Another one goes off at a tangent
Gozo Labour MP Anton Refalo has decided that fireworks should be banned and that parliament should move to ban them. His rival (and one’s rivals in electoral terms are always in the same party, and not the opposing one) is going to have a field-day with that.
How about proper control instead of an outright ban? Why is Labour always so bloody extremist about these things? There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with fireworks – unlike with bird-shooting or trapping of rare species.
The problem is not the fireworks, but the primitive conditions in which they are made.
In any case, Anton Refalo is really out on a limb here. His Dear Glorious Leader was raised on the profit from the sale of fireworks chemicals. That profit meant his parents were able to build him a house with a swimming-pool before he was 25.
Fireworks have given Joseph Muscat a very comfortable life. He’s not going to diss or ban them any time soon.
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Why would Anton Refalo’s proposal to ban fireworks have anything to do with his political affiliation?
It was probably a thought which occurred to thousands of people (I know it popped into my mind), whatever their political leanings, in the wake of yet another major tragedy.
[Daphne – Thousands of people are free to say things which pop into their minds. Members of parliament, and would-be members of parliament, should first consult their party, unless they are independent. If they are pseudo-independent, they must consult Carmen Pullicino Orlando.]
MPs should be free to state their minds especially where there is no official party policy. They are not and should not be robots.
I think that the primary consideration should be the value of life, which is priceless and is worth more than a million feasts.
[Daphne – Yes, and no, and depending on the context. If a member of parliament plans to make a major statement about banning fireworks, then he should at least first have the decency to consult his party. I tend to think badly of people with that level of egocentric thinking and indifference to others, whatever their arguments. All I can see is somebody who doesn’t give a damn about those around him and those he’s meant to be working with, and that is a bad sign in a person.]
Anton Refalo should have first informed his party of his views.
The ban should be restricted only to the firing of petards which are those that make the most noise and are harmful to one’s health.
I do not understand much about the production of fireworks per se, but surely petards could be eliminated and let’s just stick to the coloured fireworks that are enjoyed by many.
I fancy Anton Refalo with that ferq fin-nofs. He looks so much like a cuddly little baby.
Actually, it’s not a ferq fin-nofs. It’s a comb over from both sides.
Playing on the emotions of the moment won’t get him additional votes, rest assured.
Hasn’t their Michael Falzon had a heart attack yet, after hearing this?
They are so united at the PL that they come out with extremely opposing views on the same day. Yesterday, TVhemm phoned Falzon to get his opinion after the latest fireworks tragedy.
Michael Falzon must be over the moon.
Here’s another one who doesn’t know what she’s saying.
“Going by history and need, certain strategic positions were always subject to political appointment stemming from the necessity of political trust. Posts such as the editorial board of the Public Broadcasting Services, the Police Commissioner and the chairman of MEPA have also been subject to political appointments.
But according to Dalli having a person appointed because it was qualified for the job would be enough to see that that person is trustworthy.” (MaltaToday interview with Helena Dalli)
Strict health and safety regulations are the solution and not a ban.
Daph, a moratorium might not be a bad idea in this climate.
Instead, I would focus on the hell that is going to be unleashed when the paladin of the pyrotechnic lobby, no other than ex-Deputy PL leader Michael Falzon, clashes with Anton Refalo.
On this hotly contested issue we will surely see the true colours of Labour – in the face of their new billboard “Team Maqghud”. More like “Team Mizdud”.
I’m afraid a moratorium would not help at all. These ‘enthusiasts’ will shift their work into residential areas, and we know that it’s true; we had a tragedy in the midst of Naxxar when an innocent woman was killed in an explosion while an ‘enthusiast’ was manufacturing fireworks in his home garage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_a_bray/2334562275/
One has to accept that those who manufacture fireworks put their own lives in danger, and know it; ban fireworks and other people’s lives will also be at risk.
In that case, step up enforcement.
I think your attitude is very destructive to society – very much alike to Labour’s. “We can’t control them, so majtezwell legalise whatever the yare doing”.
No – if the making of fireworks is banned, anytone caught manufacturing them should be taken to court – the civil way to deal with law breakers.
Duminku: Mela fuq opinjoni differenti dwar delizzju, qed tistenna li tara ” the true colours of labour”. Izda fuq qasma kbira daqs IX-XAQQ F’DAK LI KIEN BIEB IL-BELT, li hemm f’GonziPN, m’intix qed tara ” the true colours of GonziPN ” !
X’ghandu x’ jaqsam bieb il-Belt ma’ delizzju ?
Another one off at a tangent? Lets see, who are the others?
Erm, lemme try:
Franco Debono
Jesmond Mugliett
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando
Robert Musumeci
John Bundy
Eileen Montesin (but that’s old news now)
Can’t think of any others. Any help from your end?
Chris Cardona and Edward Scicluna, Jose’ Herrera and Luciano Busuttil, , Konrad Mizzi, Marlene Farrugia and Joe Mizzi, Charles Mangion and John Dalli.
Happy?
Pretty much all of those at Mile End.
Mandango those are not off at a tangent but on a perpendicular drop into PL skip
I take it with the exclusion of Eileen, who would be I guess on a perpendicular drop into the PN cesspit, right?
[Daphne – Exactly how is the PN a cesspit, mandango? The trouble with you is that the rational side of your mind (which tells you to vote PN because it’s the better option and with a great track record that has given you the life you have today) is in conflict with the irrational side (traditional loyalty to Labour). There are lots like you: they show up in the polls.]
Daphne, as long as you keep avoiding to mention Gonzi’s “gaffes”, such as his latest on the Brazilian company, what you write can only be taken with a bucketful of salt.
[Daphne – Thank you, Mr Privitera. You are a good source of advice on how best to be taken seriously.]
Mandango I’m glad you figured that out. Not all hope is lost despite the huge task you face
Even when they propose such an extremist measure, they are never decisive about it: fireworks should be banned but only “if necessary”.
Labour are always using the conditional. Same-sex couples will be allowed to adopt only IF in the interest of the child, bendy-buses will be banned IF found unsuitable, capital projects will be undertaken only IF they are of benefit.
It’s as if they never want to commit themselves to anything and this doesn’t make them appear flexible but, rather, unsure and lacking confidence in their own proposals.
They have one count without ‘if’ ‘reduction of water and electricity bill’
Labour decisive? As ‘IF’.
Ara sewwa jghidu. Meta tisma l-logika ta’ Franco jew Anton Refalo, kullhadd kapaci ssir avukat.
Countries all over the world celebrate festivities with fireworks, and have been doing so for several hundreds of years.
What a preposterous suggestion from the Gozitan troglodyte.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121106/world/france-to-raise-vat-to-help-fund-industry-credits.444246
After scaring off the ”capitalist” companies with his proposals of increased taxation, Hollande now fleeces the already-hard pressed and disillusioned average French family with increases on VAT to attract back said ”capitalist ”companies..
That’s the Socialist promise of heaven-on-earth for you!
Aunt Hetty: Haven’t you heard of the EU’s proposal about a 20% VAT on new homes ?
No – please enlighten us Mr. Privitera.
Something fishy is going on here:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121106/local/lawyer-acquitted-of-hit-and-run-charges.444253
Again, the incident seems to have occurred due chemical instability in the mixtures used.
If the work being done was for events happening in two weeks time, mixing would have been finished and in packets for assembly.
Sunday was a sunny day with low relative humidity.
I assume that you mean, although the way you wrote it is correct, the following:
“…unlike with bird-shooting (of rare species) or trapping of rare species.”
And not with the noble sport of hunting per se, to which only a committed vegetarian can un-hypocritically object.
What is ‘noble’ and ‘sporting’ about hunting? And no I am not a committed vegetarian, I like my beef and pork.
What I am objecting to is the insistence by you and others in the hunting fraternity to put your ‘thing’ which is a vestige of primitive time in human history, on the wrong shelf.
Another farce at the law courts this morning, thanks to Consuelo Herrera.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121106/local/lawyer-acquitted-of-hit-and-run-charges.444253
How convenient.
Daphne: Mhux ahjar issa tikkoncentra ftit fuq li storja li ghada kif faqqghet, dwar Tonio Borg u l-allegat involviment tieghu fi storja tahraq hafna. U li dwarha se jigi mistoqsi hafna mistoqsijiet mil-MEPs fit- 13 ta’ Novembru ? U hallik minn Franco Debono u John Dalli ghal ftit jiem ?
Mr. Privitera, It’s Oderbrecht International.
Eddy, ma ghadekx interessat fil-“Brazilian company” u fit-turbina tal-Empire Station?
Jozef u Ciccio: The Times of today has some interesting news about the Brazilian company. There goes Gonzi’s Xarabank bubble !!!
Sur Privitera, tahseb li se mmur nfittex fuq it-Times?
Daphne you gave a good hint.
In fact some questions can be raised such as:
Has the quality of gun powder imported for fireworks in Malta ever been tested regarding its specifications?
Or have ever specifications been enlisted before this material is imported?
Why is it that abroad such tragedies are not so frequent as in Malta?
Fireworks factory explosions happen quite regularly all over the world, including in highly industrialised countries and in well controlled environments, though they rarely make it to the international news.
Just google “fireworks factory explosions 2012” and see the numbers.
Fireworks factories produce their own gunpowder from raw materials. These chemicals are presumably tested and certified for use.
The problem is really one of abuse, haste and not following established safety procedure e.g. the handling of one petard at a time, within one manufacturing rooms.
All licensed factories are built on specific plans to lessen the danger such as: lack of electrical outlets in the manufacturing section, blast roofs, minimum distance between rooms, minimum distance between manufacturing section and storage, blast protection of storage facility with one weak wall situated on the opposite side of the manufacturing area.
If the set regulations are adhered to, then when accidents happen, these would result in a lower rate of injuries and mortality.
Accidents usually happen when familiarity brings contempt and persons cut corners, a common occurrence that cannot be abolished through legislation.
Labour’s Michael Falzon is obsessed with them too.
If I read the article correctly, he wants to ban fireworks from Gozo. You see he doesn’t want any more Gozitans to die.
Anton Refalo is aware that Labour is in the minority in Gozo.
An absolutely absurd line of reasoning.
We might as well ban cars then because after all most fatalities are caused by road accidents not firework factories explosions.
If we had a decent and efficient public transport system and encourage its use, there would be less cars on the road and probably less car accidents.
David, let’s stop parrotting, shall we?
Public transport in Malta may not be perfect but it is certainly decent and efficient.
My elderly parents very rarely use their car nowadays as it has become too dangerous for an elderly person to drive.
They use public transport very frequently and find it more than efficient. They have never arrived late for an appointment apart from the fact that they travel very comfortably.
Far more fatalities occur in beds than in cars.
Conceptions also. Haven’t found any drive-in movie theatres here.
That’s so 1950s, Harry. Get with the times. In the 21st century we use portaloos at Isle of MTV.
Ah, memories, Baxxter. Had a 1950 Plymouth. Back seat was like a sofa.
The fireworks issue should not be politicised. The government should implement a comprehensive training programme so no one dies due to carelessness.
I am really sorry for these workers, but I wonder if they are provided with proper ongoing training.
TV Hemm was quite a show, Konrad Mizzi, the energy consultant, insulting everyone. A must see.
Michael Briguglio was red in the face.
If this is Labour’s future energy minister, we’re in for trouble.
Using Refalo’s logic, why then not ban drinking, driving, smoking, diving, swimming…?
To be on the safe side, let’s ban tourists from swimming since the majority of diving mishaps happen to them.
There are fewer deaths globally from fireworks accidents than by one of the above activities.
Dear Daphne,all these comments because it was said by a labour MP?
[Daphne – No. All these comments because it was said by an idiot, albeit an idiot who makes so much money he could buy George Borg Olivier’s desk at auction.]
A GOZITAN idiot.
Just for the record.
But he’s right on the firework factories. A fourteen-by-nine mile overcrowded rock is no place for that sort of thing.
Some disagree:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121106/local/-We-need-even-more-fireworks-factories-.444169
And now Labour is starting a witch hunt on foreign investment and companies setting up in Malta. Just perfect.
http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20121106-could-this-be-the-elusive-brazilian-company
“We will let you work.” Wasn’t that what Joseph Muscat said? What part of this sentence hasn’t he understood? Companies which come to set up in Malta don’t want to be turned into the subject of political controversy.
That’s all we need. Guess we’ll get Super One reporters stationed outside the address shoving microphones into foreign looking individuals’ faces as well.
Be told they refuse to answer questions.
It was Gonzi in February who used the Brazilian company as a political football, to dupe voters on the eve of the local council elections. Now he is reaping the derision he deserves for his gaffe !
No it wasn’t, it was Joseph last Friday.
Now tell me what you think of this,
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121107/local/Fireworks-call-for-ban-on-danger-chemicals.444281
And who stands to lose if the ban’s enacted. Gives a new meaning to ‘nghollu l-middle class’ does it?
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/26184623.jpg
He is an only son, and was very cuddly as a baby. I remember him going to school accompanied by his mother carrying his bag.
He was very much protected. I am sure today he has a mind of his own and can say his views.
Dear Eddy,
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/26184623.jpg