Pothead politicians: high on more than life
Ever see a politician on C-SPAN and thought, “he must be on drugs”? That’s what a TV show in Italy set out to answer. The TV crew of the show Le Iene (the Hyenas), known for its satire and practical jokes, approached 50 representatives as they exited Parliament, asking for their thoughts on the 2007 ...
Ever see a politician on C-SPAN and thought, "he must be on drugs"? That's what a TV show in Italy set out to answer. The TV crew of the show Le Iene (the Hyenas), known for its satire and practical jokes, approached 50 representatives as they exited Parliament, asking for their thoughts on the 2007 budget.
In between segments, a makeup artist dabbed their sweaty foreheads. When the soiled cotton was tested, four tested positive for cocaine and twelve for cannabis. Some officials actually found the stunt to be amusing. Francesco Caruso, a parliamentarian who admits to regularly smoking pot, said to Corriere della Sera half in jest, “What sort of place is this? Mafiosi, sleaze merchants. And now cokeheads.”
Not everyone is laughing. Many parliamentarians have expressed outrage at the stunt, claiming a violation of privacy and trust. Amid all the uproar, Italy’s Privacy Authority has blocked the broadcast.
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