Politics and Mafia

While at home, whenever something hilarious happened in the political or social life of the citizens, i used the phrase " it can only happen here". Well guess what, every country has its degree of weirdness. Italy is not only not an exception, it is an example. Starting with the fact that also here pavement works start on Friday and thus there is an immense hole in the asphalt all weekend, their immense thrift ( yes, there is no heat during the night because this is their idea of saving a few euros) and ending with their continuous whining about how they do not have enough money for a decent life. Oh no, Italy is not your average European country. There are a few "elements" that have made me make that statement, and these are:
a) Vladimir Luxuria. She ( or he) is the first openly transgender member of Parliament in Europe, and the world's second openly transgender member of Parliament. Although Luxuria lives exclusively as a female, she has yet to undergo sex change surgery; and remains physically and legally male. She has stated on occasion that she perceives herself as neither male nor female. ( source: wikipedia). Yea, so she ( or he ) can decide on which pronoun she ( or he ) likes best and can change her mind anytime about what to be. Convenient.
b) Ilona Staller, also known by her stage name Cicciolina, a Hungarian-born Italian porn-star and occasional singer and politician. We can all see how those skills go together. She was the first hardcore performer in the world to be elected to a democratic parliament. Very nice.
c) Marcello Dell'Utri, an influential Italian politician and senior advisor Silvio Berlusconi. Currently senator, he is convicted for collusion with the Mafia, pending appeal.
It is a country full of wonders. The Mafia originated in Italy, Sicily, with the Cosa Nostra. I admit that i have not seen too many movies with this central theme, not even GodFather( shame on me, but i promise to see it in the nearest future) but this concept had put an interesting label on Italy, as a whole. When i first came here, my grandmother told me to stay away from the Mafia - as there are not so many international news reaching her, that is the impression that has stuck to her and to many other people. No granny, i do not have links with the Mafia. Although it has originated in the south of Italy and most of my Italian friends are from southern regions, i do not think that i am in danger, although i do have a few doubts about the Machiavellian plans of some inhabitants from the 5th floor :))

Below, some interesting information i stumbled upon.

In November 2007 Sicilian police reported to have found a list of "Ten Commandments" in the hideout of a mafia boss. Similar to the Biblical Ten Commandments, they are thought to be a guideline on how to be a good, respectful honorable mafiosi:

1- No one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.

2-Never look at the wives of friends

3-Never be seen with cops.

4-Don't go to pubs and clubs.

5-Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife's about to give birth.

6-Appointments must absolutely be respected.

7-Wives must be treated with respect.

8-When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.

9-Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.

10-People who can't be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn't hold to moral values.

Simple rules, great deeds. Joke or no joke, it is estimated that 7% of Italy's output is filtered off by organised crime - the Mafia has turned into one of Italy's biggest business enterprises with a turnover of more than US$120bn a year. And all with these 10 simple rules.