In Italy. In America.

My Italian true love was happy last night. 'It's a great day for Italy,' she declared. 'It's the end of our long nightmare.' She was watching television. Watching Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi tromping off to a palace to submit his resignation. Many Italians are breathing a sigh of relief. They detest Berlusconi as a politician. They wish for something far better. And they are celebrating. Not the least, a group of Italian musicians. Playing music. In front of the palace. In grand style. Singing the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's 'Messiah.' Yes, Italians know how to celebrate. In grand style. But bringing Italy back from the brink after 17 years of Berlusconi will be just as difficult as it was for America. Bringing the USA back from 8 years of George Bush. It's gonna take a long, long time to repair all that economic devastation. In Italy. In America. --Jim Broede