Usually, talk on the Vespa's show is a turn-off and, usually, after the initial glimpse, it's clicked. Last night, however, in spite of the unsavory guests such as Sallusti and Brunetta, I was curious to hear Vespa's guests rant against labor. There is nothing more absurd (and disgusting at the same time) than to watch and listen to two politicians, a unionist, a bosses' representative and a show host judge, discuss and patronize workers' issues from a TV studio, comfortably seated, basking in financial security assuring them an anxiety-free future. I wondered if they were listening to themselves: Brunetta labelled workers as reactionary for refusing Marchionne's draconian plan to make them work harder for less wages or face a shutdown of operations. Sallusti blamed unions for the horrendous economic and financial crisis facing Italy and decried greedy unions and workers' inefficiences. The bosses' representative called workers' demands as irresponsible, while Vespa (millionaire) smugly bobbed his head up and down in agreement. An air of complacency and feigned outrage swirled over their heads, a tele-moment of schadenfreude while showing fake commiseration for the 1500 workers terminated following the closure of the FIAT Termini Imerese plant. Big-mouth Brunetta, gabbed the most and never lost a chance to pat himself on the back by reminding all of the legislative innovations he introduced to the Republic. Sallusti seemed in mourning and has yet to recover from the shock-and-awe he suffered when his boss and courtesans were ousted from government. Once again union leader Bonanni summarized his reasons for siding with the Italian-Canadian bully in charge of Fiat - the Italianate corporate welfare bum. Rutelli exited the show as the Fiat workers' question came up, but not before he lamely exhorted workers to concentrate on building better cars instead of politicking. Right! Muted workers on assembly lines, politicians and bosses dictating laws. I should have clicked them off.

10, 100, 1000 Daniele Esposito.