"While professional non-Italian students and scholars may find the discussion of the highly controversial polemics of political corruption in Rome, its adverse affect on the progress and the outcome of the multi-disciplinary and multi-period modern scholarship and related research conducted in Rome, and elsewhere in Italy. But, some opinions this topic maybe limited to scholarly interest, or of little relevance, and wholly inappropriate overall, etc. In some cases, it maybe to the advantage to the overall interest among the Italian and International community of being somewhat familiar with the problems confronting these students and scholars. Nevertheless, on a critical note, just a general knowledge of these controversial local and Italian political corruption issues, and how they affect the lives of the Italians, yet, should be acknowledged by everyone, students and scholars, alike.

Particularly, the current hidden and undocumented healthcare crisis recently emerges at the archaeological site in Pompeii (ca. 2008-12). In the last few years, several of the former custodians and archaeologists, and their spouses working in Pompeii, many whom have passed away (or are fatally ill), from a cancerous type of leukemia, due to the affects of prolonged exposure to asbestos materials located throughout the ruins of Pompeii. This leads to the very serious and urgent question(s) as to whether or not this critical health problem was covered up by several former cabinet-level political members in the MiBAC (i.e. Min. Sandro Bondi, Under-Secretary Francesco Giro & Under-Secretary Riccardo Villari [also a medical physician / 'un medico']) and political appointee's or cultural advisers (i.e. Prof. Andrea Carandini & Director-General Mario Resca) within the Italian Ministry of Culture [ca. 2008-11]). And as to whether or not the health care crisis of asbestos exposure, is an isolated incident in Pompeii, or is this an immediate concern for other custodians and archaeologists, and their spouses working in at larger archaeological sites in Rome and elsewhere in Italy? While everyone says, "ITALIA DA SALVARE," we should also focus on the needs of the everyday Italian custodians, students, and scholars responsible for saving Italy's Cultural Heritage."

Thank you

Martin G. Conde

Washington DC, USA

January 5, 2013.

Fonte / sources: 

Cover foto: President Barack Obama jokingly mimics U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" look while greeting members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams in the Oval Office, Nov. 15, 2012.