Watching italy 's pm silvio berlusconi , france 's president nicholas sarkozy and other world leaders squirm with embarrassment next to gadaffi decked out in flamboyant , clownish uniforms straight from an italian " opera buffo " was always amusing .
You do not assume , indeed , the solemnity of the pulpit , or the tone of stage-declamation ; neither are you at liberty to gabble on at a venture , without emphasis or discretion , or to resort to vulgar dialect or clownish pronunciation .
Their chances were severely dented on 37 minutes , however , following a clownish decision by spanish referee alberto undiano , who dismissed miroslav klose with two innocuous yellow cards .
In the 13 months since the clownish mr berlusconi was ousted , mr monti has brought calm , some significant reform and a lot more dignity to his country .