COMPETITION WITH ACE PRIZE: Who is now ghost-writing some of Franco Debono’s blog posts?
Franco takes his oath, and bad things start to happen
I won’t tell you what the ace prize is. But I think we can have some fun trying to come up with the identity of the man or woman who has quite obviously been writing some of Debono’s more recent posts for him.
He’s certainly not doing so himself, because his English is dreadful and his writing (reflecting his thinking) is barely coherent (“Austin pipi Gatt he do me wrong!!!!!!”).
The person doing this writing – the latest example, posted this morning, is below – is a native English speaker of Malta. The idiom and syntax are a dead give-away.
It is not an English person, most definitely, because there are dead give-aways too that the person is Maltese, in the form of typically Maltese slip-ups like “he can get Austin with him” (English uses ‘take’ or ‘bring’, depending on where the speaker is or will be there too).
It is just typical of Franco’s rough and stupid way of doing things that he picked somebody who writes (near) proper English rather than somebody who writes the sort of English that just might be passed off as his.
“At the Conservative Party General Conference fun was poked at…”? Yeah, right. Practically everyone in Malta, bar a few individuals, would have used the construction “at the CP GC they poked fun at…”.
Come on, Franco, tell us who s/he is – and are you paying her/him? How can you afford it? Oh yes, of course. You’re still collecting your salary as a parliamentary assistant in the Office of the Prime Minister, without working for it.
TVM
Attention Broadcasting Authority and Editorial Board :
Ever since the new schedule started on 1st October, rarely has there been a current affairs programme where I wasn’t mentioned. I have even filed a breach of privilege in Parliament. I have asked for two rights of reply.
However I have NEVER been invited to be present on ANY programme to have the opportunity to make statements or rebut at least some of the nonsense. TVM ausdience have heard about what others have to say about what I said, but not me saying it.
Doesnt’ the TVM audience have a right to hear my side of the story? Where is impartiality? How is the audience presented with a balanced picture?
I invite (challenge) Dr Gonzi, the man who will spoil Christmas for you, due to his stubborness and detachment from reality, for a debate even on Bondi+ if he likes. I have no problem facing him on enemy territory. He can get Austin Gatt with him.
The Boradcasting Authority needs a radical overhaul, as one aspect of an enormous constituional reform that this country needs, and that as long as RCC and Austin Gatt are around it will not have. The whole broadcasting spehere also needs a new regulatory framework and a new culture. Look at RAI and BBC – it’s a different planet !
What are they afarid of?
They know I have a considerable following out there. I meet people every day who thank me for what I did and what I am doing to stand up to the Oligarchy, to re-establish democracy and to bring on huge political and justice reforms in this country.
I have no doubt they are aware that the vast majority of the population belive I have valid reforms for which I campaigned and that I was treated badly by an incompetent Gonzi. I have no doubt they are awara that people, every day encourage me to stand for election evenas an independent because they are ready to support me.
This is what they are afraid of.
In the meantime the PN is trailing Labour by 12% in the polls. In 2009 PN lost MEP elections by 35,000 votes. At the time I had never uttered a sigle word of criticism against the PN. People were already utterly fed up. I started to speak out after that verdict of the elctorate
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Sounds familiar, but memory’s somewhat blurred, I think it’s the empathy providing the prose.
How about Daphne’s fans try to guess who is writing Lawrence Gonzi’s speeches, such as the speech Gonzi read during the Independence mass-meeting ?
[Daphne – Mr Privitera, politicians never write their own speeches, anywhere except perhaps in Venezuela. There is actually a job called ‘political speech writer’. There is one in office of almost every senior politician. There is never any pretence that they have written them. But it has to be what they mean.]
I am sure you noticed that Dr. Muscat prepares his own speeches. So he doesn’t have to keep looking, and actually reading, from his brief notes. He would know what he is speaking about.
This also shows the difference between the two. Dr. Muscat can make an impromptu speech. Lawrence Gonzi would have difficulties.
[Daphne – I really don’t like being rude to my elders, but Joseph Muscat uses a teleprompter, you fool.]
The clue is whether “whether” is spelt “whether” or “wether” – Franco does not spell it correctly…
Now he is complaining that he is not being invited by TVM – heavens, the man is completely nuts.
The miserable little shit made a fool of himself yesterday on ONE, rambling and repeating himself not twice but three times and saying nothing that he has not already said many times before.
Gino Cauchi and Manwel Micallef were tryng very hard not to laugh in his face and could not get a word in.
I loved the way he started ”jisserdak” and ”jippoppa sidru” when the reasons for the non-attendence of the two Nationalist Party guests were read out.
Aremm hej , ma tafx? Ma marrux ghax bezghu mil-hasi ta’ Hal Ghaxaq.
Il vera cercur ikkonceput.
Could it be Godfrey or Joe Grima?
[Daphne – No. Godfrey’s writing style is a lot more sophisticated and I don’t think it’s Joe.]
The man’s completely delusional. Not that we didn’t know this already, of course.
“At the Conservative Party General Conference fun was poked at…”
Master Yoda from Star Wars talks that way. I didn’t know he was Maltese!
I can imagine him saying something like: “GoNZIpN, ruin this country, he did.”
It’s certainly him. Here’s a pic.
http://yodavanhalen.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/yoda2.jpg?w=560
Maybe it was somebody who used to hang around Debono’s mother’s bar in Hal Ghaxaq.
Marisa Micallef (Leyson)
I think it’s her, too – remember the fairy tale piece in The Times?
The land of blue and red (or something to that effect). Anybody care to look it up?
Is he still a Parliamentary Assistant to the OPM? If he is and still not reporting to work as he claimed himself – then is he still being paid for it?
[Daphne – Yes and yes.]
He never mentions this.
Lovely then why this was never brought to the media’s attention and grill him on it – jitkellem tant fuq irgulija?
[Daphne – The media should have noticed it for themselves. It’s glaringly obvious. Franco can’t speak or write English and then suddenly one day he wakes up and is writing the kind of sentences only a native speaker uses.]
I think Smirnoff is referring here to the fact that he is being paid to do a job which he us not doing and not about his command of the English language, or lack of it.
Perhaps he was abducted by aliens one fine night. Pity they didn’t take him home with them.
Isn’t that the real breach of privilege?
It is IMMORAL for a person to receive remuneration and to produce NOTHING in return. Instead of all this empty talk of meritocracy, he should start producing some useful work within OPM, if anything to show that he is able to do something useful.
The impression I get of him (apart from the fact that he completely lost the plot) is that he is the typical politician, all talk and no substance.
If for whatever reason, he is unable to produce any work at OPM , he should do the honourable thing and refuse the remuneration.
Just shows how irresponsible is our prime minister ! Just one tiny example how Gonzi sqanders taxpayers’ money !
The exclamation marks are unnecessary.
No they’re not!
” … Doesnt’ the TVM audience have a right to hear my side of the story?” (Dr Franco Debono)
I hereby renounce that right and hope that many others will do so too.
Hear! Hear!
Me too.
I agree 100%. Why should we be interested?
Whenever he opens his mouth what comes out is hdura u lanzit against all at the PN particularly Dr. Gonzi, Dr. Gatt, Dr. Cassar, Dr. Mifsud Bonnici, Richard Cachia Caruna and from now till election time only God knows who will be next. But we need to remember that he never intended to be personal.
[Daphne – Today we found out who’s next: Frank Portelli.]
I am sure that at the back of his aviary there is a big board with the face of all the present and past PN ministers, some with big red crosses on them, like Dr Mifsud Bonnici. We know he’s crazy enough to do it.
I renounce it too.
Kurt coconut?
[Daphne – Obviously not. I made a point of saying that this is a native English speaker of Malta. Of course, if Franco wished to sound authentic, he should have used Kurt, but he did not.]
What about Cyrus? I think he’d love to help Franco ANY way he can.
[Daphne – No, it has to be somebody Franco knew earlier, somebody with whom he feels safe because he knows that this person likes and admires him, without fear of betrayal or being sold out.]
His ex?
[Daphne – As if.]
Mum?
Daphne – Do YOU know the answer?
Why not ask the secret service to help you ? You are on good terms with the police, seeing that they give you 24×7 security paid by Maltese taxpayers.
[Daphne – If I were on good terms with the police, Mr Privitera, I wouldn’t be harassed by them on a regular basis, as I am, purely for political reasons.]
Daphne: I note you didn’t reply to my comment that you have been receiving 24×7 security paid by us taxpayers. Have you ever tried to cost that expense which you are burdening taxpayers with ?
[Daphne – Who told you that I have security 24/7, Mr Privitera? Oh, I see. You took gossip as fact. Typical Labour.]
Mr Privitera, have you ever worked out the expense for your pension and free health care with which you are burdening my generation?
We work our fingers to the bone just to keep you useless geriatrics alive and spouting bollocks. Thanks a bunch.
Mrs Mugliett or Mrs Camilleri Ciantar Pullicino Orlando Smith.
[Daphne – The former can’t write and the latter’s husband hates his Evil Twin.]
A fellow lawyer who`s been manipulating him all along? Franco Debono, being the suggestible type that he is, seems to have swallowed his wily arguments hook, line and sinker.
A fellow lawyer who’d go after anything in pants?
An old friend from St Aloysius College, perhaps?
Oh yes. Sure. Joseph Muscat.
Marie Benoit.
[Daphne – No, think around half that age.]
Eddy Privitera?
Erm, how old is Marie Benoit?
[Daphne – 72.]
She looks older.
Charming woman though. It’s all about glamour, darling.
So does the one half her age.
fifty something you mean?
Ok…someone in her forties then…
Silvio Loporto
So you do know the answer.
The one who delivers her wares in a chauffeur driven limo?
Ah, maybe not. Maybe someone whose name starts with an ‘S’?
Given that he went to St. Aloysius, where the majority of students get a good grounding in English, I imagine he would have had no problems finding an old classmate to write his literary masterpieces.
Sort of a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac, one could say.
That lawyer who’s an Associate with him. Something like Charmaine Perret.
Someone from Malta Today perhaps.
Stagno Navarra? or some other idiot from Malta Today?
Astrid
JPOS ?
I wonder…………..What would be the position if the PN tabled a motion of no confidence in him as an MP?
[Daphne – There can be no motions of confidence/no confidence in a member of parliament. Parliament can’t vote against one of its own members and force a resignation. It’s always against a minister, judge, army chief, etc. Abusively, it can be against others who are not answerable to parliament.]
Astrid Vella? Or maybe Alfred Sant?
Could it be Chinese Jar?
J Dalli?
… The dentist??.. a similar victim of his own doing, and maybe feels sympathetic to others who claim to have suffered at the hands of the “evil clique”!
I wonder – Deborah Schembri?
My guess is that the ghost writer lives among the same persons who are in charge of the PL pre-election billboards. Who runs and writes their media campaigns?
The Oct 9th Debono blog post reads: “With Austin ‘bendy buses’ Gatt in cabinet I will vote against the budget.”
On Oct 10th in Msida, the PL billboards display that Austin Gatt went to London and brought us bendy buses.
Both events take advantage of the London Mayor Boris Johnson’s claim (of course, reported on the front page of today’s Times of Malta) that he got rid of the bendy buses, as they have been sent by Arriva to Malta. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121010/local/Boris-sent-us-bendy-buses.440362
I saw the post and billboard as simply preparation in political support for Franco Debono to vote against the budget in November.
Could it be Angelina Jolie?
Franco looks like a tiny Teddy Boy in that photo.
Is he really that short?
one of his few lawyer friends
A fellow lawyer and parliamentarian, on the Oppostion benches, who seems to have influenced Franco Debono a great deal with his manipulative political and legal argumentation – and which the gullible and impressionable Franco seems to have swallowed hook, line and sinker?
From a certain Robert Norman on Franco’s blog.
‘If you decide to contest the elections on my district, I’m afraid you will have to settle with my number 2. My UNU is going to Dr. Simon Busuttil, who with his burden sharing blabber, has inundated the district with ……., what ever you call them, you will be labelled as racist !……’
Nice going Dottore, leaves no doubt where you belong.
Hang on a minute, is it Arlette Baldacchino?
Yourself?
[Daphne – Tghid mhux hekk? Wouldn’t he just love that. I can think of one very effective way of bringing him into line, which doesn’t involve a keyboard, but Mr Borg, I have my standards.]
I don’t think it’s Karmenu Vella. In 2011 he was hand picked by Joseph Muscat personally to write Labour’s electoral manifesto, but here we are 2 years later and he has only been able to present 12 half-liners set out on one page.
At least Franco’s blog posts seem to consist of some full sentences in proper paragraphs.
Mind you, I cannot exclude it’s Aaron Farrugia.
He’s been taking up secretarial appointments lately – the most notorious being “is-Segretarju tal-Manifest.”
Aaron is an Economist (capital E). I do see some cost-cutting in Franco’s blog posts.
So Aaron remains a possibility.
Michela Spiteri?
Lord Strickland, channelling.
JPO ?
Ma silfux lil Harry Vassallo dak il-prigunier li hemm Brussels ghal li jista’ jkun? Imqar jikkorispondu bl-email.
Maybe it’s that girl who had a picture on Facebook of somebody grabbing her backside. I forget her name.
[Daphne – Nakita Alamango, Labour candidate on the 9th and 10th districts. And no. I don’t think so.]
Even if it were her, we’d probably still be looking for the real writer.
It’s riddled with careless spelling. I’d say it’s Franco himself.
[Daphne – Rubbish. You have to look beyond the spelling at the idiom and grammar. Some of my best friends can’t spell, but it doesn’t mean their English is Franco’s.]
I got it..It’s RCC
John Dalli
Claire Bonello
[Daphne – I doubt it, somehow.]
Is it Josanne?
At the moment, she’s too occupied.
U ejja allahares an ex-AD PRO is helping Francisco Franco! What does she have to gain from it?
What about Saviour?
[Daphne – No, his writing is terrible.]
An associate in his firm, perhaps. If he doesn’t trust them, who would he trust?
I assume the excerpt was cut and pasted – in which case lack of proof reading or even spell-checking is glaringly obvious:
ausdience, Doesnt’ , Boradcasting , spehere , afarid , belive . evenas , sigle , elctorate.
Maybe this was deliberate to “mask” the better English?
As to the ghost writer – my vote goes to someone from Malta Today.
Maybe he’s got a secretary or else someone who practises law with him.
For God’s sake, Franco, just go and pull the pin on this crap. I am done with hearing this inane bullshit every single day of your worthless existence.
Il-Madonna, tramite Angelik.
Is it Martin Scicluna?
He has been dissing the PN of late , and in perfect English too.
Mrs austin gatt?
My vote goes to Michela Spiteri.
I think it is not important “who” is writing; the thing which irked Franco, I think, is that Daphne found him out and havibg a huge ego he is now angry at the fact that he has been found out. I wonder whether his English in Form II C at St.Aloysius, was the same as the English he is trying to use on his blog.
Either Marisa tal-Lejber or Nikita Alamango tal-lejber youths.
Or Cyrus and his boyfriend Randolph, you know, during spooning, to beat the boredom.
Ok so who wins?
I tend to gravitate towards whoever said it’s Deborah Schembri, seeing they’re both the same age (and maybe same year at law course?) I suppose she can construct good sentences and use idiomatic English, but she’s definitely Maltese.
So who is it Daphne?
So Joey “can make an impromptu speech”.
Can he really?
Winston Churchill, the greatest orator ever to sit in the House of Commons was discovered by his PA standing at his lectern at 2 am in his study at Chartwell.
Mr Churchill what are you doing at such an unearthly hour?
You should be in bed.
Madam, I am just pencilling in the finishing touches to my impromptu speech in the Commons later on today.
The real questions are:
Why is she doing it?
What is she getting out of it?
Is she getting paid to do it?
Does she give him a fiscal receipt?
How does she make him feel knowing he has to resort to her to string a few sentences together because he is incapable of doing so himself?
Do they discuss their ideas at Cafe Cordina over tuna toast?
Well, she most certainly has a chip on her shoulder.