“Five seconds of revenge can ruin five years of your life” – Lawrence Gonzi
I find it shocking and disturbing that people in Malta still think of their vote as currency. There are studies in anthropology which detail this kind of thinking in the most deprived areas of southern Italy 50 years ago.
The astonishing thing is that it is not only the sort of people you would expect who think like this – individuals from socially and intellectually deprived backgrounds – but the socially privileged, too. I have noticed, however, that it is directly linked to lack of true intelligence.
This lack of intelligence shows up not only in their deficient reasoning and poor insight into situations, but in their inability to see that it is nothing to boast about.
Lawrence Gonzi said this a couple of days ago, and he’s right.
Your vote is not for a permit or the job you wanted and didn’t get. It’s for your family – your son, your daughter, your mother, your life, your country and your job.
Five seconds of revenge in a dark moment in the polling-booth can ruin five years of your life.
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In my opinion, it could ruin even more than 5 years of our lives.
If at the end of the 5 years, the country is in a mess, it will take many more years of good governance to recuperate what we lost and get back on our feet.
No ‘if’s’ here. It’s a certainty.
I agree with most of what he said except it can ruin a hell of a lot more than 5 years of our lives – it’s very easy to destroy good work but much harder to recover.
Remember when you go shopping in Sliema Daphne, the people who own shops like Monsoon, Morgan, Miss Selfridge, Promod who are prepared to put our future on the line and for what?
And these are people who consider themselves intelligent. I definitely won’t be giving them my money.
[Daphne – I have already taken note of that, Francesca.]
Please give us more names, of restaurants too.
Saru nies u sinjuri taht il-PN li tant gab ghakx u tbatija.
I fully agree. Same with me, I surely won’t be their client. A very good weapon Eddie Fenech Adami taught me.
I think that’s a bit too far.
Me neither. Thanks for the info.
Francesca, things might well take an interesting turn. It is said that one rabid Labour Party supporter has repeatedly stated that “Issa taraw, nigu nfarrkulkom Bisazza Street malli nitilghu fil-gvern”.
Other threats of damage and violence uttered by Labour Party supporters have been reported from different sources over past days.
It is as well to recall that, following the Alfred Sant MLP electoral victory in the mid-90s, Labour supporters had attacked commercial establishments at the Sliema Ferries area.
Prior to that, violence against individuals and destruction of PN club premises had followed up each MLP electoral success in 1971, 1976, and 1981.
The months post the 1987 PN accession to power also saw a planned and massive arson and looting attack by known MLP supporters on the Law Courts and on commercial establishments in Republic Street Valletta.
The police SMU mobile riot control squad, then still manned by diehard Labourites carried over from the Lorry Sant and KMB previous government merely stood there and surveyed the scene.
The current PL hardcore behind Joseph Muscat is made up of the very same Labour Party ministers and MPs who formed the MLP government when the above incidents took place.
At no stage have those individuals publicly condemned the riots or expressed any regret for those incident.
The public is rightfully concerned about the likely consequences of a Labour electoral victory.
Joseph Muscat is undoubtedly fully aware of all this, but in furtherance of his egoistic prime ministerial ambitions, he has significantly failed to act to allay those fears.
I think one of the first squares to be vandalised will be Pjazza Sant Anna…you know, forsi jergghu jibnu l-Magic Kiosk.
It would ruin more than five years of our lives.
Even assuming that Labour is voted out by a competent government on the lapse of those five years, the extent of the damage caused by the inept Joseph Muscat, his ancient goons, and their blind-alley roadmap, would take several years to correct and would also have destroyed the lives and aspirations of an entire generation.
I am very interested in learning more about the anthropological studies you mention. Is there one you can direct me to, especially about votes and their monetary value.
[Daphne – They’re not on line, I’m afraid, Raphael. But I shall look up my old file and find the references. I was really struck by the similarities. It was as though I was reading about Malta in the present.]
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-03-07/opinions/thank-you-for-your-trust-1078722564/
Read this message from Dr Gonzi. I cried whilst reading it.
If you vote this man out, you are harming yourself, he will gladly enjoy his family and his wife in serene mode looking at the beautiful park in Marsascala, while we will be crying because we are stuck with Joseph the journalist.
“I find it shocking and disturbing that people in Malta still think of their vote as currency.”
To be fair, that is exactly how politicians treat votes as well.
[Daphne – As currency? How?]
Unfortunately in the last months I have followed two election campaigns, both of which were not the height of maturity.
However I have never met anyone in Italy or heard anyone publicly admit that he or she is voting one way or the other for a personal reason – like that she/he did not get a promotion etc.
People here do change the way they vote because of how the crisis may have effected them personally or as result of a policy which may have effected their retirement age but never on a strictly personal matter.
The reason is that (except for a chosen few) people are very far removed from their politicians so it is not likely that you blame them for your personal misfortunes or problems.
There is no way that I or my husband can go knock the door of a minister as they do in Malta, much less call him on his mobile.
The country is too large for that and politicians do not come knocking at people’s doors.
It is true that Maltese politicians encourage this buddy buddy feeling and this going into people’s homes before the elections to actually ask them what they need or why they are disgruntled without realising that familiarity breeds contempt.
Of course, less intelligent people take that as “kemm hu min taghna – nista nitolbu li rrid”, pretty much as they do with the village saint.
Joseph Muscat, who is making the most impossible promises, is going to have a jolly hard time keeping his herd together when in goverment. All who yell “kemm hu sabih” are going to expect something.
Apart from the fact li “m’hu sabih xejn -(kisu naqa soop taz-zunnarija), it is unbelievable that he should relish it and encourage it.
I have been to Nationalist Party meetings with all types of people chanting all sort of stuff, but can you even remotely imagine anyone calling Eddie Fenech Adami or even Louis Galea (who back then was considered good-looking ) “kemm int sabih”?
They were just not the kind of people to encourage that sort of familiarity. Same with the wives.
Who does Michelle think she is going round with that smug – “ejjew bil-problemi ha naghtikom il-grazzja ghax jien inhobbkhom – hobbuni” look.
The caption above got me thinking. I was hoping you would allow my comment below on the off chance that one of your readers might be able to help me.
While I reside overseas, I still have property in Malta, albeit vacant. I had no one who could go to be present when the voting documents were being distributed, as taking a day vacation for my parents was impossible.
I happened to be on the island a few weeks ago and tried to collect the vote myself, however this too was not possible as it was the transition period the documents being distributed to private homes and them made available at police stations.
I happen to be on my way to Malta tomorrow due to business and was hoping to be able to collect the vote tomorrow, but that too is impossible as tonight is the deadline for collection.
I have tried ELCOM several times, however they never got back to me. Why is the system so archaic? Does anyone know of a way in which I can source my vote. It seems such a waste not to do my part in preventing the amateurish, and deceitful Labour Party from governing the next five years.
[Daphne – You could only collect your vote until midnight Thursday. The worst part of it is that you can’t have anyone else collect it for you, which means that anyone coming from overseas to vote has to get here on Thursday, when they could otherwise fly in and out again on Saturday.]
Francesca, are we being very judgemental here ?? You are prepared to ‘ frame and name’ because these people may have a differennce of opinion, which BTW is their right ? .. and you don’t even know what their opinion is ?? TOOOOO judgmental Francesca… too judgmental
Christine, I am sure your sister has kept you up to speed, after all I am – as she quotes – a vindictive bitch (Daphne, you’re not the only one now).
As Theresa has very openly voiced her opinions – which in fact not only affect my livelihood but that of my children – no, I do not think I am being judgemental. I am expressing my right to say what I think about her opinion.
Theresa has made it seem that because of my comment there is now going to be a national boycott against Monsoon. Bu I am not Eddie Fenech Adami. No one cares what I say – though she obviously thinks everyone does.
Thank god we don’t all give ourselves and our opinions so much importance. According to Theresa now, and I quote again, she has spoken to my friends and they all agree with her (this in all of 30 minutes – busy women), so what’s the big deal?
Everyone agrees with Theresa; she sure is broadcasting it. I’m a vindictive bitch, so who the hell cares what I say? Grow up, the lot of you.
[Daphne – I have to agree with you on that last bit, Francesca, though I’m speaking in general and not about particular individuals. This is my bugbear, too. If I see another woman aged 45 to 55 talking, thinking and behaving like a 20-year-old, I’m going to have to wonder whether somebody’s put something in the mains water supply. I try to imagine our mothers’ generation doing the same thing at that age, and I just can’t. It’s way too ridiculous. But then they also had some very real problems to contend with – like those thrown up by life under the Golden Years government ministers which some of these people plan to re-elect by direct suffrage or by default.]
I am a Nationalist myself but I am sad to admit that it’s unfortunately people like you that make me second think. How could you attack other people’s businesses and lives just because they have there own beliefs?
Should all Malta follow you Francesca? It’s fine for you to voice your own opinion but it’s very sad to see you attacking other people because they have there own beliefs.
Francesca, If we are all going to act grown up, we should take this conversation elsewhere.
I do not agree with making something personal so public, for whatever intention, be it to harm, riducule or offend or just to make a point.
All this is backfiring. I had the intention to vote PN as I always have, but mentioning my business and involving my family’s life when you don’t have the faintest clue who I’m voting for? If this is your way forward….you’ve just lost a voter and PL seem to have gained one. Well done !!!!
[Daphne – If you are addressing me, then I have no idea what you are talking about. However, it is always a good idea for shopkeepers to work out who their customers are. I for one have absolutely no desire at all to buy things from people who care so little about the economy that they vote or don’t vote out of spite and pettiness. By voting Labour or not voting, you affect the lives and businesses of other people negatively. So then don’t be surprised if they decide to shop somewhere else. It’s also a bad idea to be rude to your customers. One of the less appealing facets of being a shopkeeper is that people can say what they like about you but you’d be ill-advised to say what you like about them unless you wish to lose their custom – which, in my case, you have done purely on the basis of this stupid remark. I haven’t lost a voter because I am neither a political party nor a politician, but you have certainly lost a customer – not because you’re voting Labour but because you are rude and aggressive towards me.]
Hi Daphne, I really had no intention of answering Chikka on a public blog, but seeing that we have reached this level of ridicule, I felt I had to put in a word or two.
First of all, I was NEVER under the impression that a petty, vindictive comment like Chikka’s was ever going to seriously affect my business, and this I told her very clearly, though of course that, she did not quote.
To me, the fact that someone who I used to consider a friend woke up one morning and decided that because we have a difference of opinion (I am A political) she should do her best to try and damage me and my business, and that of my partners, is what the issue is.
Perhaps the time has come for us to go around Malta putting the equivalent of Swastikas or Stars of David on the doors of Nationalist or Labour supporters, or indeed of anyone who disagrees with anything we say, in order to ensure that they are singled out for having an opinion.
This is simply regression to the bullying tactics of the ’80s, but unfortunately Chikka knows me well enough to know that this will never work with me.
I have had a whole day of phone calls from people, of all political convictions, expressing disgust at this behaviour. It is very clear from the comment above who need to do the growing up. I have differences of opinions with loads of people, and actively discuss them on regular basis. What I do not do is make it personal. THAT’S maturity Chikka.
Hi Daphne, could you let me know if there is any particular reason why you are not publishing my response to the attack above? Thanks, Theresa
[Daphne – Hundreds of comments for upload and a bit slow today.]
Thank you. :)
You have the cheek to call me rude and aggressive ?? Funny woman.
[Daphne – You never were my customer, Steve. But I am – correction, was – yours.]
I’m glad you uploaded Theresa’s comment which she emailed to me before hand and I have already replied to privately. She was very worried you would not since you had been arrested. Ironic really. The One thing I keep asking Theresa is why she is making such a fuss, she keeps saying my vindictive comment would not effect her business and yet that is the one thing she harps on about. Stop contradicting yourself Theresa. Well this is the end of this saga for I have better things to do with my time which you clearly don’t. Since I am sure you have no intention of selling your shop and leaving malta next week, enjoy the labour government you told me you would vote for because of my comment on Daphne’s blog – Now that’s maturity
Kulhadd ghandu l-opinjoni tieghu, jekk hu nazzjonalist, laburist, AD jew tal ajkla.. jkun xi jkun. Imma bhala nies maturi memmx ghalfejn nattakjaw lil haddiehor fuq il basici tal vot!
Nridu nirespettaw l-opinjoni individwali ta kull persuna.
Why has my comment not been uploaded. Hand picking them Daphne ?
[Daphne – I deleted it because I think you should take your personal battles elsewhere instead of using my site to conduct them. If you have a problem with X or Y, ring them and tell them, or email them directly.]
Daphne, you are the last person on this island to be going on about taking personal battles public. My comment was nowhere less personal than Francesca’s initial comment. I have nothing personal against Francesca, but i definitely DO NOT agree with her very very ignorant way of thinking.
Preferenzi ….. birds of the same feather!
[Daphne – My personal battles are my own, Linda (is that your real name?). It’s other people’s personal battles conducted on this forum that are completely out of place. They are of no interest to anyone else. Kindly take it outside. Pick up the phone, use email, but please don’t come and quarrel between yourselves here. In any case, I think you are going too far. It doesn’t make sense for shopkeepers to fight with their customers. Let it go.]