Living near Italy I never liked the sphagetti disco music, but Georgio is an exception, because he had a great and unique sound (which already was very "techno" and the video also has many images later seen in many rave clips).
Still … very Italian .. but he later made it big time in Hollywood.
The Dutch national football team is called "Oranje" for obvious reasons. Last night they seriously devastated the "Azzurri" - for the first time in thirty years: 3:0.
That is very embarrassing for the Italians - who are the current World Champignons.
I am still not mad about Football - but when anything orange wins I am happy! 
PS: is it just me or does anyone else think that "Giovanni van Bronckhorst" sounds Italian, German and Dutch in just one name?
Europeans always love to laugh at Americans for electing the stupid Mr. Chimp twice. Hold your laughter now Europe: it seems that Italy has elected Berlusconi for a third term. Who is laughing now?
Every country gets the government it deserves - but Berlusconi is bad. This will be the 62nd post-war Italian Government.
Gladiators - typical Roman? Nope, Etruscan. Aqueducts - that must be Roman? Nope, Etruscan again. Many things we would consider as typical Roman culture has been ‘invented’ by the Etruscans - a culture that long existed in the north of Italy before the Kings of Sandals arrived/prospered.
Too bad only so little remained of this great culture. I guess it was completely assimilated by the Romans after they had defeated the Etruscans?
More? Wikipedia (not much to read there) and mysteriousetruscans.com (highly recommended)
Well, once again Italy has lost another government and is maybe facing a new election. Once again the nasty Mr. Berlusconi is waiting in the wings - hoping to overtake (and ruin) Italy once again. I think hardly any other country has such a long list of Prime Ministers like Italy?
But the reason behind the politic indecision behind this situation is not just limited to Italy these days: in many countries the fight between left and right parties produces no longer any majorities for any side. Usually only a few votes decide who runs the country - in the case of Germany this has created a Grand Coalition between left and right.
Voters are disillusioned with political labels and programs - they regard politicians from all parties with equal disgust or ignorance. They vote no longer for political ideas - since all campaign slogans are a remix of the same old promises again and again.
Political, economical and social stability seems to have reached a certain level were we hardly care for pushing for further advancement. And no side has proven to have the right recipe for economic success and social justice for all. So the number of non-voters are steadily rising - while the political cultures in all rich countries look more and more the same - and the left and right have only superficial differences - which are artificially blown up to get voters excited anyway (especially in the US).
BBC News: Italy urged to go on pasta strike
This sounds like a joke, but Italians face a price increase for it’s national meal up to 20%. Once again the production of bio fuels is part of the increased price. Pasta was always considered ‘cheap’ food, attainable for everyone.