Next time save your press conference for the morning – it can wait
The Malta Independent has got this video footage of Martin Galea coming down off the plane with “the woman who saved his life”, consul Marisa Farrugia, to be greeted not by his wife and family but by an army of scene-stealing cabinet ministers, aides and hangers-on, and the press.
After 11 days in which he had no idea whether he would ever see his wife again, or she him, or other members of his family, he steps off the plane and straight into welcoming party of politicians who then proceed to tastelessly delay even further his return to those he loves, and who love him, with their craving for personal publicity and votes.
They probably think it makes them look really good – but actually, it makes them look really selfish and tactless. It’s not as though we don’t know why they were there, and it wasn’t because they haven’t slept for 11 nights or eaten for 11 days thinking they’d never see him again.
And look at the way the politicians turn their back on Marisa Farrugia, who did all that work in Tripoli to save Martin when the useless ambassador did a runner (not that he’d have been much help if he’d stayed, given that he’s a politically appointed architect who isn’t particularly smart, and not a seasoned diplomat). They literally squash her out and ignore her.
Their discounting of Marisa Farrugia comes from the same backwoods mentality as their discounting of the fact that, in a situation like this, Martin Galea’s wife should take priority and not them.
The wife and the chief rescuer, both women, have been squeezed out of the picture. And then they say that the mores of Islamic society are alien to us.
Oh and another thing: Martin Galea and the prime minister face the press, the press are gagging to hear Galea, and who speaks like he’s the main event? The prime minister – because, you know, he’s the one who’s been missing in a war zone.
The prime minister: “U issa nirritornawh lura lil familja tieghu.” Patronising, attention-seeking, egocentric HAMALLU. Read the books that might teach you what you couldn’t possibly have learned growing up, for God’s sake. You’re the prime minister, not the president tal-kumitat tal-banda.
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http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-07-28/news/martin-galea-released-by-kidnappers-returning-to-malta-6003097600/
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140728/local/update-3-abducted-maltese-released-thanks-maltese-consul-in-libya-for-saving-his-life.529672
Don’t you just love the bit where Kurt Farrugia shoves Martin Galea sideways into a staged position to make his boss look good?
Reminiscent of a Police Commissioner who had a very particular way of staging things. He used to leave the CID yard accompanied by heavily armed policemen. Just outside the door there would be a mini Xandir van in grey and red livery. The van led the cortege of cars followed immediately by the Commissioner`s car, then followed three or four officers` cars, then a cortege of cars and vans (at times buses). The cortege rested where the Xandir van stopped. All used to alight but none knowing exactly the why and the what of the operation. Then the Xandir crew would mount the cameras, lights and all. The commissioner would step into an open space, commanding all of his subordinates to ward off and let him stand in the clear. Mission accomplished all the Police force would stick their nose to black box eleven o clock news to see the playback of the filming. None of these operations were ever followed by a successful prosecution Joe in spite of all jobs having been big fish.
So happy for his wife and for his own safety. He handled both abductions in a calm and courageous way. Welcome home.
It’s how it should be. Mr. Galea’s wife and family are mere human beings and he first needs to undergo medical check-ups for any infections he may have contracted.
Insensitive bunch of creeps out to bask in the limelight. Did anyone notice the coconut trying hard to be included in the camera?
The prime minister looked like a despotic dictator who has just arrived at the airport with his goons to see the merchandise he has paid for.
Totally selfish and tactless, as you say.
I believe even Martin Galea was scared when he stepped out of the plane to see all those officials waiting – he must have thought that he had landed at the wrong airport and that he had been abducted again.
Does this government have a sense of occasion?
There was no happiness in the air, no sign of joy. Just a formality so that the prime minister and his goons could have the opportunity to retort to the media and public criticism by arguing that they had been working behind the scenes.
No they hadn’t.
How it should be done.
Family and friends FIRST,you would think that Hollande was some airport official.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZlU8V2xPA
X’pastazata first class. Our Prime Minister is living for the cameras. He is not a marketing man at all. He is a media man.
His expression and his moves, as soon as Mr. Galea comes down from the plane, shows what his priorities are.
Many times we have seen similar situations on Italian TV, and every time they were welcomed by their families, running to greet them. So artificial. Well, he admits that he took precedence over his family, when he said: “Nirritornawh lura lil familja tieghu”. Or, that was because he was seeing him as another marketing object?
A marketing object. Spot on, Felix. The PM’s last phrase in his statement to the nation: “U issa nirritornawh lura lil familja tieghu.”
How condescending can one get?
It is quite obvious to me that Joseph Muscat knows nothing about family. For him his daughters are political gadgets too after all.
So our Prime Minister fails to personally thank Marisa Farrugia by name while Martin Galea makes it a point to mention her specifically, using her name, making eye contact and showing real gratitude, telling the press that she saved his life.
He singles her out as if knowing that all praise should be directed towards her even though he mentions that from what he has heard she has been pivotal to his rescue…even though it seems to be second hand information to him he believes that she is the only person worth mentioning by name and it is he who discounts the efforts of this huge team mentioned by Joseph Muscat.
Basically he cut the man down to size, cut his crap and informed us who really counted – and it wasn’t all the Labour cabinet and the secret services, just a lovely woman who has done her job well.
Thank you, Prime Minister, for failing to turn around and draw her into the group facing the camera, in pride of place. Instead you gave her your back, covered her totally and as usual didn’t give a hoot. Basta tidher int u l-cronies, getting mileage even out of such a situation.
What a bunch of cowards trying to show us li ghamlu xi haga tajba fl-ahhar.
Another point: the government can get Medavia to fly Mr Galea back to Malta using all pomp and circumstance ‘biex jidhru’, but all others have to pay for their flight because they are faceless and one cannot impress Joe Public by bringing them home. Prosit tassew.
A photo-op not to be missed. Screw the norms of common decency, but then should we be surprised?
These are the people who have no idea what civilised behaviour is all about.
At least Mr. Galea let the cat out of the bag. His formal thanks went to the gvern Malti, pointedly NOT the prime minister, but then he specifically thanked Marisa Farrugia “who saved my life”. Now we know.
Insomma, regghet gietu tajba.
‘People often remark that I’m pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you’ve got to have talent and know how to use it.’ – Frank Sinatra
Muscat may have the luck but he certainly lacks the talent.
What’s more he can’t sing either.
My way ta’ ghajni.
I also noticed that Vella brought his permanent secretary along; quite evidently to make up for her absence at Sunday’s press conference given by Mario Cutajar.
On a different topic. Here in Australia this story has been dominating the news for the past months.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/peter-slipper-found-guilty-of-dishonestly-using-taxi-vouchers/story-fn59niix-1227004701129?nk=c11e1f3eaa68ec14c20760735c94af44
Worst abuse happen in Malta by government officials and apart from this site, it goes ignored.
Jekk stennejtu xi haga differenti ghadkom ma taghllimtu xejn.
Didn’t I predict this was how a successful release would end? This government’s only policy is vote-grabbing opportunities. Our PM recommended a tourist campaign ‘MASSICC’ when all hell broke loose in North Africa.
It will never ever be about Joe Citizen and always be about Malta Taghna BISS.
They ordered media silence and instructed the worried relatives of Martin Galea not to speak to any press at all, quoting the usual national security.
What were the rebels going to do? Scramble fighter jets and shoot down the Maltese contingent? They wanted media silence so that it would be the prime minister, not Mrs Martin Galea, who gives us the news.
Can anyone please remind me who used to say: “Kunu l-protagonisti u m’hux spettaturi”?
Does he have a little bit of etiquette concerning women especially in such a situation when she is the real hero?