RAI/TG3 news headline: ABANDONED BY MALTA, WELCOMED BY ITALY
Published:
August 7, 2013 at 10:27pm
Well done, Muscat: you handed it to those Italians on a silver platter. As the Maltese saying goes, they popped you in their pocket and pulled you out again, and you thought you were the smart one.
What worked on the electorate in Opposition just doesn’t work in government. You’re not campaigning now. You’re running the country. And it’s been one clunking error after another.
What price your re-election with such great damage to Malta’s reputation, and all the attendant consequences?
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Inqabad offside miskin. Gej bil-Milan u l-Asti, arem hej.
The moment I am ashamed to be Maltese.
Well, it’s like Gonzi said during the election time: When the PN are in government we are proud to be Maltese, but when the PL are in government, we’re all ashamed.
The moment I am proud to be Maltese.We are no carpet of none of the EU members.
[Daphne – Wow, ‘m’iniex it-tapit tieghek’ does not translate as ‘I am not your carpet’ but as ‘I am not your DOORMAT’. The metaphor derives from the fact that it is on doormats, not carpets, that we wipe our feet.]
Thanks Daphne.
Tikber u titghallem.
[Daphne – ‘Tikber u tighallem’. Hemm ghalfejn tkun tkbirt? If nobody taught you, you should have picked up on it through listening. When did you ever hear the expression ‘I am not your carpet’? That’s right – never. But you might have heard ‘I am not your doormat’.]
Check your spelling.
Tighallem u tkbirt
[Daphne – Learn the difference between typos and spelling mistakes. Do you know how many thousands of words I go through every day?]
I live in Romania, where most people hardly know Malta exists or if they do know, they cannot place it an a map of Europe. Yet in the last few days I have been asked what sort of country Malta is and why is its government behaving like this.
One, a priest, told me:” I thought Malta was a Christian country and was one of the EU members that insisted on the European Constitution including a refernce to the Christian tradition of the continent. Is the government Christian? Does it know the meaning of Christian or does it practise its own form of Christianity?”
I feel I have to agree with those, especially those living away from the island, that it makes me ashamed and even afraid to say I am Maltese.
Prosit, Joseph Muscat. Komplejt thammrilna wiccna. Ghadek il-gurnalist dilettant tas-super one.
U bit-team tas-super one fil-gvern. Amateurs. Huss.
This is soooo familiar Daphne.
It’s impossible to believe he can actually expect to do the same. No wonder he’s so obsessed with the net.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/world/europe/20migrants.html?_r=0
The Italians did the same in 2009.
And you are assuming that the PN would have let them in. Only an amateurish government would have let them in, and create a precedence.
Your reasoning, Floater, mirrors the Mintoffian-Labour insular, egotistic-opportunistic mindset where the letter of the law is more important than the most basic principles of truth and justice.
As some foreigner pointed out on the Cecilia Malmstrom’s Facebook page, the real issue is not about foreign policy diplomacy but about saving human lives in extreme need.
The underlying Labour reasoning is similar to that of 1981 where a legalistic approach was taken despite the “perverse election” result (Mintoff’s own words) of that year. The letter of the Constitution was made superior to the same constitutional principle of the people’s sovereignty.
May I suggest to Floater that he does some solid reading to get his priorities right, then stop ‘floating’ and chose the side that most fits those priorities.
So Massimo Gilletti was right after all!
No, Massimo Giletti said that the AFM shoots them.
Our little Joey has such a limited perspective of the real world that he appears to be unaware of the ‘unintended consequences’ of his actions. Such a shame for the country.
What a mess………
It starts at the 19:30 mark.
So what Daphne? Are we expected to take every illegal immigrant on board?If they keep coming here in such big numbers we Maltese will be outnumbered I think that Muscat and his government did the right thing..
[Daphne – Did you vote for EU membership? Well then. 500 million+ people have full rights to live and work here. Whether the Maltese are outnumbered or not is irrelevant. Feeling outnumbered has nothing to do with nationality. I have always felt outnumbered in Malta, and I’m Maltese.]
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/03/david-cameron-immigration-greece-uk
And here you are wrong. 500 million+ people have full rights to live and work here, but they cannot do it at once. Not even a small percentage. You think freedom of movement in the EU is absolute. It is not. Countries have legal mechanisms at their disposal to prevent it, if they think that it is going to happen.
During the campaign for membership, it was clear what people voted for, freedom of movement within the EU. Nothing more nothing less. Africa was not included. I remember the campaign very clear. In fact, one of the semi-official campaign slogans by the PN and the AD was that if we do not join, we will be part of North Africa.
Moreover, concerns about an influx from Europe were allayed by the argument that a massive amount of people hardly migrate from countries that already enjoy a high standard of living. But nonetheless, as a recognition of the concern, a temporary concession in case of a massive influx, was given.
Further still, remembering clearly, Simon Busuttil, in a clear misjudgment of the anti-immigration mood in Europe, promised obligatory burden sharing. So actually people voted to alleviate illegal immigration, which is mainly from the African countries.
So your EU vote argument does not hold much ground, if any.
Coming to the tanker saga, does anyone think that a government takes decision based on what the international media headlines will be? So we shall start accepting migrants from tankers collected near the Libyan coast, lest we will be lambasted in foreign media. Fortunately, not even the PN probably thinks that way. For that would really be an amateurish governments.
Wow! This is a classic line.
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT OUTNUMBERED IN MALTA, AND I AM MALTESE.
How very true.
[Daphne – Yes, always, all my life. And the worst of it is the constant pressure to behave, think and talk like everyone else and to move in a self-policing gang. I can’t believe that it’s still happening even now. Anzi, it’s got even worse, because my refusal (inability?) to conform is right here on this website, in my peers’ faces, every day and it makes them angrier and more annoyed than ever. Malta is so not a culture of individuality. Even those who think they are super-cool and outrageous fail to understand that they really are not, because they are just the same as their entire cohort, and they are doing it only because there is safety in numbers. They are still the conformists they were at 18, but now they are conforming to different pressures. It’s just so boring.]
500 million+ european people can work here as I can go an work in their country. We never voted to be outnumered by Africans or did we because if yes then I must have forgot. Get a life & stop this crap
He simply doesn’t care. So long as he retains power he really couldn’t care less if the country’s reputation goes to the dogs. All he is interested in is appealing to the masses. That’s what wins elections, not what is right.
Amorality may get you what you want but it also makes you a despicable person.
He really showed those pregnant women and babies who’s the boss.
You can’t reason with those idiots on Cecilia Malmstrom’s Facebook page.
I was ‘attacked’ simply because my profile, when viewed by the public, shows that I’m from Canada and not Malta.
Incredible. We really do live in a country of ignoramuses.
Oh, and I was also called a ‘traitor against Malta’ because I seem to reason like most normal-minded people would do.
Incredible.
Angelina Jolie must hate us right about now.
Mhux se norqod illejla.
Angelina Jolie has forgotten we exist. We really are not that important.
Perhaps we should also take to Facebook and let our dear prime minister know what a bad job he is doing and how embarrassed we are to be associated with the kind of Maltese that follow his lead.
How about we flood his Facebook page. He promised us “gvern li jisma”, why don’t we tell him?
Why not make a referendum to see if the majority of the people is behind him on this issue? After all in democracy the one who has majority wins or there is an other interpretation of democracy.
[Daphne – Here’s why not: there can be no referendum on human rights. And they should be no referendum on minority rights. The divorce referendum was wrong and led to disaster, in terms of perception, for the Nationalist Party.]
Hemm xi mezz kif lil dawn il-barranin li bhalissa qed nigu kkritikati minnhom nispjeqawlhom li l-gvern imbidel u ghalhekk isem Malta ittappan minn bniedem li l-akbar xewqa tieghu kienet li jsir l-izghar PM u lanqas hila li jmexxi pajjiz m’ghandu ?
All you need to do is speak and act like a normal person. Post a few well-written comments in English in public fora and show – rather than tell – that not everyone here has the mindset of a neanderthal.
U tahseb li din l-ispjegazzjoni ttejjeb is-sitwazzjoni? Ftakar li l-Gvern gie elett mill-poplu. Isem Malta tappnuh il-Maltin stess.
Tahseb inti li ma jafux?
Le ma tistax, ghax dawn huma l-feelings tal-maggoranza tal-poplu tajjeb jew hazin ma nidholx fiha. Imma l-poplu lil JM tah mandat bi 36000 vot min fuq jigiferi issa jekk ma jaqbilx mijaw 4 snin ohra jista jerga jibdel. Imma nahseb fuq din l-issue l-maggoranza ghadhom warajh fuq affaerijiet ohra jista jkun li le.
I’ve noticed one thing these past few weeks: those who post racist comments on the Internet or put forward I’m-not-racist-but arguments come from both sides of the political spectrum.
On the other hand, those who challenge the racists and openly disagree with them are invariably PN or AD voters
This cannot be a coincidence.
The Lynn Zahra and Marlene Farrugia short-lived dissidence was not picked up by anyone else in the PL, which is a pity.
It isn’t a coincidence. The PN has always had an extreme right wing element. However, the PL is their natural home, as they’re now finding out.
While we ‘bull’ around (vociferously) about all types of bullying in schools, places of work, etc. we have these ‘entities’ with a Mintoffian mind-set who are as happy as ever bullying around the the weakest of the weak, and being utterly stupid (to put it very mildly) with anyone who ‘dares’ to indicate the right way.
They have not recovered from their ‘Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox’ and ‘Malta Socjalista’ (rather Mintoffjana) and ‘tixwix’ mentalities, whatever they say – genetics are genetics. The wording may change but not the underlying philosophy.
And we will soon be edifying some monument to the biggest bully in Maltese political history. Suggestion: a monument to all the victims of his gross atrocities, not least us who have to bear with his sub-standard legacy.
Now we know that we have a Government working in the interest of Malta.
That depends on what you mean by Malta’s interests. Your definition appears to be considerably narrower than your mindset.
What a state! Well done to all those responsible for the mess we are in. Well done for applying substance over form. I hope they are sleeping comfortably well and will smell the coffee when they wake up.
Prosit, Joseph.
Hammart wicc Malta u l-Maltin u ahna wasalna fejn ridna. Ma tafx tilghab. Ghamilt “penalty”, “autogola” minn puzizzjoni offside fl-istess hin.
Unlike Simon Busuttil, I don’t blame Joseph Muscat but I blame all those who voted for him, especially the switchers. He doesn’t know any better.
As per Simon’s wisdom 36,000 can’t be wrong. Amazing how with all the government cock ups he only seldom gets it right … then hesitates and messes it up anyway.
36000 and many many more CAN AND DO GET IT Wrong (Capital letter to say it out loud).
Ask the people one simple question: Are you in favour of abolishing all taxes? And then wait for the result. Does that make the majority right?
Joseph Muscat does know better. The cynical little little c*nt has enough awareness to understand how dreadful his behaviour is, and he’s proud of it. Mintoffian pur.
But this does not bother Dr Muscat – as long as JPO congratulated him and he has the backing of his supporters and Maltese Eurosceptics.
Joseph misses golden opportunity for Malta as Miss Malmstrom gives Italy a star for good behaviour, says Lady Deafley’s Schoolyard Gazette.
[Daphne – Oh do stop, Kevin. You’re better than this.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFaV2Fqc35w
Why are we so surprised at Muscat’s antics and his supporters’ vulgar mutterings?
After all this is what they learned from their own previous generation, who mistook Mintoff’s foreign policy as being brave, standing up to the imperialists.
Diplomacy, collaboration, a respect for human rights were /are deemed as soft sentiments, instead of values to strive for by these LP supporters. Mintoff’s antics endeared us only to countries that did not know how to spell democracy (Libya, China and North Korea) and guess what, thirty years later they still don’t.
My fear is that apart from serving as a diversion to the anomalies that are now happening on a daily basis, this is all a roadmap to get Malta, with the support of a xenophobic mob, out of the EU.
Then … the Government can carry on with their roadmap of governing with anyone interfering, while taking a cavalier attitude about upholding institutions that sustain democracy and human rights.
Remember “no foreign interference”? The thing is, Labour Party supporters never got it or never cared anyway. Well done to all those who voted Labour for a change and who refused to believe that Labour had not changed.
That nice lad Joe Tanti,
http://s23.postimg.org/supmsvegb/tanti.png
The Italians are being considered as hereos by the EU and I understand that this particular case is a big shame for Malta.
But what’s the reality in Italy? Over crowded schools for example. State buildings are being given to the immigrants and the Italians remain on the waiting lists.
Public childcare centres and kindergartens are full. The families with a low income including the immigrants are given preference.
The italians, wether they afford it or not should send their children to private kindergartens. Primary schools are open to all as at this level education is obligatory but the number of pupils is always increasing and places are limited.
I live in Italy and I know what I am talking about. Some of my neighbours’ children should travel quite far to reach their school. There was no place for them in the nearest school to our area, which is only 5 minutes away by car.
I wish the best for Malta and that the Maltese would never experience what the Italians are going through.
Berlusconi and former Education Minister Gelmini are to blame for the forlorn state of Italian education system. The birth-rate of native Italians has fallen drastically and they are being replaced by migrants’ children.
And it’s those migrants’ children who will eventually be paying income tax and social security …
In 2009 a similar case, that of the Turkish owned Pinar E occurred. The ship was near Lampedusa but was refused entry into port.
It tried to berth in Malta but was refused entry into Maltese waters. Long story short, Italy had to accept to take the migrants.
The reaction by the Italian press to the Maltese mess regarding Salamis is probably embittered by that experience, wherein they felt that Malta, which had acted correctly, had foisted those immigrants on them.
Truth be told, while Malta acted correctly in this case, we are suffering as a result of the opprobium generated by the ‘smell the coffee’ attitude of our dear mini Mussolini. And more, I believe, will follow.
The Italians are really irked by the Maltese attitude –“Concludo che nel tweet Maltese mancano le scuse per aver trattenuto il peschereccio Italiano.”
What a mess!
You should have said that what worked with the people who fell for him during the electoral campaign and those who praise him now, does not work with the rest of civilised Europe.
I agree with you 100%. Muscat handed this one to the Italians on a silver platter. The Italians are no saints but something like this makes them look like the heros and Malta the villain. Taghna Lkoll, Taghna Lkoll.