Berlusconi Assault Will Hinder Future Protests Against Leaders

At first, Berlusconi's longer than anticipated stay in hospital seemed like a political manoeuvre, aimed at buying him some added public empathy, but now it is clear that he has apparently been seriously hurt by yesterday's assault at Milan Cathedral. The former would have been much more palatable, but sadly we will now see some form of backlash against protestors in general, which is a real shame, because those very people have been making it extremely difficult for many leaders, and former leaders, to go about their business without being constantly reminded of their misdemeanours. This single action, by a guy who suffers from mental health issues, and certainly not by a protestor who just took it too far, will be used as a stick to beat down future protests, and while it's not the guys fault, this will be an opportune moment for other politicians who require around the clock protection. They were probably waiting for this kind of event, and are all relieved that they themselves are not the victim who is currently making headlines.

December.14.2009 - George Valentine Corr, Blatant News Editor
more European Politics news

LEADERS & FORMER LEADERS TAKE COVER...
Things have been bubbling under - particularly since the War On Terror began - for many previously respected 'leading' politicians from around the World. While Silvio Berlusconi differs to most of the World's leaders, by not having a dedicated team of government-sponsored bodyguards, he is protected by the Italian Police around the clock, and if rumours are true, he then also has the protection of the Mafia, and possibly some privately-hired security personnel watching his movements too. No matter what the official line is regarding bodyguards, what is clear, is that Silvio, like most western leaders, needs security, because some people are very annoyed at him for multiple reasons. But it's not just Silvio. The leaders which really strike a chord for me regarding this subject, though, are Bertie Ahern, Tony Blair and George W Bush. The ex-heads of state from Ireland, the UK and the US - all of whom were the previous incumbents in their respective posts - just cannot go outside their doors in their own respective countries whatsoever. They are all rarely seen on the street, and they generally only comment sporadically on international issues. That is not retreating into retirement, but retreating to a hiding place.

BLAIR'S LONG-TERM HOLIDAY
Blair for example is telling every international tv/newspaper journalist that he is making big breakthroughs with the historical problems in the Middle East (...I hope that's not like your WMD story Tony?), and many people outside the UK may even have the notion that he is actually doing ok in general. Well, that's very wrong to assume, because he currently stays as far away from the UK as possible, and immerses himself in Middle East work, in the hope that when his job is done, he can then return to the UK with his own people a little calmer towards him. Right now, he commands no respect from his own people, and the same goes for Bertie and George, both of which lost complete public confidence, and trust, long before their tenures ended, and even by those who would normally support them.

GEORGE BUSH BREAKS RECORD
For George's second term in the White House, he had to suffer the indignation of being the only president ever to not be able to physically walk up to the White House, such were the vicious protests being directed at him on the streets of Washington on what should have been a very happy day for him. George was bundled into a limo, by his security, for his own safety, and driven up to the doors of the White House. Across the other side of the Atlantic, Bertie was publicly humiliated by angry members of the Irish public at every available opportunity during his final days, due to a mountain of bribes which were uncovered, and which lead to a very revealing tribunal. He may not have went to jail, but Ireland knows he was on the take, and similarly, the UK and the US public's now realise that George and Tony started the war in Iraq for reasons other than WMD.

THEY IMPLEMENTED THE DECISIONS
People are not stupid, these guys are much worse than any bankers, because they have made decisions which have directly lead to millions of people living much worse lives, or worse still, to millions dying, in George's and Tony's case. The bankers and industrialists might want the wars, due to the gigantic financial incentives offered to them - alone - by conflict, but the leaders have the choice to lead their countries into war, or not. While Silvio may not have started the War on Terror, he is fingered in Italy for massive corruption and personal immoral behaviour, but he will now be given added protection. And the timing could not be more perfect, with the 1st 'No Berlusconi Day' taking place on the 5th of this month, and with the anger directed towards him on home soil reaching boiling point this past few weeks.

THE MILAN CATHEDRAL ASSAULT: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE?
The protestor who left Silvio hospitalised with a broken nose and several broken teeth - 42 year old Massimo Tartaglia, an engineer with a history of mental illness - after hitting him with a model stature of the Milan Cathedral (Piazza Duomo), subsequent to a rally at the same Cathedral, has probably given Silvio some added shield, by way of some new form of added security which he will demand. And it will probably involve even less public contact for a man who makes so many decisions on behalf of those very people. If these politicians acted with integrity, then there would not be such anger directed at them, and in fairness, Bertie, Tony, George and Silvio have all done some unforgivable things, and must accept the consequences. But most protestors remain as protestors, not assaulters. They simply don't resort to violence, which is ironic, because all of the politicians mentioned in this article are accused of either starting wars, or of aiding warring factions. But it will be them that receives the added protection. This WAS the excuse which they were waiting for.

Copyright © 2009 BlatantNews.com. Get re-publishing info here.