What a slug. Leave it to a knuckle-dragger like Berlusconi to attack the positive changes in Spain. Berlusconi might also take a look at the Scandinavia countries who have much more equal representation in government and business. My wife just attended a seminar last week (hosted by a global, prestigious consulting firm) that showed companies with three or more women on the executive board outperform male dominated firms both organizationally and financially. Looking at the depth of problems in Italy - both organizationally and financially - perhaps Berlusconi should be taking a closer look at how women can play a larger role in Italy. For that matter, we could do a heck of a lot better in the US as well.
Berlusconi on the new Spanish cabinet:
"[He] has formed a government that is too pink," reads one. "That's something we cannot do... because there is a prevalence of men in politics and it isn't easy to find women who are qualified for government. Now he's asked for it. He'll have problems leading them."
Zapatero does it again. The Scandinavian countries have been leading the way for years but Spain is shedding its old conservative imagine on numerous social issues.
Spain's re-elected Socialist Party Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has broken his own record for sexual equality by appointing a predominantly female cabinet for the first time in the country's history.
His nine female ministers not only form a majority in a 17-strong cabinet, which assumes office today, but also occupy heavyweight positions, including for the first time the Defence Ministry.
An absolutely amazing song by one of the best guitarists in the world. My first date with Joelle was a long weekend in Madrid and she gave me one of Paco de Lucia's CDs that included this classic. Great memories all around.
In Paris, there are roughly 70,000 Americans and of that group around 85% are Democrats. Roughly six million Americans live outside of the US. In the past many were not registered to vote because it's not an easy process, especially considering what happens to ballots sent from overseas. The 2004 election was possibly a turning point as many Americans living overseas became involved thanks to the poor policies by the Bush administration. Without the same biased media coverage, Americans abroad had a very different view of what was going on both in America and to our reputation abroad. When Bush had a 90% approval rating, most American expats were in the 10% category and wondering why the rest were fawning over his actions. More expat voting, after the jump.
I hope the Democrats Abroad continue the process of bringing democracy to Americans overseas. Everyone was talking about it and expats actually felt like we were part of the process. Now if only they could move beyond being a 'boomers and beyond' clique that aren't very welcoming to newcomers. Sheesh, just like old time French politics where leadership never changes.
Obama supporters everywhere but no sign of Hillary people. I don't know how that happened but it was during peak voting hours in the evening. And a link to Democrats Abroad voting in Madrid and the party afterwards.
