Although one can’t expect class from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, is it too much to ask that he just not talk? After making a crack about Hitler, and another about Jews, even the Vatican’s official newspaper has publicly decried his jokes as “deplorable.” –JCL

The Guardian:

Never known for his sensivity — and already in trouble for telling a gag about Hitler — the Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was today condemned for more “deplorable” jokes.

The Italian prime minister was filmed cracking jokes to members of the public which depicted Jews as money-grabbers, mocked the appearance of a female opposition MP and used the Italian language’s most offensive religious oath.

The jokes were described as “deplorable” by the Vatican’s official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, which said they offended “the sentiments of believers and the memory of the six million victims of the Shoah”.

Read more

WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG