Why weren’t Tuks and ‘Tache there on TVM last night?
I watched Dissett last night, and was quite astonished to see the usually quite cautious and restrained Reno Bugeja irritably interrupting his sole interviewee, Simon Busuttil, talking over him, refusing to let him finish his (very concise) sentences and making his hostility quite manifest.
This was in stark contrast to the way, some weeks ago, he let another sole interviewee run on and on and on and on, even when he wasn’t making any sense and even when his statements and claims screamed out to be challenged by even the daftest journalist: John Dalli, in the throes of Snusgate.
We’ve always known that Reno Bugeja is a committed Laburist, but he has generally managed to contain himself, and his interviews have tended to be eminently watchable and well-prepared.
But yesterday he was quite literally unable to contain his hostility and resentment towards Busuttil. It was obvious, noticeable, you just couldn’t miss it.
I wonder why the Labour Party’s two deputy leaders, Tuks and ‘Tache, didn’t turn up for the show. They were invited, but did not accept, and Labour declined to send a replacement.
Perhaps Labour was worried about how Tuks and ‘Tache would come across in juxtaposition to Busuttil, their opposite number in the Nationalist Party.
I don’t blame them. But they’re expected on Xarabank on Friday, and that has a larger audience, though perhaps with a Labour crowd applauding them, they feel they might get away with their usual stupidities, absurd reasoning and poor speaking skills.
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Is there any site that allows you to stream past editions of TVM and TVM2 programmes?
[Daphne – Apparently, it’s the TVM site itself. You selected the day on LIVE, then select the time, but can’t select by programme as such. I’ve never tried it.]
http://www.dissett.tv/Dissett_12_13/Simon.html
Grazzi hafna tal-link. Minkejja l-ostilita ta Reno Bugeja, li tilef kull rispett li kelli lejh bhala gurnalist, Simon hareg rebbieh fuq kull aspett. Prosit, Simon.
http://tvm.com.mt/tv/
Dissett is available here.
http://www.dissett.tv/Dissett_12_13/Dissett.html
Dissett is blanked out on the TVM site. However, it is available on http://www.dissett.tv. Watching it right now.
I’ve tried it, it works pretty well. Some programmes (not sure which) are not streamed but Xarabank is not one of them.
Despite the hostility, Bugeja usually has the right and pertinent questions.
And the more difficult the questions, the bigger the opportunity for his guests to show their mettle or lack of it.
I may be biased, but I think Dr Busuttil took them in his stride and showed beyond any doubt that he’s no ‘Tache and most certainly no Tuks.
I am particularly irritated by the fact that during debates the Labour Party representatives, whilst being given all the time to voice their opinion, when it is the turn of the Nationalist Party representatives to reply the PL reps. start interrupting.
I believe this is some sort of strategy and the interviewer should either stop the PL interrupting or find some other way that we do not hear their interruptions during the debate.
If need be, and if it can be done, one could switch off the microphone of the people interrupting.
Answer to your question: because both are afraid of a direct confrontation with Simon.
This is what Privitera wrote in a letter to the Sunday Times “he was warned months ago that unless Austin Gatt resigned from the Cabinet, the Budget would not pass.”
So for Privitera it is OK for an MP to abuse a single seat majority to blackmail the PM and the country. Eddy, do you think it is OK for an MP to use his position to further his own agenda? Do you think it is OK of an MP to allow his animosity to particular individuals, rather than the national interest, to guide his words and actions?
Maltatoday survey – Labour leads with 9 points, as PN edges closer
Is this the reason for Eddy Privitera’s hysterical explosion on all possible comment boards.
Mind the GAP Eddy, it is getting closer by the minute.
The gap will vanish the sooner it is understood that Joseph has been lying to the confidential strategy which Malta cannot be privy to.
It is not politically convenient to keep it from us. Not after budget day.
The only reason why he does is because there’s nothing to keep, except the lie itself. It’s pathetic and embarrassing to watch. Joseph’s problem is his inability to counter perspective. All he’s done is try to get us on huis side, no matter what.
I’m afraid that’s not how politics work, one can be allergic to GonziPN’s taste, but when the challenger is just a projection common sense dictates otherwise.
Which is why the vote is a private process.
More telling is the loss of over 7 points in Joseph Muscat’s ranking in trust. Gonzi’s went down by 2.
Seems even Malta Today’s surveys can no longer hide the fact that Muscat and his team are sinking, slowly but surely.
Of course the gap is narrowing.
It must be the result of Father Xmas’s coming earlier this year.
Didn’t you notice all the works and the millions of euro being spent all over the island?
Just a word of advice, be sure to keep your house door closed, as they might end up laying tarmac all over your house, and when your local P.N candidate comes to visit you in your kitchen, have a list of what you need, handy.
Xmun. The survey was held between Monday and Thursday. So all respondents had heard the finance minister’s speech on the budget. but the great majority of respondents had not yet heard the reply to the budget speech of Dr. Joseph Muscat !
Tomorrow , Monday you’ll also hear Dr. Franco Debono say why he would be voting against the budget. I am sure that you, Daphne and all GonziPN apologists will enjoy what you hear !
What utter tosh, Mr. Privitera.
Why, did Joseph Muscat propose an alternative budget? Did he say anything new? Did he say how, when, by how much and to whom he will lower the electricity tariffs?
Joseph Muscat has no policies, and now we know that he has no plans. He is now promising to copy the PN government’s budget, because his Three Finance Ministers cannot even put one together.
Where is Joseph’s roadmap?
Joseph can run, but he cannot hide. The electorate wants substance, not hot air.
And then, what?
Ma gara xejn, Eddy – illum ser ikun l-ahhar diskors ta’ bniedem li kibritlu rasu. Jaf il-PL jaghmel li Franco Debono ministru tal-gustizzja.
Think on this, Eddy:
The PN is a mediocre party that provides a mediocre government in a country with a huge proportion of voters that are totally incapable of intelligent and unbiased analysis – you being a prime example. It only shines because the Labour Party is such a disastrous alternative.
Despite this and despite the terrorism and clientelism of the Labour Party, the PN managed to gain the approval of the majority of voters in 1981, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2003 and 2008. Six elections to one over a 32 year period.
If the Labour Party ever manage to better that neither you (sadly for you) nor I (luckily for me) will live long enough to see it.
And no debate yet between Simon and Anglu!
OK. We’re starting to see the ‘movement’ Joseph keeps referring to.
The two Labour deputy leaders Toni Abela and Anglu Farrugia chickened out yesterday.
I have always commented positively about Reno Bugeja’s questioning ability, but yes, yesterday he was being too hostile and too defensive of Labour. He even took to Labour’s defence about Tonio Borg. I thought: did Labour send Reno to represent them?
Yet, my suspicion is that this was not just a matter of worrying how Toni Rubber Puppets Abela and Anglu On the Record Farrugia would look next to Simon.
I suspect that they might have thought to give Simon double his time to speak longer so that they would have more opportunity to catch him in some mistake.
But he was brilliant, and he exposed Reno to mistakes, not the other way round.
In my opinion Dr. Busuttil thinks too much of himself. He thinks he is the solution to all the problems of the P.N.
As regards Reno Bugeja, I think he was well prepared and he did a fine job.
If on the other hand you want to watch someone who is so biased that he can upset your stomach, you should try watching that bigheaded idiot, Bondi.
Lastly, I never came across anyone on this blog criticising the P.N when they don’t present themselves on similar programmes.
I heard Simon LIE during his interview with Stephen Calleja on NET TV ! He has already got the habit in such a short time. This BOY learns fast ! Is this the change Simon Busuttil is bringing to GonziPn ?
He said that if a PL government returns Electricity bills to what they were originally – before they were raised astronomically – ” the PL government would have to find €75 million more “.
Dr. Muscat NEVER said that electricity tariffs would return to what they were prior to the tariffs hike. He guaranteed that he would REDUCE bills . He would be saying by how much, how and when when the PL publishes its manifesto.
Eddy, I did not follow that interview. However, when you put “if” in an argument – and lawyers use it a lot – what follows is a hypothetical scenario, not a lie.
You keep calling Simon Busuttil a boy – why, are you jealous of his youth? You should not be because your leader and his followers keep on harping about Joseph’s youth.
According to what you wrote yourself Simon Busuttil did not say that Dr. Muscat said that he would return the electricity tariffs to what they were before. He simply said “if”. So where is the lie?
Eddy your contorted way of reasoning and twisting of facts is really nauseous.
You should apologise to Simon Busuttil for unjustly calling him a liar and for lying yourself about him.
Labour is hiding them, because they work like scarecrows to newly minted Laburisti who want change for the sake of change.
Reno Bugeja is like many other Laburisti who are disappointed with Joseph Muscat. They expected much, much better and although they don’t say it out loud, the tension is showing.
They are not comfortable and not sure of victory. This is clouding their judgment and their behaviour.
Maryanne: You’ll have your answer very soon hopefully. You are mistaking Dr. Muscat for Lawrence Gonzi ! You’ll know why tomorrow when Franco Debono explains why he will be voting against the budget. I suppose you already have an idea if you have read the papers today !
Eddy – not many people really care about what Franco will be explaining – so do not spend too much energy on this.
Actually many Laburisti did not think that highly of Joseph Muscat. Then he showed he was better than he was perceived but not as good as many Laburisti wished him to be.
It goes on… Then he became much better and matched expectations. And many Nazzjonalisti, who had underestimated him started to tense up.
And no, nothing is certain about the election’s outcome. No-one is underestimating anyone and the only tense ones are those who cannot stomach not getting into power (like some Laburisti), and those that cannot stomach losing it (like many Nazzjonalisti…including you).
As for me, couldn’t be cooler about it.
Yes you could not be cooler about it. In fact it shows in your numerous comments in favour of Laburisti.
Well, you are one yourself so why should I be surprised. – not that you have no right to be a Laburist of course.
That would be because deep down you know that you will not be worse off if the PN is in government again. You will never admit it of course but other than being a staunch Laburist and therefore wanting a win for your party, you will not lose out with the ‘enemy’ in power.
Unfortunately, we do not have that luxury. We are more than sure that PL has no plans for Malta and that within a couple of years the country’s economy will grind to a halt and unemployment rise as it has ALWAYS risen under Labour.
And the nagging feeling that most laburisti, even those who will be in the cabinet and even Little Joey himself still think of Europe as ‘them’, not us is very unsettling. If a future labour government falls foul of EU regulations, which it definitely will if half of its promises are kept, what guarantee do we have that they will not take us out?
Great – let the slide continue – no ‘switching’ voter in their right mind would vote for the PL at this stage. It has nothing to offer.
It’s a no-contest for the PN really. However, how many right minds are there out there?
Muscat carefully calculated that both Toni Abela and Anglu Farrugia are just a huge liability for him.
From now to election day they are going to hide from interviews and cameras.
Whenever they open their mouths the audience quickly pick up their ineptitude.
With a victory assured why would Muscat take any risks.
Good point. Toni Abela and Anglu Farrugia remind me of John Prescot, the former UK deputy prime minister who could not string an intelligible sentence together.
As time goes by, the Labour Party is slowly starting to doubt that victory is a foregone conclusion.
The hiding of the two puppets behind the main ‘gahan’ mimics Sant’s fleeing from the famous PBS ‘Press conference’ regarding the Mistra affair, and see how it ended for the LP.
Labour’s 12 point lead has declined to a 9 point lead and once it further dwindles to around 6 points, what happens on election day is anybody’s guess.
Should the NP pull this one off, Joseph will have very little choices left. Maybe he will end up competing with Sant at the next MEP contest?
Few are appreciating Simon Busuttil’s pull at constituency level and with the retirement of older elements now serving as ministers and MPs plus a good injection of fresh and capable candidates, anything becomes possible.
You sound too confident by half.
I’m so glad Reno behaved the way he did.
It showed clearly what Dr Busuttil is made of.
He never batted an eyelid in his response. He was perfect. Way to go, Simon.
And some Laburisti call him Simple Simon…
Issanta qas wiehed minn tnejn ma setghu jibaghtu?
Would YOU have sent either one of them to face Simon Busuttil?
PL did the right thing in giving a walk-over in this match. They assumed Reno Bugeja would be more effective for them.
Simon was astoundingly good yesterday. I suspect that the PL are getting to be afraid, and are no longer 100% prattikalment Prim Ministru stuff.
Simon, please listen to what the disgruntled people are saying. I believe we have a chance. After all, the PN has already showed us throughout these years in power how good they are to govern the country. Let us not have the PL win the next election by default!
Just read what Muscat said this morning. Does everyone know, especially those earning between 20,000 and 60,000 euro annually, that Muscat said Gonzi has “underestimated the altruism of Maltese society” when introducing the tax cut?
That only means one thing, either he’s going to revise the cut, to remain at 35% or give a smaller cut.
That’s from where the money for the utility reductions is coming from.
Simon Busuttil’s first walk-over.
Tuks and ‘tache just couldn’t face him.
So true : “The interesting thing is that while they are quite happy to be voting Labour, they get really upset if they’re called Laburisti and they won’t be seen dead at a Labour mass meeting whereas they were quite happy to go to the PN meetings in Sliema’s Dingli Street or at the St Andrew’s parade ground.”
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2012-12-09/opinions/incompetent-idiots-united-508526593/
While Daphne , Ciccio and others were watching Dissett at home, I was waiting for a good fifteen minutes to be seated in a table for four in a restaurant.
Probably next time we will go out on a Friday. Hawn ghaks!
Many people know fully well which side of their bread is buttered, they go about their lives and when asked to go to the polls they are rational in their choices.
I get Saturday night meals delivered to my home. Joseph Muscat Deliveries proves to be quite reliable.
I bet your food always turns up cold since he is always late.
“PL ready to serve – Muscat”…and I thought he was a delivery boy. Does he fill in as a waiter?
Apologies for this tangent!
Ever since PL put up the minimum wage billboard I’ve been trying to understand why the lady did not seem to be one on minimum wage.
Today I finally figured it out – she’s got no nail art.
What also struck me was the fact that she was SMILING. If I were on minimum wage I’d be tearing out my hair on pay-day, not smiling – even with the extra euro a week I’d be getting under Labour.
Another observation I made is that it probably cost them more to put up all those billboards than it will cost them to cover the uncollected tax.
If there were no MLP representatives to counter Simon, what did you expect?
Reno Bugeja was simply trying to fill in the void and not give Simon a walkover and simply hear one side of the story. Had there been people from the Labour Party he would have let them do it.
Maybe Reno Bugeja was cheesed off in general at all politicians yesterday , when once again , Labour did not send a representative and he ended up rehashing what was already said earlier on in the week in other programs .Hence his erratic behaviour. .
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Cyrus-Engerer-s-homosexuality-put-off-Minister-20121208
Personally, I would think twice about employing somebody who makes it a habit of stealing photoes of his/her ex-bedmates and then circulates them all over the internet – irrespective of his/her sexual orientation.
To Eddy Privitera.
With the electricity bills Joseph Muscat will do the same thing like Alfred Sant did with the VAT issue.
Moreover, you are incorrect to state that you have heard Simon Busuttil LIE on TVM. Joseph Muscat, as all the MLP stupid speakers do, never said anything as to how and by how much he will reduce the electricity bills.
With Joseph Muscat and his old team in office the country will be worse then in Mintoff’s time.
Joseph Muscat ukoll qed jghid li jnehhi it-taxxa min fuq il-minumum wage! BRAVU ja njorant.
Din tkun froga ohra ghal pajjiz ghax kullhadd jigi impjegat bil-minimum wage u id- dhul liehor jigi imhallas bhala allowance u kullhadd jibda jevita’ it-taxxa. U allura minn fejn se ggib il-flus li qed twieghed?
Wara din il wieghedha ta’ min isaqsi issa lil Joseph Muscat x’sar minnha il-living wage?
Glad to see that the Tuks and ‘Tache moniker is catching on :)
Has Simon Busuttil come too late? Three months to close the gap.
Why have representatives from the Labour Party when Reno was doing their job far better than any of them would have?
I have never seen him so hostile to anyone and was disappointed to see him lose his professionalism in journalism.
Well done, Simon, for being so well prepared on facts as always.