Incidentally this is the second ‘iced bun’ for Simone Mizzi of Din l-Art Helwa. Now why should people like her and Philip Farrugia Randon be bowing and scraping to ‘Joseph taghna’ I wonder?

Some serious journalist should ask this question directly to Joseph Muscat, while a cameraman focuses directly on that furrow while Muscat replies.

I don’t think that Lou Bondi will earn much money as a member of this foundation. He’ll be lucky to get a few hundred euros a month, if that.

He will probably produce a particular date and a particular name. Much more interesting to the envelope

@Michael
If I can find a job so can Lou Bondi.

[Daphne – Pretty much the same thing can be said politely, Roberto, as follows: “It’s absolutely delightful that you should think me suitable for this role, and I’m ever so grateful, but I believe I would be doing both you and the job a disservice if I were to take it on, as I have far much to contend with already and wouldn’t wish to be unable to devote my full time and attention to it. So in the proper interests of all concerned, perhaps it’s best if you were to offer the post to somebody better placed than I am to devote his or her energies to it.” That’s how you say ‘f**k off and die’ in English.]

He is hardly that popular as it is within the Labour ranks so telling the Prime Minister to piss off would not be a great move on his part if he wants to keep his programme on TVM.

[Daphne – Ah, but that is precisely the point, Roberto. We acknowledge that the Labour Party (government) is vengeful and malicious and tailor our behaviour accordingly, which only serves to shore it up. Meanwhile, nobody had any problems bawling Lawrence Gonzi out, even while on the state payroll.]

Obviously Muscat is doing this to counter negative criticism over all previous appointments being favours for services rendered. I am just not sure if this is also meant as compensation for Bondi prior to kicking him off TV or if it is meant as a genuine attempt to get him on board with the “movement”.

It is a dangerous game for Bondi to accept but realistically, what choice does he have? In a sense, you have a civic duty to accept if the Prime Minister asks you to fulfill a role for the good of the country, especially when your income comes from the state.

[Daphne – No, you don’t. There is always a judgement call. And Lou Bondi is NOT on the state payroll, no more than the owners of production houses which sell their shows to the BBC are on the British state payroll. But beyond that, this is where I part company with many people in the assessment of politicians: you have to assess the MAN (or woman) before you even think of assessing his (or her) politics. When are people selected for crucial (and even minor) corporate positions on the basis of very lengthy and numerous interviews, rather than just on the basis of their CV and stated intentions? It’s because character, personality, beliefs and attitude are more important. They tell you everything you need to know about how a person will behave. I find Joseph Muscat, just as I did Alfred Sant, extremely predictable, in a textbook way that is almost entertaining. It’s people’s surprise at what they do next that surprises me, because they themselves can be read like a book. The main reason why it’s a really lousy idea to cooperate with PM Muscat is the fact that he has an extremely manipulative personality and will not hesitate to stick it to you to survive himself, even after slapping you on the back and flirting with you. You know at the outset that you are operating in a context where you are being used. He is also clearly spiteful and malicious, but his preferred way of dealing with his enemies is not by harming them outright but by bringing them beneath his authority, so that they are obliged to live with the constant sensation that they survive only at his benevolence. Quite frankly, I would rather starve in the gutter than exist at the mercy of somebody who makes it clear that I might be thrown to the lions any day.]

Both Joe Grima and Saviour Balzan will be reckoning they can take on the Bondi role if he gets kicked out. A good thing being physically unattractive is not an obstacle to working in the Maltese media, hux? I know that is a trite point to make but in the case of those two, allow me some leeway! Daphne, what is your take on why Bondi accepted?

[Daphne – That’s his business and I’d rather not discuss it.]

Jidher li Joseph Muscat jibza minn dan Jason. Tghid ghaliex?

Hemm xi hadd li jaf?