14 Comments
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Anne-Marie Sutcliffe's avatar

Athens, not Rome, was the first democracy; Rome was first an oligarchy, then a monarchy.

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Thomas's avatar

First democracy and an economy built on slave labor.

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Linda Weide's avatar

Guten Morgen from Germany. Italy is run by Georgia Meloni, who is a fascista. Mussolini was the original fascist. Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, who is an expert on Italian fascism, since that is the birthplace of fascism too, has discussed don't be fooled by her international persona, at home Meloni is instilling fascist doctrine. I am glad that she is a fascist who is not on Putin's side. Italy has been supporting Ukraine, but members of her party have supported Putin greatly. Berlusconi for example another fascist.

https://theconversation.com/giorgia-meloni-and-the-return-of-fascism-how-italy-got-here-190866

But, Trump is not appealing to others. European fascists tend to hate what they view as American Imperialism. Of course there must be some Italians who like Trump. However, America has its reputation as a big imperialist bully so that does not change so quickly amongst the left.

According to this Guardian article earlier this month, Italy was the most positive about Trump of people interviewed in 5 Western European countries. However, the majority of Italians, almost 60% were still seeing Trump as a threat.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/donald-trump-threat-to-peace-ukraine-talks-survey-western-europeans

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elliott oberman's avatar

Everyone hates trump; Listen to his comment about the Crown Prince, "What I do for the Crown Prince"!

On Trump, I have no words, traitorous disloyal double-dealing, perfidious, Janus-faced, duplicitousness!

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Kathy  Utley's avatar

I love the outro - Live from Rome, Italy, where they know an asshole when they see one!

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Tee Ree's avatar

I’ve heard (I think it was Ruth Ben-Ghiat) that local mayors and others in outlying towns are leading the fight against their own fascist government.

It would be awesome if you did some reporting on Italian resistance in the new age of fascism.

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Corlis Robe's avatar

Thank you for the reassurance.

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USAF1776's avatar

I love Canada 🇨🇦 my brother was a trucker and told about differences of clear, clean air. He said he felt like he entered a new world when he crossed the border, he always took those loads to enjoy the Canadian beauty. I always wanted to go but he died before he could take me. I promised I would go in his memory but now Trump messed that up as well. I hate him and I have tried to at least just not like him, he makes it go straight in the hate zone every few hours.

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Terrilyn🇨🇦's avatar

Trump gives autocracy a bad name. He embarrasses powerful fascists causing them to wish they were not in the same club.

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Liberty and Justice for All's avatar

You made my morning! Laughing my ass off

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Jim's avatar

Just wondering, but I was under the impression it was Athenian Greeks who developed democracy. Rome adapted it, I find the claim “Rome as Home of Western Democracy” intriguing, and a little less than factual.

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Elizabeth  Burt's avatar

Dean, we want to invite you to be a guest on our podcast SpaceCab.

Let me know if you’d be interested please 🙏 and thank you for your fantastic work.

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USAF1776's avatar

Did you see the fascism at all when you were there? I was reading the comments and know if you witnessed anything you would tell us

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Kathy  Utley's avatar

c'mon you got your lips filled! LOL

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