[Zarax]

First thing, this is NOT about Micheal Moore's movie... I have yet to see it...
Second, while most people here is concerned with US politics (not a bad thing if you live in the western emisphere, and for the others too) there are things (in this particular case a Bush close friend) that makes the US President a lesser evil even in the eyes of their most determined adversaries...
What i'm talking about is a well written documentary (that unlike Moore's movie is pretty much as unbiased as possible for political matters) called "Citizen Berlusconi".
Some of you may have seen Citizen Kane, well this thing makes what was shocking in that movies a laughable thing in comparison...
Final note, before half (or more) of HLP users decides to burn me i have to say that i'm not pro Bush or anything, maybe pretty much the opposite but i have my own point of view in most matters... And i don't get anyone's before having weighted it well...

Do you think that Bush influences the media? Watch what happens in Italy...
Berlusconi actually has a kind of monopolistic power that makes even Microsoft pale in comparison, as he owns half of the italian medias and controls the other half...
Before accusing me to be biased in any kind i would like to note that i discovered this documentary a few days ago, and it is censored here in Italy... And if you consider me biased then please consider that the Economist should be a fair enough judge considering its influence and positon (not to mention the political stance).

Going off topic a bit i'm glad finally i'm back with a new PC so i can enjoy SCP to the fullest, i really missed you guys

[karajorma]

Berlusconi is a dickhead. The only reason he doesn't get the bad press Bush does is cause Italy isn't as powerful a country.

This is the man who managed to cause an international row in the EU the day he took over after all.

[Tiara]

No he doesn't get bad press because he controls the press.

ANyway, we've had a stream of bad news about the guy here in Holand. Concerning fraud, illigal law altering, rtc rtc.

He's a dickhead. I'm just glad he only has Italy to control But he should be deposed anyhow.

[Zarax]

Well, he lost the Euro senate elections and a lot of cities administration lately... But as long he will control the parliament he will be free of ruining Italy, holy **** my once pround and beautiful country!!!
On a side note for those of you who have heard about Renato Soru (Tiscali owner, europeans and dutch in particular should know it), he gone into politics and kicked Berlusconi coalition out of Sardinia...
Not exactly my liking as politician but the important thing is to vanquish the half dictator in any possible way...
If you can get Citizen Berlusconi give it a try, and you will see an applied Orwellian situation...
Of course he will tell you that you are all commies

[vyper]

You've had a bit of history of being the bad guys though, think how we feel in the UK with Tony Blair.

And his right hand man Blunkett, who I can compare to certain Nazi leaders.

[karajorma]

Originally posted by vyper
And his right hand man Blunkett, who I can compare to certain Nazi leaders.

I've always said that if I met Blunkett I'd blindfold myself and smack the bastard.

[Zarax]

Originally posted by vyper
You've had a bit of history of being the bad guys though

Everyone has its share, it's just the times that changes...
And if you think Blair is bad you are forgetting your dear Margaret Tatcher, who is one of the models that inspired Berlusconi...

[Flipside]

Also, 'Bad Guy' depends very much on your definition of 'Bad'

[Rictor]

Its totally, utterly, stuninglly beyond doubt that anyone occupying a high government position should not be allowed to be associated in any way with any media group. Its conflict of interest to a degree that would make Dick Cheyney blush.

Italy deserved better than Berlusconi. Not only does he appear, from what I have read and heard, to be quite a tyrant, but he's got his head up Bush's ass to a degree only rivaled by Tony Blair.

[Zarax]

I think he surpassed Blair at least on a couple of occasions... Anyways get Citizen Berlusconi if you wanna see the facts, it's very well done...
Here in italy it can be found only via P2P... Which is tragical...

[Flipside]

Theres quite a few countries at the moment that could do with a change of regime, but the whole regime, just getting rid of the lump won't deal with the whole cancer

[Kosh]

At least Burlusconi doesn't go around invading people for no reason.

[Zarax]

Just because Italy has no real military power... And we're in Iraq with Bush and Blair anyways...

[vyper]

[q]Also, 'Bad Guy' depends very much on your definition of 'Bad'[/q]

Hmm, I'd say the influence of Italy in ww2 would enter into that discussion.

[q]And if you think Blair is bad you are forgetting your dear Margaret Tatcher, who is one of the models that inspired Berlusconi...[/q]

In terms of domestic policy I detest Maggie (THatcher). However in terms of international relations she rocked - the Falklands proved it.
Admiralty: "It'd take two months to get a fleet there."
Maggie: "Get it there in two weeks."
Admiralty: "Yes ma'am."

And behold, we had a nice little task force there ready to whoop ass. Pity half of Europe sold the Argies exocets...

Anyway I digress, I'm not really having a go at Italy. I just think it's ironic that a nation who supported the war in iraq has such a dictator in thier own back yard.

[diamondgeezer]

Originally posted by karajorma
I've always said that if I met Blunkett I'd blindfold myself and smack the bastard.

I've always wanted to nick Blind Pugh's wallet. What's he going to do? ****ing chase me?

[Flipside]

ROFL I know, being blind does not give you an excuse to be a prejudiced tosser, I wonder how he manages to put people into boxes even though he can't even see the lives they lead

[aldo_14]

See no evil

[Bobboau]

Originally posted by Rictor
Its totally, utterly, stuninglly beyond doubt that anyone occupying a high government position should not be allowed to be associated in any way with any media group. Its conflict of interest to a degree that would make Dick Cheyney blush.
 

I thought you liked state media

[Rictor]

First of all, there is a difference between state media and the Prime Minister directly owning media. State media only means that the government provides funding, and is pretty much required to do so. The actual content is independent. They have no power over the content since its not like they can just cut funding, people would shriek censorship.

Examples of this are the BBC, which recently got into a pretty big fight with the government, and the Canadian CBC. They're both far more impartial than many, or dare I say most, American corporate media.

And secondly, I'm not in favour of state media in the way in which I think you mean it. I'm not in favour of the state media being the only information source. I believe that it is good to have a state media channel, though as independent as humanly possible, while at the same time having many different private media sources.

[IceFire]

State media controled by an independant commission that makes overall decisions for the media content in the country.  Yes the CRTC is the only reason that American media billionaires haven't bought Canadan media.

CBC and BBC are shining examples of television networks in democracies that are state funded media with a semi-autonomous mandate.