Daily Lessons from Life 21 October 2009

"100,000 Italian women protest 'offensive' Berlusconi
PM had said in a television broadcast that opposition deputy was "prettier than she is intelligent." -Wed, Oct 21, 2009 AFP

ROME - Some 100,000 women joined a protest against Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, accusing him of "offending" women, the daily La Repubblica reported Wednesday.


The women signed a petition launched by the left-leaning paper after the prime minister said on a television broadcast that opposition deputy Rosy Bindy was "prettier than she is intelligent."

The remark, made in a telephone call to the show where Bindy, 58, was a guest, was perceived as an insult aimed at contrasting her with a bevy of right-wing ministers and deputies who entered politics after careers as television showgirls.

"This man offends us, stop him," reads the petition for "women's dignity."


Many of the signatories sent in messages with their signatures, such as "woman offended by a disappointing leader," "we are not at your disposal," and "this insult comes from a man who is more honest than intelligent."

Former left-wing cabinet minister Giovanna Melandri said of the prime minister, reputedly self-conscious about his below-average height, that he is "taller than he is polite."


The petition drew more than 98,000 signatures, said the daily, which has relentlessly chronicled a slew of scandals over Berlusconi's private life since April.

"By constantly putting the accent on the age of a woman, on her physical looks and not on her human qualities, there's a danger of going back to the time before feminism," said signatory Lidia Ravera, a prominent writer.


Berlusconi, 73, has been beset by sex scandals for months, including his relationship with an 18-year-old aspiring model and allegedly entertaining call girls at his parties.

The media mogul, a renowned playboy, has said he has never paid for sex, while admitting that he is "no saint."


Last month he said he believed Italians viewed him as a reflection of themselves. "I am interested in the things that interest them, I love football, I smile, I love others and above all else beautiful women," he said.

The media tycoon's estranged wife Veronica Lario has filed for divorce saying she could not stay with a man who "frequents minors"."

Well I decided on reflecting on a lighter note.

Lessons for me are:

1. when you are powerful and think that other people do matter, you will act like this Italian PM whether you are in Singapore or Malaysia or China or India or anywhere else!;

2. in Italy, while there are some protesters, many more seems to do not put much attention on sex and scandals. So, you can get away if the culture or values of the society you are in are in syn with your 'hobbies'! So, doing this in Italy seems to be ok while trying this in another country may be a political suicide!;

3. when you think you are untouchable, that's when you may fall flat on your face and get hurt big time. So, it will be good to reflect a little deeper than to just ignored the reality that such behaviors are not totally agreeable by your country men and women in the end.

It is comical to see this self-confessed playboy and a few times PM of Italy having fun without regards to the majority of his country folks' feeling!

He is definitely not a 7e Leader in some aspects!!