"Others can do that job" – Robert Arrigo
Robert Arrigo
Nationalist MP and wouldbe cabinet minister Robert Arrigo, writing in The Malta Independent today, gives much-needed insight into the Libya crisis and what it means for Malta:
AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION
By Robert Arrigo
(…) Now we have the Libya situation that has troubled the region, closer to home. This time, the media is not able or capable to give the world the true account of events. News items are contradictory to each other. It does resemble a basketball game, with so many points scored on either side. To declare a winner is going to take some time; however, I cannot see a one Libya under one leader. One of the sides has to lose.
The Libyan effect is probably bigger on Malta than the world recession, selfishly speaking. There has been and will be an impact on our people, jobs, exports and investments.
It is a really worrying situation, not only because of the immediate loss, but also because of the foggy future, as no real solution seems evident, at least at the time of writing this article.
It is yet another difficult situation for the Maltese government, as if it did not have enough during these past three years. This government is in constant athletic mode – mostly because it is as if it is taking part in an obstacle race. We are facing one hurdle after another.
I do fully agree with the prime minister’s handling of the situation, and declare myself as against having a military base here in Malta. Others can do that job, as the same countries did not lift too many fingers when we became a refuge for illegal immigrants.
Our proximity might make some tourists feel uncomfortably close. However we are a safe place, where tourists can come freely. It was unfortunate that certain comments coming out from Malta have been badly interpreted by foreign media, causing some hiccups here and there.
I am glad to note that the Maltese Parliament is united on the Libya issue, and clearly a good understanding is in place. Let us all hope that this situation will clear out fast, as nobody needs it, least of all the Libyan people. Hopefully they will, one day, be able to vote freely for a government, and the will of the majority in a true democracy can prevail.
These people are dying to have a free vote, while we here in Malta tend to stay away from voting on some pretext or another.
All these events make me reflect on how good a life we lead. Notwithstanding all our grievances, we are in a lovely place, lead a comfortable life, and do not have so much problems after all. If only we appreciate this. (…)
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Read the full article here:
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=122356
On the fence; on the fence!
After reading this article this morning, I thought senility is overtaking me at a very fast pace; but lo, I am not the only one who finds these people, who think that they are God’s gift to mankind, a little bit stupid.
Which Malta is he talking about where people stay away from voting?
In my Malta, a polling booth is set up at the Maria Addolorata cemetery for the convenience of residents who understandably have severe mobility problems.
Another one with the Blank Stare of Idiocy.
The Homer Simpson Look.
Spot on.
Was this guy born or hatched? What the hell’s he on about? ‘basketball games’?, ‘constant athletic mode’?, ‘obstacle race’?, ‘hurdles’?, ‘hiccups’? Is he a jock? If so, he lost the strap.
I feel I would be failing in my duty,both as a Maltese citizen and as a voter,if I don’t congratulate Mr.Arrigo on his observations,both on the stand that our govt.has taken,and on the effects that this “Crisis”is bound to have on us. Even though this will eventually have a negative effect,on our economy,Mr.Arrigo rightly says,,that we are in duty bound to find ways of helping these unfortunate people,and his suggestion that we should do this by cutting down,on some of the frivolous expenses is to be praised.well done Mr.Arrigo.
Scoring political points at the expense of the suffering of others.
“Hopefully they will, one day, be able to vote freely for a government, and the will of the majority in a true democracy can prevail.” But he is not prepared to do anything about it.”
All I can see are small minds with inflated egos.
One question for government and members of parliament: is Malta part of an international system or not?
I think I can now understand the reason why our prime minister never offered this man a ministry.
Shame he didn’t display the same good judgement in his dealings with Muammar Gaddafi.
Yep, that just about sums up the official Maltese role in all of this. “Why should I get my hands dirty? Others can do that.”
Come on,let’s be fair. I am sure that what he meant was.., Others are MORE equipped to do the job,and as to “the same countries did not lift too many fingers…….” I don’t think it takes too manny words,here. What Malta had to pass through during the IMMIGRANTS’ INVASION will be part of our history. We all know it.
What did Malta ‘have to pass through’? Try to keep things in perspective.
So Corinne Vella, you think it was just a hoilday, yes we passed through some ugly times with the illegal immigrants,Have you already forgotten what the AFM and police had to handle,have you forgotten the protests and the many times they broke the places down, and poor us footing the bill. We not only passed through bad times, but we are still suffering the consequences,and we still will, for some time to come. Please don’t take me for a Norman Lowell, I am just calling a spade a spade.
X’ghageb. No, it wasn’t a holiday, but please do try to keep things in perspective.
Silvio, which immigrants invaded you, and when did it happen? I must have been asleep at the time, because I didn’t notice.
It’s clearly not only the Labour-leaning scribblers who need to brush up their English.
Come on, Robert Arrigo is nowhere near as bad as his big fan Silvio Loporto.
So, for our ex-mayor the Japanese earthquake and tsunami do not qualify as ‘large scale events’!
No, of course not – a large scale event would be the fairy lights draped round the battered trees on the Sliema waterfront.
Did Robert Arrigo write the rubbish above, or did someone with the IQ of a peanut write it for him?
For a small island there sure are lots of different views of what Malta actually means. Diversity through every man for himself?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6813868/merkel-is-running-out-of-patience-with-the-eurozone.thtml
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110325/local/eurozone-rescue-fund-malta-negotiates-special-deal
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110325/local/pm-categorically-denies-bailout-speculation
Well, we have one major problem. Many Maltese do not have a mind of their own and depend on their political parties to do the thinking for them so that they can applaud in awe of “Kemm hu bravu” u “Kemm jitkellem tajjeb”
We are a spineless nation. What’s worse I am sure that we would have expected our European neighbours to step in had Gaddaffi showed hostilities towards us. We wouldn’t have been too keen had our neighbours turned round to us and said we’d like to stay neutral. We want to reap the crop without sowing the seed only because we claim Malta to be too small.
We are only small when it suits us best and when it is most convieniant. We are not small to pose in the European parliament and moan incessantly for the sixth seat. Neither are we too small to purchase one of the landmarks in Brussels as Malta house in order to exhibit our insignificant existence.
However small we purport to be, we still insisted that Maltese be an official EU language when English would have been amply adequate, given our long history with the English language (we have tried so hard to dilute) as one of our official languages.
Sometimes I wonder which Malta I truly live in and what politicians we elect to office.
Nothing to do with this post but I don’t know why he reminded me of something I read: “Mona Farrugia is a food and travel writer from Malta and Editor-in-Chief of planetmona.”
What is it with people who get bigger than their shoes? Editor in chief of a frigging website? Then every spotty teenager with a Facebook profile can say that he is an editor in chief. I don’t know the woman but I find her writing very abrasive and often insulting. Something else that I can’t figure out is how come she does independent reviews then manages to get good photos of the restaurant. I keep wondering because some time ago I was at a very well known restaurant in Venice and I took out a little pocket camera to take a photo of the food because it looked so painterly whereupon I was asked to put the camera away as photos were not allowed.
I’d have imagined that he had better English.
“Did Robert Arrigo write the rubbish above, or did someone with the IQ of a peanut write it for him?”
Haven’t you figured out they’re one and the same thing?
“These people are dying to have a free vote, while we here in Malta tend to stay away from voting on some pretext or another.”
What?
1998 turnout – 94.10%
2003 turnout – 95.96%
2008 turnout – 92.21%
Not many people seem to be staying away “on some pretext or another”.
Come on, you’re looking at 7.79% there in 2008! Most of them were from Robert Arrigo’s district so he must be quite cross.
He looks like the herbalist in ‘The Name of the Rose’ but talks like Salvatore – inanities.
“Penitenziagite, aye? You shaid penitenziagite. I heard you. Releashe countermeashures.”
Woops I’ve got my films mixed up.
Robert Arrigo’s article is sensible, fair, and to the point. I normally enjoy his contributions in the local press which reflect his normal attitude of a down to earth politician who calls a spade a spade. Prosit Robert !
This inane piece is nonsense, silly and ambiguous. Page-filling tripe. Did he not re-read it and ponder before he ridiculed himself?
AT LAST someone with some sense. How about helping them by, perhaps sending them one of the fountains, they .are about to install in Sliema. I think it would be better to send them some more mdicines instead of lavishing money ,that will be surely spent ,in celebrating the opening of this street. Don’t you think
??
questo Silvio non LO sopPORTO piu’
At least he does not spell his name as RobertO Arrigo and make some claim about natal skills.
Caro Ciccio,se non mi sopporti pui’ hai sempre una scelta. Ho di andare a” quell paese” ho di vai a ‘farti fottere” A lei l’onore.
His command of the English language is abysmal, though I would have thought it would be otherwise. As for the content of his article, I’d better not get started on that.