Hellas!

As a fan of democracy and an opponent of police brutality, I am truly impressed by this week's events in Greece. People of all ages and classes have been demonstrating, sometimes violently, ever since a teenager was shot and killed by police. The two officers involved have been arrested and one has been charged with murder, but the fires burn on. In some American cities, certain mayors I could name would have given the cops medals and ordered their fellow cops to fire on the "terrorists."

In another restive republic a little farther west, Silvio Berlusconi has announced that he will use his term as president of the G8 to press for "regulation" of the Internet. I have a better idea. Let's kick Italy out of the G8 until they agree to stop electing fascists.

I wonder why some countries have longer memories than others.