The Greek Philosopher Diogenes, a follower of the Cynic school of philosophy, saw it fit not to have any possessions except his cloak, purse and his wooden bowl. He even threw away his bowl when he saw a boy drinking from the hollow of his hand.

He believed that the more possessions a man has, the more he would be of greater needs. It was in his nature to live in an empty tub and walk through the streets of Athens with a lantern in his hands in broad daylight. When asked about this habit his philosophical reply was that he was seeking an honest man.

Diogenes lived his life according to his beliefs. This leads to the conclusion that to be honest one has first to be credible with oneself and then with others.

Credibility is earned and not given on a silver platter. Credibility is not a path full of roses and laurels where one could walk leisurely. Credibility is a virtue that is given to the beholder without the assumption of having the choice to turn from one point of view to the other for self convenience. Credibility is like a reed in the wilderness that would not bend or be broken by the prevalent winds. Credibility is truth in one's arguments and honesty in one's beliefs notwithstanding that one's views might differ from those of others.

This last year, since the National Congress was convened, the General Workers' Union was tested and contested on more than one occasion on its credibility. The image given was that its credibility was tarnished or shattered because some elements within it have either been removed or decided to leave the fold themselves.

The picture, highly illustrated, was that the GWU was in shambles and that the cracks within its structures were so evidently visible that it would dissolve itself into non-existence in the immediate future.

For one reason or another there is a well-organised strategy, orchestrated by the media that always considered the union in a negative light, to question and demand verification of the GWU's real membership strength. There are other trade unions that verbally say they no problem in having their members counted and counter-checked by the competent resources. Nevertheless, it is always the GWU that must be thoroughly scrutinised.

The GWU was also put in the limelight (or, more accurately said, targeted) by a popular television show on state station, although the show was ironically called Where Are The Unions Going?

What the show producer's/presenter's intentions were, what he wanted to arrive at and what he desired to achieve became crystal clear at the outset. His goal was simply to picture the union leaders as ferocious beasts and the others facing them as innocent Christian martyrs chanting psalms before they are devoured by the hungry lions.

As a moderator, there was the secretary general of a rival (sic) trade union who was clearly giving the impression of being very uncomfortable, feeling like a fish out of water. He even felt the need of offering his services as mediator.

It would be to the credit of the show producer/presenter were he to produce another show about the several resignations from other trade unions, which resignations were conveniently kept hushed up and brushed aside as if nothing had happened.

Credibility is a universal problem. It could be talked about and scrutinised in every sphere of life. But it most distinguishes itself in politics. This is the arena where it is most violently raped.

As I write, the news that former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been found guilty and will be punished for his crimes has just been broken. I will not refer to those who applauded enthusiastically and to those who instantly proclaimed that all hell will break loose. My preoccupation goes beyond that and rests on the credibility of politics, especially in the United States. US credibility has been questioned more than once. The US Administration was prompt in the offensive to remove the regime of Saddam Hussein and to bring to justice the perpetrators. That was good and commendable. But where was the US Administration when Augustus Pinochet rose to power aided by the hidden hand of the American Secret Service? Was justice done and was the US Administration being credible when General Pinochet committed so many atrocities? The answer lies in the fact that General Pinochet was an American ally and a good preserver of American interests in that region. On the other hand, Saddam Hussein lost his faith and was no longer useful to American foreign policy.

Credibility is a forlorn word in American politics considering that US administrations, one after the other, condoned and is still condoning Israel's nuclear capability. Yet, when it came to North Korea, the devil himself rose from the infernal abyss. Even China objected to the tests carried out by North Korea, not because China is in any way infatuated by the US but simply because North Korea is closer to its border and therefore could offer a threat. More or less, the comfortable situation of your enemy being my enemy!

Credibility is not a privilege that can be bestowed only on leaders. Credibility is a virtue, free of charge, available to anybody who desires to be honest in words and in deeds. Credibility is embedded in the individuality of those who, though comprehending the fact that to be credible sometimes is very hard, yet still walk through the path of credibility.

Sometimes, in life, to say the truth, to defy the winds of contradictions will bring forth a state of loneliness, of isolation and even of seclusion. But when one is steadfast in one's beliefs and in seeking the truth, then, by time, one would be recognised as being credible. Whatever one says and does, even if not agreed upon, will not be doubted because one is known as having only good intentions. We know from Shakespeare that Brutus was credible and respected because of that, notwithstanding the fact that he was one of the conspirators. Credibility was so much a part of his noble character that even Mark Anthony, upon looking down on the corpse, had to exclaim: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man!'"

Mr Sammut is president of the GWU.

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