Well said, Ernest

Seriously now, to think that I could take at heart anything said here, now that would be embarrassing.

Most of these inane comments come from many who have not lived in the 60s, 70s and 80s, so they don’t know what it means to really struggle to re-gain freedom of speech and democracy.

Many are racist because they are not interested in educating themselves about other nationalities, their customs and history. Their Maltese history book has only two chapters:

Chapter 1: The ‘Golden Years’
Chapter 2: Kif Gonzi qatilna bil-guh.

Worry not, Daphne. I am largely referring to the Daphne-lites, you know, the mob; your acolytes, the applauders and flatterers…

[Daphne – Everybody teases you, Kevin. You just choose to take it seriously.]

Albert, from the outset the West did its best to ensure that we are talking about two distinct forces, which they knew would inevitably lead to a showdown. Not that Gaddafi deserves any better, but a prolonged civil war will not solve much.

Mediation by the Arab League with a view to eventually stifle Gaddafi out of existence could work. But time is running out for that and it is clear that the West wants none of this.

But just look at how he’s regained composure since his initial shock. Consider how confused he looked in the 20-second umbrella spectacle following his mystifying disappearance.

Then came the two first speeches, one from a wrecked building, still wearing grim garb and giving the impression that he was fighting for survival (you must have seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GcUutnU2gk), and the other from atop the Knights’ fortress, wearing his Russian shapka and still in need of a shower and clean clothes.

But now he’s had his shower and is back to wearing his royalty attire, realising that he was gaining no sympathy by looking miserable and defeated. Regaining an air of control is crucial here and that’s what he’s done.

What I see now is a Gaddafi who knows he’s in deep shit, but who also knows he can fight it out and wish for luck – such as Saudi Arabia erupting next (there’s talk of a ‘Day of Rage’ on 11 March).

I could go on, of course, for the whole scene is more complicated than it seems, but people here are put off by information that goes against their scripted worldview, so they brush it off as ‘conspiracy theory’ and attack you personally for lack of a better argument.

[Daphne – Attack, Kevin? You’re just teased. Nuza l-kid’s gloves ta’ Saviour mieghek. And I don’t know why you’re so touchy anyway. There’s nothing you haven’t said here above which I don’t agree with or have said myself.]

I am ‘morally convinced’ that what he really wished to say was that we should support Gaddafi to bring the country back to normality (KMB’s idea of normality that is) but even he is bright enough to know that it would be going to far.

But I was just replying to willywonka’s comment here.

The Times phones KMB, and he replies. So, it’s not a question of shutting up, as one is answering a legitimate question by a reporter.

[Daphne – I suppose he meant that he should just shut up about neutrality. Or how about ‘No comment – I have retired from politics.’]

That’s why he can actually tell us that with a straight face – because like his friend and blood-brother says now, he said then that there weren’t any any breaches of civil or fundamental rights.

Actually Nexos Daph have been hired for government events as well…

[Daphne – Of course. They are practically the only company which provides the service. I wasn’t intimating that they are used only for Labour events. That was a reference to the fact that Labour’s hunger-marches come uniquely equipped with sound and light systems from Nexos (expensive), which is a bit….inappropriate. There’s a difference between an ‘event’ and a protest march. Protest marches should look as spontaneous and under-organised as possible.]