On the Dot...

Several foreign news bulletins included an item about how shoes imported from a certain country had been dyed with a substance that could prove dangerous if it came into direct contact with the skin. The Department for Consumer Affairs failed to pick up this story with a view to reassuring the public either that no footwear from this country was being imported or else that none of the dyes in question were used in those actually imported.

Money Talks

During one of the many fund-raising activities broadcast on the media, a girl being interviewed may well have summarised the effect such events leave on the minds of the majority. Asked why she was making a donation, the girl said that "... if you have a lot of money your Christmas will be a happy one". To add insult to injury, the interviewer blithely congratulated her, as if money is the be-all and end-all of the meaning of Christmas.

Rounded About

The raised roundabout next to St Paul's church in Cospicua had been constructed as a temporary measure when the road leading to St. Helen's Gate was being resurfaced, owing to which St Paul's Hill was ostensibly temporarily turned into a two way street. When the work was completed this roundabout became obsolete; yet only those familiar with the area know this. The new roundabout a few metres up the road, by St Helen's Gate, further complicates matters and adds to the confusion. The plethora of directional signs does nothing to alleviate the situation.

Watery Works

Soon after CHOGM there were media reports about extensive damage having been caused to the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, as a result of water used in the summit opening spectacle. Has the matter been settled? The taxpayer deserves an explanation.

Soft Cells

The latest technology renders cellular telephones, as well as other electronic goods, obsolete soon after they are purchased. These could, perhaps, be recycled and sold to people who are not that fashion-conscious, rather than being thrown away to amalgamate with the rest of the rubbish in landfills. The same may be said for prescription glasses, which can be sent to specific charities abroad that collect them.

Funny Faces

The front cover of the Christmas edition of the KSU magazine features a creature that is a cross between Rudolph the epitome of Christmas reindeer, and another, totally repulsive creature. What's more, the same "face" is used inside the magazine to advertise a party. Being hip is one thing, but some images go beyond the pale.

Zebras Crossing

The zebra crossing opposite the Discalced Carmelites Priory (St Theresa sanctuary) in Valley Road, Birkirkara, desperately needs a coat of paint. With the vast amount of vehicles converging in the area, it has become practically invisible and, given the multi-directional traffic obtaining, it constitutes an accident just waiting to happen. Various calls to different departments have thus far fallen on deaf ears.

Christmas Misgivings

It is a pity that for this Christmastide, in the capital city of Malta nobody thought it was imperative to construct the traditional open air crib, as was the practice some years ago. One was faced, instead, with a huge lottery drum and the car to be drawn in the lottery. Even at the entrance to Valletta one sees a motley array of things that have nothing to do with Christmas. This attitude cheapens the ultimate message of Christmas.

Reuse Philosophy

During this time of the year, several fund-raising activities involve either purchases of items that are impulse buys or else not good value for money. Whatever happened to the reuse, recycle, reclaim, reduce philosophy? It would be fantastic if people were to donate things for which they no longer have a use, without expecting anything back, to their favourite charity, which could then hold a gigantic garage sale.

Happy Daze

So long after Malta's accession to the European Union, we still boast five national days. This must be some kind of record in all the member states. When will the highest authorities of the land sit down together in order to take the right decision and remove Malta from the list of universal laughing stocks, once and for all?

Line Dancing

Every butcher, baker and candlestick maker has an electronic digital display which indicates the next person whose turn it is to be served in a queue. Why this cannot be done in every government and parastatal department defies the imagination. It is pathetic to see how people cannot afford to relax with a book or even their knitting, because they must be constantly on the alert to anyone trying to jump the queue.

Twinkling Lights

The time for decorative colourful lights is now almost over, but, it seems, the powers-that-be are still undecided what to do about those traffic lights which only display flashing amber lights. Is it not time to decide whether to remove them or revert back to full use?