About ayear ago I wrote that Neapolitan journalist and writer Roberto Saviano was on the point of leaving Italy because of death threats, the constant pollice protection that was cramping his style and other personal frustrations. Instead, he has gone nowhere and is still lving (happily or not) in his native city of Naples.

In recent days, Italian newspapers have reported about a difference of opinion regarding Saviano's security between the head of the Naples Crime Squad, Vittorio Pisani and the latter's superiors, including Italian Police Chief Antonio Manganelli. According to the former, Saviano is not in any real danger. According to others, including Manganelli, he is and he will continue to have constant protection. He no doubt had it two weeks ago when he spoke at a major anti-Berlusconi rally in Rome, but because of the size of the crowd you simply couldn't tell.

I have to confess I have still not read "Gomorra". It has been sitting on my nightstand for two years, more or less ever since it was published in Italian, but I haven't felt like getting in to it. I kind of feel the same way about the movie. I taped it months ago but then couldn't bring myself to watch it. Finally, I watched a few segments of it, but the characters and the story were so depressing, so much part of the worst part of Italy, that I am sure I will never watch the whole thing. Sometimes it's best to forget.