Well, that told me! What do I know, even after spending 14 years in uniform.

I was never one of the ‘in crowd’. Spent my time doing my job, in uniform, rather than looking for career advancement and hobnobbing with the right people, swilling whatever free booze was on offer.

Over here they are testing the Maltese military.

If they are going to invest here, they will need to sleep well at night knowing that their investments are secure and well looked after.

But isn’t entertaining the Minister of National Security (and I emphasise that part of Mallia’s responsibilities here) and the commander of the army of an independent EU member state a possible attempt at espionage?

The sad example of the human species in crumpled trousers in need of a hem is lined up to take over (he hopes) Brigadier Xuereb’s post.

A very apt candidate to take command now, given the sorry state to which the army has been reduced by Minister ‘tubby’ Mallia and the PL government.

In a nutshell, Mallia’s an arsehole for encouraging misinterpretation and misrepresentation.

The country is not changing politically. Those best placed to fight for political change are economically comfortable. Those who economically motivated to fight for change are too busy trying to survive.

The jasmine revolution was strangled at birth.

China is buying up US debt because of the political leverage it gets.

Malta cannot ignore China because Muscat is in China’s debt.

Muscat is not so much ignoring neighbouring countries in the EU as ignoring the EU itself. That includes Malta, but when was Malta ever Muscat’s priority?

The US Marine’s Birthday Ball is held annually on the 10th November I believe.

Why hope? Badger your MP to do that on your behalf.

Let’s hope that the Opposition will ask for a copy of it to be laid before Parliament, with the one signed last month.

The wearing of mufti by the military is a little more complex than you suggest. The British tradition, which because of past connections the Maltese AFM will follow, is certainly not to wear uniform on such occasions or, even, in the evenings.

The US Armed Forces, however, often wear uniform where the British would not. The fear of a standing army which gave way to an army led by gentlemen “amateurs” who purchased their commissions and were indistinguishable from, and socialised with, the ruling classes has much to do with the British tradition.

In the States the role of military force in achieving independence and maintaining the unity of the state has led to the notion of the military hero and, often, to political preferment. This has influenced views as to where and when to wear uniform.