Joseph Muscat is now in the unfamiliar position of being the older, fatter, dumpier, more unfit and less attractive leader
The weight of office has worked wonders on Simon Busuttil’s appearance. He has lost that boyish image that works well in any role but that of leader. He has aged, but in a good way. And he has stayed trim and wears his suits a lot better now.
Compare that to his opposite number, who is aging really badly. Muscat is five years younger than Busuttil but now looks five years older. Compared to photographs taken just three or four years ago, he is barely recognisable. He is fat, unfit and can no longer cross his legs or carry a suit properly.
And while Busuttil wears the appropriate expression of gravitas, Muscat keeps grinning inappropriately, to remind us that he is positive. His face is now a mask of smirking evil. It’s actually making people uneasy – some of them, too late.
The first leader-to-leader debate is going to be interesting, visually too. I have a strong suspicion that if anyone can deal with Muscat’s tu quoque responses in the deserved manner, it’s Simon Busuttil.
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I met a friend tonight who told me that Simon Busuttil is overdoing it by objecting too much on many things. I reminded him that this summer he had told me that Busuttil was too quiet and is not good as a leader. So I told him to make up his mind.
I think that Busuttil is the right person as leader and more important is that he is not a one-man party. He gives space to everyone.
Well I remember the village lawyer who was not impressive in the first few months but then with time turned out to be the greatest statesman that we had for decades.
[Daphne – Your friend sounds like one of those many thought-free zones who rely on others to supply them with thoughts and nuggets of opinion, which they then repeat ad nauseam until supplied with a new thought. That’s why in summer he was telling you that Busuttil is too quiet and is now telling you that he is too negative and objecting to everything: those are the two Labour mantras, fed into the system and repeated by Joseph’s army of unofficial Moonies to the point where others begin repeating them too, without knowing that they are doing Joseph’s work.]
I agree with you Daphne. The same happened before the elections. People were brainwashed by Joseph Muscat and his party that we needed a change. Soon many people were repeating it, including many Nationalists.
If Joseph Muscat is still going to the gym every day, it really doesn’t show.
If he’s eating Mrs Michelle Muscat’s soup and salad, and two pieces of fruit for lunch, it doesn’t show either.
He must keep a lot of tuck under his bed, or goes crazy with those gingerbread men while watching himself on television.
Gym? What’s a gym?
A certain Jo Meli posted the following under somebody’s comment and link to a Facebook page against the sale of passports:
“BULLSHIT … forgot when YOU sold Malta’s SOVERGNITY to the Cabal of Brussels by voting “YES” in the EU Referendum ?”
Jo Meli isn’t normal. All his screws are loose.
Id-Duce.
I don’t know him. And I think he’s not that bright.
Hanqa ta’ hmar. Dan l-istess razzist li bintu stess canfritu u li kellha tfakkru li parti minn demmu thallat ma demm ir-razza li tant jobghod.
Jo Meli has an opinion on everything. It’s usually garbled and informed only by his fascist sympathies.
I blocked Jo Meli on Facebook….and he wasn’t even a friend :) Such a stupid idiot.
Someone should point out to Jo Meli that all Ex Facist countries are now members 0f the E.U.
Spain, Germany, Italy,
It is about time that people who would have preferred another person as leader of the PN get over themselves.
You would have thought they would have learned a thing or two about how personal ambition and discord destroyed the party.
This is not about one man’s aspirations to lead the country. Simon Busuttil won that contest democratically and fairly. He did not have the force of The Times behind him and he still won.
I am sick and tired of hearing people say that would have preferred Mario de Marco. It is time that de Marco himself puts an end to this and rallies his supporters behind Busuttil to give him all the resources they can.
Busuttil has inherited a bankrupt party and one which was sorely defeated at the polls. He is not in an enviable position and heroic efforts are required to set matters right.
There is a long way to go but he deserves to be given solid support.
Hear hear.
Given the latest rubbishy analysis by the self-proclaimed defenders of secular dogma, Simon’s handling of the liberal vs conservative also put their ramblings out.
As if the PN was ever an ideological serf to minority group extremism. Moderation my dears, nothing like reasoned, comprehensive evolution in thought. And if being of demochristian origin is a problem, that’s their degree of tolerance for you.
Anything else is petty and a dead end or prone to fail. Or Muscat’s hotch potch electoral deal. Same really.
Just ask those who’ve put themselves in Labour’s rut. As for AD, a dismantled MEPA renders them a divided diaspora.
Their monochromatic blinkered ignorance of technology restricts any organic potential, perhaps the real risk here is the PN could result too capable of absorbing the better views challenging simple categories and petty fiefdoms.
The opportunity here is being the country’s interface to runaway government. We need it.
Re Mario Demarco: I do not like the look on his face when a close-up of him appears on TV whilst he is ‘listening’ to his (and our) Leader, Dr Busuttil, addressing press conferences.
I could very well be mistaken, but Demarco’s facial expression seems to say ‘I am sure I can do a better job than this young man’ – and, probably, so much more than that, too.
I hope that Simon Busuttil continues to carry his role with dignity as he has done so far, and as befits the Maltese public. Muscat, on the other hand, comes across as a Made in China fake.
Muscat IS a made in China fake. It’s the only thing about him that is genuine.
I have read an article that China can never progress in the long-term since they are not able to innovate or create something new. All they do is replicate what western companies do legally through cheap manufacturing or illegally through the stealing of company prototype secrets. Usually the latter is done through the hacking of the western IT networks.
There is nothing innovative made in China. The ‘made in China’ label indicates a cheap imitation.
Similarly, the MLP and Joseph Muscat, in particular, are the political symbols of a fraud made in China. No wonder there is so much affinity with China.
Sorry but the whole Labour gang look like amateurs, badly educated, short-term-focused gold diggers. At least Busuttil has an air of class and George Clooney about him!!;-)
That’s why they’re in power, Anna, because the electorate is made up mainly of amateurs, badly educated, short-term-focused gold diggers like them.
Imma l-aqwa li mmorru fuq il-boat ta’ Marlene Seychell tal-Promod, qisna qatt ma rajna boat qabel.
Glad to see that I’m not the only one to think that Simon looks a little like George Clooney!
God forbid that we should elect our Prime ministers according to their looks.
If this was ever the case, Would Sant, Eddie, and Gonzi ever have made it ?
They should be judged on what they are capable of doing for there country.
Who wouldn’t prefer Eddie with his Desperat Dan head to Simon with his Are You Being Served look.
Obese Joseph ser jixpakka. Bilkemm jista jimxi sew. He is clearly putting on weight by the minute and is having difficulty getting into his clothes.
Joseph, if you promise to tell the truth always, I will show you how to unzip your fat suit.
Look at the recent history of LP (MLP) and PN leaders. While MLP’s all appeared to be a Dr.Jeckyll but turned out that Mr.Hyde was their real character; PN’s recent run of leaders all appeared too nice for the job and turned out to be men of honour and worthy to their post.
Perfect assessment re Edgar’s comments. I knew some of my friends never bothered to check the facts for themselves and were taken aback when things were explained in context.
Even though most voted Nationalist their negativity helped to create the tsunami that crushed the previous administration.
Muscat had come up with the brilliant idea of inaugurating the start of his electoral campaign at midnight. The following quote had come to mind:
“Stars hide your fires / Let not light see my black and deep desires” (Macbeth, Act 1, Sc 4)
Muscat was elected because people thought that his smile was genuine, but now we know that it’s false and evil:
“False face must hide what the heart doth know” (Macbeth, Act 1, Sc 7)
His wife is as ambitious as he is. Muscat’s vaulting ambition can be seen in his alliances with the evil and corrupt. He’d crossed the boundaries of ethics and morality to get into power and will now go even further to remain in power.
“There are daggers in men’s smiles” (Macbeth, Act 2, sc 3)
My choice would have been
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of Burmarrad .
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_are_against_the_sale_of_our_own_citizienship/?pv=0&mobile=1
[Daphne – I hate it when people go to the trouble of doing something like this and then can’t be bothered to check their own spelling. They undermine their own credibility.]
As far as class is concerned it will always be a case of ‘The Prince And The Pauper’
If there’s one thing Simon Busuttil can do, it’s dialectics. His is logic and synthesis made one.
Here’s hoping Muscat is made to look like the sham he is.
And yes, sitting on that board to divulge the names is what the Opposition job should be. I’m really waiting for some opinion calling for the dogmatic respect of the national interest.
I think that the prime minister is lying again here.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131110/local/pm-muscat.494048
In the second video, he is contradicting Mark Micallef about the claim that Canada’s investment program has a residence-time requirement for the citizenship.
In the first place, Canada’s investment program is called the Immigrant Investment Program. That name immediately shows that it is aimed for immigrants – persons who will settle into Canada, and this is because Canada has a long history of immigration. This program is actually part of Canada’s immigration policy, possibly one way to start limiting immigration. It is not a policy to attract foreigners to acquire Canada’s citizenship.
Canada’s Immigrant Investment Program does not award immediate citizenship. It requires a 3 year residence period.
See here:
http://www.vipbusinessimmigration.com/canada-business-immigration-canadian-immigrant-investor-program
“This special investor immigration program allows immigrants to obtain the Immigrant Investor Visa which is a permanent residency visa, leading to the Canadian citizenship and passport.”
“As a result you might receive your Canadian Permanent Residency for your direct family in about 16 months and your direct family will become Canadian Citizens and receive passports after 3 years of Residency in Canada.”
See also here (page 4):
http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/21476/RSCAS_2012_14.pdf?sequence=1
Clearly says Canada’s requirement for citizenship is 3 years.
See also summary comparison here: (Warning, this company is suing the government of Malta about its award of the concession on the Individual Investor Program to Henley & Partners – this is a public fact)
http://www.artoncapital.com/a/arton-capital-investor-immigration-news-and-events/immigrant-investor-programs-compared-side-by-side.html
If the prime minister says he is not lying, then he is not properly informed – which for a prime minister who got his due diligence about his personal energy consultant Shiv Nair wrong, is very serious – and may be evidence that the prime minister is drawing conclusions about the Individual Investor Program based on wrong information fed to him.
http://www.maltarightnow.com/?module=news&at=Ambaxxata+enormi+f%27Malta+g%26%23295%3Ball%2DGvern+%26%23266%3Bini%26%23380%3B&t=a&aid=99852056&cid=19
The new improved Chinese embassy in Pembroke, right next to Labour’s Australia Hall. It seems they can’t get enough of each other.
And isn’t it interesting how an embassy will be sitting right on the coast?
I am watching the Remembrance Service at Whitehall. Why was the High Commissioner not present to lay the wreath and who was the young man who laid the wreath on behalf of Malta?
Min għandu s-sens f’moħħu mill-ewwel għaraf il-kapaċitajiet kbar ta’ Dr. Busuttil u l-qerq ta’ Joseph Muscat.
Dr. Busuttil flimkien ma’ ħafna oħrajn qed jaħdem bla waqfien biex jikxef il-qerq tal-PL.
Irid ikun il-poplu li ma jimpressjonax ruħu bl-ingann tal-gvern.
Meta laħaq kap Busuttil kienu ħafna dawk li qalu ‘ there was a better choice’. Issa Busuttil qed jagħtihom risposta.
Muscat is the price Malta has to pay to get Simon Busuttil.
In his demeanour Busuttil brings to mind Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish incumbent. He is composed and gives just enough rope to his opponents.
He never loses his cool. He has a calm reaction to any provocation and knows how to keep his dignity at all times – even when provoked out of the blue by uncouth foul-mouthed fools like that ‘hunter’.
Whether this works in attracting votes from the generally uneducated, ignorant and insular Maltese average voter is another thing altogether. For that we would need another Eddie Fenech Adami. Time will tell.
As regards Joseph unable to cross his legs how long has it been since you’ve been able to cross your Def.
Everybody seems to grow fat in the wrong places and you are not the exception.
[Daphne – I have exceptionally long legs (and arms, for that matter), balky, and can assure you that crossing them has never been a problem. However, you are unlikely to be privy to that knowledge, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.]
Glad to see this country is now judging on the way a person dresses, well done I’m sure that is really going to effect the mental process of a person .
[Daphne – I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your comment. Please make it more clearly.]
True, beautiful looks and a sexy figure helps a lot. In Italy some years ago pornostar `ciccolina` got elected .
[Daphne – That is not the point being made here, Victor. It is not about looking good in terms of biological make-up, but about wearing the proper things, that fit, and holding yourself well.]
I also believe it is a matter of self-confidence. I do not see our PM confident enough to stand tall. He hunches over, even when standing up.
In body language, that means he is trying to make himself smaller, less conspicuous.
He always arranges his features in a bid to make his face look intelligent and interested. Quite frankly, I do not think he is either. He certainly doesn’t look it either.
Holding oneself well is key in key positions. Even managers and leaders are coached to look more confident. They have to walk the walk and talk the talk.
Yes, its good not to let yourself go, but do you really think looks are THAT important in this case? I’d rather have a leader who focuses on his work rather than on his appearance. PS: Personally I don’t see what all your fuss is about he looks fine to me.
ara veru m’ghandekx fuq xix tikteb ta x’int vojta