Flip's activity

Questions Asked

Hi everybody, pleased to join your Forum.

Mon, 09/06/2010 - 09:00

Comments posted

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Thu, 02/28/2013 - 14:33

Well it all depends on your Political outlook Gala, but if you talk to people here in Italy, and disregard what the populist media are saying then your perspective might change. To say Berlusconi is anything else but a manipulative, corrupt, odious shitweasel, is incorrect  and his party are about as 'traditional' as rickets.

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 05:35

Also check with GAIA the water people as they inspect water sources and monitor supplies, even though the water may be on your land you may not necessarily be able to use it.

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Wed, 02/27/2013 - 11:47

If you get a chance to view that Programme that was on BBC4 last night that Joy pointed out, it pretty much sums up what is wrong in Italy very well.

Answer to: BBC4
Wed, 02/27/2013 - 11:44

Just watched it on the iPlayer, the overwhelming conclusion that Italy can better it self, but.....Italians can't be arsed. No change there then, the guy who said Italians worst sin is Sloth hit the nail on the head.

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Wed, 02/27/2013 - 09:22

I think you are slightly wrong in assuming that Grillo got his votes from the 'disgruntled'; speaking to quite a few people who voted for his party, it seems that they were excited at the possibility of a wholesale change in how Italy is governed, and their candidates were mainly 'Professionals' who saw at first hand how Italy is being 'raped' by people out for their own good. It is easy to believe the spin placed on Grillo and his followers by the media, because it has been a long time since any politician seemed to have the Countries rather than the Individuals welfare at heart. Far from being a shouty Clown Gala, a lot of people think Grillo is a viable alternative to either 'Populist' Parties; and by the percentage of votes his party received, I tend to believe it. Let the bargaining begin.....

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Tue, 02/26/2013 - 12:18

That'll be a first Gala. Italians have for a long time now, and I am generalising here, have a '' I'm all right Giacomo '' outlook, especially in rural Italy; that's why the Politics of Berlusconi have been successful. His main thrust in this election has been scrapping the IMU and refunding last year, which is now getting funds back into the Comunes at last, albeit paltry sums in context to what they now need. The main problem as I see it is the lack of someone to overall the Political system and cut down the number of upper and lower house members, and start trimming the fat off the lumbering Government beast. Then again it would mean stopping the easy ride for most politicians, which brings us back to the beginning again and self betterment. Grillo did so well because the public at last see that the whole system needs to change before politics, right or left can make any measures work.

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Mon, 02/25/2013 - 11:42

Well voting has now closed and going by the online voting info from the Comune, it looks like a good turnout with nearly  70% of the Electorate voting, if the figures are to be believed. The overwhelming feeling by talking to various people is that the Centre Left will gain control over both Houses. Let the counting begin....

Answer to: ITALIAN ELECTION
Sun, 02/24/2013 - 15:30

Grillo seems to have different agendas to those who are actually standing for the lower house in his party; I've seen several interviews who say that what the 5 Star party stand for is not what Grillo actually says i.e. referendum on the Euro etc. As he will not be taking a seat and is only the Spokesperson for the movement, in typical Italian fashion the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.... The safe bet is a Bersani/Monti coalition.

Answer to: pet microchip
Sun, 02/24/2013 - 07:35

Not sure about a cat register but all Dogs 'have to be' registered, which includes chipping [cost €16] with the regional health body ASL (a practice not really followed by most Italians) there is a fine if you are caught out (we know to our cost when our dogs went to kennels and a snap inspection took place), but like Gala says ask your local Vet for advice.

Fri, 02/22/2013 - 05:39

As Sebastiano rightly says, if you are coughing up €1k+ for any item, get it from a store that specialises or is an agent for that equipment. It may seem like you are getting a good deal by buying it from a DIY type store but if it goes wrong you are usually left in the middle between the store and their supplier, neither one wishing to take responsibility.