In the same week that Romano Prodi was called to account by debt campaigners on Italy’s dismal failure to keep up with committments undertaken at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, and in the same week that toxic fumes floated throughout the region of Campania as illegaly dumped rubbish throughout the province burned (one solution to the rubbish crisis that has seen the province unable, for the best part of 13 years, to set up an effective waste-recylcing scheme), it has come to light (via the indefatigable Beppe Grillo) that various Italian senators have grouped together to make an important formal demand:
“We bring to your attention a request for an improvement in the quality of life in the Senate. There is no ice cream in the buffet. We think that it would be useful to have and we’re certain that this request is shared by many. Can it be provided? It’s a question of adjusting the services of the Senate to be in line with the normal everyday needs of the people. Awaiting your reply, yours sincerely…”[1]
Interestingly, one of the undersigned Senators is everyone’s favourite theo-con Rocco Buttiglione. Buttiglione specialises in telling various groups what is, and isn’t, a reasonable right. For example Italy’s same-sex couples who wish to have legal recognition as a couple (enabling their partners, for example to be recognised officially as next of kin) – whom Buttiglione responds by clerically reminding them that ‘not every desire is a right'[2].
But ice cream? That’s another matter entirely.
1) “Ci rivolgiamo a voi con una richiesta di miglioramento della qualità della vita in Senato. La buvette non è provvista di gelati. Noi pensiamo che sarebbe utile che lo fosse e siamo certi di interpretare in questo il desiderio di molti. E’ possibile provvedere? Si tratterebbe di adeguare i servizi del Senato alle esigenze della normale vita quotidiana delle persone. In attesa di riscontro, porgiamo cordiali saluti.” – Mura Del Pianto (The Wailing Wall)
2) “Noi osserviamo umilmente che non ogni desiderio o rivendicazione soggettiva costituisce un diritto” Rocco Buttiglione –