On the Dot...

Seems like the money coming our way from the EU is being used not just in levelling our roads... but in constructing car damaging hills. Could ADT confirm that all tarmac sleeping policemen are as per ADT and EU traffic regulations and guidelines?

Part Times

A new neighbourhood of sorts has literally sprouted along Triq il-Francizi by the Swieqi Valley area. These are by no means Des. Res., but they do serve their purpose - as hunter's abodes. The owners make regular use of them to the annoyance of people who would like to have a couple of hours' more sleep before the start of the normal working day.

Weighty Problem

A sign of the times is no doubt the games console thought up by a British company, which will only work when the step machine to which it is attached is activated. Malta has "won" the "competition" for having the highest figure of medically-obese children in Europe. This means the steady diet of junk food, a sedentary lifestyle, and an abysmal lack of basic knowledge of nutrition, across the board, are taking their toll.

Terminal Velocity

It is indeed a pity that the comparatively new terminal at Mgarr harbour is being torn up in order that its new, improved version be constructed. One hopes that better planning all around will avoid similar costly mistakes in the future.

Door Ways

It is a sad unpleasant fact that some people have to visit the Emergency Department of St Luke's Hospital alone, even though they may be under shock. The long waits, obviously, would often necessitate the use of toilets. It is therefore annoying to find that the locks have been taken to, probably in an effort to prevent having to smash the door down if a person was taken ill. However, this is also an affront to one's privacy.

Crocodile Tears

The announcement by the owners of the next circus to visit that they will donate funds to charity is not likely to placate animal lovers. These will never accept that putting animals through their (trained) paces is actually a worthwhile activity.

Clothes Horses

A smart block of buildings was very recently constructed at the University Roundabout area. This comprises showrooms and offices with overlying apartments. It is therefore a pity to see how the sight is being marred by the unpleasant view of washing hanging in the balconies, very clearly visible from the road.

Gowk Hunting

Hunters and trappers pride themselves in the "conservationist" attitude they adopt when it comes to taking care of the environment. One would expect them, therefore, to band together with a view to planting at least one tree apiece in the 3forU Campaign. At the very least, it would provide shade and shelter for themselves and for the fauna they seek to preserve.

Money Talks

Vending machines were invented, in part, for the public to use when shops are closed, or attendants busy with things other than serving clients. It is therefore unjust of the operators of such equipment not to service it whenever the need arises. It is also unfair to make clients purchase expensive alternatives to what they really want, just because it is not available. A case in point is the phone card machine at the canteen of St Luke's Hospital.

Health Food

Apart from the fact that shops situated in the general areas on the way to schools are literally making a large profit, or at least offering a slow death, through the rubbish they sell children, the insidious battle for children's bodies sometimes goes on inside schools as well. Rather than offering children a typically healthy Maltese ftira, using local tomatoes and olive oil, with optional capers, olives, and onions, some schools persist in having hot-dog days that are neither national nor nutritious.

No News

Another week went by and the government continues to deny the people the right to know which are those ministries that are not so keen on its green initiatives. Who was it that said Malta needs a Freedom of Information Act?

Stop, Please

Will the two big political parties kindly stop treating the electorate like children. We've had enough of all this "scandal" talk with regard to the Labour delegation to Dubai and the law courts cleaning contract. Why not discuss essence instead?