![]() ![]() Perhaps logic or scientific evidence does not point to the existence of a being outside time but who also intervenes (the religious are having their cake and eating it, too, here). But I would hope their reasons are more critical than an ad hominem attack on religion by invoking Hitler. If a person decides to be debaptized to make a formal declaration of their separation from the church, fine. But immediately jumping to the Hitler defense is disgusting. ![]() Yes, religion has done some disgusting things in the past and present anyone can look to the pope as the current easy target on that one (opposing contraception in HIV-ridden Africa? Opposing the abortion of a Brazilian 9-year-oldâÄôs fetus by rape?). Congrats! I largely agree that it does not make sense to label your with child a political party or a specific religion until they can critically analyze for themselves, but I would still like to express my disgust with the polarizing nature of his column and eager jump to GodwinâÄôs law. Lawrence managed to mention baptism, the atrocities of humanity (not just religion), the Hitler Youth, Richard Dawkins and parenting issues all in one less than 250 word column. They can of course be changed, but not mocked.This is a response to Keith LawrenceâÄôs Monday letter to the editor. When Berlusconi said members of parliament“are only there to make up numbers”, Fini replied “Parliamentary democracy hasprecise procedures and rules which must be respected by all, especially thehead of government. ![]() They applaud the decisiveness with which hehas tackled big issues like Naples`rubbish crisis, the sale of airline Alitalia and the perceived threat ofviolent crime by illegal immigrants.īut Gianfranco Fini, a right-wing leaderand speaker of the lower house, resists Berlusconi`s bids to bypass parliamentvia his constant use of emergency decrees and his proposal that only blocleaders vote on bills rather than the whole assembly. More telling is the reaction fromBerlusconi`s allies. “But Berlusconi made this new party not forreform`s sake but to seek more power for himself,” he told foreign reporters. It is not surprising to hear the mainopposition Democratic Party, routinely dismissed by Berlusconi as “communists”despite its moderate profile, talk about his lust for power.Ĭentre-left leader Dario Franceschiniwelcomed the formation of the new ruling party - which mirrors the DemocraticParty`s birth in 2007 from two smaller groups - as helping to reduce thepolitical “fragmentation” blamed for decades of instability. Backers say it wouldspeed up Italy`sagonisingly slow legal system. He cited Berlusconi`s stated impatiencewith the slow pace of parliament and his desire to introduce a presidentialsystem like France`s “in time for him to take over when (current head of stateGiorgio) Napolitano`s mandate ends in 2013”.Ĭritics also say Berlusconi`s campaign forlegal reform to reduce the influence of state prosecutors, whom he accuses ofpersecuting him, is anti-democratic and self-serving. “Even though he thrives on elections, he isless than fully democratic,” said politics professor James Walston of Rome`s American University. While few would cast doubts on Berlusconi`slegitimacy as elected leader, in his third term with his popularity hardlyaffected by the worst recession in decades, plenty question how much time hehas for the more tiresome trappings of democracy. ![]() But I can only use my political influence to convince others to do whatI think is right, I can`t make anyone do anything against their will,” he said.“It`s not my nature.” They compare me to Hitler and Mussolini andso on. ROME Italy`sSilvio Berlusconi is using his popularity to seek greater powers as primeminister and as a future president, but his ambition risks angering allies whowant him to show more respect for the rules of democracy.Ĭelebrating 15 years as the dominant forcein Italian politics with the formal merger of his own party and its main allyinto the People of Freedom this weekend, the 72-year-old media tycoon isdigging in a long stay in power despite his age.Ĭomplaining that his “powers are almost inexistent”,despite dominating the airwaves via the state broadcaster and his own TVempire, Berlusconi wants to use his big majority and popularity - about 43 percent in polls - to speed up decision-making.To jibes that he wants to beatdictator Benito Mussolini`s record of 20 years in power and shares the Duce`staste for it, Berlusconi responds “I am just the first among equals.”“The left portrays me as a little Duce, anaspiring South American dictator. ![]()
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