D: Full marks for not using the word”prudence” once in your comment.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110405/local/gaddafi-family-must-go

Yes I have taken offence because to me it is a matter of loyalty towards one’s country and government.

[Daphne – I don’t feel the same way, sorry. The thought of blind loyalty to nation and government makes me break out in hives. I associate that sort of thing with what is negative, not positive. It allows bad things to happen – as, indeed, we have seen.]

This does not mean that I totally agree with government’s attitude. I would not hang out my dirty linen just to make a point. Other countries too have dirty linen but sometimes they just try to ignore and give the semblance that all is nearly perfect in their respective countries.

[Daphne – I am sorry. You are completely and utterly wrong about that. The more sophisticated and highly developed a society is, the more criticism there is of the government, politicians and institutions. That criticism is an essential part of democracy. What you are saying here is essentially antidemocratic, even if perhaps you are not aware of it. How did you reach the conclusion that other countries don’t hang out their dirty linen? And even if they managed to do this, how would it be done? There is only one way: China’s way, Gaddafi’s way – killing, torturing and arresting all those who criticise, or otherwise putting the fear of God into them. Malta appears to have a self-policing mechanism: people don’t speak so as not to cause offence, and bring about the consequences of causing offence. That tells you much about Malta’s status as a democracy. Look at all the criticism of Berlusconi in Italy – or did you expect them to conceal the fact that he sleeps with prostitutes and lies to the police so as not to hang out Italy’s dirty laundry? Look at what happens in Britain, in France, in Germany, in the United States. You have not thought this through.]

“No further comment from my side.”

So what’s this: Why do not the ‘world leaders’ get rid of Gaddafi as they were successful in doing with other dictators – there are still some left though?

[Daphne – Etil, this is 2011. You don’t need files, because all newspapers have online archives. Some are against payment, others give you the articles against a simple search. You type in key-words, and see what comes up. Sometimes it’s information-treasure and sometimes it’s dross. None of these articles were ‘filed away’. They are the result of internet searches in the last couple of weeks. Of course, you have to have at least a vague idea of what to look for, but there you go. It helps being in your mid-40s sometimes, because it gives you a much better perspective and a longer view. Anyway, I see that you are one of those who have taken offence because the prime minister and the government are being criticised.]

Why do not the ‘world leaders’ get rid of Gaddafi as they were successful in doing with other dictators – there are still some left though.

http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/press_releases/2001/06/pr0909.asp

http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2002/11/10/l4.html

http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2001/0309/local13a.html

Judge Lino Agius was kicked upstairs (lucky man) and we all know now what’s going on with ex inspector, now lawyer, David Gatt:

http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2001/0708/top1.html

http://www.businesstoday.com.mt/2001/0822/top1.html