On the web and on the social forums, the photo of General Graziano goes to 90 ° in front of the President of the European Union Junker. An image that has made one shudder those who delude themselves that they will soon see a new, stronger, more virile Italy that does not compromise. An Italy that wants to renew itself, decided to say no on all fronts, which faces diplomatic battles against "the French who get angry", as recalled by a famous song by Paolo Conte, and which elects Lino Banfi (well-known admirer of Edwige Fenech) at a UNESCO seat. In spite of the Salvinian decision-making and the Penta Stellato gigisionism, it seems that the government of change can not get rid of a not very elegant dress, sewn with haste and with hardly resistant thread.
The Defense Staff persists in its sad image of a dusty sofa, placed in the lounge of an abandoned house. In fact, Graziano's posture coherently summarizes the high levels of the Italian military hierarchy, light years away from the reality of operational departments that every day try to do their duty fighting both on the home front and abroad. It is therefore necessary to reiterate that the Italian army, historically condemned to the stereotype of "Italians good people", departs from the uncontrolled lust for the prostration of one of its officials (because that is) more in sight. Unfortunately it does so silently, because a military (in this sad country) seems not to be made to speak even when his own dignity is endangered. Of course, Graziano's reverence may also be involuntary, but it seems that the vertebrae of the Italian general are used to a posture unfortunately increasingly common at the top with the stars.
The national history includes among its military commanders prominent figures who have been able to give honor and dignity to the Italian infantrymen, even in the most obscure moments. From the times of Napoleon's army of the Italian kingdom, up until the last war, the ability many Italian officers has found the applause of allies and opponents, in spite of a high command not always efficient, not to say in perpetual confusion. Just the Napoleonic era taught what is the value of a general who, at the head of his men, did not shy away from being a target for the enemy, marching with arrogance, courage and boldness towards the goal. Now, the romantic image of feathered officers, with golden uniforms, does not belong to us any more, nevertheless they continue to exist two categories of commanders: those from the living room and others who prefer the dust of the operating theaters. But the two characters are contaminated, since we are aware that in the career of a general there are several moments in which he must breathe the odor of the forehead and then the perfumes of the lavish refreshments of the Roman General Staff.
To go out gracefully from this split would be healthy to maintain a certain consistency with one's own character, but above all to preserve firmly the memory of what was life in the ward, among one's own men. From what we have witnessed in the last few years, the plethora of Greek with the stars that wanders in the corridors of the ministry has lost much of the military traits with which they were formed; politics - like the sirens for Ulysses - continues to exert an irresistible charm that ensures gold, power and paillette to those who work to fill their lives with "yes sir".
The poor general Graziano is only the tip of a summit that also counts much more subtle characters who, despite wearing a uniform, have very little military. A parade of politicians in uniform who knows how to govern the wind better than the aforementioned Ulysses, directing his career where Aeolus louder, ensuring prestige seats and many buttons to press. These gentlemen are not our army, similarly that bow can not and should not offend those who - less and less - continue to wear the helmet of Mars with honor.
