How Long Was Mussolini in Power?

[ThomWV]

What Bush would like to call "The Ownership Society" used to be called fascism. The biggest difference that I can see between Bonito and George is that El Duce got the trains running on time, while W. has allowed the bankruptcy of Amtrak.

Where is a good scandal when you need one?

[JohnKleeb]

1. about 20 years I believe

[The Sheik]

2. He...

... got power in 1922 and was assinated in 1945. The math is pretty simple.

]

FRATELLI ITALIANI!

[Warpy]

5. He lasted that long because he got a slow start.

Some of his early reforms were both necessary and popular. He didn't turn into his destiny until the 30s.

The difference is that Bush has hit the ground running, in full fascist asshole mode. I sincerely doubt he will last nearly as long.

[The Sheik]

6. In fact...

Mussolini was extremely popular with Italians (my grandparents included) prior to him entering WWII. Then people realized the man had gone nuts.

[pleiku52cab]

3. Long enough to help start a war - Uh just like..........

[China_cat]

4. Small nitpick

Bonito is a type of tuna. Benito was Mussolini.

[Zero Gravitas]

7. They still make piano wire

[NoPasaran]

8. Mussolini came into power in 1922

Mussolini came into power in 1922 after the "March on Rome" of his Blackshirts. The King acquiesced to him assuming temporary dicatorial powers... then Il Duce decided that temporary wasn't good enough and he gradually destroyed all opposition to his rule.

He was removed by the Fascist Grand Council in July 1943 which then signed an Armistice with the Allies. Mussolini was rescued from imprisonmnet by the Germans and put in charge of the puppet government they set up in the portions of northern Italy they controlled. With the collapse of the Axis, he was captured by Italian partisans and executed.

I have read that the "trains running on time" was a myth.

[doni_georgia]

9. If you have ever been to Italy

as I have, you KNOW that the trains thing was a myth. Getting Italians to do anything on time - unless they have a tryst to keep - is next to impossible. :)

Actually, that's probably too cruel. I loved Italy - the country and the people - in the late 80's. But with Berlusconi in power (and running the media), it's way too much like America for my taste for now.

When I was there, I stayed at my ex's grandmother's apartment in the heart of Rome. I could see the Basilica di San Pietro from the baclony of my room. Nonna, the grandmother, had been living there so long that she had had both German and American soldiers billeted on her there during the war. I believe I was the first American she ever met that she liked, chiefly because I liked her so much.

If Berlusconi knows what's good for him, he'll ease up. The Italians did not deal gently with Il Duce, during of after his execution (which is now known as the Milanese Lamppost Jig).

Mac in Ga