Berlusconi: Italian Women Need Military Protection "Because They Are So Beautiful"

By Hortense Smith | January 25, 2009 | 7:50pm

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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, famed for his permatan, xenophobia, and his ability to produce the most insane sound bites possible, has struck again. This time, he’s made statements about Italian women and rape.

In explaining his plan to set 300,000 soldiers onto Italy’s streets, in an attempt to curb a recent rise in violent crime, Berlusconi explained that “we would need so many soldiers because our women are so beautiful.” Opposition lawmaker Giovanna Melandri has already deemed the comment “profoundly offensive.” [AP]