Even though there is a plethora of candidates, who else could it be? Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is Foolocracy’s “Fool of the Year” because there is not another politician like him anywhere in the world.
Berlusconi thinks the same. He once referred to himself as “the best prime minister who could be found today. I believe there is no one in history to whom I should feel inferior.”
That is one man’s opinion. Needless to say, the best prime minister would not be a regular recipient of the “Fool of the Week” award.
Berlusconi, a former cruise ship crooner, is the richest man in Italy. He owns the major Italian media outlets. Criticism of him is somewhat muted in the Italian media because of that. Yet that is just the beginning.
Berlusconi’s year started off by announcing that he was responding to a number of high profile rapes in Rome by bringing in 30,000 soldiers to patrol the streets. That was not the problem. However, Berlusconi offended many when he said the rapes would stop when there “are as many soldiers on the streets as there are pretty girls.”
Berlusconi then affronted France’s First Family by stating that he gave Nicholas Sarkozy his wife. Carla Bruni is Italian.
In April, the Abruzzo region of central Italy was heavily damaged by an earthquake. Berlusconi brushed off the fate of the newly homeless residents by suggesting that “they should see it like a weekend of camping.”
On to the European Parliament elections, where Berlusconi, never far from attractive women, selected four attractive former showgirls with questionable credentials to stand for election and help “renew the image of Italy.”
Come May, the Prime Minister showed up at the 18th birthday party of an aspiring model and showered her with gifts. That was too much for his long-suffering wife, who announced plans to divorce because “he cavorts with minors.”
As the dust settled on his latest misadventure, word came out that Berlusconi held a party at one of his villas with the Czech Prime Minister, who was caught on camera nude. Of course, plenty of beautiful women were around too.
More wild news emerged of Berlusconi’s parties when it was reported that he would bring 10 or 20 attractive women to one of his residences, shower them with gifts and films extolling his virtues, then select one to take to bed. At least some of the women have admitted to being prostitutes. Berlusconi denied ever paying for sex.
One of the women from his parties wrote in a book that she nearly broke Berlusconi’s wrist as she tried to keep his wandering hands off of her.
A former member of Berlusconi’s political party complained that he was dropped from the party’s slate of candidates because he did not have “tits.” Marcello Vernola said that Berlusconi personally asked him to recommend some attractive women who could replace him.
In September, Berlusconi reiterated a gaffe he made when Barack Obama was elected President last year. He called the Obamas “tanned.”
When Berlusconi resumed his position as Prime Minister last year, Parliament passed a law banning the prosecution of the Prime Minister and three other high officials while in office. An Italian constitutional court overturned the law this year. Consequently, Italian prosecutors have restarted a corruption trial against Berlusconi. Berlusconi is no stranger to these situations as he has been hauled before the Italian judiciary numerous times since the 1990’s, but has never been found guilty.
How does Berlusconi handle all of these distractions? He has a simple explanation. “I’m Superman,” said Berlusconi.
Somehow, it is no surprise that Berlusconi’s year should end with someone smashing his face with a souvenir statue.
It is amazing that Berlusconi remains popular in Italy and continues as Prime Minister. In what other country besides Italy could this happen?
Here is a breakdown on the runner ups for “Fool of the Year.”
Second Place – South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford redefined the word “hiking” by taking a hike all the way to Argentina without anyone knowing, including his wife and staff. He was there to continue an affair with his “soul mate.”
Third Place – Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich continues his antics as his corruption trial approaches. After being indicted Blagojevich went to Disneyland, then tried to get onto a reality television show, wrote a book and wormed his way on to every talk show he could to spill his view on things. He is a defense attorney’s nightmare. Expect to see plenty of him next year because his trial starts in June.
Fourth Place – In a less comedic vein, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad deserves recognition for his shameless endorsement of the Iranian elections as the “freest” in the world. Add in the usual blatherings about Israel and the United States, and Ahmadinejad emerges as a first class fool.
Fifth Place – North Korea’s humorless Kim Jong-Il actually smiled this year. He is probably not befitting for a jester’s suit, but the North Korean leader finds ways to look foolish even as he frustrates the world. From his ludicrous space launch in April that plunged into the Pacific Ocean to his current attempts to wipe out the farmers’ markets that provide 80% of his nation’s food, Kim is determined to fail and make his people suffer.
Sixth Place – Nevada Senator John Ensign deserves this as a major hypocrite. Professing a deep Christian faith, he found time between attending church to fool around with another man’s wife and professed to the husband, “I am in love with your wife.”
Seventh Place – Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann has her admirers and has found a niche on the talk shows. However, she has an inability to keep her facts straight. From calling swine flu a Democratic plot to twisting the Smoot-Hawley Act into the “Hoot-Smalley,” Bachmann is always good for a hoot herself.
Dishonorable Mention – Those not quite deserving to break into the top seven but still deserving mention are last year’s “Fool of the Year” Sarah Palin for resigning in the midst of her term, former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry who always runs into legal problems, Muammar Gaddafi because he is Muammar Gaddafi, John Edwards because of the continuing fallout from his affair make even Ensign and Sanford look respectable, Wisconsin lawmaker Jeff Wood who now has five driving arrests while under the influence, former Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell who still thinks it’s 1830, and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, a former Catholic priest with a penchant for fathering out-of-wedlock children.
