Papa Silvio Frozen out by Mrs Obama.

[jmcc]

I truly applaud her, though the Telegraph columnist who published the set of images was scathing about
poor Mrs Obama who apparently for the sake of protocol should not have kept her distance and should
have hugged the ol' lech.

Image #3 is amazing. Obama is actually moving into the path and effectively blocking Berlusconi's move. This isn't so much as a diplomatic faux pas as a complete freeze out.

Regards...jmcc

[Christine Murray]

the inference by the Telegraph being let the ol' lech cop a handful so as not to breach protocol ? Does the behaviour of Papa Grabbi also breach basic civility and respect for Missis O ?

[He3]

With SB less than 5ft 5in and MO standing at close to 6ft, his head was aiming for a soft landing.

[jdaly]

Image #3 is amazing. Obama is actually moving into the path and effectively blocking Berlusconi's move. This isn't so much as a diplomatic faux pas as a complete freeze out.

Regards...jmcc

also looks as if obama is a bit unsure of himself and maybe a wee bit afraid that your man might get somewhere. hee hee hee!

[Christine Murray]

Tanning controversy : Silvio Berlusconi calls Barack Obama tanned - again - Telegraph

He really is quite a remarkable piece of work, he may be hailed at home for being whatever it is that he is (mostly a
bit of a lothario , with a taste for youngish women); but he is acting rather strangely on the International stage alright.
One wonders how new bestie mate Ghadaffi feels about his consistent referral of skin-colour to tanning ?


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...aly-berlusconi

[islands]

I remember the contoversy over that statement. i don't speak Italian *spits on the floor* but if is similar to French then the word 'tanned' (in French 'bronzé') it can also be the word used to describe racial skin colour. In France bronzé can be used to describe Arab people, though the common term is beurre(butter).

Tanned is abbronzato. The common word for a non-white racial skin colour would be "di colore". Slang might well vary, though. I can't speak for that since it's way, way too long since I've been in Italy!

[Christine Murray]

RTE on the suntan gaffe. Hell hath no fury like a little wee man scorned : http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0928/berlusconis.html

[bananarepublic.ie]

Silvio Berlusconi targets Michelle Obama in new 'suntan' gibe

Most world leaders try to avoid repeating a gaffe. Not Silvio Berlusconi.
The Italian Prime Minister has called President Barack Obama "tanned" again, but this time he took the opportunity to joke about the First Lady’s skin colour as well.
On his return from the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, Mr Berlusconi told a rally of conservative supporters that he was bringing greetings from the United States from "What's his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!"
He went on: "You won't believe it, but the two of them sunbathe together, because the wife is also tanned."

It is very cheap joke... even man in pub plastered stage also bit reluctant use this joke..

Viagra man, macho Italian even President Super man's first lady is also fearful of him.

Is he idiot, clown or sexist or racist or muppet?

I wonder how the normal italians feel about him when they have free time apart from talking about football?

[Christine Murray]

he did it after this: http://www.politics.ie/foreign-affai...50#post2128350

[Tommy Tayto]

Jeez, he just reminds you of that filthy old farmer who goes to the shop to buy the Sun for the boobs, and to make sleazy double entendres to the Polish girl behind the counter. Quite the spectacle to watch.