Comments on: Catharsis

By: Graham Crocker

Graham Crocker — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:51:12 +0000

I read your coloumn today. What a disgusting past we Maltese had, and the shame of it all is these people never got punished for what they did to this nation.

They never got a taste of their own medicine. This is why they act all high and mighty.

By: Lorna

Lorna — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:39:04 +0000

I just read your column carried in today’s The Malta Independent on Sunday. I really hope they give the wooden kiosk back to the Bonellos. I don’t know whether the Lands Department will have it tendered out. I’m presuming the value of the lease would warrant such a tendering out. However, the Bonellos (or their children) should get it back. That’s how justice should be done. It’s disgusting to note that they haven’t been compensated yet.

On another note, reading your column this morning reminded me of how bad things were at the time. We all tend to forget (I’m 31). I remember the 80s, which for a Paola girl living in a Nationalist family attending a church school were nightmarish. However, when I read what other people went through (even my father was subjected to discrimination which threatened his and our livelihood) I cannot but thank God for sending people like Dr. Fenech Adami and his team because, yes, they made mistakes and they had their own shortcomings, but they really delivered us from what had been terrible times and they gave us a decent life.

And, frankly, I don’t want to forget those terrible times. It’ s important to live today in the perspective of those times. Let’s not take for granted the rights we have today, the freedoms we enjoy every minute and the joy of living in a country where we can really live without fear of persecution and discrimination safe in the knowledge that even if we’re discriminated against illegally, we have efficient forms of redress. And let’s be grateful – not necessary vote for the Nationalists every single election – but let’s be grateful and in acknowledgement that, irrespective of one’s political inclination, the change in government of 1987 and subsequent denunciations of Labour’s policies, have really transformed us into an EU country with exciting opportunities and international recognition.

By: Robert Zammit

Robert Zammit — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:13:09 +0000

Look at the bright side: he had a solar water heater, at least.

By: sissa

sissa — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:14:47 +0000

So true Daphne! The Bonello Kiosk was part of our childhood and I could never ever get myself to step into Magic Kiosk for all it symbolised. I actually stopped to watch the crane removing the hideous structure yesterday at lunchtime, hardly believeing it was finally really happening. I look forward to sitting in the open square again. Thank you George, Slimizi deserved this!

By: cikki

cikki — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:02:50 +0000

I’m older than you Daphne and wasn’t a Sliema girl so never
went to Bonello’s with my mother. But for me and many of my
generation it was 3.30 every Sunday before a 4 o’clock
film. A ritual, then a big rush after the film to get
a bus home and into our uniforms and back to the Sacred
Heart where we were boarders. In fact, some of my
contemporaries will remember leaving at the last minute
and starting to take clothes off on the bus on the way
home. Happy memories – I’m so glad St. Anne’s Square
will revert to its former glory.

By: Xaghra

Xaghra — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:33:59 +0000

Note for Inland Revenue….takings for one day ‘off peak’ €70,000.

Step 1 – Assume ‘off peak’ day is ‘average’ day
Step 2 – Multiply €70,000 x 365 (or however many days in a year the monstrosity operated)
Step 3 – Deduct appropriate percentage for expenses
Step 4 – Figure out tax due
Step 5 – Assume growth rate over last few years and estimate profit over the years
Step 6 – Compare to Income Tax returns
Step 7 – Have a really good laugh or get your act together

Simple really….

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:58:16 +0000

If Mr Joe Pace claims he made €70,000 a day, I hope both the TAX and VAT departments took note, and charge him tax accordingly!

By: edgar gatt

edgar gatt — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:34:44 +0000

Just a reminder to those of you who remember those horrible days of the 1980s. Magic Kiosk was one of the outlets that was on the BOYCOTT list for advertising on Dardir Malta. I have never entered that glass structure since then and am looking forward to being able to enjoy the square as it was in the early seventies. Thanks once again to Jason. And once you are at it, Jason, can you kindly have a look at the hundreds of houses that Patrick Holland requisitioned, and do something about it.

By: AnnDM

AnnDM — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:02:27 +0000

From the Times today:

“Cash found at Magic Kiosk returned to operator yesterday – government

The Government Property Division said this morning that during the removal of Magic Kiosk yesterday, €530.18, five diaries and keys were returned to the operator by officials from the Lands Department in the presence of a police inspector”

Looks like Daphne was a lot closer in her estimate of the cash register holdings than the owner of the business. Almost spot on in fact.

By: Sliema Resident

Sliema Resident — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:56:45 +0000

I totally agree with you Daphne, but I must add that credit should not be given to the very same Sliema resident who turned a blind eye to Sliema’s barbaric disfigurment… George Pullicino shouldn’t capitalise on Jason Azzopardi’s acheivements.

[Daphne – Yes, thank you, Jason.]