Beppe Grillo's Blog

Mondadori non olet

don Andrea Gallo: "Never again with Mondadori"
(8:02)

If, as don Gallo says, all Mondadori’s authors, especially the so-called opposition writers that number in their tens if not in their hundreds, were to walk out on the publisher, it would send a very strong message to the Country as a whole. By not doing so, these same tens or even hundreds of writers are also sending a very clear message to the Country as a whole, namely that not only are they not an alternative to berlusconianism, but indeed they are in it up to their necks.

Interview with don Andrea Gallo:

Blog: "The recent regulation inserted in one of the Berlusconi Government’s decrees (Decree number 40), which then became law last May, would enable Mondadori to settle an outstanding tax evasion bill amounting to some 350 million Euro by paying over a mere 8.6 million Euro. Now that sounds pretty much like a pardon.
Scalfari responded to Mancuso, an author who writes for Mondadori and is seriously in two minds as to whether or not he should continue to write for the Segrate publishing house, saying that he would continue to write for Einaudi, one of the Mondadori group publishers. "

Don Gallo: "I have begun to realise that what we are facing is a form of degeneration. To see our intelligenzia behaving in this manner … I must say that I am grateful to Mondadori for having published three of my books, but when I read the whole story regarding this dispute with the Department of Inland Revenue, I said to myself: enough is enough, no more! Then, immediately, a thought came to mind, namely that Beppe Grillo had warned me about this back in 2004, shouting it out in a friendly manner. I have said enough is enough because I simply cannot be party to tax evasion on this scale.
Furthermore, I am deeply disappointed because these great authors could have sent out a very strong signal indeed. And I had made a comparison: when the fascist regime was consolidated, the “Duce” asked all the university lecturers (around 1200 of them at the time) to swear an oath of allegiance. Only ten of those lecturers failed to do so.
Just imagine what it would have meant for Italy and the Italians if these authors had left Mondadori “en masse”. It would have been like saying: beware, this regime is busy leading us to destruction. Instead, we once again carry on as if nothing had happened and become a bunch of nitpickers.
I, as small and insignificant as I am, want to say that, given such a major case of tax evasion, the Italians must be given the opportunity to reflect. Because, if all of this is going on just at a time when the workers’ pockets are being hit hard (between those laid-off temporarily and the unemployed), the world of culture must make some sort of contribution. In my own small way, I have decided to do so, above all after examining my conscience.
It is a fact that money cannot buy happiness. Certainly I am in no position to criticise anyone, but I think that yet another page of this sad reality is currently being written. Then there is the matter of the political parties. How have the so-called centre-left parties reacted to this issue?
I want to appeal to all the movements because only a groundswell movement will be able to have its say. To me it seems essential that there has to be some sort of acknowledgement from below, as well as total transparency, in order for us to organise ourselves and weed out this deep-seated problem. Only the groundswell movements can acknowledge the problem and attempt to do what has to be done. Like a common red thread emerging from numerous movements. I have followed the progress of a number of movements, from Beppe Grillo to Val di Susa, No-Dal Molin, the great Zanotelli in Campania regarding the issue of water and those that are fighting against the doubling-up of the coal-fired power station in Savona. All of these are groundswell movements that work from the bottom up.
I want to be very forthright now: while I have the greatest respect for individuals like Scalfari, Saviano and others, I am nevertheless extremely disappointed. Far be it from me to judge them, but they have certainly disappointed me. This is an appeal and not a judgement. On the contrary, as the minor author that I am, I would have expected to see an immediate reaction from such important authors as them. It would have been a great opportunity to reveal the full extent of the tax evasion problem. But I’m still waiting anxiously."

Blog: "What would you like to say to Scalfari say?"

Don Gallo: "That he is no longer my teacher. "

Blog: "Something you want to say to Saviano?"

Don Gallo: "I’m still waiting. It seems incredible to me … Scalfari has already made his decision, while Saviano has not said anything as yet. I have very high hopes because Saviano has given the youngsters a huge push by providing them with an understanding of this monster that is the Mafia, and of its links with the political parties. That’s why I say: “Come on Saviano, send a message to the youngsters."

Comments

If ever there was a doubt that workers' lives are considered expendable, Tremonti, Minister of Italian economy, obliterated it when he considered workers' safety laws to be "luxuries" damaging Italian production competitiveness. He couldn't have picked a worse time to say it. No sooner was the statement made than the papers came out with yet two more workers getting killed on the job. Now, he probably wishes he could take his words back. Paradoxically, the Minister made the statement while body guards, paid by taxpayers, insured his safety on the job. To be sure, I don't begrudge the security measures for Tremonti: he too has the right to go home safe and sound to his family. No one should be killed or injured at their workplaces. I wish all the families of politicians never to be deprived of their loved ones. And I'm sure, that as much as politicians are reviled, criticized, insulted, and mocked Italians wish them no harm. So, when a Minister makes the imperatives of competition more important than the lives of workers he ratches down the political morality of the government -should this government have any left. People must be protected, that's why they elect governments. Governments can't send people to die in Afghanistan in the name of protecting Italians from terrorism when thousands of Italians are killed at their workplaces in their country. Governments have the moral and legal obligations to build and guarantee safe workplaces, the same way people have the obligation to guarantee their politicians safe workplaces and to go home to their families. But when a Minister considers increased safety in the workplace a "luxury workers cannot afford" this give and take between government and people becomes a one way deal: It becomes just "take" for the politicians while forcing workers to bear the burden of the global economic crisis.

Posted by: Louis Pacella | August 28, 2010 07:00 PM