Berlusconi now completely mad - should Germany invade?

[Drake Tungsten]

I´d be happy to accept Berlusconi´s resignation

Why do you care? I don't care about whether your worthless Chancellor stays in office.

[BeBMan]

So it was ok to fire a German minister who made one stupid comment, but not Berlusconi who makes stupid comments all the time?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by BeBro
Well, I think we could get a UN resolution for regime change there....

I think the Italians will agree

[Drake Tungsten]

So it was ok to fire a German minister who made one stupid comment, but not Berlusconi who makes stupid comments all the time?

Berlusconi was provoked and was most likely not serious, but just trying to get a dig in on the German who was berating him.

Your beloved minister, OTOH, nonchalantly accused Bush of being a Nazi and was most likely completely serious in that belief. She should be fired just for being a moron, nevermind the fact that no German should ever accuse anyone else of being a Nazi.

[Spiffor]

Slightly edited...

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Berlusconi was provoked and was most likely not serious, but just trying to get a dig in on the German who was berating him.

Your beloved Berlusconi, OTOH, nonchalantly accused a social-democrat MEP of being a Nazi and was most likely completely serious in avoiding to answer his question. He should be fired just for being a moron, nevermind the fact that no German should ever be accused of being a Nazi.

[Imran Siddiqui]

You can't fire a PM... you can, OTOH, fire a little underling.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

So it was ok to fire a German minister who made one stupid comment, but not Berlusconi who makes stupid comments all the time?

Berlusconi was provoked and was most likely not serious, but just trying to get a dig in on the German who was berating him.

Your beloved minister, OTOH, nonchalantly accused Bush of being a Nazi and was most likely completely serious in that belief. She should be fired just for being a moron, nevermind the fact that no German should ever accuse anyone else of being a Nazi.

Poor Berlusconi, he was provoked. Oh me oh my.....Our minister isn´t in office anymore, so what´s your point? Oh and she hadn´t said exactly "Bush is a Nazi". Perhaps it was also not serious? Seems that excuses a lot.....

Basically you´re saying that other "democratic" politicians can get away with such nonsense while Germans should be fired in simlilar cases?

[Drake Tungsten]

Why should no German ever be accused of being a Nazi? If you're looking for Nazis, Germany would be the obvious place to start your search. Argentina, of course, being a close second.

[KrazyHorse]

Berlusconi's a tramp. Maybe the Italians will get something right next election and do away with him. But I'm not counting on it...

[Drake Tungsten]

Basically you´re saying that other "democratic" politicians can get away with such nonsense while Germans should be fired in simlilar cases?

I didn't want her to be fired. I wanted Schroeder to get down on his hands and knees and apologize to Bush for the statement. Schroeder chickened out and fired the poor moron. It's not our fault.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Why should no German ever be accused of being a Nazi? If you're looking for Nazis, Germany would be the obvious place to start your search. Argentina, of course, being a close second.

Are you saying we are still all Nazis? And that is why Berlusconi´s comment is ok? That is of course your good right, but then it would make any further discussion with you a waste of time

Should I also start using stereotypes on Americans? It is all so easy, isn´t it?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
If you're looking for Nazis, Germany would be the obvious place to start your search.

I know it is hard to understand when you are American, but the world has changed since WW2.
Germany is the most anti-nazi country in the world, and is ashamed to no end by its nazi past. The nazi party is strictly verboten, and Germans have to endure a nearly permanent self-loathing. To the point that a German can be accused of being a nazi by fellow Germans if he says he's proud of his country

Granted, things have begun to change since Schröder is in charge, and he has pushed for things to move on, for Germans to stop punishing and ashaming themselves for what their ancestors have done.

Sure, not all nazism has been rooted out, as some alienated youth are neo-nazis like in any other western country (a mix between racism, hooliganism and skinheadry). However, you'll find many less nazis in today's Germany than in any other western country. Besides, you'll never hurt someone as much as a German by using the N word. As I said in a previous thread, joking on nazism with Germans is equivalent to joking on Sept. 11 with a Yank. Germans have been culprits of the nazi crimes, but they have been victims of 50 years of self loathing. And that was a harsh treatment for an entire population.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Why should no German ever be accused of being a Nazi? If you're looking for Nazis, Germany would be the obvious place to start your search. Argentina, of course, being a close second.

Ahh...

[Kuciwalker]

Spiffor

you hit it right on there

[Drake Tungsten]

Are you saying we are still all Nazis?

No, I'm saying most Nazis were (and still are) German. A German calling an American a Nazi is like an American accusing an Ethiopian of being wasteful.

And that is why Berlusconi´s comment is ok?

I don't think it was ok, but it wasn't as big a deal as many here are making it out to be. Berlusconi was in an argument and hit back with a good insult that probably went over the line. It's funny more than anything.