Computers were considered as the enemy of the worker because in the old mintoffian mentality Labour used to preach that computers would reduce jobs.

Colour TVs were introduced in Malta in 1981, after Labour decided to open a factory for German Brand to produce them in Malta.

And then you had to pay a commission of Lm50 to some labour canvasser to buy one.

I remember the first time we saw a remote control changing stations on a TV in a shop in 1981, it was like Vanni Pule doing magic. This is the way Labour treated the Maltese in those years “qisna xebgha mgewhin tal-gungla qatt ma rajna xejn”.

1979 – The year we often had to resort to washing with well-water in the garden, so that, when the metal water-pipes creaked to life for a couple of hours in the middle of the night, the mere trickle would be used to fill whatever utensil was available.

I never got the start in life or the degree I could have had, and that was because of Labour. The list is longer but it pains me to write it.

Kull min beda jahdem wara 1979 mhux eligibli izjed ghal din is-somma u dam ghax Mintoff kien ihobb il-haddiem (biex jirkeb fuqu imma.

That book has already been written, at least three times and I have them all.

They are: The Untruth Game by Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Imhatra li Diga Nsejt by Peter Darmanin and Liberta Mhedda by Dione Bortg.

Like hell it is. Today’s world is the result of yesterday’s choices.

Much of the hamallagni, fossilised thinking, freebooting, indulgence in exceptionalism and glorification of stupidity that characterises Malta was brought about by Labour.

Mintoff decided to turn his back on the Western world, and boy, did he succeed.

Now we’re stuck with two parties.

One wanted to keep me in the Third World as per their anti-imperialist tripe. They then proceeded to do everything possible to keep me out of Europe.

And they are ignorant, stupid and corrupt, with a lust for power that is unmatched anywhere.

Labour’s economic policies will be Gonzi’s, plus more handouts to the undeserving, more public debt, and more money wasted on measures which generate no wealth.

The other party is also corrupt, with stagnant ideas, and boring, socialist, stupid and ignorant leaders who also lust for power. But it got me a European passport, and has finally decided to connect this island to the European energy grid.

And it is home to people like Simon Busuttil.

Since my more than two brain cells are capable of logical choices, I know which one I’d vote for.

Karmenu Vella was sailing into Mellieha bay instead of customs.

[Daphne – Actually, that was 1983, though he was probably doing it in 1979 as well.]

Alex Sceberras Trigona was signing secret treaties with N. Korea.

Joe Debono Grech was preparing to form yet another MLP government which would be deemed “morally and politically incorrect” by Joseph Muscat 33 years later

Leo Brincat was er…doing nothing and has kept up this enviable work.

Late ’79 we walked into that (corner?) shop in Milner street looking for something for my wife to wear at a wedding.

It was all wide-brimmed hats and heavily padded jackets. Not her style.

On our way out, empty handed, the woman remonstrated with us.

‘Latest fashion – you know – like in Dullus – everyone wearing like this’.

[Daphne – Touch of Class. I lived bang opposite. Tell me about it….]