Berlusconi, the crazy relative of Europe

funk-you

If you were (or are) Italian would you be mortified by this?

The Italian Prime Minister has been blasted for his blundering welcome of the US president-elect after he praised Barack Obama's "suntan".

Silvio Berlusconi made the comment at a joint press conference with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev.

"I will try to help relations between Russia and the United States where a new generation has come to power, and I don't see problems for Medvedev to establish good relations with Obama who is handsome, young and suntanned," he said.

Italy's left-wing opposition parties have demanded Mr Berlusconi apologise for the gaffe - which they say is at worst racist and at best a diplomatic blunder.

"Berlusconi cannot control himself in the best of circumstances," said Dario Franceschini of Italy's centre-left opposition Democratic Party.

"He forgets that his words hurt our country's image in the world."

But the Italian leader, who himself sports a suntan, hit back at his critics - accusing them of not having a sense of humour.

"God save us from the imbeciles," he said.

The 72-year-old media mogul is no stranger to putting his foot in it.

While campaigning for elections in 2006, he famously said that Chinese people "boiled babies for fertiliser" during the Mao Zedong era.

At his first meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in 2002, Mr Berlusconi said: "Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe.

"He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife."

-Funk

meditraitor

I like more and more,,,,, :pac:

Like an italian prince philip

Dudess

funk-you wrote: »

If you were (or are) Italian would you be mortified by this?

No. People shouldn't feel embarrassed by the leader of their country just because (s)he represents their country and they share the same nationality... unless we're talking about Brian Cowen.

Mr. Presentable

funk-you wrote: »

If you were (or are) Italian would you be mortified by this?



-Funk

No.

He's the key to unlocking all this poxy political correctness shyte. How sad that a comment like his is
a) news
b) taken as insulting by people other than Obama

So, have the news press asked mr Obama if he is offended?

biko

"Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe. He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife."
I lolled

Dardania

He sounds like quite the legend. And a bit stereotypical - but the ideal rep for Italy

Dudess

Yeah, it's a bit much to be getting upset at it all right. It's a silly comment, but not an offensive one surely.

Wreck

People would be far better off getting offended by the fact that Berlusconi is as corrupt as they come. Having said that, the guy has shown himself to be both biggoted and sexist, so this latest gaffe can come as no surprise.

Wagon

The better half lives in Italy, and she says in just over a year he's made a complete bollocks of everything and everyone hates him. He's a corrupt wanker. Hasn't a clue.

Zangetsu

He sounds like a ****in legend, fair balls to him

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

m@cc@

Have you seen the state of Berlusconi? He's at least as 'tanned' as Obama.

AnonoBoy

Sounds like he's got a sense of humour. I doubt Barry O'Bama will care less - he'd just laugh about it.


(and then nuke Italy)

senordingdong

**** Putin, I went Berlusconi to be the emperor of the new world.

Turd Ferguson

A reporter in Washington today asked Mr. Obama what he thought about these "racist" comments made by the Italian Prime Minister.
Obama responded with "I still cant fucking believe this bitch?! I'm President!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahah"

.

TripleAce

People just don't get his sense of humor.... among all boring and serious politicians out there let him have some fun

Mr. Presentable

Nice link in your sig. The grace and humility of the man.

Naos

Real or fake...

Degsy

Whatsisname,the Duke of wellington.the queen's husband when asked if he would be sorry to leave japan he rplied that yes,because otherwise they'd all end up with "slitty eyes".
Lovely stuff.

RoosterIllusion

I think it was GQ that had an agony aunt column with him doing the responses (not actually him ffs).

Went along the lines of:

Reader: Dear Silvio, my boyfriend wont discuss marriage with me though we have been going out for 11 years. Why doesn't he want to settle down with me?

Silvio: My dear, how can I answer such an important question when I don't know what you look like?

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Sounds like he's got a sense of humour. I doubt Barry O'Bama will care less - he'd just laugh about it.


(and then nuke Italy)

I lol'd

Thirdfox

funk-you wrote: »

If you were (or are) Italian would you be mortified by this?

While campaigning for elections in 2006, he famously said that Chinese people "boiled babies for fertiliser" during the Mao Zedong era.

-Funk

I'm Chinese, I lol'd ...but yeah sure after America sends the nukes we'll lob a few over too.

On the serious side though - these comments do seem a bit worse than the Bush-isms (which I find quite amusing) we get, going a little more beyond mere ignorance.

Shacklebolt

Black people actually can get a suntan of sorts or so I was once told. Which makes this less of a gaffe if im correct on that.

Berlusconi once said he had used his "playboy skills" in negotiations with the female Finnish prime minister-when people complained he said "Surely when you look at her you know Im joking!"

burgess1

Eurobush :P

So what colour does a black person go when they get sun burnt?

towel401

Deleted User wrote: »

So what colour does a black person go when they get sun burnt?

it loops around back to being white

Shacklebolt

Deleted User wrote: »

So what colour does a black person go when they get sun burnt?

Its not very noticeable but it happens. When a black person gets tanned their skin gets shinier.