On the Dot

The leader of a prominent NGO thanked the Prime Minister for his "great gift" by deciding that Xaghra l-Hamra should not be turned into a golf course after all. Splendid! So all a government has to do to win kudos, especially on the eve of an election, is first to decide to ruin a pristine area and then announce a change of heart. How pathetic!

Examplary Governance

Yet another example of how to win kudos, on the eve of an election, was given by the Leader of the Opposition when he visited the protesting Monti hawkers. If I'm in power I'll give you what you want, he basically told them. And we are meant to think he is prepared to govern... not to be governed!

Gun Diplomacy

Is the hunters' federation so shorn of ideas that it is genuinely convinced that the only way left to defend its members' interests is by aligning itself to some political force? Would it then expect members to vote for that force and would members comply, throwing their own principles to the wind?

Boxed In

It is taken for granted that a yellow box means no parking is allowed there. However, in Balluta Street, St Julians, the situation is somewhat different. One such boundary, now painted white, is busily occupied by a chair, until the owner of the building deems it fit to remove it and park his car instead.

Miss Takes

On May 9, at about 11 a.m., people stopped to stare at what was happening in Merchants Street, Valletta - some even thought it was a shoot for a candid camera clip. The passenger in a huge truck got down and removed the no entry sign for the vehicle to make its way up the street. That done, the sign was duly replaced, barring access for other traffic.

Floor Show

In the Bay Street Complex, a part of the flooring is made of two layers of laminated glass floor panels. One of these, in a particular section, has shattered and has not yet been replaced. Apart from being unsightly, one wonders whether it can still take the same weight it used to.

Car Takers

Some weeks ago, this column reported a white van, a black Seat Ibiza, and a broken-down truck that were left abandoned in Santa Venera. The last two vehicles have since been removed, but the van in Carini Street remains.

Power Games

On Monday evening, faults in the electricity cable system meant that a considerable area in the central and other parts of the island were plunged into darkness. This happened when the rest of the system suffered a surge. One hopes preparations are being made for the coming hot season, when surges will be the order of the day, and not just a one-off, now and again.

Group Dynamics

Every time an international personality visits Malta, or a Maltese national achieves any kind of artistic, sports, or other type of fame abroad, Malta's name is highlighted on the international map, albeit for a short while. But how many of us who belong to internet groups are acting as unofficial mini- PROs for the Republic? One finds that many foreigners are fascinated by our heritage and culture - when they find out about it.

Horse Sense

It is not unusual for horses to be seen being walked and ridden by children along streets in residential areas and in the midst of traffic. Is this allowed by law? If so, should it be allowed?

Exhibits A

The Heritage Malta membership scheme gives subscribers unlimited access to all Heritage Malta sites and museums that are open daily, except, for some reason, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. Junior membership year-round passes for children, giving them subsidised or free access to any type of exhibitions, as well as reduced entrance fees to tertiary education students, would be a good idea.

Heavy Load

Another scholastic year is nearly over and still nobody has turned up at randomly-selected schools to check on the comparative weight of pupils and the bulky bags they have to carry, being penalised for carrying all the necessary thick, heavy books they have to take along. It would be interesting to find out how many children have been diagnosed with trauma or worsening of their scoliosis since the start of the scholastic year.

Guests Lists

Some people appear to have nothing to do; they monitor guests who appear on PBS television programmes, and then weight them according to their political affiliations, rather than against what they have to say. This happens even if they appear in their personal capacity, and not as an official of a government department or entity. Is it possible that the printed press has nothing better with which to fill space?