Italy is like one of those Whitman’s Sampler boxes of chocolates my mother used to buy at the Safeway. Only, instead of chocolate confections, here we have political scandals. As the world chortles at the Berlusconi affair, the (now ex-) president of the Lazio Region – where Rome is gently nestled- Piero Marrazzo, has stepped down. The details are succulent and confusing: corrupt Carabinieri involved in a cocaine ring, transsexual prostitutes, blackmail, payoffs and secret films. Sex, lies and iPhone video.

Of course, Marrazzo denied everything at first. This is a kneejerk reaction and I can understand it. But, of course, he soon realized he’d better start asking for forgiveness before he lost everything. A choice quote:

“I asked [my wife’s] forgiveness, I screwed up, maybe she understood. I’m a Catholic and I can now say I’ve sinned, but a very important monsignor said: ‘One may enter the Church even through sin.'”

So here we are, in Italy, where eveything circles back to sin and absolution. Just invoke your religious belief with a tiny tear in your left eye and cite some obscure church dogma. Nothing works like preying on people’s superstition. What does it matter that he deceived not only his wife and children, but his electorate as well? Presto!

Now repeat after me: You are absolved, the cocaine was really sugar, and the prostitute was really an angel in disguise.

Hey, it really works!