patriotism

A difficult day
by Carlo Oliva

Some considerations on the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

I would like to ensure my loyal readers that this time I tried to make myself a mature and responsible attitude. I talked on the radio, because they were all talking, but I did it, as they say, sine ira et studio. I have repeatedly said that if someone took time to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of national unity, will have had his reasons and who was I to be against it. I recognized the due diligence that times have changed, that the home is no longer the exclusive property of vulgar nationalism, the shared identity and sense of belonging and values are, however, that in any case, always worth the trouble to show their dislike
for the league, even if the idea of waving the tricolor with La Russa to spite Bossi, that La Russa is in the same government, was, in hindsight, incredibly stupid.
I adapted well, and waving the flag bearers, the newspaper with the head flag, the revaluation of the helmet of Scipio and Victory (alas) a slave to Rome, in March 1821 on the front page of Corriere della Sera, the hymns of the Risorgimento Radio Popolare, monuments illuminated white, red and green, more kitsch than this can not be the homage of the authorities and the tomb of Vittorio Emanuele II, father of the country, in presence of, alas, Emanuele Filiberto, it is true that he is the first in his family to earn a living doing a job, after all, respectable, but it is also a living testimony to the paucity of historical dynasty. But what precisely I could not bear what I did - in a sense - ruined the party, was the eve of the presidential message, the one where the best Napolitano, perhaps to prepare for the labors of the day after, explained that if we had not joined the Italians would be swept away by history. Yes, just like he said, "swept away by history," implying quite clearly that, even if he was referring to the cases of the Risorgimento, the concept also applies today and if we did not continue to be united the history will wipe us out.
It is true that on the occasion of the centennial and sesquicentenari a certain amount of rhetoric is permitted and even contemplated, but what is missed in mind that a good man? The proposition, with all due respect, may sound a bit as blackmail, and blackmail of this kind can not answer that reaffirming the right to join with those who want to part with and who you want. If then, in his view, also claims an equal right as Bossi, well, we are in democracy and would not let you certainly can not prevent. And as for history, "the famous war against Time", as he call it a famous Anonymous will be good to remember that usually it does not sweep away just anyone (this provides, if anything, nature), but retains, indeed the memory of all their deeds and misdeeds, adding that his proposal for an opinion to share. This means that you can not ignore the fact that Italy is one thing and one thing is the Italian kingdom and that one in two thousand years of history before 1861, has accumulated much merit as the cultural and civil, the other.
So to me, for example, not much to be sorry (that way) and Italian belong to a country with an ancient and noble civilization, even though I know very well that this feature does not justify any claim to primacy, but the honor to be a citizen of this republic could well do without, either because the company of certain people willingly give up, is because I have not given up the aspiration to be a citizen, as they say in the world. It will conclude by hoping that, yes, to Thursday, March 17 was a difficult day, but I was consoled and comforted by the thought that, having experienced the hundredth and one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, age precluded any prospect of seeing me suffer, and also next two hundred. For posterity (survivors), my dearest wishes.