Venice report...

The country has settled down after the government, which lost its majority in the Senate, re-formed a new government and it has now survived 2 weeks. The main glue holding it together is the horrible idea, in their opinion, of the Right being in power again for another 8 years. The communists, socialists, greens and other radicals, for a change, kept their eyes on the larger picture. Still, don't hold your breath. If an election were held today, polls indicate a conservative bulge of 8%.

The Italian foreign minister is still angry at America for refusing to allow the extradition of the US soldier who shot and killed an Italian agent (Nicola Calipari) in Baghdad as his Toyota was injudiciously racing at 50 mph (according to satellite photos) toward an armed US military checkpoint. No advance notice was given that Calipari would be coming and the soldier was simply doing his duty shooting at a hostile vehicle. An Italian court has indicted the soldier for murder, yes, murder. Puleeeeze!

On a more local note, the city of Venice survived a quieter Carnevale and spring is here. Gelato shops have re-opened, cafes in the squares are busy, the sun is mostly shining, people are promenading on the Zattere, fur coats are heading for storage, skiing holidays are over, gondoliers have returned from their sex holidays in Cuba and are again lightening Americans' wallets.

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