What the doctor of psycholinguistics thinks about Joseph and George
So Tone, what do you think of that leadership election, eh?
Here’s Dr Anthony Licari, who teaches psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and geolinguistics at the department of French of the University of Malta, in his column today in The Times:
I think that the new MLP leader should be young (a Methuselah of about 60 and leading till 75 is much too old), with a pleasant personality, trusted with a continuous party loyalty, possessing a very good academic level, a sensitivity towards the less fortunate, a total refusal of corruption, considerable successful foreign – especially European – experience and does not laugh too much. Above all, ultra-conservatism and the far-right will declare that Labour has made the wisest, brightest choice of a new leader in one case only. The leader has to be oldish, weakish, meekish and drab. In this way only would he be the most exciting promoter of insipid, masochistic, snoozing, democratic equilibrium.
So if George Abela is a “Methuselah of about 60”, what does that make Alfred Sant, who turned the magic number last month?
And more to the point, what does it make Licari himself, who is about George Abela’s age if not older?
Ghidli ma’ min taghmila, u nghidlek x’int. You can tell what sort of person Joseph Muscat is by the kind of backers he attracts. The same can be said of George Abela.
Joseph Muscat backed by Anthony Licari, Alfred Sant, Jason Micallef and Godfrey Grima. Oh, please. Time for some more green tea.
Anglu, Evarist, Michael and George get together and deal with Joseph.
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But why are they so against having a decent man like George Abela at the helm?
I would have thought it would be no contest with him in the running.
I am beginning to suspect Sant loved being in opposition (face it, good pay and no responsibilities) and now that he lost that he wants to put a spoke in labour’s wheels for as long as he can.
Why the ad hominem inanity, Daphne? Why not just address Dr Anthony Licari’s point? You are no spring chicken either, but that’s irrelevant too, and unhelpful, so who cares?
@s.galea
You are mixing lettuce with the by-products of the digestion. Daphne is not running for MLP top-dog.
Incidentally Daphne is the lettuce in the mixture, savvy?
Varist & George
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/cga0300l.jpg
@David Buttigieg
A good point.Remember the fable of the dog in the manger? Well, dear ol’ A.S. is the ‘fabulous’ pooch.
Unlike George, Varist and The Lion of Change, the Poodle is still sprightly and can jump through hoops…
http://img.thisismoney.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11/HooplaMM_203x150.jpg
The problem with Dr. Licari, as a psycho-socio-geo-linguist, is that his political thinking is grounded in the linguistic theory of rational abstractions inherent in linguistics after Noam Chomsky. The common link between Dr. Licari and Dr. Sant is their shared belief that language is a weapon to be used for the construction of reality (as expressed by such linguists as Alfred Korzybski and S. I. Hayakawa). Sant’s PR-articles in the Times and Licari’s boring and esoteric rendering of language in his columns are expressions of the same disorder. The anidote is the proper evaluation of problems and solutions based upon REALITIES–and NOT some ideal abstractions of one’s poltical philosophies. And language use is not just a game, or a weapon. It is also a tool for the rational assessment of needs and solutions for human problems and social living in a common and shared universe. Long-term solutions (and short-term requirements) for the MLP and its intellectual adherents require the pragmatic assessment of the TRUE world we live in and the REALITY of the Maltese social world and its history and develoment, which if ignored, is done so at their peril–and ours, in so far as what they offer may be no real alternative to our current political choices. They should take a lesson from the current U.S. race, the cross-party appeal (and to independents) of McCain (Republican) and Obama (Democrat). There is a model for constructive change for the selection of a new MLP leader and future Prime Minister. Oh, by profession, my expertise (Ph.D)is in the Cognitive and Social Psychology of Language, with a foundation in Mass Communications and Political Psychology.
I feel that this is Labour’s defining moment. With a good choice they may be able to redeem themselves and come to terms with a past that is continuously screaming in their faces, because people they hurt years ago see too many warning signals in speeches and actions. They may be likened to a perpetrator who is constantly asserting that he has changed, but is constantly showing by his speech and behaviour that he has not. Now labour have this great chance, and they will not have another for more than a decade (this will depend on the outcome of the general elections) to finish any unfinished business that is still a festering wound for many, and accept that they did inflict a lot of suffering on ordinary people. And they can do this by choosing someone who will not be associated with the remote past of violence (which, in the minds of some who suffered traumas is not that remote) or with the recent past of adamantly and anachronistically preaching isolationism and closing doors when all Europe was opening them up.
The Labour party can go down in history as a party that read the historical situation correctly and chose wisely, or it can go down in history as being the party that was too obstinate to provide a relevant alternative to the PN.
@S. Galea – actually, I am much closer in age to Joseph Muscat than I am to Tony Licari: nine years older than Muscat but 16 years younger than Licari. My point is that if, as he says, George Abela is a Methuselah, then he is even more so because he is older.
@S. Galea – also, ad hominen inanity is the source of great entertainment, and other sorts of arguments are not.
Hey guys, wait a sec! The poodle must be a really important fella! Just look how important he is to the Americans :
http://files.list.co.uk/images/2007/08/16/American-Poodle.jpg
@ Ray
That’s because he reminds them of Tony Blair…
http://www.andydavey.com/Images/03-008%20His%20master's%20voice.jpg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2721513.stm
ALert
this link is better
@ Ray
That’s because he reminds them of Tony Blair…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2721513.stm
http://www.andydavey.com/Images/03-008%20His%20master’s%20voice.jpg
Good to hear from you again S. Galea. I’ve missed you mate :)
“and accept that they did inflict a lot of suffering on ordinary people”. This is Romegas’ advice to the MLP. What about those that have suffered under the PN? A former PN prime minister, for example, was found guilty of political discrimination.
Thousands who voted PN in 2003 this time declined to mark their ballot papers next to the PN emblem (affectonaltey known as the maduma…invented in the early years of the 20th century). Why didn’t they?
Albert Farrugia
And why did they STILL not give their vote to labour?
Mela din mhix tajba jew?
From maltarightnow.com
“Technician imqabbad mill-MLP jiġi aggredit mis-security ta’ l-MLP”
Mela li kien imqabbad mill PN x’kienu jaghmlulu? Igibuh poodle forsi?
Albert Farrugia
I agree PN are no saints BUT
They never closed down schools – Labour did (I had to attend classes underground)
They never used violence on people – Labour did and got the police to give them a hand.
They never closed down hospitals – Remember blue sisters?
They never kept us a third world country were you couldn’t even buy a chocolate – remember desserta?
They never stopped people speaking their mind – you would never have dared to speak against labour the way you do against PN back in the eighties.
Lest you forget!
Actually I stand corrected – PN closed down St Lukes!
@David…so it seems you avoid questions like someone else was accused of doing…let me repeat mine…”Thousands who voted PN in 2003 this time declined to mark their ballot papers next to the PN emblem (affectonaltey known as the maduma…invented in the early years of the 20th century). Why didn’t they?”
I’ll tell you why Albert.
Most of the NP supporters who have not voted PN (I will not assume they voted MLP either),have done so not for the being politically discriminated against or for being refused lawful right, Most of them indeed abstained for very petty reasons and this shows the irresponsible mentalitu of certain citizens be they nationalists or labourites. However labourites, especially in the 70’s and 80’s didn’t not have to leave it to luck to be awarded a building plot or job ‘mal-gvern’. They used to get anything they wante, right or no right. When PN came to power, most nationalists tought it was our turn then to enjoy the same treatment, but alas, we had to play ‘lot’ with labour contenders. why do you think Dr. J Brincat’s term as minister for housing was short lived? Because he tried to put some justice as opposed to how things were being done then.
Another thing, of course you can only be served a sentence against, or in your favour, when the courts are functioning. You seem to have a very short memory regarding the Constitutional Court ‘mhux mwaqqfa’.
Get a life!
Another thing Albert. Maybe it;s because the PN has always induced their followers to accept that what has to be done is righteous and not partisan, that the Maduma has be so long standing and victorious throughout all times.
@Brian*14
Dawk ibatu bil-kumpless ta’ persekuzzjoni. Tant huma ossessjonati li jaraw ‘l-ghadu’ anke meta ma jkunx hemm!
To as well,
“nitnejjek mill-Kostituzzjoni”… id-Dom u il-Lorry!!
@lino
I see…so Dr J Brincat was a Labour minister right? In the 70’s. Fine. So that government had “righteous” members, even though this time round they were ridiculed for being “old”, “corrupt”, “violent”.
And who decides if one’s reason for abstaining was “very petty”? Big Brother PN? Like when a former PN prime minister, found guilty of political discimination by the courts, famously and in a condescending manner called on people to “Stop moaning”? So when a citizen complains he should “stop moaning” as his claim is “very petty”. Is that it lino?
Edward Clemmer: Could you go one step futher and explain why the belief in constructing reality through language persists in the face of evidence to the contrary?
This is a genuine question.
No response I see Albert Farrugia – I didn’t really expect one!
@Phaedra: I cannot but agree with you. What gets to me is that they almost never learn…and it doesn’t really take a rocket scientist to figure out why.
Dave, neither am I saying that the MLP are saints of course. Actually, that is the whole point. There are NO saints in politics. That is why I cannot agree with the effort that has been made, and is still continuing to demonise the MLP and Alfred Sant. Alfred Sant did so much to get the MLP adopt different attitudes and policies. Alfred Sant took on Mintoff head on. I have voted PN since my first time in 1987. Until in 1998 I saw the PN, whose supports had called for the “crucifixion” of Mintoff, actually SIDE with him in that fateful summer. Yes, true, there ARE no saints in politics, Dave
The lion has now applied for the top job.
I CAN’T WAIT TO BE KING
[Simba:] I’m gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware!
[Zazu:] Well I’ve never seen a king of beasts
With quite so little hair
[Simba:] I’m gonna be the mane event
Like no king was before
I’m brushing up on looking down
I’m working on my roar
[Zazu:] Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing
[Simba:] Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!
[Simba:] No one saying do this
[Nala:] No one saying be there
[Simba:] No one saying stop that
[Nala:] No one saying see here
[Zazu:] Now see here!
[Simba:] Free to run around all day
Free to do it all my way
[Zazu:] I think it’s time that you and I
Arranged a heart to heart
[Simba] Kings don’t need advice
From little hornbills for a start
[Zazu:] If this is where the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa
I wouldn’t hang about
This child is getting wildly out of wing
[Simba:] Oh, I just can’t wait to be king
Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I’m
Standing in the spotlight
[Animals:] Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let’s hear it in the herd and on the wing
It’s gonna be King Simba’s finest fling
[Simba:] Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!
Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!
Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!
Albert,
as far as I know, DR.J. Brincat is only one person. Also it is the MLP administration of the 70’s and 80’s which is being accused as corrupt. Minister and espesially the Prime Minister share the collateral political responsibility for the corruption and violence of other ministers in the same cabinet.
Petty is ‘petty’ because there are ill-doings which are much more serious like being thrown in-jail for 48 hours, then no accusations, and after 1hour being rounded-up again apart from being beaten to almost death in some instances. How many such ‘petty’ crimes can you mention pertaining to the PN administration?
Albert, apparently you are either
too young to have eye-witnessed and lived the terror we were used to in those days, or else it is very convenient for you to forget. You may, but I won’t.
David Buttigieg: George Abela appeals to people who wouldn’t normally vote Labour. To paraphrase Macchiavelli: “The friend of my enemy is my enemy”.
@lino
I know those times perfectly. And thanks to the wisdoom of our politics leaders, both Nationalist and Labour, we have moved on. Malta is what it is today because politicians of BOTH main parties contributed to its construction. And what is wrong in Malta is ALSO the fault of politicians from BOTH sides. But NO party has a monopoly for being the “good guy” party. Malta needs to move away from the dominant-party system that has evolved. We cannot remain in a situation in which people grumble all year round, then vote for the government in a general election. This is very untypical for a western style democracy.
Yes Albert I agree there are NO saints in politics, and few elsewhere.
Corinne Vella, I think you are right. Very short sighted of them – surprise surprise!!
@ Albert Farrugia
I do not want to get into a diatribe with you Albert. Definitely not my style. Before I continue I would like to say that those who did not vote in this election had their reasons and are fully entitled to them If they felt hurt by this government and wanted to register this, they were freely entitled to do so.
However I would like to say that I was one of those who who bore the brunt of 80’s Labour. I’m sure there are others like me on this blog, who may want to share their experience.
As i was a Church School student I did not have the comfort of l-ghoxrin punt invented by Labour to shut us out of university. So I had to sit for 5 A levels to get in. An A level was worth 5 points. When I finally got there, I was told that the Law course, which i had hoped to join was not going to open in that particular year, so I had to register for another course. Then, in 1984, after a protest round the University ring road , which was then completely void of cars, supporting the student teachers who were on strike, Labour thugs armed with chains and pieces of wood invaded the University quadrangle and beat us up. I am still carry physical marks of that aggression. And I still shudder when I remember that sight. That evening, Xandir MAlta reported that the students had quarreled against each other and some had ended up with ‘minor injuries’.
These things take a long time to heal.
I was comforted that even Wenzu Mintoff is now calling on the new Labour leader to apologise.
So, like others who have been through similar events, I have personally experienced Labour thuggery.
I have moved on, but the pain lingers on.
@Corrine: We do construct our interpersonal worlds, and language is a tool for doing so; and propogandists appreciate the power of language. The mistake is when language is used in opposition to the social reality, when the truth of the social reality is accepted as true, and the language is in contradiction to this accepted truth. Language and rhetoric can move persons to action and faith–and so it is used, and sometimes with great effect on our social worlds. Obviously, the political campaign just completed also indicates which language was regarded as most truthful and real. And Lawrence Gonzi’s abilities with language and his message was one of the major reasons for his success–and as it was judged more in agreement with the social worlds the voters wanted to construct. Language is not word magic, although some persons have regarded it as such.
I just cannot imagine how can any person stoop so low to imply publicly and mention names, that a potential Labour leader may run away with the young wife of one of his exponents. Indeed what political gain does this hate-monger expect to acquire out of this? Can she imagine the pain that comments in that regard cause to other people?
In the past I felt sorry for this columnist and suspected that she needs professional help,now I am wishing that I have it in me to give to her some of what she is dishing out to others,alas to no avail.
Thank God we are only plagued with two of this kind and the other one will be keeping his venomous mouth shut for the next four years to safeguard his suspended prison sentence. One day,hopefully soon, the devil may take care of the other as God is too merciful with unrepentant sinners.
[Moderator – It may yet happen given that Alfred Sant made a pact with the Devil – and the Devil let him down. For those unfamiliar with Charles J Buttigieg, he’s a nobody who was given a job at Air Malta during those dark days under Mintoff, and was seen rolling around on the floor like a hysterical baboon during the strike.]
@Albert Farrugia
I agree with the general gist of your last post, and with most of the arguments contained therein.
1) I believe that 1st of all, generally speaking, those who normally vote PN, but didn’t vote this time around should be split in 2. The 1st group are those who did not do so for their own egoistic reasons, those who shout ‘REFORM’ but then shout ‘NIMBY’, who solemnly cry for justice but then kick up a fuss if they’re not given preferential treatment for their blueness. This group should be kicked up the ass and discounted from argument (2)
2) The 2nd group are those you mentioned in your last sentence, who see a need for change but, for various reasons, would rather die of torture then vote MLP.
3) That brings us to square 1. Do you therefore agree that Malta dearly needs a new MLP leader that breaks completely from the recent and remote past, one which restores the long-lost confidence of a good part of Maltese society in another party that is not PN?
4) Finally, do you think any of the current contenders which are being mentioned fits the grade?
Yes Albert,
we have moved on and away from being a blood shod police state thanks to who?
No Albert what is politically wrong in Malta is not the fault of PN but MLP. Maybe I am dreaming but, when ever there was an issue of national importance, the NP in opposition have only opposed the MLP where they deemed the issue to be anti patriotic e.g integration. Other wise they always sought to cooperate e.g. the republican constitution.
The same cannot be said about MLP. The MLP have always opposed issues of national importance because every time these were brought about by PN governments, the MLP opposition got green with envy for not being the party achieving the goal and opposed it even through violent means e.g. independence; the proof being that in a successive term, in power, the MLP would invent some insignificant achievement and try to ‘paint’ it important. For example to me it is clear that Jum il-Helsien has more historical than political relevance. We were then telling our garage tenants (the British forces) to empty the premises according to the rental agreement (independence). Big deal. It only served the target to politically divide the nation; and to add insult, in spite of the NP did not oppose the politically uneventful event, the MLP claim it it as proof of political victory. Some reconciliatory effort indeed!
Albert, here we’re not talking about the good or bad every day decisions in running the country, like social policies, investment policies, employment policies and what have you, wher I agree there have been good and bad decisions taken by both parties in government; we are talking about policies of national importance.
Take for example the EU issue; just for the sake of being different, the MLP opposed and invented the ‘Partnership’ novel and the ‘Svizzera fil-mediterran’ utopia.
The ‘Smart City’ issue, being the size it is and the employment it promises to promote, makes it an issue of national importance, yet MLP opposed it. Without entering into the merits as to who did more and who did less to build Malta, yes it was both PN and MLP governments, but Malta is politically what it is thanks to PN governments who have had the wisdom to portray our country as trustworthy and not the litigating image the MLP have always projected Malta in international politics.
This, Albert is the essence of politics.
Yes Malta has to move away from dominant party voting, which is a loose term to me, and by which I understand the party where one was born into and where he hopes to always belong.
Come that day, Albert! But for that to happen, all political parties must have a good sense of political direction where it matters most. For that to happen, you can’t have MLP being offended because non MLP contributors are discussing the leadership choice. After all if MLP wants me to possibly vote for its party and its new leader, it is her duty to learn what the alternative voter out there is expecting,and not accuse debaters of intruding into MLP internal matters. It’s OK MLP members are going to choose their leader, but the whole electorate has to option to buy or not to buy.
Grumbling is synonymous to the Maltese nation, but apart from that politics is conducted upon sound principles targeted in the right direction.
http://www.theroiworld.com/game/2268/Poodle_s-Party.html
Romegas – Consider yourself lucky! At least as a teenager, you:
* were not attending a peaceful protest (at the time of the schools issue, too)
* got hit by a tough-looking policeman
* got arrested under some pretext supposedly concerning the same protest, instead of the policeman being cautioned for hitting you
* kept in a dark cell for over a day without proper food or the possibility of using a toilet
* eventually made to sign a statement written by the police (You have to understand those times to understand why someone would be coerced into signing such a statement)
Luckily it did not happen to me, but it did happen to someone I know.
And do you know what? One of the policemen who was in the forces at the time is currently a prominent face in the MLP.
“Bidu gdid”? You must be joking!