105. IT’S SO HOT… VIVA THE SUMMER!

105. IT’S SO HOT… VIVA THE SUMMER!

Either too much or nothing at all… perfection is difficult to achieve… in everything and everyone! I think it’s the fault of the Italians… I never understood… I am not young and when I look back I find that my habits have turned 360 degrees. What? What do I mean? Perhaps nothing in particular or maybe all!

In politics, our habits and our patience is different from what it was before. During the 60s and 70s our level of tolerance was higher… maybe the TV was less important… less aggressive and therefore did not brainwash us as it does today.

Politics meant an ideal. The thoughts of your family became your thoughts. The left and right wing were extremists thinking! I cannot forget the great family discussions. When I was young I listened a lot to learn. I’ve always been interested to know the difference and the difference was there! Today the left and right disagree just to gain “una fetta maggiore della “grande torta” [a larger slice of the "big cake"]… certainly not for idealism!

I was a street boy. I shared every thought that could help those who had not the strength to speak up and assert their rights.

I am not religious but Jesus was definitely a great socialist! Never a Communist! Communism is left-wing extremism… Fascism is right-wing extremism! I’ve always been a anti-fascist! My life was spent without a father thanks to war and fascism. Thanks to them I became a street kid!

I hate all forms of dictatorship and anyone who struts towards that end. Freedom and democracy are in my mind and in my heart!

Let me tell you a very personal story, maybe I should not, but you know me for my candour! More than thirty years ago… I think it is May… I am in Australia and in two days time there are elections in Italy. I have to return to Italy, I have to vote! A hellish journey… planes are late… flights connections keep me anxious… I have to arrive on time! I have to give my vote to the real Socialist Party… I am not an extremist I am for the ideals of socialism! I arrive two hours before the polls close and do my civic duty!

For nearly twenty years now I have not put my “X” of affection and esteem on a ballot! My Italy changed! They call it the Second Republic. I think there was just a changing of the guard; the former had already been very successful at furthering their own interests and the second had ambitions to exceed the first. For good governance? Unfortunately not!

My dear Italian friends… I am one of you… happy and proud to be Italian! The most beautiful country in the world… country of ARTISTS… but… artists of a very special kind!

I LOVE YOU