The entertaining politicians.

I'm not the least bit homesick. Which means, I suppose, that I don't miss Minnesota or the USA. I've been gone only three weeks. Maybe I'll miss the old haunts eventually. But for now, it's a sign that I have adapted to life in Sardinia. And why not? There's nothing to dislike in Paradise. I'm living with my Italian true love on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. I'm only 20 minutes away from the nearest beach. I also know that winter is coming to Minnesota. Very soon, if not already. And that 'winter' in Sardinia really isn't winter. No freezing temperatures. No snow. And palm trees. Cacti, too. I've become addicted to the sunny beaches and the crystal clear water. The Italian food ain't bad. Though I am showing more restraint at the dinner table than I did last winter. I'm eating in moderation. And exercising like a world class athlete. Makes me slim and trim. Svelte, actually. Another thing. I'm taking time to write. All sorts of stuff. Including my blog. Writing comes easy in Sardinia. Because I'm always in a good mood. I have more or less forgotten about American politics. I'm more focused on Italian politics. As a sideline observer. Rather than an active particpant. I tell Italians that they don't have it as bad as Americans. Politically and socially. Maybe the economic conditions are about the same. Yes, Italians have a buffoon as prime minister. Silvio Berlusconi. I like to pronounce Berlusconi's name. Sounds so Italian. No mistaking Berlusconi for a Frenchman or German or American. He's 100 percent Italian. A billionaire, too. Far richer than any American president. And he owns swank villas all over the place. Even in Sardinia. Where he's alleged to have cavorted with prostitutes. Some of 'em quite young. Teen-agers. Which takes some daring and doing. Because he's 75. His male Italian libido keeps him going. And his money doesn't hurt. It's all so very entertaining and the subject of many nightly TV programs and newspaper articles. Maybe that's why Berlusconi is able to cling to power. For 17 years, and counting. He's so very scandalous. In today's world, that counts more than substance. The world wants to be entertained. By politicians. --Jim Broede