BERLUSCONI: 'Young, beautiful and tanned is a compliment.'

OBAMA: Yeah, so is 'Old Jerk'!

[Courrier International, France]

 

 

Frankfurter Rundschau, Germany

Why 'Imbeciles' Don't Get Berlusconi's Humor

 

"The line of people lacking good humor is long: European Parliamentarian Martin Schulz, who Berlusconi offered the role of concentration camp overseer; and the Chinese people, who he accused of cooking children. Don't people see that this isn't crass, vulgar and racist, but is meant simply to be ironic in an affectionate way?"

 

By Dominik Straub

                                 

 

Translated By Susanne Angelow

 

November 11, 2008

 

Germany - Frankfurter Rundschau - Original Article (German)

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi: A man apparently unable or unwilling to keep his mouth from uttering embarrasing words ...   REUTERS VIDEO: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi puts his foot firmly in mouh, commenting on Barack Obama's 'suntan,' Nov. 10, 00:01:38

Silvio Berlusconi's contribution to the historic election in the United States was to call the new President “young, good looking and tanned.” This statement isn't a bad fit for a national leader who has a cabinet minister - Umberto Bossi - who recently called Black people “bingo-bongos.” This also fits naturally for a man who, on the one hand, compares himself seriously to Churchill, Napoleon and Jesus, but on the other, likes to play the class clown.

 

But is it this cavalier clown's fault, if the entire world fails to understand his sense of humor? The line of people lacking good humor is long: European Parliamentarian Martin Schulz, who Berlusconi offered the role of concentration camp overseer; Finish President Tarja Halonen, whom Berlusconi said he won over due to his "Playboy" charms; and the Chinese people, who he accused of cooking children. And on and on. Don't people see that this isn't at all crass, vulgar and racist, but is meant to be ironic in an affectionate way? People who don't see that are just simply - and this is yet another completely harmless little joke by the cavalier clown - “imbeciles."  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

[Editor's Note: In July 2003, Berlusconi told German Parliamentarian Martin Schulz: "I know that in Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps. I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (a guard chosen from among the prisoners). You would be perfect;” and in 2005, Berlusconi said he used “playboy tactics” to enlist Finnish President Tarja Halonen's backing of Italy as the site of the European Food Safety Authority."]

 

CLICK HERE FOR GERMAN VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US November 14, 8:46pm]