Speculation about the nature of Italian premier Berlusconi's relationship with a teenager named Noemi Letizia, has prompted the Italian paper Repubblica to pose 10 questions for the premier.
The premier's wife, Veronica Lario has stated that her husband "consorts with minors." She also said that he is "unwell" and needs help.
Who better to know the inside scoop than Lario. Doubtless she has channels for keeping informed about her husband's various activities. It is unlikely she would throw around a term like "minors" and refer to her husband being "unwell" unless she had good reason for going there. She has too much at stake to make such statements lightly.
Berlusconi appears to have an odd compulsion to say things in public that are outlandish. To call his behavior "charming" or "mischievous" is misleading. There is nothing charming about a comment he made when he visited Abruzzo following the devastating earthquake.
A video shows Berlusconi posing with a group of firemen in front of a damaged church. There is only one woman present and Berlusconi says "can I feel up the lady a bit". Say what? Not only is there nothing "charming" about this comment... given the tragic circumstances, it's actually rather creepy.
Where does Berlusconi get off thinking he can make a suggestion like that about a complete stranger... someone's wife or sister. He was with the firemen, so maybe he wanted to show-off to amuse the guys. He gets a charge from saying these things... gets off on the reactions. Plus its another way to piss off the left and the feminists.
He's a bit like an exhibitionist who can't control his urge to flash. He may not be wearing a rain mac with nothing underneath, but he exhibits a similar compulsion to draw attention to himself and his "playboy ways" by making comments that draw shocked reactions.
Actually saying shocking and outrageous things can show a stroke of originality, even come off as hilarious depending on the situation. It's just that Berlusconi manages to be clumsy and inappropriate most of the time.
Not so long ago following a proposal to deploy 30,000 Italian troops to help fight crime, Berlusconi said that Italian women are so beautiful they need military escorts to avoid being raped. The comment stirred outrage, despite Berlusconi's lame claim that his comment was "a compliment" to Italian women.
In 2005, he boasted that he used his "playboy tactics" on president Tarja Halonen of Finland to ensure her backing to host the European Food Safety Authority. Really adolescent stuff.
The manner in which Berlusconi's idiosyncrasies are tolerated in Italy is reminiscent of the way the Romans put up with the often bizarre activities of their emperors. If Berlusconi had the free rein of say a Tiberius, it would probably be party time at Palazzo Chigi every day.
How far did it go with Noemi Letizia? Who knows. Repubblica's set of ten questions for the premier includes: "Veronica Lario reported that her husband goes out with minors. Are there other minors whom the prime minister meets?"
So far Berlusconi has been more defensive than informative.
The premier's wife, Veronica Lario has stated that her husband "consorts with minors." She also said that he is "unwell" and needs help.
Who better to know the inside scoop than Lario. Doubtless she has channels for keeping informed about her husband's various activities. It is unlikely she would throw around a term like "minors" and refer to her husband being "unwell" unless she had good reason for going there. She has too much at stake to make such statements lightly.
Berlusconi appears to have an odd compulsion to say things in public that are outlandish. To call his behavior "charming" or "mischievous" is misleading. There is nothing charming about a comment he made when he visited Abruzzo following the devastating earthquake.
A video shows Berlusconi posing with a group of firemen in front of a damaged church. There is only one woman present and Berlusconi says "can I feel up the lady a bit". Say what? Not only is there nothing "charming" about this comment... given the tragic circumstances, it's actually rather creepy.
Where does Berlusconi get off thinking he can make a suggestion like that about a complete stranger... someone's wife or sister. He was with the firemen, so maybe he wanted to show-off to amuse the guys. He gets a charge from saying these things... gets off on the reactions. Plus its another way to piss off the left and the feminists.
He's a bit like an exhibitionist who can't control his urge to flash. He may not be wearing a rain mac with nothing underneath, but he exhibits a similar compulsion to draw attention to himself and his "playboy ways" by making comments that draw shocked reactions.
Actually saying shocking and outrageous things can show a stroke of originality, even come off as hilarious depending on the situation. It's just that Berlusconi manages to be clumsy and inappropriate most of the time.
Not so long ago following a proposal to deploy 30,000 Italian troops to help fight crime, Berlusconi said that Italian women are so beautiful they need military escorts to avoid being raped. The comment stirred outrage, despite Berlusconi's lame claim that his comment was "a compliment" to Italian women.
In 2005, he boasted that he used his "playboy tactics" on president Tarja Halonen of Finland to ensure her backing to host the European Food Safety Authority. Really adolescent stuff.
The manner in which Berlusconi's idiosyncrasies are tolerated in Italy is reminiscent of the way the Romans put up with the often bizarre activities of their emperors. If Berlusconi had the free rein of say a Tiberius, it would probably be party time at Palazzo Chigi every day.
How far did it go with Noemi Letizia? Who knows. Repubblica's set of ten questions for the premier includes: "Veronica Lario reported that her husband goes out with minors. Are there other minors whom the prime minister meets?"
So far Berlusconi has been more defensive than informative.
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