borders - have a look at Italy

[ensho]

http://wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/ital-a06.shtml



Italian government imposes national state of emergency


the Italian government headed by Silvio Berlusconi proclaimed a national state of emergency due to the continuing inflow of refugees by boat from across the Mediterranean Sea. This means that the state of emergency already imposed on Italy’s three southernmost provinces—Sicily, Apulia and Calabria—will be expanded to encompass the entire country.

In 2002, during his second term in office, Berlusconi had already introduced a so-called “refugee state of emergency” in the south, which was continued in 2006 by the government led by Romano Prodi. Prodi also imposed a “water state of emergency” in May 2007 and somewhat later a “garbage state of emergency” in Naples. The current national state of emergency, however, has assumed new and alarming dimensions.

Since taking office three months ago, Berlusconi’s government has systematically undertaken a series of harsh measures against immigrants and refugees, intensified security laws and decrees and facilitated assaults and acts of violence against what the government terms “illegal immigrants”. This campaign has seen the burning down of a Roma camp in Naples while the local authorities looked on. With its proclamation of a national state of emergency, the government has now made provisions for the introduction of extensive police-state powers.
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I feel sorry for the people, having to put up with 'police-state powers' ------- again.

[Selatius]

1. Berlusconi was always a Bush fan. He only lost power because of his support for the war.

Now that he is back, it is as if he has learned his lesson and is now using pages from Bush-Cheney's playbook by essentially terrorizing the people into voting for him. Vote for me, or the terrorists will get you. Give me your freedom, and I will give you security.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Maybe it's time for sanctions.

His anti-Gypsy crap is downright disturbing.

[Selatius]

3. He's unifying Italians around him by scapegoating a racial minority.

It's one way to convince people to support you even though you shred their freedoms. Make them think they are under threat by this group, and you can win at the ballot box.

[alfredo]

6. Fascism in Italy?

[riverdeep]

4. Protecting borders is one of the primary functions of government.

So I have no problem with that, whatsoever. I don't understand the article putting 'illegal' in quotes, since they ARE entering illegally, without permission. Bringing unnecessary harm to those entering, I don't agree with. Grab them, get them out, period.

However, another aspect to this may very well be immigrant-baiting to disguise a grab of power. Berlusconi is one Bush's great pals, so that's always a possibility.

[Annces]

5. Many are Libyans

I looked up some articles to see who the immigrants were.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/31/europe/migrants.php