The Political Discussion Thread

[lordofseas]

Onto the next topic, what do you think of the scandals surrounding Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi?

Which one?

[Rickington]

Which one?

The most recent scandal involving this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12232265

If the charges are found to be true, then I believe that the Italian parliament should pass a motion of no confidence, essentially ending his term in office immediately. And after that, should be charged criminally as a civilian.

[lordofseas]

The most recent scandal involving this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12232265

If the charges are found to be true, then I believe that the Italian parliament should pass a motion of no confidence, essentially ending his term in office immediately. And after that, should be charged criminally as a civilian.

I think that it will be hard to prove they had sex if they don't have any evidence, and both of them say that they didn't.

[mad_gater]

it looks like in a sense that he's trying to say that he's above the law....

although it wouldn't surprise me these days if the magistrates were politically motivated and violated his privacy to gather the evidence

[Rickington]

it looks like in a sense that he's trying to say that he's above the law....

although it wouldn't surprise me these days if the magistrates were politically motivated and violated his privacy to gather the evidence

We were talking about this today in my Modern Italy class. Needless to say, it was generally agreed upon that Berlusconi is a "naughty" PM

[mad_gater]

I think that it will be hard to prove they had sex if they don't have any evidence, and both of them say that they didn't.

one would think though that a medical examination would be able to check and see if they've done it.....cuz unless I'm mistaken doesn't that kind of activity leave evidence?

[Rickington]

one would think though that a medical examination would be able to check and see if they've done it.....cuz unless I'm mistaken doesn't that kind of activity leave evidence?

Perhaps... but in the case of using condoms, there isn't very much evidence to go on.

[lordofseas]

one would think though that a medical examination would be able to check and see if they've done it.....cuz unless I'm mistaken doesn't that kind of activity leave evidence?

It depends on how they performed coitus.

[The Mighty 6 platoon]

It depends on how they performed coitus.

Oh god, thanks for that image.

As for Berlusconi, I think it shows the differences in culture and political makeup between countries. In Britain we just sent a Member of Parliament to prison for embezzling £20,000. If we had someone like Berlusconi in charge there'd be an uprising. In Italy he's still popular with many because he's the only leader they've had who's actually managed to stay on top of their mess of a political system for more than 5 minutes.

[lordofseas]

Oh god, thanks for that image.

As for Berlusconi, I think it shows the differences in culture and political makeup between countries. In Britain we just sent a Member of Parliament to prison for embezzling £20,000. If we had someone like Berlusconi in charge there'd be an uprising. In Italy he's still popular with many because he's the only leader they've had who's actually managed to stay on top of their mess of a political system for more than 5 minutes.

You're most welcome.

There's no doubt that Italy's political system is a mess. I daresay that it's been a mess since WWII. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends with a national referendum to overthrow the government, and recreate it. Looking at how the world's going, it'd fit in perfectly. :/

[squirrely1]

Oh god, thanks for that image.

As for Berlusconi, I think it shows the differences in culture and political makeup between countries. In Britain we just sent a Member of Parliament to prison for embezzling £20,000. If we had someone like Berlusconi in charge there'd be an uprising. In Italy he's still popular with many because he's the only leader they've had who's actually managed to stay on top of their mess of a political system for more than 5 minutes.

Looks like that isn't all he's been "on top of" there! *snort* I'm more upset at the way the criminal investigators handled interrogating the "dinner guests" I think that is horrible. About the evidence... Well the woman in question is now 18 so they were referring to sex they had had previous when she was 17....and yeah there would be no way to gather physical evidence of that now.... they would have to get a confession....and I guess with how they treated those girls that is what they were after

[The Mighty 6 platoon]

You're most welcome.

There's no doubt that Italy's political system is a mess. I daresay that it's been a mess since WWII. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends with a national referendum to overthrow the government, and recreate it. Looking at how the world's going, it'd fit in perfectly. :/

Well as I said Berlusconi still has plenty of support, despite being one of the most crooked and dodgiest politicians in the world, quite an achievement considering the completion. So bearing that in mind those fighting to get rid of him still have quite a task ahead of them.

[Spimman]

CHINA - the next world power

[Rickington]

CHINA - the next world power

Probably... China has the 4th/5th largest GDP growth rate amongst all nations.

[Ben 'Teal'c would WIN!!' Noble]

I saw that weird American advert where the Chinese are gloating in 2030 how America are idiots and China rules the world. I think some in the US are a little too paranoid about China.