Gala Placidia's activity

Sorry guys, I may be saying something silly, but....are you saying that your Italian "tessera sanitaria" is valid throughout the EU? I am under the impression that your ordinary "tessera" is only valid in Italy and that, if you are going to another EU country you need the European card (Tessera Sanitaria Europea) and that you have to apply for it. http://www.assicurazioniviaggio.eu/tessera-sanitaria-europea.html I am saying that I am not absolutely certain because I do not reside in Italy but in Spain, where I have the national health card; however, every couple of years I have to apply for the European card, which is the one I can use whenever I am in Italy or in any other EU country. My understanding is that the national health cards can only be used within the country that issues them. The European card is blue in colour and bears the EU logo. And, just as you said, it only covers essential treatment.

What about this one? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Malus_sikkimensis0.jpg It is still a "Malus" variety.

If the fruit smells like and reminds you of apples, it could be any member of the Malus or Rosaceae species and there are quite a few. Here you have some information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malus

Amaretto, the decision to appoint an interim government headed by Monti is within the powers of the Italian President in a crisis situation, such as the current one. To call an election takes time and urgent measures were needed. Greece had to go through a similar experience. Spain had an election already planned and yesterday, the opposition leader won an overwhelming victory. You mention the readiness of UK and USA people to accept such measures. Well, I can remember back in the 70¨s when the Governor General of Australia, representing the Queen, removed the Whitlam government (Labour) during a crisis in which supply was blocked by the opposition. The leader of the opposition, the Conservative Fraser, was appointed to head an interim government which was later on ratified through a proper election, but this took a few months. So this type of "interventions" take place everywhere in the world and whenever desperate measures are needed. They are not ideal, but sometimes there is no other way out. This may also interest you and clarify some points:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15710790 Regarding women voting for Berlusconi.... it also beats me. And this does not mean that Italian women are either idiots or "bimbos". On the contrary, there are many Italian women who are highly prepared and could be excellent politicians. Perhaps, they are sick and tired of the almost permanent "circus"....

Glad to help and be very careful.

And far much more convenient. We also made the switch and it is great. My best advice: Do it as quickly as you can.

Sprostoni, just as usual, your neighbour is right. You can prune false acacias and you can do it hard, but you must do it quickly or wait until summer to avoid bleeding. Also, the pruned trees may produce less flowers. In any case, use protective clothes as the plant is toxic and keep children and animals away. I agree with you that you should not remove the trees as they are fulfilling an important task: to hold the bank and they are great at doing that. You have some useful information here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinia_pseudoacacia Also, do a search here using the words "false acacia". We have discussed these trees in the past. Good luck! You have a big job ahead of you.

I was trying to find a list of those regions that charged for "il coperto" and I found this most interesting entry: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coperto It goes back to what you rightly say, Badger, that it relates to the quality of service you receive in exchange for it and I would venture that most of us would not mind paying that extra charge if we get the right kind of service. The story behind this charge is most interesting and we can also find a very useful glossary covering table service.

Sorry Raggio, but the results of the 1946 Italian Referendum on the form of government were not overwhelmingly in favour of the Republic. The results were as follows: Republic: 12,718,641 votes or 54.3% Monarchy: 10,718,502 or 45.7% So not a big difference as it was less than 10% of the votes. I have to agree with your mother in the fact that Umberto II was not a clever king and the monarchy, mainly his father, Vittorio Emanuele III had leaned too much on Mussolini side. Even his wife, Queen Marie Josée (a Belgian princess) desperately tried to put distance between the monarchy and the dictator. Here are some interesting details for those who like history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umberto_II_of_Italy Anyway, even if the monarchists had won the referendum, the Italian monarchy would have become a constitutional one, just as it is the case with most modern monarchies. Concerning the support for Mussolini, I am afraid that he was supported by many Italians at the time, not only some members of the Monarchy... As for the old aristocracy, the majority despised Mussolini. But, at this stage, Italy has more serious problems to contend with and I agree with Ram in that the technocrats seem to be the only solution available. I also agree with Ram in that Berlusconi looks increasingly like Mussolini...

Well Ram, I may be the eternal optimist. I even believe in miracles!!!! Anyway, I also think that the political scene in Italy is a mess and I also agree that the Italians would love to see a Messiah coming to the rescue. Alessandra Mussolini may not have enough strength. The Monarchy would have been an option if Vittorio Emanuele and his son were more suitable. They aren't. Amedeo of Savoy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Amedeo,_Duke_of_Aosta_(b._1943) seems to be a better choice, but there could be too many problems in the process and also I do not think that he would be prepared to grab the crown under the circumstances. In any case, the Monarchy would have needed an interim government of technocrats until the system could be reorganised and they could have a proper election. I may be old fashioned, but I like monarchies as they generally provide some kind of stability during difficult times. In any case, I still think that the technocrats may be the easiest solution, at least for the moment. And SirTK, I do not think that the Italians are prepared for an immediate election. As you say, the technocrats are going to need all the help and support they can get.