we're not. It was a legitimate pre-emptive strike against the expansionist religion of 'white christ'.

[CWL]

Originally posted by bjornart


No we're not. It was a legitimate pre-emptive strike against the expansionist religion of 'white christ'.

... and against communism of course. You're right. We're not the least bit sorry.