Berlusconi's Neverland

Here's a quote and a half:

"Politicians, even those with fewer prejudices, are not yet ready to admit what they do, fearing that someone will compare it with what they say."

Horrified by hidebound tradition in Anglo-Saxon Britain? You might want to take a peek over the borders and check out what another player in the Iraq War got up to whilst young men and women gave their lives on behalf of empire-building.

Of course, all they serve in Villa Certosa is free ice-cream. From El País today, the following:

Let us now visit Villa Certosa, the mysterious Sardinian mansion property of the Milanese tycoon who is currently Prime Minister and rotating president of the G-8, as well as leader of the People of Freedom party, elected by show of hands.

An intriguing report, with photos to boot, can be found here. Even more intriguingly, published in an English which just about bears reading.

So is this what happens more widely in international politics? And if so, should we be worried?

And if we should be worried, what can we do?