11-11-2008, 05:02 AM
Il Giornale, Italy
<b>Heâs Just a President. Not the Messiah</b>
By Michele Brambilla
The divinization of politics (and, extensively, of those who do it) is one of the greatest shams of the modern era.
Translated By Andreea Muntean
9 November 2008
Edited by Sonia Mladin
Italy - Il Giornale - Original Article (Italian)
âThe world has changedâ (front page, Repubblica), âA new worldâ (Il Manifesto), âThe Berlin Wall has fallenâ (Liberazione). Here are a few titles published in our papers after Americaâs vote. Other reactions after Obamaâs victory: âNow I am sure that we are about to assist to the return of civilizationâ and âWe may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. â (Michael Moore, director) or âThis is an historical moment, the world is changingâ (Patrick McGrath, writer), âObama at the White House is like the first man on the moon,â (Wilton Daniel Gregory, president of The United Statesâ bishops). Nevermind Veltroni, Maria Giovanna Maglie will take care of him, what matters is that âThe world is dancing from Berlin to London, from Paris to Africaâ, as Il Corriere says (for the purpose of pure, objective journalism, they would reply). But it's ture, the world will change; starting next year there will be three Christmases and only days of celebration, if everyone will make love as they wish and the priests will be allowed to marry, but only at a certain age.
I am among those who shared the satisfaction of Obamaâs victory and I agree to the last word to what John McCain said: âThis is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.â I believe Obama will be a good president and I was overcome by emotion when I saw so many young people crying tears of happiness. I thought about African American teenagers and how many generations of sacrifice stand behind those tears. To cut it short, long live Obama, long live the first black president!
Even so, a somewhat childish enthusiasm makes me smile, the blind trust in political power, the faith in a president who will solve all the problems of the world. It was just yesterday when I learned that the magnificent speech which Obama held on the night of the victory was written by a member of his staff, a 27 year old man. Basically, the speech wasnât his. This information should give us a better sense of reality, so that we take politics for what it really is, and not for what it could be. Politics is important, necessary, but relative: it serves for situations that pass anyway, it serves to shine light on people who are imperfect either way. A bad politician can surely bring hell on Earth, but no good politician can lead us straight to heaven. What will the enthusiasts say after Obama will pragmatically make his first prosaic decision? Let us remember, politics means first of all, pragmatism. And what will the enthusiasts say when Obama will reconfirm the NATO base in Vicenza?
The divinization of politics (and, extensively, of those who do it) is one of the greatest shams of the modern era. Since the enlightenment, a new world religion was born, a religion that promises something it cannot give: happiness. The disasters of the 19th century apparently meant nothing. I repeat: Long live Obama. The end of discrimination is indeed a sign of hope. But how pathetic is the enthusiasm of he who pictures the road of politics as a more or less smooth way to a new Eden. Up until now, politics hasnât given anyone the joy to live. Let alone salvation.
<b>Heâs Just a President. Not the Messiah</b>
By Michele Brambilla
The divinization of politics (and, extensively, of those who do it) is one of the greatest shams of the modern era.
Translated By Andreea Muntean
9 November 2008
Edited by Sonia Mladin
Italy - Il Giornale - Original Article (Italian)
âThe world has changedâ (front page, Repubblica), âA new worldâ (Il Manifesto), âThe Berlin Wall has fallenâ (Liberazione). Here are a few titles published in our papers after Americaâs vote. Other reactions after Obamaâs victory: âNow I am sure that we are about to assist to the return of civilizationâ and âWe may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. â (Michael Moore, director) or âThis is an historical moment, the world is changingâ (Patrick McGrath, writer), âObama at the White House is like the first man on the moon,â (Wilton Daniel Gregory, president of The United Statesâ bishops). Nevermind Veltroni, Maria Giovanna Maglie will take care of him, what matters is that âThe world is dancing from Berlin to London, from Paris to Africaâ, as Il Corriere says (for the purpose of pure, objective journalism, they would reply). But it's ture, the world will change; starting next year there will be three Christmases and only days of celebration, if everyone will make love as they wish and the priests will be allowed to marry, but only at a certain age.
I am among those who shared the satisfaction of Obamaâs victory and I agree to the last word to what John McCain said: âThis is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.â I believe Obama will be a good president and I was overcome by emotion when I saw so many young people crying tears of happiness. I thought about African American teenagers and how many generations of sacrifice stand behind those tears. To cut it short, long live Obama, long live the first black president!
Even so, a somewhat childish enthusiasm makes me smile, the blind trust in political power, the faith in a president who will solve all the problems of the world. It was just yesterday when I learned that the magnificent speech which Obama held on the night of the victory was written by a member of his staff, a 27 year old man. Basically, the speech wasnât his. This information should give us a better sense of reality, so that we take politics for what it really is, and not for what it could be. Politics is important, necessary, but relative: it serves for situations that pass anyway, it serves to shine light on people who are imperfect either way. A bad politician can surely bring hell on Earth, but no good politician can lead us straight to heaven. What will the enthusiasts say after Obama will pragmatically make his first prosaic decision? Let us remember, politics means first of all, pragmatism. And what will the enthusiasts say when Obama will reconfirm the NATO base in Vicenza?
The divinization of politics (and, extensively, of those who do it) is one of the greatest shams of the modern era. Since the enlightenment, a new world religion was born, a religion that promises something it cannot give: happiness. The disasters of the 19th century apparently meant nothing. I repeat: Long live Obama. The end of discrimination is indeed a sign of hope. But how pathetic is the enthusiasm of he who pictures the road of politics as a more or less smooth way to a new Eden. Up until now, politics hasnât given anyone the joy to live. Let alone salvation.