Jun 23, 2009
BERLUSCONI's SCANDAL, ITALY's TRAGEDY
ROMA (Reuters) - The Italian prime minister's corrosion of the country’s public life means that even his departure would offer Italy no clear route to renewal, says Geoff Andrews for openDemocracy. Silvio Berlusconi, the most successful populist politician of modern times, has long mastered the art of appealing over the heads of professional politicians to reach the "bellies" rather than the "brains" of ordinary Italians.
In his three periods as Italy's prime minister he has seen off seven centre-left leaders to remain the dominant figure in Italy's political landscape. Berlusconi's ability to dominate the media and turn even critical attention to his advantage have been invaluable assets in this regard.
Could this pattern of domination now be changing? Is Berlusconi's long hegemony approaching its end? The most recent flurry of stories and scandals - concerning his relations with young women, beginning with Noemi Letizia, his 18-year-old friend from Naples who calls him "Papi" - are certainly among the most damaging he has faced; and there is great significance in the fact that he is no longer in control of events.
The 72-year-old faced mounting pressure to confess about his private life after revelations that he entertained about 20 women until dawn during a private party at his house in Rome, reports The Times.Berlusconi has blasted allegations surrounding the sex scandal as rubbish, and insisted during an interview earlier this week that he had nothing to be ashamed of. The billionaire is embroiled in a host of scandals from his links to an aspiring teenage model, Noemi Letizia, 18, to a messy and potentially expensive divorce from his wife of 20 years, Veronica Lario.
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
BERLUSCONI's SCANDAL, ITALY's TRAGEDY
ROMA (Reuters) - The Italian prime minister's corrosion of the country’s public life means that even his departure would offer Italy no clear route to renewal, says Geoff Andrews for openDemocracy. Silvio Berlusconi, the most successful populist politician of modern times, has long mastered the art of appealing over the heads of professional politicians to reach the "bellies" rather than the "brains" of ordinary Italians.In his three periods as Italy's prime minister he has seen off seven centre-left leaders to remain the dominant figure in Italy's political landscape. Berlusconi's ability to dominate the media and turn even critical attention to his advantage have been invaluable assets in this regard.
Could this pattern of domination now be changing? Is Berlusconi's long hegemony approaching its end? The most recent flurry of stories and scandals - concerning his relations with young women, beginning with Noemi Letizia, his 18-year-old friend from Naples who calls him "Papi" - are certainly among the most damaging he has faced; and there is great significance in the fact that he is no longer in control of events.
The 72-year-old faced mounting pressure to confess about his private life after revelations that he entertained about 20 women until dawn during a private party at his house in Rome, reports The Times.Berlusconi has blasted allegations surrounding the sex scandal as rubbish, and insisted during an interview earlier this week that he had nothing to be ashamed of. The billionaire is embroiled in a host of scandals from his links to an aspiring teenage model, Noemi Letizia, 18, to a messy and potentially expensive divorce from his wife of 20 years, Veronica Lario.
The ancient religious principles are exactly contrary
to the modern principles of faithlessness .
It is the duty of the executive head of a state to see that the citizens strictly follow religious principles. The Vedic religious principles begin with varnāśrama-dharma, the duties of the four varnas and four āśramas. Dharma refers to principles given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.to the modern principles of faithlessness .
These are religious principles, and it is the duty of the head of state to see that his citizens strictly follow them. He should not merely act officially; he should be like a father who is always a well-wisher of his sons. Such a father strictly observes whether his sons are performing their duties, and sometimes he also punishes them.
Just contrary to the principles mentioned here, the presidents and chief executives in the age of Kali are simply tax collectors who do not care whether religious principles are observed. Indeed, the chief executives of the present day introduce all kinds of sinful activity, especially illicit sex, intoxication, animal killing and gambling. ... In contrast to the principles of the kings of old, the modern state is concerned only with propaganda for levying taxes and is no longer responsible for the spiritual welfare of the citizens.
Srila A.C. BV Swami Prabhupada:
"The Srimad Bhagavatam - Purport in Canto 5 - Chapter 2 - Verse 1"
1 comment:
Great thought and great blog.
Thanks
Prashant Jalasutram
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