Up to a year ago, it was the government that feared attacks by the people. Now it is the people who fear attacks by the government.
We used to have a government that was persecuted by individuals, and we thought we were in hell.
Now we have a government that persecutes individuals, and we have discovered (or rediscovered, depending on our time of life) the meaning of hell.
The air is constantly thick with tension. Rather than the fresh and anticipatory excitement and pleasure you would ordinarily expect when there is a new(ish) government, there is instead a low and threatening atmosphere and a vague or real sense of unease everywhere, even among those who voted Labour and admire the party as is their right.
Vindictive acts are registered as such and their effect ripples right through society not stopping only with the individuals involved and those closest to them. People register the vindictiveness and the fear grows. This may, of course, be the real intention: frightening people into submission, warning them off.
But people do not like living in fear and this comes immediately after a long, long period in which we lived entirely without fear, screaming abuse at the government, ripping cabinet ministers to shreds, saying what we pleased when we felt like it, without fear or favour.
Ardent Labour supporters held prominent positions under the Nationalist governments (the two most obvious are Marlene Mizzi who was chairman of Sea Malta and Louis Grech who was chairman of Air Malta, but there are legions of others) and even positions of trust and discretion in state departments.
Now people have a constant knot of fear or unease in the pit of their stomachs without quite knowing why. Everybody is talking about it, but not on the phone because most people seem to be convinced that their phones are tapped and their emails are monitored. And believe me when I say that I am not talking about politicians here, but quite ordinary folk who I would think wouldn’t need to worry about being monitored by a government seen increasingly as a malign force.
That is how bad it has become. It is the instinctive base fear that you see in the animal-pen, when one of their number is taken out to be shot and the rest don’t have the mind to work out what it is happening or why it is dangerous, but yet understand at some primal level that it is bad and that it might happen to them or to those next to them.
If the prime minister initially derived pleasure from this state of affairs – the punishment of people pour encourager les autres (and its flipside, reward) – then he should now be worried.
The sense of fear and foreboding are all-pervasive. You have to be insensitive indeed not to pick it up, whether you voted for this government and support the Labour Party or not.
It is not a good thing to be feared by those you govern, or to be perceived as menacing them. In a dictatorship, that ensures your survival. But in a democracy, it means the opposite: that people will jump at the chance to relieve themselves of the sensation of being constantly menaced, and to return to a state of affairs where they did not have to live in a constant state of low-level anxiety about what’s coming next.
Under the Nationalist government – one Nationalist government after another – people were bored, disgusted, critical, angry. But they were never afraid; rather the opposite. And we all became used to that, whether we voted Labour or PN or AD or nothing at all.
This is no longer 1971-1987 and the electorate is no longer a Venezuelan-peon type, happy to be oppressed and in love with its oppressor, seeing him instead as a god-like benefactor and saviour. Times have changed. It is no longer possible to govern through fear, to maintain control through fear, for longer than one term of government.
The more this government is perceived as a menacing, malign force by ordinary people who can now read, understand and communicate as they could not do back then, the more able it is to maintain control for these five years. But then it will be thrown out with pleasure by those same people.
People do not want to live in constant tension, even when that tension is not associated with fear as under the last Gonzi government, let alone when fear compounds the situation.
Muscat of all people should understand this, as increasing the atmosphere of constant tension (there was no scope for fear) was the highly effective way in which he eroded support for the Gonzi government. And that is why I can’t figure out why he is now doing it to himself.
Leave people alone, Mr Prime Minister. Please stop punishing and rewarding, menacing and scheming. The ripples are widening. People have picked up on what they sense to be a vindictive personality, and it worries them, however they voted. Stick to running the country and managing the economy, because that is worrying people too: the sensation that Malta has been turned into a sort of downmarket Versailles where the chief concerns are those of its courtiers, where the King reigns supreme and moves past in a bevy of court favourites, and where others try to survive by getting in to the court while the country goes to the dogs.
And I mean this truly.
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Yesterday you posted the particular piece concerning Aleks (oh, these clever name variations!) Farrugia’s move to Malta Enterprise.
However, these seems to be more news within the news.
For instance does it strike anyone as odd or incongruous that the editor of It-Torċa “kien qed jirreġistra” as we would say in Maltese? Clearly in order to be “approached” by some state corporation. Gauging from the report on maltarightnow.com, even the PN haven’t picked up on this particular point. Or is it just the way things are done, and hence not deemed newsworthy?
When a vacancy occurs in a government institution, the regulations require that the ETC is requested to provide a list of persons that are unemployed and suitable for the position.
Now this works perfectly if the right person is tipped to resign some months before and registers for such a position.
When the vacancy occurs, any non registered or employed persons will never come to know.
This might also explain partially the rise in unemployment.
These are persons who have been promised employment with the government, but can only be eligible if registered unemployed.
Note that an increase of 1000 persons has been registered in the government service since Labour is in government.
Why would he need to be “jirregistra” to be approached by some state corporation?
You are absolutely right, Daphne. Thank you for taking clear stands to defend democracy and human freedoms.
It is not only the prime minister who must leave people alone. The same applies to his cabinet ministers and the parliamentary secretaries.
Yes 100% correct. Try to watch V for Vendetta or Better still Animals by Pink Floyd.The lyrics and dark humour is all there. Or perhaps read Anatoly Sharansky`s Fear No Evil. The list is endless, but surely someday we will overcome.
We know (II hope the PL people know too) how things in Versailles ended up.
The wolves have removed their sheeps’ clothing.
They spent the first few months populating every position of power with their men and women, trying to give the impression that this is a “government that listens” and that the Labour party no longer represents a menace to the public.
Now they are unleashing their roadmap of political vindictiveness and hatred, Golden Years style.
Did anyone watch Evarist Bartolo on Reporter yesterday?
He was back to his Maria l-Maws days. A dangerous, angry snake, ready to jump on every comment made by Dr. Joe Cassar of the opposition.
“Min qallek…. Min qallek… Minn fejn gibtha…”
The Minister of Education, I thought, behaving like an uneducated child.
He looked precisely like this. Even his tie – he was probably wearing the same one.
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Maria-l-Maws-loses-her-cool.jpg
And what about the prime minister’s language of “tixwix” about the opposition? Since when does a prime minister use this divisive language? This is the highest form of oppression of freedom of speech, intended to rally support from the party’s own extremist elements.
Agreed. Muscat has the largest majority ever yet he acts as in a crisis.
He’s been practically a year in government and all he’s done is to dismantle stuff without their logical required conclusion.
He’s either all fuzzy rhetoric or colluding, and that behind everyone’s back. He strikes me as being in dire need of advice, the capacity to weigh options and do the right thing.
As for the average bloke, Labour diehards already make the distinction between Muscat and the party, the way they imply their party comes before the leader, a bit like Alfred Sant. Even because they’re not really enamoured of pepe’ laburisti and their swank.
It’s only the racism and xenophobic sentiment that keeps them together.
Watched the half hour Dot Net after the news yesterday, surprised at the number of Laburisti calling in to defend their party, not the prime minister.
They seem extremely frustrated at the PN’s stance which can be summed up as reasonable criticism and bereft of any aggressive lingo.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Dutch-MEP-says-golden-passport-is-anti-social-20140113
‘…There should be a debate on the recognition of passports,” de Jong suggested in his blog, saying that not everyone who buys a passport may be eligible to enter the Netherlands….’
As if this wasn’t coming. Henley and Partners may have to put up a disclaimer, ‘terms and conditions by EU member states may apply’
Couldn’t help but remember the quote from ‘V for Vendetta’: “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
You’re right Daphne.
One things I’ve noticed is that as we all know, the EP elections are on the way. Isn’t it strange that it’s already almost February and no other new parties have formed (Impervium, AN, Libertas, Kul Ewropa and so on?) given that this is a European Election after all?
Norman Lowell announced that he will be contesting the EP elections but he won’t because he can’t.
All of the others vote Labour, anyway.
He says he can, and mentions a court judgement in support.
Whatever he decided to do, Imperium Europa will always be there, and will do very well in the MEP election. Only it’s called Labour.
It is likely that many people will, over the next four years, recede into a sort of ‘Stockholm syndrome’ and become used to and consider suppression of rights and abuse of power, as normal, even thinking themselves lucky to escape what others are being subjected to, and lowering their heads even further below the parapet.
That’s already happened. After all those screeching tantrums, the fabled switchers have retreated into silence.
You should read ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Atwood. Perfect example of what you’re saying and what will hopefully (with some great wishful thinking) not come to pass.
Just heard the news, Daphne! My faith in the justice system is slowly being restored. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140114/local/three-fined-for-harassing-caruana-galizia.502635#.UtVVXsu9KSM
Point is that Muscat has no clue about running the country, or about managing the economy.
The Peter principle is hard at work in Castille. Muscat has been promoted not to his level of incompetence, but to well beyond that line.
The attacks on people such as Inspector Taliana and Norman Vella were all planned so as to instill a sense of fear in all Maltese citizens.
As you so rightly said Daphne fear is now back on our minds and I assure you that I know people who were afraid and did not submit the spring hunting referendum form even though they wished it hard because they or a close relative is in government employment and fear reprisals such as transfers or worse.
Meanwhile the Nomenklatura have taken over the running of the country.
Taliana and Vella are those who are visible. There are others who are not. Labour has been busy for a long while.
When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.
– Thomas Jefferson
I read the comments of the fearless Nickie Vella De Fremeaux on Marlene Mizzi’s FB page. I LIKE Nickie, and must say that after reading the scores of stupid comments mainly by Labour supporters, Nickie is proving that there are fearless people who can put an argument assertively , without being rude and win it hands down against one of Malta’s representatives in the European Parliament.
Marlene Mizzi, like Edward Scicluna, is not comfortable in this situation.She’s against the bulldozing tactics Joseph Muscat used to pass this IIP scheme through parliament.
tps://www.facebook.com/mizzimarlene
QUOTE
Nickie Vella De Fremeaux
Europe is on edge precisely because of the manner in which government seeks to shamelessly sell OUR citizenship . Indeed we r no longer a colony and yes Malta retains sovereignty however settling this matter internally is impossible given the outright majority of government which it continues to flaunt . I agree with u that the damage being caused is or perhaps has already been done but surely one cannot blame the discussions in Europe. one can only point a finger at the traitorous nature of this amendment. One need only see how government replied to questions submitted to see that neither does government believe in this IIP ! It is a shambles … government can only be blamed for this humiliation – furthermore you are incorrect in stating that other member states have similar systems to that proposed in the IIP – Malta is the ONLY STATE selling citizenship – the others have residency schemes – besides what is one to believe – what merceica said in Europe or the new amendments – r these to b further amended ? The only reason government continues to falter is solely because of pressure from the rest of the world / Europe definitely not due to parliamentary questions being submitted. Yes we r part of Europe and if as a result of this scheme persons will have free unlimited access to Europe then independently of our sovereignty Europe will continue to defend it’s interests. The IIP amendments should b scrapped – Malta has a sound and solid economy and this scheme is doing nothing but destroy this – government is playing into the hands of our competitors – it’s a true shame .
Yesterday at 9:47pm
Marlene Mizzi Nic, truth be told, I am sure that you, like me and many others, wish that matters should have been dealt with successfully at home.
1 · 18 hours ago
Nickie Vella De Fremeaux
Marlene – sadly Malta has continued to be embarrassed and vilified from the very introduction of the IIP scheme ! This sadly is just yet another event whereby our country is going to continue being ridiculed and humiliated I agree with you entirely on the huge embarrassment we are all being exposed to as Maltese citizens but disagree with you in that it is not a partisan matter – far from it – it is the betrayal of a nation by it’s very own government – the betrayal and humiliation of this scheme selling our citizenship is second to none !
Yesterday at 3:57am
Marlene Mizzi
Nic. The thrust of my argument ,has always been that this issue should have never ended up infront of the EP. It should have been dealt with within OUR parliament. You know well that, the methodology and reasons for a State to grant citizenship to someone , is the prerogative of the State. The EU should not have come into it, especially since it is a known fact that in this case , neither the debate , not the vote in plenary will make any difference. So, one begs the question : why drag Malta through this embarrassment if it is a useless exercise? Sopra corne e bastonate, we are being put at the mercy of a number of other member states who already have a similar system , ie they are our competitors! Let’s learn to solve our INTERNAL problems ourselves instead of calling on Big Brother when we don’t get our way! We are no longer a colony for goodness sake!
Yesterday at 1:50pm · Edited
Nickie Vella De Fremeaux
U bet Marlene and how – sadly government should have realised this and in fact appears to have done so given what was stated by Edward scicluna … the damage both to our economy and national pride could have been avoided …. As things are and until the IIP stands … Irrespective of Europe and our continued exposure to worldwide ridicule and humiliation, Malta will soon be up for sale for the first time since the introduction of the IIP I travelled overseas and was embarrassed to say where I was from !! Malta has become a standard joke – is this was government intended – the IIP amendments need to be reviewed and amended radically locally agreed but I disagree that it is the nationalist MEP s who are embarrassing our beloved nation it is the very idea of selling citizenship that is government shouldn’t go ahead with this IIP – the majority of the electorate are against it – no good emanates from it – well I think we both agree so enough said xxx stammi bene and buon lavoro ! Xxx
1 · 17 hours ago
UNQUOTE