A guest post about outgoing EU Commissioner Joe Borg
Last night I thought suddenly that the most significant testament to Joe Borg’s character and personality is that Patrick Tabone (who has since left public service and now has a completely different career) worked for him for years, when he was foreign minister and also EU commissioner.
I like him immensely; he is one of the most civilised and decent people I know, perceptive and with a wicked sense of humour. Somebody like him would never have worked for Joe Borg for so long unless he respected him completely – and anyone who Patrick Tabone respects is worthy of that respect.
And then in one of those little coincidences that make life interesting, in the morning I woke up to find that Patrick had emailed me with a guest post about his former boss, which I am only too pleased to upload, because his opinion about this matter really counts for a lot. So here it is.
Dear Daphne
You’ve gone into attack mode against Joe Borg following his outburst in the Sunday Times. Your blog, your prerogative. But whatever you think about that interview, his years of service deserve a much fuller appraisal than it appears you are ready to give them.
Until recently I had the privilege of working with Joe Borg for many years, both in Malta and in Brussels. It would be simplistic and wrong to assume that every single politician is a prat or a crook, though many are both.
Joe Borg is one of the few I have seen who is in it for all the right reasons – he’s not on an ego trip, he’s not after personal gain, but he has always wanted to be of service. He firmly believed that Malta should join the European Union, and that we have a role to play in Europe, and he has made it his life’s work first to help get us into the EU, and then to help make a success of membership.
He held fast to this vision for years in a technical capacity, and then successfully steered the accession and negotiation process for the previous PM in his capacity as Foreign Minister.
He has a rare combination of detailed technical knowledge and a quick political brain, which meant that he was usually several steps ahead of his counterparts in the accession negotiations. At the same time his ability to be very bull-headed in the nicest possible way helped ensure that Malta made gains in the negotiations that were far in excess of those made by any other candidate country.
All of this was done, moreover, in unprecedentedly close consultation with every interest group, constituted body and representative association on the island.
He was the obvious choice as the first Maltese Commissioner and he managed a horribly complicated and politically thankless portfolio in Brussels in a way that has won him respect in all the EU capitals.
He had the courage to say what was rotten about the Common Fisheries Policy, made important advances in improving some of its worst features, and has set the scene for a far-reaching reform that offers at least the opportunity of a long-term future for Europe’s fish and fishermen. For this work on sustainable fisheries he was recognised and awarded an international prize by the environmentally conscious Swedes.
With Maritime Policy he was given something of a poisoned chalice by President Barroso. There have been many prior attempts over the years to create an integrated approach to European maritime affairs, but all had previously failed and petered out without a trace.
This is because creating this integrated approach requires encroaching on the competences of all the Commissioners responsible for shipping, environment, energy, industry and many others – a trick that no-one had previously come even close to pulling off.
In the face of initial widespread scepticism he managed to get all these Commissioners and their Directorates General to co-operate, created a groundswell of support for the project in every maritime area in Europe, and translated this momentum into a new, well established, European Integrated Maritime Policy that in five short years is firmly entrenched and pretty much irreversible.
In the process he transformed DG FISH from an obscure Directorate General full of largely ineffective fisheries experts into the well-respected and far more influential DG MARE that leads or is consulted on any issue that touches the marine. For managing this task that nobody really thought was possible he was given the prestigious Elisabeth Mann Borgese award from the Government of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany for ‘outstanding achievements for the seas’.
Throughout this time, like any good European Commissioner, he has always remembered where he comes from, and has made sure that his colleagues in the Commission always understood Maltese realities and took them into account, even when it was painfully lonely and uncomfortable to make the case.
All those who worked with him or for him, whether they agreed with him or not, have never doubted his integrity or fundamental decency. Joe Borg is that rare thing, an international success story from Malta. You can disagree with his outburst as much as you like, but it would really be a pretty poor show if we let this episode overshadow all that went before it.
Two last points. Firstly, all this talk of pigs at troughs is just as facile, petty and unworthy today as it was when used by the opponents of membership to tar anyone working for accession. And secondly, if ‘good breeding’ is what makes a gentleman then Joe Borg is very well bred indeed.
The PM more than anyone knows how loyally and well Joe Borg has served Malta and Europe, and must be mortified that it has come to this. Let’s leave them to it, drop the subject, and let them find a way to pick up the pieces in time.
Thanks for the space.
Patrick Tabone
95 Comments Comment
Leave a Comment
Patrick, it is exactly because of the way you perfectly describe Joe Borg that many cannot understand his inappropriate outburst, which is so “not him”!
In fact, if I may add this, it is because of his well-above-average political acumen and technical knowledge that whenever he spoke the opposition could never catch him on the wrong footing.
It would be a great loss to Malta if the PM and Joe Borg cannot pick up the pieces sooner rather than later.
My thoughts exactly.
hope so. he will join the PL shortly
What Mr. Tabone is tasteful enough not to mention is that Joe Borg plans to donate his share of the prize money from the Kungsfenan Swedish Seafood Award (roughly 10,000 euros) to charity.
Hardly the behaviour of a snout-in-trough carpetbagger, which is more than can be said of certain Maltese specimens currently representing their country in Europe.
[Daphne – Not to denigrate his generosity or anything, but at that level, EUR10,000 is small change. And another thing, I really disapprove of people who make their donations public, unless it is pour encourager les autres. He should have taken the money and given it away and not told anyone, except perhaps his wife.]
Well, with these kinds of things, he’s damned if he does, damned he doesn’t. In any case, I am not sure how active he was personally in making the donation public, but the point is that he doesn’t come across as an undeserving, money-grabbing character.
Actually, I believe his share in the prize is actually 5,000 euros, as he is sharing it with one other nominee, but even so.
Why is it that when somebody start a sentence with “Not to ……, but…” they invariablt proceed to do just that?
It’s the same with “I don’t want to sound racist, but…..”.
No one doubts Joe Borg’s capabilites, and this is the reason why his outburst is all the more shocking. How Joe Borg could stoop to the level of Jesmond Mugliett is beyond me.
It is not Borg’s actions which are shocking – he behaved as anybody else would have behaved in the circumstances.
It is Gonzi’s lack of guts and political savoir faire which are truly shocking.
[Daphne – I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Twanny, but no – he did not behave as anybody else would have behaved in the circumstances. Far from it.]
Twanny, that’s the thing. He is not ‘everybody else’.
Well maybe not everybody. Let’s say 90%. The other 10% would have been split btween those who would have kissed the boot that was kissing them and those who would have made an even bigger fuss.
Naturally I should have written “..that was kicking them….”
Maybe Gonzi is not the perfect politician Daphne et. al. tries to picture. Saint Gonzi!
[Daphne – There is no such thing as perfection. It is always a choice between the available options: in this case, Gonzi and Muscat.]
Well Gonzi will soon retire, so it’s more a choice between Muscat and Gonzi’s successor. Basically vote Gonzi get Mr. ?
[Daphne – Where did you pluck that idea from?]
Isn’t it obvious that after 2013 Gonzi will start thinking of his successor?
[Daphne – Not really, no. I think it’s Labour that’s going to have that problem, having elected a prat to the leadership.]
Gonzi and who?
Daphne! Has this escaped your attention?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091204/opinion/the-issue-of-reality
seems to me you are a condom affacionado.
I’ll add something to Patrick’s post (which is spot-on).
I have lived in the north-east of Scotland for five years. The Fisheries Policy is blamed for destroying the economy of towns like Peterhead, so you can imagine how popular any visiting EU Commissioner would be. This is possibly why most former Commissioners would not visit.
Not Joe Borg. He has been to the north-east several times to consult and discuss with stakeholders. He earned the respect of Peterhead’s fishermen because he had the guts, honesty and respect to speak to them.
This is Joe Borg – a democrat with courage of conviction – not the penny-picking caricature that has been painted over the past week.
“Joe Borg: I stand by what I said” (The Times 04.12.2009).
He just can’t let go! As stated in other posts, this is what makes it all the more perplexing; this whining and whinging is just not him.
Has Joe Borg not got any real friends or mentor who might whisper gently in his ear “Just let go”? Who keeps egging him on up the cul-de-sac he has got himself into?
Why don’t we take Patrick’s last exhortation to heart? Two gentlemen slipped, and many less-than-gentlemen latched onto it with gusto – let’s leave it at that, now.
[Daphne – Ahem. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091204/local/joe-borg-stands-by-his-comments-on-commissioner-appointment ]
“Many less-than-gentlemen”
Surely you don’t mean our Daphne?
Patrick has the advantage of knowing Joe Borg personally. I do not, and thus can only make a judgement on his actions. Unfortunately those actions (the latest ones) make him out to a spoiled, whining brat. We can only judge him by his actions.
In my opinion, the only about this whole saga is that maybe, just maybe the criteria for choosing the new commissioner were not the best ones. I would be upset if they replaced me with someone merely because there was nowhere else to put him.
On the other hand, I also think that it is only fair to give Mr Dalli an opportunity. The way he was placed has nothing to do with his capabilities. Therefore all is yet to be proven.
The fact that Dalli accepted the post is also not surprising. It certainly is a position that allows you to make an impact. After all don’t you think anything is more fun than the stagnated local political scene…. where the highlights sound more like gossip?
It seems like he has a very challenging portfolio and could possibly do a great deal of good for the community. Being Maltese he is bound to ensure the view of smaller member states is taken into consideration in decisions, something that at least in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals has not been happening. Time will tell.
I think it’s time to concentrate on local issues: what will become of Malta Today? What will my canary crap on? Just kidding – Matthew is a great guy.
PS 10,000 is small change but 11,650 is not?
[Daphne – I assume you’re referring to Noel Arrigo’s bribe. No, not when you owe money all over the place and the ATM won’t let you withdraw cash for which you’re desperate.]
Just clarifying my previous post. I find it really really ironic that the ex editor of Malta Today has moved to Brussels…. is it true?
Int hsiltu, u dan ixxuttah.
I fully agree with Patrick Tabone…let this episode pass. Everyone is entitled to an indiscretion occasionally. We are all human with feelings and emotions. The shock was because it is so uncharacteristic of Joe Borg.
I have known Joe Borg for a long time, as I do Patrick. I concur exactly with Patrick’s assessment. What I can’t understand is that The Times heading of today is not really in consonance with the rest of the article.
Joe can justifiably say that he made Malta proud. This is without a shadow of doubt. I find it difficult to believe that this is Joe speaking.
no mario it’s just his wife speaking … to put the government in trouble. straw men never made it to heaven.
@Daphne
Thanks for rising above it all, and publishing Patrick Tabone’s thoughts on this incident. I think Joe Borg did make a mistake stamping his feet, but then he did do a magnificent job and should really be remembered for that.
@ David S
X’ghandu x’jaqsam? Kont se nghidlek who’s stooping.
What a wonderful testimonial by Patrick and how very elegantly put. And how very true. The country has as much need of the Prime Minister’s leadership as much as it does of Joe Borg’s great knowledge and wisdom. May I appeal to all those who like me and I think, like Daphne herself, believe in the worthiness of these two gentlemen, to allow them the space and the time to let this silly incident go by and find the way to once again work together for the benefit of our country.
Couldn’t agree more with Dr Buttigieg Scicluna but the mistake made by Dr Borg was that he went to the press. This should have been a matter between Joe and Lawrence who are gentlemen/politicians whom Malta needs. Maybe Joe Borg can be found an ambassadorship.
Yes let’s find him an ambassadorship. Or maybe a Chairmanship of some parastatal entity (do those things still exist?). I know… let’s rewrite the constitution and have TWO presidents – one for the boys kicked upstairs by Inhobbkom Joseph and one for those kicked upstairs by Lawrence – that way everybody is happy. Once we are at it we could also link their salaries to the cost of living in Luxembourg or Dubai – or to an index linked directly to the l-iStrina fund raising activities by political parties. Howzat Mr Borg? Suit you sir, suit you.
Mr. (Dr.?) (Father?) Zammit. You appear to be somewhat more agitated when commenting on Daphne’s blog than on your own. No date tonight?
sarcasim never lead one anywhere and this Joe borg doesn’t need a chairmanship or anything. He can sit his pension out in buon gusto unlike us poor folk, who never even dreamt of having just 1/100 of what he has. Rogues.
I wish people that keep harping on about Joe Borg being a whining baby and such would consider the journalism that has gone into what has happened over the past few days.
First, the Sunday Times call him up, as would any self-respecting newspaper or the Sunday Times, and gets an easy story about Borg’s apparent irritation at being passed up for his own job. Ok, whatever, one might think he lacks dignity or that he is just not being media savvy by speaking out of turn at this point.
But really? Giving a newspaper an interview, almost certainly at their behest, and actually telling them how you feel is not the crime of the century.
At this point, like a conspiracy of cawing ravens, everybody needs to have their say about it, because talking about something that actually matters – is John Dalli fit for the job, and so on – would be so, well, boring.
In a slightly less self-respecting fashion, The Times has managed to string this drivel out for a fifth day (!) with no more than a single quote – not even from Borg himself, who has evidently tired of this nonsense – but from a spokesman. Namely:
“He said what he had to say. He stands by what he said and has nothing to add.”
(sarcasm) “Oh, he has nothing to add? What a baby! What a whiner! There he goes stamping his feet, doesn’t he want to play with his toys anymore?” (sarcasm close)
Jeez, it’s like some people don’t even read past the headlines. Knee-jerk reaction much?
Vlad and the Times – a never ending love story.
Is the question really whether John Dalli is fit for the job (there is a chance that he is quite capable of growing into it just as Joe Borg did) or is it not rather whether this time round in the PM’s consideration for the job a CV headed “dangerous for the party (and Gonzi) if he stays here” trumped another headed “decent chap who has earned his spurs working hard for five years and now enjoys a not inconsiderable level of respect in the circles that count”?
In the rush to piss on the gravy train I think we miss out on discussing (and understanding) the reason behind the choices made by the present government. It’s easier to attack an imaginary whingeing brat than to try to really get to the core of the issue – in whose interest was Malta’s Commission place filled: Malta’s or the PN’s?
Nice to see you again Vlad!
Oh, who knows?
Borg presumably wanted to remain in situ handling fish, or whatever they have called his department, so it was probably for the best of the country that Europe doesn’t come away thinking that Malta is only happy when handling lampuki and such.
This outcome gives Malta a new role, a new figure in Europe and, why not, calms the political waters back home. This is hardly unheard of elsewhere (think Mandelson) and has not necessarily ended up with terrible results.
And if all this talk of Saviour Balzan being on his way out of the country is true, then I fully expect nationwide street parties – some of them outside the offices of Malta Today, I should imagine.
Personally, I am curious about a European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection actually does. Since he has seemingly little by way of actual executive power, inasmuch as countries set their own health policies and consumer protection laws, will Dalli be employed to measure the shape of bananas?
jack keep on writing your blooming stupidities. Perhaps next time muscat will call you to strasbourg.
Let the sand settle down. The country and PN needs Joe Borg.
NO PN does not need whining boys, it needs men, those who sacrificed themselves at tal-barrani, at rabat, at Floriana, those who faced fire and stones and riots. That’s what the PN not some johnny come latelys (with apologies to those whose name is johnny).
The last time I could vote for Joe Borg I did, for all the reasons Patrick Tabone mentions. Given the chance, I’ll do it again.
Il-lallu what a cheek. After all that fuss Astrid refuses to go on Xbank.
Sorry to deviate! But I have just heard the MEPA auditor try to uncomfortably explain why in his report on Victor Scerri’s case he wrote he could not exclude that Dr. Scerri could have made undue pressure on MEPA officers to obtain the Bahrija permits! THE AUDITOR should resign within the evening SCANDALOUS to say the least – and guess what Astrid refused an invitation to participate because she said the programme would be political – celebrated coward!
sorry to change the subject D, but I have just watched Dun Gorg Dalli on Xarabank being asked why he gave evidence, (call it a character reference?) in favour of Noel Arrigo. For God’s sake Dun pull the other one. Your religious waffle was most unconvincing and I am surprised that you never considered the implications of the crime per se, and by the way it was a crime NOT a mistake.
What a load of…….. rubbish. Silly, little this and little that, indiscretion, ambassadorships, two gentlemen slipped. A monumental error of judgement I say. If this guy did a great job in Brussels, which I do not doubt, then John Dalli will have the whole lot dumbfounded; Barroso, Ashton, van Rompuy, Solana . Dalli has class and a superior intellect. No one in Brussels is a match for him. ” Dan Lussu ” as we say in vulgate. What is all this about finding his place. He might be from Qormi but he lasts a full twenty-four hours and is always on top. He will do us all proud. In five years’ time when he is ditched by the then PM he will gracefully move to pastures new. The mind boggles : ECB, IMF maybe even WHO why not . Good Luck Johnnie.
[Daphne – “He might be from Qormi but he lasts a full twenty-four hours and is always on top. ” Ahjar minn tal-haxix, mela – ghax dak lanqas beda, miskin.]
Hilarious …. qtiltni dalgħodu : )
Tal-genn. Laughing like an idiot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Bd5-APPBw
now for the good news:
Maltastar 05 December 2009 02:32:19
Local news
Mintoff visits CNL
04 December 2009 20:37
Ex prime minister Dom mintoff paid a visit to the Labour headquarters on Friday afternoon. It was the first time Mr. Mintoff has visited the headquarters ever since its inauguration in 1995
Mintoff’s visit is a result of an open invitation personally issued by labour leader Dr Joseph Muscat after his election as Labour Party leader in June of 2008.
In is invitation Dr Muscat had told Mintoff that the Labour party headquarters would always welcome him if his health would permit such a visit, the party would be delighted to be on the receiving end of a visit by the ex Prime Minister.
Since that invitation, Mr Mintoff had made an appearance at the thirtieth anniversary of the Freedom Day celebrations organised by the Labour Party at Vittoriosa.
On his historic visit, Mintoff was greeted by the Labour Leader Joseph Muscat, followed by 30 minute meeting held in the privacy of Dr. Muscat’s office.
Later, Dr Muscat showed Mr Mintoff around the headquarters accompanied by Deputy Leader Toni Abela, Party President Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and other party workers and volunteers.
Mr Mintoff was shown the ongoing preparations for the Marathon Fund Raising to be held on Sunday 13th December as well as the activities to be held next week in order to celebrate the thirty fifth
anniversary of Malta becoming a Republic.
Whilst the ex.Prime Minister was being shown round the Central Hall in the Labour Headquarters he delighted his audience with his memories of general meetings held at the Freedom Press in Marsa in years gone by.
It was clear that Mr. Mintoff greatly enjoyed his visit as he waved goodbye with a big smile on his face.
u DAWN IL PARTIT IL-GDID TAL LEJBER ???
WHO THE HECK WRITES THIS RUBBISH?. MY TEN YEAR OLD NIECE CAN DO BETTER.
Don’t think Alfred Sant was on the welcoming committee?
I love the “delighted his audience” bit. It simply goes to show what sort of an audience it was.
I wonder whether or not he was wearing his khaki “drainage inspector” outfit.
You got the description spot on; see pic and description on back page of The Sunday Times.
I just knew it! He’s worn it to just about every “photoshoot” opportunity, and – as Daphne said in her article of today – to court too. Pity (or, then again, maybe not) that the stench could not be immortalised along with his khaki combo.
Here it is again, for posterity’s sake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGJ-rnd6cds
L-aqwa id-dagh. il-kliem hazin, u bil-wicc tost kollu jghid lill-kulhadd kemm huma psatas. I absolutely detest the man, and that is putting it very mildly.
Another one for posterity’s sake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2OhAw3k89E&feature=related
timesofmalta.com – vincent micallef – 04 December 2009 21:01 I was one of the heppiest person on the island when i saw Dom mintoff entering the building
heppiest….
Actually he is leaving Joseph’s office.
It’s not timesofmalta.com but
http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=5868
18 months party leader and behaving like a statesman. This boy will go far.
Tony – and didn’t Dun Gorg say something on the lines of “I’m proud of what I did” (conveniently not mentioning that drugs were involved). Fr Mark Montebello couldn’t have done better.
marika, you’re spot on. That is exactly what he said. Imagine what he’d be saying about his brother, you know, the ‘soap’ importer. He’s the cleanest brother anyone the Dun could pray for! ………….Sorry, wet joke. Did I say wet? God ! Must be my boozy lunch.
What is making most of you on this blog angry is that Joe Borg who is highly respected have criticised the Government.
That’s what is this all about, the hardcore Nationalists of this blog do not tolerate any criticism towards the Prime Minister or his government.
Whoever dares to criticise or disagree with Gonzi will surely expect many attacks on this blog. Whether you like it or not, nowadays an increasing number of people are increasingly being unimpressed by the spin, propoganda and manipulations of politicians.
As for Joe Borg, although I am a Labourite, I really admire him not for criticising Gonzi, but for his style of politics, as far as I know, he never was disrespectful towards his opponents or their supporters unlike Daphne & other people on this blog who think of us who support Labour (even if with a critical mind) as stupid, hamalli, ignorants, angry people etc etc………
I hope that come 2013, Labour will beef up their policies and their alternative solutions so that yes, the absolute majority finally gets rid of this incompetent, divisive and arrogant government. And hope also that after the defeat the PN hopefully will re-invent themselves with people of the calibre of Joe Borg and maybe one day we will finally start a new style of politics in Malta.
Although most of you on this blog disrespect me or people with similar opinions, I do not disrespect you, you make us very angry sometimes that’s true, but it’s not worth keeping the anger inside us and I wish that one day most of you, would be more tolerant towards us, our disagreement is on the way we think a government is run or on policies, however, that does not mean that we should be attacking each other personally.
Not bad. A nicely controlled rant. However, one literate individual does not a party make.
He still hasn’t got a clue. Not a fucking clue. Let me spell it out in capital letters:
YOU FUCKERS TRIED TO KEEP ME OUT OF EUROPE.
I’D RATHER CUT OFF MY BOLLOCKS WITH A RUSTY PENKNIFE AND FRY THEM IN MY OWN CEREBRAL FLUID THAN VOTE FOR YOU.
TOLERANT MY ARSE. I have a long memory, and will be dead long before Jake, but until then, he and the MLP, who fucked up my life (because if I’d have been certain of EU membership I could have planned ahead) can suck my hairy balls. I will never ever vote for them. Fucking never. No fucking way.
Hardcore Nationalists, my arse. I’m just a hardcore fucking loser, I am. But I still won’t vote Labour. Fucking chicken brain they’ve got if they think not voting Labour means you’re Nationalist. Fuck you from here to Armageddon, which I hope will come sooner rather than later because I’ve just about had enough. 2012. Bring it on.
[Daphne – Well, I would never upload such – ahem – language, where it not for the fact that this expresses exactly how I feel, and probably others too. Polite words just don’t suffice.]
@Baxxter’s comment: Knotty timber requires sharp wedges.
Baxxter, Now that’s a rant! Excellent. I especially enjoyed your idea of a new dish. Possibly if you added a few slices of onion and some garlic, you could entice Daphne to include it in her next edition of ‘Taste’. You know, just to spice it up a bit.
All I can feel is sympathy with HP Baxxter here. He can rant all he likes, because it’s in severe consonance with my feelings.
Thank you, Dear HP, for treading where we angels fear to step.
all this baxter knows is how to say FUNCKING. How bright you are.
Is hypocrisy now an indelible DNA element of all PL followers? You admire Joe Borg only because he has an axe to grind with Gonzi. FULL STOP. It is increasingly evident that you have succumbed to believing your own pathetic lies!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091205/local/mintoff-visits-labour-hq-for-first-time
Jake my question to you on your last paragraph is: DO YOU EVER WATCH ONE NEWS AND EVEN MORE ONE TV?
‘He might be from Qormi’ – Anthony, din x’ ridt tghid biha? Mela minn fejn int? Forsi ghalik ahna ta’ Hal-Qormi xi second class?
Dear Daphne,
To people who know Joe Borg, no amount of mud-slinging is going to change their opinion of him. Perhaps you have a person axe to grind, Daphne?
[Daphne – No, Tzeitel, I don’t. I have no ambition to become an outgoing EU Commissioner. You may have failed to notice, but he is the one grinding a very large axe, and in the most public manner possible. Think before you speak. It helps. Ask Joe Borg.]
Jake,
“..Joe Borg who is highly respected have criticised the Government. ..”
Joe Borg did not criticise government but expressed disappointment at not being informed of the decision to appoint John Dalli. He did not criticise policies or ideological choices as, for example, Dominic Fenech is doing with regards to the PL and Joseph Muscat
“..think of us who support Labour (even if with a critical mind) as stupid, hamalli, ignorants, angry people etc etc………”
Lejburisti have worked assiduously throughout the years, to earn themselves the reputation you describe so well.
Jake, you got it all wrong. The NP does tolerate comments like yours and many others because it was a Nationalist government which restored democracy and freedom of speech and expression without the ‘added value’ of a beating or worse!
A government expects criticism and accepts the responsibility of governing knowing full well, right from the beginning, that it cannot please all the people all the time.
Joe Borg was an excellent Commissioner and a gentleman and served his country well but one cannot ignore his out-of-character and somewhat childish approach to the news that he would not be re-appointed to the post. He wrongly assumed that there is some inherent right for an automatic re-appointment at the end of his successful term. A mistake which a few days from now, he will not believe he had made.
His value to the country is undiminished but before being of further use, he must rebuild bridges which he unwisely burned.
Hi Daphne,
This is something totally different, but have you seen Albert Gauci Cunningham’s comment on timesofmalta.com? It’s appalling how he seems to be saying that Mintoff is to be emulated because he’s done things that only a revolutionary would do! Mr. Gauci Cunningham has done a ‘Marisa Micallefata’, as my friends and I call these faux pax. He was, back then, a deep-hearted Nationalist, but all of a sudden he changed his mind. I wonder why.
“A.Gauci Cunningham (41 minutes ago)
I don’t remember the Mintoff years but like anybody else I have read and seen arguments from both sides of the coin. Mintoff did things that only a revolutionary leader would do, he did great things but he erred too. His achievements were great and so were his mistakes. But i think that neither I nor all the commentators here have the right to seal any final judgement on Mintoff. We should leave that to those much more competent then ourselves i.e unbiased, future historians!! On the other hand though i have to comment about some comments here; history is not the PN’s monoploy!!! The PL has every right to be proud of its forefathers as much as the PN. Just as the PN never misses an opportunity to mention Gorg Borg Olivier and Fenech Adami (and rightly so!!) without anyone batting an eyelid so should the PL. After all we are where we are thanks to great visionaries and Leaders from both Parties who ,warts and all, worked hard for the country!!!”
“Just as the PN never misses an opportunity to mention Gorg Borg Olivier and Fenech Adami (and rightly so!!) without anyone batting an eyelid so should the PL”
Certainly the PL has the “right” but it is not a feasible option! The bad done by each far outweighs the good!
Mintoff was nothing but a nasty brutal despot. No one dared reason with him or contradict him. He won by brute force. He rallied criminal workers to terrorise anyone who opposed him. He used the language of ‘hamalli’ in debates. No one could reason with him in a civilized manner; he always raised his voice when he felt cornered in an argument.
He used the illiterate or semi-literate underclass to elect him. Mintoff did not like the working-class on principles of social justice but only to get him to power.
Mintoff had no principles at all; he was too greedy for power. He associated with the worst nations on earth, North Korea, China and the Eastern European block countries.
Members of the police force were trained by the North Korean police on interrogation and torture techniques.
Mintoff was awarded a prize by Gaddafi for human rights. Has anyone here been to a prison in Libya? The torture that goes on there is unimaginable.
Re.: Sunday Times (06/12/09)
The irony of it all; one is invited by a head of state and arrives 15 minutes late and the other is greeted at the
door in a ‘surprise’ visit.
@Me , observe….there is the MEXXEJ sign on the door, Mintoff is going out of Joseph’s door.
@ H.P. Baxxter
I like H.P. Baxxter’s less than flowery language and his use of ‘unconventional’ English.
His feeling is shared with those in their forties who still have vivid memories of Labour’s thuggery and repression of the 70’s and 80’s and now we are seeing Labour bringing back Mintoff back into the fold.
I dread to think seeing Labour in power.
@ Mr Baxter
and so say most of us.
As they say in Maltese ”irremettejt’ and I don’t blame you. Those assholes deserve nothing less after screwing (well, ok, fucking up) the best 16 years of our lives.
Flowery? I’ll tell them who’s flowery. They can stick every red carnation they have during their worker’s day celebrations up Joey’s backside for all I care.
It’s amazing how. so many years down the line, Mintoff still manages to stir up such strong feelings (a la H. P. Baxxter) in many people of my generation and older.
If ‘Leyber’ had it their way, Malta would not be in the EU now, it would be right in the gutter.
Look at their MEPs enjoying the generosity of the EU; they don’t complain as long as their pockets are full. What hypocrites!
@Baxxter – but more for Daphne’s response “[Daphne – Well, I would never upload such – ahem – language, where it not for the fact that this expresses exactly how I feel, and probably others too. Polite words just don’t suffice.]I wonder if the moderator of this blog – ie Dapne – would have allowed such a virulent attack on a member of her clan – it works both ways dear………moderate this…or be brave and let them all read…
[Daphne – What clan?]
I never attacked anyone. I was merely saying that I will never vote Labour. If anything, I was attacking my own miserable failure at circumventing my limited possibilities, due in no small measure to Labour policies, starting with their impossible request for integration way back in the 1950s.
I challenge the soi-disant pro-EU majority faction of the MLP, if it really exists, which I doubt, to set up their own party. Then I would gladly vote for them.
Bear in mind that I wrote that post in a tired and emotional state, after (yet another) Saturday night surrounded by shiny happy people from normal countries with a whole world of possibilities open to them, and me with my pathetic microstate passport.
It’s hard to believe that in the MLP’s time we used to be wary of buying the Nazzjon. Many would keep quiet at their workplace and not dare mention they wanted to vote PN. When shops had such a limited choice people just accepted it. Nationalists in Labour strongholds were terrified. Even those in the back streets of Sliema were careful to keep a low profile.
Nowadays you get all and sundry on the media openly giving their opinions against the Gov. Sometimes the stupidity makes me doubt the validity of democracy.
Yes, I observe that the host is out of the office before the guest, as usual, very good manners.
But the question still remains; how can one not manage the timing of an official invitation? Shouldn’t he have been in Valletta earlier (maybe at some hamburger joint) until the time of the invitation?
@ me: “Skond iz-zokk il-fergha” , what would you expect from PL leaders? They expect everyone to be at their beck and call.
Yesterday I watched part of the launch of the book Inservi. I couldn’t help comparing the behaviour of the leaders and ex-leaders of the two main political parties.
I suppose that when you call yourself HP one is pretty much committed to deliver the occasional saucy comment.
@H.P. Baxxter
Bravo Baxxter. You have taken this blog to the pits with your foul language. I f you have such a serious hang up about your “pathetic microstate passport” you should perhaps remember that with that passport you can go to live freely in all the 26 other countries in the European Union. If you did not dare venture there before our membership in the EU it is because you either did not have the guts to take the plunge or you were not qualified enough to get a decent job in Europe. many people I know did it and suceeded before the EU was just a dream. So what’s your gripe?
I note a strange confusion in your comments. The PL has long declared that the EU issue is now closed. We are members of the EU and we must make the best out of it. C’mon mate. Look at the bright side of life and enjoy it. Give your vote to whoever makes your life more comfortable, happy and fulfilled. But you have to do away with your bitterness first.
[Daphne – Ray Borg, he’s talking about something you appear not to comprehend: dignity and self-respect, and how one humiliates oneself by voting for a political party that ruined one’s young years and tried to keep one out of the EU. It’s not closed, no. Facts are facts. This is how I look at it: what would my life have been like, my children’s lives have been like, if those bastards – Muscat among them – had succeeded? End of story. No vote from me, no more than I would ever take back a man who beats me up just because he says he’s sorry and has ‘reformed himself’. It’s not because of what he might yet do, but because of what he did already. Can you get the difference? Christians forgive, dumbasses forget.]
When I was three years old, I wanted to be an astronaut. Until they told me that I can’t because we have no space programme. And I still can’t because we’re not even an ESA member. Then since things went to ratshit (which roughly coincided with the new millenium), I’ve been wanting to go and fight in Afghanistan, and bury myself on some dusty godforsaken mountainside. I’d have joined the AFM but they never get deployed anywhere. My gripe is that I can never be happy with an office job, which is all that Malta offers. Yes of course I’m bitter. If we’d become a British dependency I’d have had a UK passport and would have gone places.
I think the wife beating analogy is perfect.