And I'm kind of chiming in on the discussion between you and CTYankee because 1. I know you have lived there and 2. She is brilliant in terms of Art History and 3. You both know/are familiar with my 'hooks into' Italy.
There's another piece here - It doesn't make the news and doesn't register with Americans - but Italy is in an austerity budget mode.
To put it simply - why shouldn't they make a buck off of this? They need the money. Is it a silly brouhaha? I don't know. But anyone who thinks that Italy is some bastion of socialism is an idiot. National Health Care does not a socialist country make - they are very very capitalistic and a LOT is 'for show'. From the way you smoke your ciggy to the way you walk down the street and the way you get your money.
Hey - if my nephews get up to date text books in their class rooms next years because the Italian government wins - the more power to Italy I say. It opens the door to bring in more revenue - and hey. It's DU - Tax the rich! 
Off to read more between you and CT because this is how debates should be at DU - no stupidity - just discussion. 
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