I have the impression that Berlusconi wasn’t much understood outside of Italy. Italy somehow understood him and the country is mourning him as great statesman. Yesterday I was shocked to read foreign press how they saw him through his sexual scandle. But Italy saw him as America sees Trump successful man, he had success with women, he loved soccer, He was the envy of every ordinary man, he wanted to become Italian President too, which he never made it. Somehow he made it when America elected Trump and probably could elect him again. Berlusconi left no single heir apparent, and Meloni has all the chances to trasform right and gain more power in near future.
A very significant difference between Berlusconi and Trump is that the former built his reputation on genuine achievements in the world of business. He built infrastructural systems. He changed the media landscape in Italy. He was corrupt but also highly competent. It wasn’t all bluff and bluster. And as owner of AC Milan he did it again, and became one of the most skilled football club owners of the era.
I worked in Europe for a couple years in the early 2000s — mostly in Germany but also Sweden, Italy, and Spain. The people I worked with would often heckle me about the U.S., and their teasing would take on a sharper edge when things turned to George Bush. I accepted most of it, because I agreed with them. Sometimes though, they would express a kind of bemused disdain about Americans in general in their attempts to explain the election of Bush Jr., and I could always nip that avenue of mockery by pointing to Italy and Berlusconi.
But then came Trump I suppose, and the joke was on us after all.
I have the impression that Berlusconi wasn’t much understood outside of Italy. Italy somehow understood him and the country is mourning him as great statesman. Yesterday I was shocked to read foreign press how they saw him through his sexual scandle. But Italy saw him as America sees Trump successful man, he had success with women, he loved soccer, He was the envy of every ordinary man, he wanted to become Italian President too, which he never made it. Somehow he made it when America elected Trump and probably could elect him again. Berlusconi left no single heir apparent, and Meloni has all the chances to trasform right and gain more power in near future.
A very significant difference between Berlusconi and Trump is that the former built his reputation on genuine achievements in the world of business. He built infrastructural systems. He changed the media landscape in Italy. He was corrupt but also highly competent. It wasn’t all bluff and bluster. And as owner of AC Milan he did it again, and became one of the most skilled football club owners of the era.
I worked in Europe for a couple years in the early 2000s — mostly in Germany but also Sweden, Italy, and Spain. The people I worked with would often heckle me about the U.S., and their teasing would take on a sharper edge when things turned to George Bush. I accepted most of it, because I agreed with them. Sometimes though, they would express a kind of bemused disdain about Americans in general in their attempts to explain the election of Bush Jr., and I could always nip that avenue of mockery by pointing to Italy and Berlusconi.
But then came Trump I suppose, and the joke was on us after all.
With any luck, the passing of this creep will at least get more views for Nanni Moretti's "Caimano".