I am dismayed at the continuing popularity of fascism in Europe. Ten years ago, a crypto-fascist got almost 1/5 of the vote in the French presidential election; many countries in Europe seem to elect neo-fascists or crypto-fascists to the European Parliament just to spite the EU.
Judging by the experiences of footballers like Samuel Eto'o, Mario Balotelli, and Patrice Evra, Europe is decades behind the United States in tackling the problem of racism. I've never heard of black athletes on the field of play being the subject of racist taunts either by the fans or by opposing players in the United States. It is unbelievably taboo.
I'm shocked that in Italy, it is apparently possible to simultaneously be the richest man in the country, the majority owner of a major media conglomerate, and Prime Minister. And that's setting aside all the other unsavory things about Berlusconi.
Now, I kind of expect a lot of Europeans--on HN at least--to be embarrassed about neofascists or racism or Berlusconi, but hey, I'm just as embarrassed about Santorum.
Judging by the experiences of footballers like Samuel Eto'o, Mario Balotelli, and Patrice Evra, Europe is decades behind the United States in tackling the problem of racism. I've never heard of black athletes on the field of play being the subject of racist taunts either by the fans or by opposing players in the United States. It is unbelievably taboo.
I'm shocked that in Italy, it is apparently possible to simultaneously be the richest man in the country, the majority owner of a major media conglomerate, and Prime Minister. And that's setting aside all the other unsavory things about Berlusconi.
Now, I kind of expect a lot of Europeans--on HN at least--to be embarrassed about neofascists or racism or Berlusconi, but hey, I'm just as embarrassed about Santorum.