Malta's National Front
You know, what mystifies me about the rabid instant reaction to any news that more people have been brought in from the sea is the way people seem to see this as their personal problem, and one which impinges directly on their lives. Their feeling of involvement is enormous. Why do they feel this way? Though they can’t begin to admit it themselves, and dress their anger in all manner of failed guises, these sort of reactions scream out ‘fear of the other.’ And incidentally, people who are rescued at sea and brought in to shore by the Armed Forces are not illegal immigrants, unless we are accusing the Armed Forces of facilitating illegal immigration.
These comments are just some of those posted beneath the most recent Armed Forces rescue story on www.timesofmalta.com today.
esultana
The situation is getting beyond ridiculous. This issue is making people angrier by the minute: Monthly if not weekly or daily arrivals of boatfulls, disruptions and violence in detention centres, and the losing of our public property being declared as no go zones. What are authorities waiting for? There is a limit to someone’s patience and if that limit is overstepped God knows what a tragedy will incumb this island. These people are not taking our islands by force as foreign powers did in the past; they are taking our property subtley but it is having affect. We have to be careful. And it is not an issue of Christianity, its an issue of survival in our own country.
Charles Sammut
We shall have MEP elections in 5 months’ time. There are bound to be a number of candidates with Illegal Immigration as their main battle-horse. Those who have a track record of broken promises will not be trusted this time round. Illegal immigration is the most serious threat to Malta right now. All the other problems can be addressed and rectified but unless we reverse immigration we will be bequeathing a volcano to our children.
C. Farrugia
This situation reminds me of the three monkeys. Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil. Our government seems to be blind, deaf and dumb in the face of it all!! The silence speaks volumes. The Maltese saying goes: Min mhux maghna…kontra taghna. Yet, this is not a political issue, it is a National issue which is totally being IGNORED. The voice of the majority of the people of Malta is loud and clear and the bubble is soon going to burst.
T.gauci
we already know that Malta is under alerting situation whether you like it or not. Malta is turning into ghetto country, our country will soon lose many visitors(already did last summer) and our economy,resources,culture,saftey and infrastructure will fall. we are overpopulated country that is already dangerous situation. these illegals one day will be out and search for a place to live in and a job among other things which most of them already does. tell me whos taking responsabiltiy for all of these things ? GonziPN ?
Muscat.Pat
Just heard the news on BBC that South Africa isd deporting all Zimbabwen illegal economic immigrants to Zimbabwe.No one calls South Africa -a huge rich country- racist for deporting the illegals, and yet, here we have people glamering for more. Surely we can take no more! This is an emergency; imagine in 5 years time, we will become poor too. Now thats what I call equality!
lgalea
There is something Gonzipn can do and that is to put the illegal immigrants back on their boats, tow them to just outside Libyan waters and order them to steer towards Libya. What is Gonzipn waiting for?
Ramon Zammit
I shall never leave MY country and allow it to be taken over by illegal immigrants.
Paul Smith
Any international law lawyer will tell you that international law is developed by breaking it. So even if we break international which we will not be doing, that’s what should be done to all illegal immigrants.
A Vella
The government needs to put its foot down and state that despite international laws on refugees etc, malta is no longer in a position, for security reasons to accept any more illegal immigrants. thats it. that s the only way out. UNHCR may be doing immigrants a lot of good- but it has ruined our country.
Mario Gauci
I have voted PN all my life however come the June MEP elections and I will only vote for the person that has an anti immigration ticket. Period. I am fed up of this situation.
Peter Paul Sapiano
That’s nice. Give every boat a sattelite phone and just call the Malta Sea Rescue when you are say 50 miles away and there you are chaps. You’re home. This have been going on many times. I am NOT a racist but be frank, we are not helping people in distress. We are being led to help CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. Don’t tell me there is a war in Libya, because it’s precisely from this place that they are coming. This is no act of charity. So please Mr Govt do something about it and do it right away. We are becoming fast the laughing stock of EUROPE. I suggest that we towed them back as close as possible to the Libyan shore and order them to go back. In this way we are still giving assistance to help them reach land. BUT they must NOT remain here at any cost.
John Azzopardi
People, this issue has nothing to do with religion. Period. It has to do with our nationhood being taken over by illegals. Period. I ask this questions. If someone enters your house without your permission, what would you do. Share it with him/her. Seriously, you will kick him or her out. What is happening to Malta today is the same situation. WE are getting people here illegally – or under the umbrella of illegal immigrants, and then we have to pick up the bill – feed them, give them jobs, take care of them, give them pocket money, and at times a nice sum of money to go back to their country of orgin. Wow. Is something wrong here. WE don’t even take care of our own this way.
Ramon Zammit
I am fed up of this issue and I am seriously starting to consider moving away from the island. We lost control of the situation and our island is being used and mocked. The government lost all competence and the faith of many citizens. I wish the election is not far…but unfortunately we have to wait another 4 years. We are a bunch of PUPPETS ON A STRING!
malcolm seychell
You were warned. Maybe you will have another chance in the MEP election if you don’t vote wisely dont grumble anymore.
A Vella
Mr Prime Minister, you may have won the elections. But your biggest tkaxkira is yet to come in the next June elections. Rest assured that even Those who support PN will not vote for your incompetent party. Your silence speaks more than words. We want people supporting malta’s rights in the EU, even if they do not like it, not saying YES to whatever they impose
ronnie muscat
Iddejjaqt nisma l-iskuza li ahna kattolici. mela il-karita monopolju tal-insara? Il musulmani mhumiex obbligati jhennu ghall proxxmu wkoll specjalment meta l-proxxmu jkun musulman bhalhom? Dawn kollha telqu mill libbja pajjiz islamiku u jippretendu li jigu hawn u jixorbulna r-rizorsi limitati li ghandna u min mgharraq fiz-zejt ma jaghmel xejn.
A Vella
Lawrence bonello-encourage illegality by mentioning christian values as it most suits you. These people are after our country, our health system, our taxes. Charity begins at home. if you really feel so strongly for these people go do some mission work in somalia. or try to enter there illegally- i am sure they would give you a very warm welcome and give you food and shelter, and of course let you protest and smash the place up- and then clean the mess at their own expenses
Charles Sammut
Gonzi is doing something, he is passing a law to supress criticism by labeling it racism and xenophobia. Trying to remove the cobweb but not the spiders.
A Camilleri
A few days ago the Italian Minister Maroni was accused of reinventing the wheel because of the drastic steps that were comtemplated in the face of the increase in illegal immigrants entering his country. In the same context I believe that our minister does not even know what a wheel is. If the Italian Minister’s method to return the illegal migrants seems so passe’ why does not Dr Mifsud Bonnici take those steps that he deems are more effective? Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s comments seem more of an excuse to take no action at all. And further, Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s what are your plans for a repatriation scheme that is more effective than Minister Maroni’s. Z Z Z Z Z Z Hey! Wake up Dr Mifsud Bonnici!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a.cassar
Unless our blood brother to the south is made to cooperate these illegals will keep on coming. Libya is the problem where Malta is concerned. Everybody seems to be afraid of stepping on gaddafi’s toes because he might get nasty and stop oil delivery. No do gooder evermentions Libya. all they say is that we’re Christians so we are duty bound to drown with the illegals. The first rule in first aid is never put yourself in danger when giving aid.At this rate by next summer we will have to imort soldiers to take care of the illegals as maltese troops will be outnumbered twenty to one.
Denis Catania
Solution: While at sea ask them where they want to go. If they say Italy. We call Italy and tell them Italy is where they want to go. If the EU don’t like it. Throw us out and they can take their Euros and shove it where the sun don’t shine. We made it before the EU, we will make it after the EU. Malta first everyone else, far second.
J Fenech
Wenz & Carm, where do you stand? or are you hibernating? What are you waiting for? The Maltese have had enough. And more! The time to act has come. And that time is NOW.
If you’re not up to the task, make way for someone who is. If you remain passive in the face of illegality, it makes you nothing but accomplices.
Wilfred L Camilleri
This has nothing to do with racism! This has to do with Maltese sovereignty and the government enforcing Maltese law and stopping illegal immigrants from entering the country. Many of these illegal immigrants drown during the journey and by simply jumping through hoops to rescue them the government is only encouraging more immigrants and the human traffickers to continue this plague.
C.ZARB
Malta is a small island with an overpopulation problem. We are reaching our limits and yet the government is doing absolutely nothing to solve this problem which is hurting both immigrants and us.
Denis Catania
Lawrence where are you???? The Maltese need help???? Lawrence do you have any feelings for the Maltese?????
P Debono
162 migrants… Satellite phone… One pregnant woman… One child… Mainly men. Anyone see the pattern? Might as well start providing them with a red carpet, some coffee and pastizzi to integrate them into Maltese society.
C Tanti
All those clamouring for GonziPN to do something – were you not aware of Dolores Christna’s ‘Strength in Diversity’ message a few years back? – and if you disagree you’ll be branded as one of those ‘rabid racists’ raising your ugly heads. Mind you, I haven’t heard much from the LP camp either so either way it seems we’re going to have to grin and bear it. So, all together now, ‘Strength in Diversity’ – Yipeeee!!!
David Spiteri
Jien veru wasalt f sens ta despirament. Mela nghidu li l-ekonomija sejra lura (Sa fej naf jien l-ahhar statistika uriet li id dejn u is self tal gvern reggha ghola meta komparat ma snin ta qabel), u il lecturers u kull min jeqred ghal iktar flus (u ehe inkluzi l-istudenti) naghtuhomlhom. Jekk jigu l-immigranti irregorali (ghax issa hekk irridu nghidu biex inkunu politikament korretti) naghtuhom l ghajnuna anke jekk hemm bzonn insalvawhom mil Libja stess. Ma rridx ninstema redikolu, naqbel li kulhadd ghandu dritt tal ghajnuna imma uejja? Ha nsemmi minn xiex ghaddej jien! u naraw… Mela jien student qed nghamel ‘postgraduate degree’ fi hdan l-universita. F’Novembru li ghadda mar apparat… wara li saqsejt x ha jigri kulhadd qalli ghax ma hemmx flus…. Voldieri jien qed inhallas biex naghmel degree u ma nista naghmel xej ghax m hemmx apparat… imbghad ghax persuna li dahal f pajjizi illegalment ikollu bzonn naqa ghajnuna biex jahrab illegalment minn pajjizu nistghu naffordjawa. Probabli ha naqla balla kritika ghal tad-diskors imma nahseb li kull politikant li hemm fil parlament jahseb li qed jghaddina minn ghajn il labra… imma sejjer zball… zball kbir
A Vella
We’ve had enough. Maltese people make your voice heard now or else don’t grumble in a few years time that the situation is out of hand. If the government doesn t take concrete action now, i will conclude that he doesn t care about the fact that the support he enjoys is decreasing every second and that our country’s stability is now seriously at risk. Now is the time to show your worth in action not in talking, Mr Prime Minister.
A. Agius
There is something terrible wrong in this country and government. We “Maltese” are angry that no one is doing something regarding this issue. What is the government waiting for? A riot? Can’t you see we need to do something today?
Guze Xerri
The citizens of Malta have had enough !
The people in government should be very concerned.
Making new laws to muzzle people who love their country is not the answer.
The point of boiling over will very soon be reached.
John Betts
Quoting Mr. i Galea: “Why are they not being taken just outside Libyan territorial waters, put in boats with just enough fuel and ordered to steer towards the Libyan shore?”
Because that is unless I am mistaken against international maritime law; and also against basic human respect for life, given that (as reported) even AFM patrol boats could not intervene due to weather conditions.
Robert Scullion
@IGalea
Because if you did that there is a good chance that they could end up drowning.
Off course if you’re racist you’ll be happy if they end up drowning .. that’ll teach those nasty foreign people to come to my country.
alexander pace gouder.
Now also in such weather. If this goes on we are now going to have a big big problem. Italy will be sending theirs back and we get the whole lot. It is time our politicians take this matter up to stop the flow. Who is here is here and we are giving them what our hospitable Island can give. But please GOVERNMENT act now with whoever is concerned. MOVE.
Chris Azzopardi
When is this NIGHTMARE going to end?????????????
JPace
More gifts from our Libyan friends
R. Cassar
And to make matters worse they don’t come in groups of 30 like they do in Summer, but in groups of 162! The time will come when we will have to migrate from Malta because there will not be any place left for native Maltese on this island. The government should take the same stand that the Italian government has done – immediate deportation to Libya. But does it have the guts to do that? You all know the answer…
d. borg
Oh my not again! We are sick and tired of this situation. Gonzi wake up! Can’t you see how negatively this situation is affecting the Maltese people? Do something before it’s too late!!
Malta’s interest should come before the interest of EU. The Maltese are losing their patience.
K Farrugia
Just what we need, another boat-load of people to complain because they expected better food and lodging here! Time to do something about the whole situation. If United Nations want to complain about our actions, tell them to come up with a solution themselves.
lgalea
Why are they not being taken just outside Libyan territorial waters, put in boats with just enough fuel and ordered to steer towards the Libyan shore? GONZIPN, WHERE ARE YOU HIBERNATING? GET ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OUT OF MALTA NOW. ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WHO DO NOT TAKE A GREAT STAND AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL GET OUR ANSWER ON OUR VOTE.
T.gauci
oh not again, what is this country coming to ? please ship them back to libya, Malta is over and Summer will be castatrophic for Malta. shame on you Gonzi
patrick bellia
Here we go again, now not only in summer but even in winter, and maybe after some few days they will protesting because they did not want to being kept in detention. they continue to come and we continue and we continue to pay for them as we are not burdend enough. If they protest because they are kept in detention, what shall we do. WE ARE FED UP NOW. we need to do something.
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The ubiquitous Denis Catania, and malcolm seychell, and lgalea’s were there of course, but oddly, the usually rabid “louise vella” (always small case) from Mosta was notably absent from the melee …
I checked in a couple of times to see what exciting bit of qrusa she’d spout this time. I’m very disappointed to see she didn’t rise to the occasion. Tsk tsk.
Yes, she’s there – asking twice over whether ‘Gonzi’ (notice how they never acknowledge that he’s the prime minister) favours Malta or NGOs, for which read ‘do-gooders’.
Charles Sammut mentions that the MEP elections are coming up in 5 months and that some candidates will be running on the illegal immigration platform. Well Glenn Bedingfield is already onto it. On his homepage illegal immigration is featured under the `Issues` heading.
http://www.glennbedingfield.com/pages/gbhome.asp
Isn`t it a bit strange how he only has three issues and lists them like that, as if they were three pizza toppings in a menu?
I personally think it’s “fear of the numbers”, not “fear of the other”.
Why aren’t you concerned?
[Daphne – For the same reasons that I’m not concerned about the influx of people from other EU member states, and from non-EU states like Russia and the Ukraine. It’s all irrelevant to me. I’m more bothered by a certain kind of Maltese person, who has all the rights of citizenship but contributes little or nothing.]
I love how Denis Catania always pretends to speak on behalf of the Maltese people. The guy hasn’t lived in Malta since he was a kid and here he is telling the EU to “throw us out”! Us who? He and a couple of dozen Maltese-Americans hanging out in some Maltese-American watering hole in New York City?
“Solution: While at sea ask them where they want to go. If they say Italy. We call Italy and tell them Italy is where they want to go. If the EU don’t like it. Throw us out and they can take their Euros and shove it where the sun don’t shine. We made it before the EU, we will make it after the EU. Malta first everyone else, far second.” Denis Catania
I don’t think it’s a matter of fearing the ‘Other’ – I don’t think there is a problem at present but there very well could be one in years to come if numbers of migrants keep increasing. We are the second-most populated country in the world – so, in all honesty, can’t you envisage a problem in the coming years? I can’t call myself racist for asking that question.
[Daphne – No, I don’t see a problem because I am cursed with the affliction of rational thinking (not always a benefit, I’m afraid). I voted Yes in the EU referendum, and campaigned for EU membership, fully aware that this would mean opening Malta’s borders to 450-500 million people. Getting hysterical about the prospect of a couple of thousand people from Africa would not be consistent with this stance.]
….what a way to start the week…. I feel like throwing up now!
[Daphne – That might be this gastric bug thing that’s going round. It lasts just 24 hours.]
Daphne, in your opinion, will violence lead to somewhere? I guess not!! So why are these persons preparing themselves as if the AFM or Maltese in general are going to lynch them? Yesterday I had a chat with a person I know who works with the AFM Special Forces and I invite you to listen to these person’s stories too before giving judgment.
[Daphne – Oh for crying out loud, how are they preparing themselves? With five truck tyres and a couple of jerry-cans of petrol in an attempt at burning your house down with you asleep inside it? Oh sorry, that was the national front, and the house was mine.]
I think all politics is personal ultimately – that’s why people care about it.
Just to give you the point of view of one person: it’s personal for me because, on the basis of the evidence and my interpretation of it, I cannot exclude the scenario that during my grandchildren’s lifetimes Malta will be a bi-cultural state, and that the painful compromises that will have to be made will be partly at the expense of my grandchildren’s freedom and Western way of life. It’s quite possible that this will never happen, but I still find the risk unacceptable.
I’m aware that the issue is very complex morally and that people who do not share my views also feel very strongly about it all. But for me personally, what matters most is that Malta continues to be a place where secular poeple like myself continue to live freely, and where my grandchildren will not be part of a beleaguered minority or even a demoralized majority.
[Daphne – I find it surprising that you presume to know that (1) you will have grandchildren, (2) that they will live in Malta, (3) that they will be Caucasian, (4) that they will marry a Caucasian and (4) that they will share your sentiments. I make no such assumptions.]
It’s the numbers that worry me not the colour of their skin.
I’m not surprised …after all some people are only capable of generosity if it helps them win an iPod.
I make no such assumptions. And it makes no difference to me whether they will be Caucasian or not or even whether they will share my views or not. What interests me is that Malta will continue to be a place where people can be non-religious if they choose, without becoming second class citizens. It is culture and religion that I’m concerned about, not the colour of people’s skin. Indeed, as a relatively typical Maltese I’d look as much at home in the southern states of the Mediterranean as in the northern ones.
[Daphne – I don’t know whether you noticed, but Malta is an EU member state. So yes, you can be non-religious if you so choose, and your right to be so is guaranteed.]
@Maria c
Did you really think that we Maltese dish out cash as ‘charity’ without getting something back? We are natural born traders as I’ve said in other posts. That is why Istrina is so popular and why we send money to Pakistan so that we’ll a have place in heaven booked.
@Daphne
“.. I’m more bothered by a certain kind of Maltese person, who has all the rights of citizenship but contributes little or nothing”
Why should the people contribute to a decrepit and degenerating society?
[Daphne – To ensure that it no longer remains decrepit and degenerate, perhaps?]
Keep the boats coming, what we have here is persons writing in the times expressing their views and the opposite views writing here.
Yes Malta is open to 400 million or so European citizens to come here, but these 400 or so million have to support themselves, this is the difference to what the Africans are doing. This migration is very organized – Satellite phones! do you know how much these cost.
Many of the “fears” being expressed about immigration are based on a fictitious alarmist future in which it is imagined that the immigrants or their descendents will be primitive, intolerant fundamentalists while the “civilised secular Maltese” are victimised and become second-class citizens.
Based on what we’re seeing around us, the opposite is more likely to occur. It is the Maltese who are preying on the immigrants and exploiting them mercilessly and this includes not just Africans but Filipinos, East Europeans and other foreigners.
Those who go on about the age-old Christian and European civilisation of Malta forget or ignore that for generations, in the 17th and early 18th centuries, piracy was the main occupation of the Maltese. It appears that the old predatory urge is still alive and kicking in some of us.
I don’t wish to take too much of your space or time debating the subject itself. I simply wanted to give an insight into how somebody on the other side of the fence, as it were, arrived at their position on the issue. I’m well aware that others might disagree with my interpretation of the facts and/or with my moral priorities.
By the way, thank you for many years of first-class journalism. Our newspapers and the blogosphere would have been a much much poorer place without your work.
Of all the contributors, Denis Catania takes the cake.
This NP supporter/Former NP supporter/NP and Joseph Muscat supporter, invariably finds ways to trash Dr. Gonzi, yet, he claims that he was shaking hands with him when the PM was in New York last September and, apparently, he, his brother and his nephew are on a first name basis with Dr. Gonzi ! What hypocrisy!
Most of the ‘illegal immigrants’ hype can easily be calmed down by a one word substitution.
How about referring to these poor souls as ‘refugees’?
Oh, I forget, some new labels will crop up – like ‘genuine’ – ‘political’ or ‘economic’ refugees….
“I am cursed with the affliction of rational thinking (not always a benefit, I’m afraid) – i.e. I’m not? Thanks :)
“this would mean opening Malta’s borders to 450-500 million people.” – we’re not talking about the 500 million EU members we were all made fully aware of before joining the EU and we’re not talking about a ‘couple of thousand’ either. So far the count is 11,000 (or 16) which is pretty large considering the size of the islands.
What could quell the concerns of many (and yes, some border on the hysterical) is an answer to the question – can Malta cope with the current rate of annual arrivals a few years down the line? I think this question is rational enough.
Apart from this I couldn’t care less if Eritreans got baptised in church every New Year’s Day or whatever it is that people object to when it comes to dark skinned people in our midst.
[Daphne – The number of ‘arrivals’ (and in any case, over which period?) is not the information you want. The figure you’re looking for is the number of people who arrived by boat from Africa and who are currently in Malta. There have been thousands of ‘departures’.]
I think Bernard raises a good point in the sense that those who feel threatened by immigration from Africa are not necessarily racist or xenophobic. Having said that, I ask myself why is it that only this particular issue generates widespread aggressive, hostile and even hateful reactions on the part of many Maltese? Some anti-immigrant views are no doubt a symptom of old-fashioned “hdura”, other views may reflect misinformation or simply a refusal to deal with reality – why else would some refuse to believe statistics showing that most immigrants eventually manage to leave Malta and make their way on to mainland Europe? I personally lay the chief blame on those who intentionally twist the facts in order to push forward their extremist agenda. I believe that these people should be named and shamed wherever and whenever possible.
Daphne, I guess you are not the only person in Malta who has had bad experiences so do not divert the subject.
For your information during various raids by AFM within the Safi/Hal Far barracks various lead pipes and spiked clubs (homemade) have been found under certain illegal immigrants beds. This is not fiction or maybe a movie but reality. The same reality that these illegals have to face in their own countries before fleeing to Malta, but on the same note, they do not need to worry about it here in Malta.
Also, during protests, is there such an urge for them to destroy everything that comes at hand? Do they need violence to make their voices heard or to prove a point?
As far as I know, no xenophobe or racist in Malta has ever killed a coloured person just to prove how pissed they are at the situation.
[Daphne – No, but they tried to kill five Maltese people: me, my husband and our sons. As for those ‘weapons’ – you kill me (not literally, of course). I thought you said ‘they’ are arming themselves to take over the country? How – with ‘various lead pipes and spiked clubs (homemade)’? As for that ‘homemade’ – maybe they followed Martha Stewart’s instructions http://www.marthastewart.com]
….it’s not the tummy bug; it is sheer disgust at Christian Malta’s REAL values…..
Oh dear Daphne, you kill me too (so to speak)…… I think you’re quoting somebody else since I never said ‘they are arming themselves to take over the country’. Next time I’ll make up a story so as to please you… yes something like ‘they are building a nuclear warhead using Motherwell Bridge’s machinery’.
Do you like that? Is it credible enough or what!
Stanley J Clews – Why aren’t people bothered by “the numbers” of “massage parlours” springing up on at least four once-respectable streets, all in the same Sliema neighbourhood?
@R2D2 – “Well Glenn Bedingfield is already onto it. On his homepage illegal immigration is featured under the `Issues` heading.”
Check out the websites of Simon Busuttil and Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas and you will find ‘illegal immigration’ listed as an issue. It IS an issue, because (a) a large number of people are evidently concerned, and (b) it is directly related to the European level, with Malta forming part of the EU border and with the area of immigration being subject to EU laws.
Dear Ivan.m.Dingli,
Have you ever had the pleasure of visiting these barracks? I went and had nightmares for a week. And please don’t tell me how some of the soldiers treat refugees or police for that matter because then you will be really shocked. If we keep stepping on their dignity then you can’t really be surprised that they will react in such way.
[Daphne – But that’s just the point, Maria. ‘These people’ (by which I mean the sort who pass comments beneath stories about illegal immigration) don’t consider those ‘other people’ to have any form of human dignity. I used to wonder how German society colluded in what was done to German citizens who happened to be Jews, why the process of dehumanisation seemed to be so easy. Now I understand.]
Dear Daphne & Maria, for your information I have never been to the barracks but that doesn’t mean that I do not help these persons. I have been employing an Iraqi refugee for the past seven years with the same conditions as any Maltese worker that I have with my company. So much so that he brought his wife from Tunisia some four years ago and now has a family with two kids here in Malta. I think that I have done well with respect to this poor soul.
On another note, about three months ago I employed a Somali man to do the same work as the Iraqi but obviously at a smaller starting wage. He began complaining straightaway about this fact but I couldn’t give in since that is normal policy. Before the Christmas period, I had some work going on at a client’s premises and security is a bit tight. A security guy asked the Somali for identification and the latter starting complaining about racism straightaway because he said that they are only checking foreigners (which is not true since when I visit they always ask for my identification). Things escalated and the Somali showed the middle finger and started cursing at the security.
[Daphne – Which company would this be? I imagine that you’re the same Ivan Magro Dingli whose name, when Googled, comes up beneath several immigration stories on http://www.timesofmalta.com, and as having signed the petition called ‘Save Malta From Illegal Immigrants’?]
People change!!
And my dear Daphne, most of my input was in regards to illegal immigrants who due to their sexual urges found it fit to rape women. It seems you can accept rape for all that matters.
[Daphne – Oh dear.]
Ivan M. Dingli: And what exactly is the point of your stories? I’m interested in understanding a line of thought that has someone patting himself on the back for employing a ‘poor soul’ (does he or does he not do the job you employed him to do) while simultaneously criticising immigrants for immigrating.
Here comes the cavalry to the rescue! Corinne Vella, Maria c pointed out the fact that she does voluntary work within the barracks where the immigrants are held and at the same time criticised my views about certain facts which persons like yourself selectively omit from within their comments, namely, the fact that CERTAIN illegal immigrants produce homemade weapons within the same barracks.
I do not have to pamper about the things I do but if someone sheds certain light on my shoulders I do have to rebut. Correct? That is something which you constantly do.
My ‘stories’ (which are facts), show that if illegal immigrants have genuine experiences, I am ready to help but in my opinion the filtering for refugee status is abused constantly. Another point which I wanted to share is that when you give them a helping hand, CERTAIN individuals tend to abuse of that too. These things happen with Maltese people too so there is no need for you to point that out.
First of all I never said I did volontary work. Secondly since when is a man’s attitude to work is determined by his nationality? Listening to you it appears that all Iraqis are great workers while the Somalis do a bad job. So what do you call that?
Ivan Magro Dingli: “I do not have to pamper about the things I do but if someone sheds certain light on my shoulders I do have to rebut. Correct?”
I’m not sure what you meant there, but it might explain why you think non sequiturs make sense.
All habits die hard Corrine…. have a nice day.
Maria c… i’m sorry, i thought you went at the barracks to help and not site seeing. Anyway, you said ‘ If we keep stepping on their dignity then you can’t really be surprised that they will react in such way’….. did i step on his dignity by giving him work at the same conditions as any national (Maltese included)? Why did he have to shout racist when the security guy was doing his job? Why are the illegal immigrants hiding behind the racist cry when here in Malta they found a lot of help?
Ivan Magro Dingli: “Why are the illegal immigrants hiding behind the racist cry when here in Malta they found a lot of help?”
I thought you said “the Iraqi” was very well behaved.
Corinne Vella, ‘the Iraqi’ is not an illegal immigrant. He is a regular citizen within Malta’s territory. He’s a holder of an ID card, pays taxes, contributes to the local economy, etc etc etc…. you get my point or is it still ‘non sequitur’
I was there to help, very willingly, but I m paid by the goverment. U il -Malti jghid li l-kelb il-mismut kull ilma jahsbu mishun.
I’m late on this one, but Ivan M. Dingli, it’s useless trying to make your point when all they do is twist and steer towards whatever suits them. I gave up a long time ago. And as you said, “All habits die hard” – even new ones.
[Daphne – Who are They? The ones conspiring with your gerbil to take over the United States of America?]