Lucia

de Vernai

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June 3, 2009

Upset About Obama’s Date Night? Would You Prefer Booger-Eater Berlusconi?

Judging by the amount of coverage President Obama’s New York City date with his wife got, the Jolie-Pitt circus has left town to make way for a new first couple of glamour. Michelle looked stunning in a little black dress, hair upswept as they went to dinner and a play.

Yes, they held up the traffic and the play by 45 minutes. Yes, the production (including the private jet) came out of taxpayer money. That he earned, and not through his shares in Halliburton. If the president wants to spend his paycheck wining and dining his wife, I say we count our blessings because, unlike our head of state, some have truly annoying relationships.

Take for example Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Tact and social grace have never been strong suits of the 72-year-old as photos of him consuming his own boogers in a café a few years back clearly demonstrated. Married and a father of three, Berlusconi has been seeking solace for his pre-election jitters in the company of an 18-year-old underwear model.

After pictures of the woman holding up the gold necklace Berlusconi gave her for her 18th birthday were published, Berlusconi’s wife released a public announcement to the press stating, “That really surprised me because he has never come to the 18th birthday parties of any of our children despite being invited.”

Although Berlusconi, a conservative, denies a sexual relationship, he did request that the 700 or so pictures of him with topless and bikini-clad young women taken at his villa be prevented by the courts from reaching the press. The court granted the request, partly because the former Czech Prime Minister makes an appearance in the nude.

And although in Italy the age of consent is 14, Berlusconi’s wife announced that she is divorcing him, on the grounds that he “consorts with minors”. An irreconcilable difference if there ever was one, although you never know with the Italians.

In the world of politics, “a few good men” is an understatement. A president smitten with his wife and willing to drop a pretty penny on the time they spend together is a part of the American Dream, at least for most women. Instead of resenting the public nature of their romance, let’s breathe a sigh of relief that the only underage girls you see Obama vacation with are his daughters.

A happy marriage – in this day and age, it’s rare enough to stop traffic and turn heads, Secret Service in tow or not. Instead of pettily analyzing the Obama’s large-scale date night, maybe we can take a hint and learn a thing or two from the first leader of the free world since who-knows-when who likes his wife.

Besides, their healthy marriage with all the perks is in our interest: It’s a proven fact that a positive home situation increases work efficiency and energy levels. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes when “the president is in town” is not synonymous with “hide your daughters!”

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