Thats an interesting story about Arcore. He couldn't buy a house honestly.

Ok. I didn't intend to start a political debate, especially not an anti-Berlusconian one, they've become boring,honestly, and this is not appropriate right now.
I just wanted to pay tribute on my behalf, that's all. Perhaps I should have posted in the Obit thread.I know my second post would obviously spark off many comments but it was just a reply to "What for?". I got the feeling that this question was referring to his politics, perhaps I was mistaken. Apologies, then.

Italy: Berlusconi – mad man or useful tool in the hands of the bosses? | Italy | Europe
I like the way people tslk about "mistakes" to describe a well-thought-out series of crimes. Can we imagine Hitler clapping his hand to his forehead and saying, "Dammit! I must remember to stop massacring Jews!"
A genuine mistake is the result of miscalculation based on incomplete knowledge of a situation, etc., leading to unexpected results. The only "mistake" that these people make is to get caught.

And then we see Libero saying that the "communists" are on the attack even when the great man is dead - that's not cricket! To me a "communist" is someone who favours a different organisation of society, which you may or may not agree with, while the moron journalists who write for right-wing rags say "communist" to mean anyone who disagrees with Berlusconi.

He's just another Italian, but let's respect those who are mourning his death.

And you can thank him either for his contributions to Italy or for wrecking up this country. Not that I personally care - I live here but it's not my country.

A solitary woman not mourning for Berlusconi.

If you mean his family and friends well that's one thing. But if you mean his supporters that's another.

I understood what "The Knight" referred to. My question was 'Why did Rose68 choose it as a title for this thread from all the other possible titles that she might have chosen?"... She's answered that in a way. I feel that if she, or anyone else wants to "Thank Silvio" because he created jobs or because he was a skillful communicator...well that's their choice in a way... but if you do that then you are missing the point...
​​​​​He is not being granted a state funeral because of his qualities as a communicator or as a businessman... plenty of people are good communicators or create successful businesses...none of them get a state funeral. He's getting a state funeral because of his political career... therefore it's perfectly reasonable to question whether or not his contribution to politics actually merits a state funeral, and his supporters ought to try and defend that record (if they believe in it), not try to argue that it's in some way offensive to his memory

It was a state funeral in Italy but the only world leader to turn up was Orban. Putin is not welcome and Gadaffi is dead. I wonder if Blair was invited?

Let's respect (the rights of) those who are mourning his death. They're free to express their views, which are perfectly legal if morally questionable and which they're perfectly entitled to. Even though I disagree with her, Rose has the same right to free speech as the rest of us do.

Well said C2s about his state funeral. This wouldn't have happened in the UK, but the Italians are free to do as they please in their own country.

But Canclini disagrees. “I don’t see him as a manipulator, but as an extremely educated person. There will never be anyone like him – he was a genius,” she said.
(The Guardian, 14 June 2023)

Wow some Italians really have low standards of what 'extremely educated' means. Stupidity has just gained another level.

The archbish of Milan said only that he was a man who liked life, who wanted to live, love and enjoy himself. (but in alot more words). What worries me is that we might end up looking back on 'dear old Silvio' as Meloni consolidates her grip. She doesnt care about being loved, I suspect she'd rather be feared. She said that she'd make Berlusconi proud, on the same day as she got rid of the offence of abuse of power and started the process of limiting phone interceptions. All of which should make us deeply concerned.

Sorry to hear that. As far as I'm concerned, "Home is where I hang my hat". I care about all countries and take note of what critics have to say.

Italy's leading supplier of sexual services sent a wreath to Arcore presumably because he was an important customer. It was quickly removed. I checked out their offerings for my smallish town and there are more than 500 adverts.

Berlusconi wasn't 'given' a state funeral. He was entitled to one. Almost ten years before he entered politics a 1986 law afforded a state funeral to former prime ministers (among others). He was Italy's longest serving premier.
Love him or loath him he changed Italy politically and socially. Some will say for worse, but the TV pre canale 5 days was dismal to say the least.

Thanks for clarifying the legislation - is that Article 1 from D.Lgs. 1987/36?

Il Cavaliere has been blocked by Italian law even when dead. He wanted to be buried in his private mausoleum at Villa San Martino but Italian law does not permit that. Instead he has been cremated today.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...la-2023-06-14/