Bleeding Espresso

9 March 2008

news from italy (couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried)

* Have you joined The Ultimate Blog Party? See my welcome post here! *

Remember when I told you that men can no longer (legally) grab their crotches in public in the Bel Paese any more?

Well I have some more tidbits for you. Let’s link arms and stroll through these.

* Lying about adultery to police is OK! *

For women, at least. Italy’s highest appellate court has ruled that it is permissible for a married woman to lie about extra-marital, ahem, activity in a judicial investigation because adultery damages her honor.

Yes, this court referred to a woman’s honor.

In 2008.

In unrelated news, former U.S. President Bill Clinton has announced plans to move to Italy and fight for equality under the law. Hah! Just kidding! Still love ya Bubba! Go Hibs!

Of course the Italian court in question is the same one that once ruled that a woman wearing tight jeans couldn’t, by definition, be raped because said jeans could only be removed with her consent. That ruling was, by the way, later overturned.

* If you have pending criminal charges against you, run for office! *

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s trial on corruption charges has been suspended until after next month’s elections . . . in which Berlu is seeking to become Italy’s Prime Minister. Again.

And he’s leading in the polls folks. Gah!

Should he win, I’m sure he’ll just pass a law that says he can’t be brought to trial during his reign as Prime Minister. You know, like he’s done before.

Or maybe he’ll just decriminalize the offenses with which he’s charged. You know, like he’s done before.

Yes, we have our own version of Teflon Don over here, although to be clear, I do not insinuate or imply any Mafia connections regarding Berlusconi, who estimates he’s been in nearly 100 court cases since entering the political realm.

Convictions? Hah! You funny.

So that’s what’s new over here. And you thought Hillary’s being called a “monster” was scandalous.

19 beans of wisdom »

19 beans of wisdom to “news from italy (couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried)”

Cherrye on 09 Mar 2008 at 8:55 am #

Ha! You know sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Boh!

Cherrye’s last blog post..My Blog Wants to

Shaking my head in disgust sometimes makes me feel better too…but it always ends up in fits of laughter. Pazzesco!
Diane Mandy on 09 Mar 2008 at 12:48 pm #

For those of us watching from abroad, Italy’s politics bring a lot of humor.

And how about the Duke/Carolina game?

Diane Mandy’s last blog post..Back in the USA

It’d be funnier if it weren’t the reality…as for Duke/Carolina, well, Carolina *is* the Number 1 team in the country, right? Seriously though, did you see about the UNC student body president’s murder? So tragic.
Delina on 09 Mar 2008 at 1:45 pm #

Amazing eh. Only in Italy.

Delina’s last blog post..Happy Festa delle Donne

Indeed.
qualcosa di bello on 09 Mar 2008 at 2:10 pm #

geesh…i can’t even park illegally for 2 seconds without getting a ticket! how do they get away with it??? why would they want to use all that energy to try?? i get tired just reading about these escapades!

qualcosa di bello’s last blog post..when the sound of flowing water is not so soothing…

I would imagine it does take a lot of time and energy to keep these things covered. Nope, I don’t have it either
kacey on 09 Mar 2008 at 3:30 pm #

I do so love reading your blog. I just never know what information you’ll share I’ll say this, Italy’s politics and judicial system sure is interesting!

kacey’s last blog post..Everyone is Staring at Me

Kacey, Italy certainly provides blog material regularly; always glad to share!
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 09 Mar 2008 at 5:03 pm #

I still can’t believe Berlusconi could be back in office. Boh!

re: Hillary, you and I will have to avoid talking about that situation! ha.

The issue with the superdelegates and the Florida, Michigan primaries is just ugly.

nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..A very fun good-bye party

It really is a big ole mess, isn’t it? Hey, if Obama wins the nomination, he will certainly have my full support–my choice is definitely one for Clinton and not against Obama. I just like her experience more than his speeches, that’s all
stacy on 09 Mar 2008 at 5:11 pm #

jiminy christmas. astounded again! lol

stacy’s last blog post..Welcome to Texas Food

Hah! Wait until you move here….
Susan on 09 Mar 2008 at 5:28 pm #

Oh, my. I’m speechless…and that’s hard to do!

Susan’s last blog post..The Case of the Missing Blogger

Happens to the best of us with these “news” stories Susan Nice to see you!
Beatriz on 09 Mar 2008 at 7:05 pm #

Michelle, I am always surprised when I come by to visit. I have been a little busy later and I have not been around a computer! Now I am trying to catch up, your invitation to the ultimate blog party fits the bill, so I will be posting soon.

Beatriz’s last blog post..Busy!

Oh so happy you’ll be partying with the bloggers! It’s great fun
Louis on 10 Mar 2008 at 12:15 am #

When these things happen in my own back yard, I find them annoying, to say the least. In Italy, they’re charming. I am really a sucker!

Louis’s last blog post..A Visit from the White Death.

Louis, a lot of things are quaint just because they’re in Italy, aren’t they? Until you live here….
My Melange on 10 Mar 2008 at 2:33 am #

Shame on you Michelle!! You almost caused me to derail my *5 year move to Italy* plan with that Bubba comment!

Whew! Thank GOD you were only kidding!!! True, I would like to run both Clintons out of town….but please, not to Italy. Maybe Saskatchewan!

I can always get a laugh from corruption in Italy

My Melange’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party

Aw now now! I’m a Clinton supporter after all
Nadine on 10 Mar 2008 at 3:36 am #

I’ve been here before, but couldn’t resist saying hi. I’ve been out partying. It’s hard to believe that this is for real, but who could make up things like that.

Nadine’s last blog post..Reading

Always good to see you Nadine…and I know…who *could* make things like that up? No one would believe it!
Tina on 10 Mar 2008 at 3:48 am #

Said an Argentine friend of mine, “Italy is a pretty organized country.”

…in case you were wondering what Argentina is like.

Tina’s last blog post..Knowing

Point taken
Gil on 10 Mar 2008 at 5:53 am #

My relatives claim that Berlu is just another Fascist Bastar*o! The World is in a real mess when people like him & the shrub get elected. All I can say is God save humanity!

I hear you Gil. I hear you.
jessica on 10 Mar 2008 at 9:56 am #

this is totally unrelated, but every time i visit your blog and read the title it makes me laugh Again!

jessica’s last blog post..Luzern when you have the Blues

Just happy to make you smile Jessica
Judith in Umbria on 10 Mar 2008 at 11:59 am #

I have a hard time laughing. Between the wit in the brains of the judges and the credulity of voters lies a gulf which will swallow us all!

Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Summer 2008 Clothes that move

What’s that saying, if I didn’t laugh, I’d cry?
tracie b on 10 Mar 2008 at 3:03 pm #

oh my god, men can’t grape their crotches anymore in public?! half of the population of naples will be unemployed!!

tracie b’s last blog post..Part 2?

Shocking I know Tracie…can’t wait to read your Part 2!
Rebecca on 10 Mar 2008 at 7:46 pm #

That’s pretty funny… in a scary sort of way.

Rebecca’s last blog post..Haiku Monday?

Scary indeed!
Bronnie on 10 Mar 2008 at 11:30 pm #

hah! That stuff is nuts. Enjoyed this post, thanks!

Bronnie’s last blog post..100 things to do before I go.

Glad you enjoyed Bronnie