Most people believe that history does repeat itself. But does all history repeat itself? Some have their reservations. However the story of Terinu can definitely repeat itself 1,000 times before the election. Why? Because a grand Terinata was committed in relatively recent history and it created the biggest political lie in Maltese intrigue. Some may be tempted to repeat a horrible lie of this type - even if the chances of it looking credible fade as adorers of Terinu become rarer in Malta.

Who was Terinu? About 70 years ago the archenemy of the Nationalist Party was Gerald Strickland of the Constitutional Party. He was continuously demonised and attacked (sounds familiar?). On the eve of a general election which the Strickland party had a good chance of winning, a certain Ettore Bono, nicknamed Terinu, made an affidavit saying he had seen, while working as a waiter during a Freemasons' activity in Valletta, Mr Strickland participating in this activity. The electoral effect of this pre-electoral gimmick was devastating and it changed the course of history.

Nothing assures us that another "Terinata" will not be produced on the eve of the coming election. PN strategists (including politico-religious advisers) have declared that the electoral campaign will be long to give the MLP a chance to slip (sic). So watch out for the banana!

What will the next grand lie about Alfred Sant be? It could be that he streaked across a football ground, that he prevented his friend's daughter from jumping into a swimming pool, or that he made faces at a witch who hated him or that he drank orange juice with five straws. It could be anything. However, there is no doubt that you have been prepared for this happening. And I am sure that you do not wish to be taken for the most gullible among the naïvest.

Moses' arms

One of the earliest genuine Christian Democrats was Moses, son of Amram. He was an excellent leader and promised to take his people out of misery and into excellence by the year 2015. This was, of course, easier said than done, for he had first to traverse all kinds of odds with his people following him chanting his virtues. The problems encountered included ferocious battles against horrendous enemies. But Moses went up on a mountain and prayed with his arms held high and the battles went well. His gym trainer was Pipses - a political sportsman. Sometimes Moses got tired and his arms dropped to his sides. But his colleagues held them up for him and he prayed well.

A modern leader always tries to humbly learn from past leaders although he may have a new way of doing Christian Democratic politics. He makes sure he has a pair of strong arms to pray solidly. He does not need colleagues to hold his arms up. Indeed, their antics may more probably hold his arms pinned down.

I agree with PN manifesto

At least I agree with part of the one of 1987 which states: "Anyone who does not fight corruption is himself corrupt and is robbing you and your country". Hear hear! Why not include this in the 2008 manifesto too? After all, corruption remains disgusting at all times. While at it, I think that the PN should include this time its intention to remove all prescription on corruption. We don't want anybody robbing you and your country, do we? The MLP has already agreed to this. I have not yet heard any PN statement about time-barring for corruption cases. Maybe the PN PRO can reassure us voters?

Go shopping

Joe Saliba, still PN general secretary because no vote for a new one was held during the PN general council, often repeats that the cost of living is under control. Of course, the minority of rich people agree with Mr Saliba as prices gone berserk make little difference to them. Perhaps Mr Saliba should go shopping with some middle and lower income people to see the regular higher price differences forcing families to gasp trying to make ends meet.

The party I lead

I have heard a thousand times Lawrence Gonzi mention the progress that, in his opinion, the country has made "since I have been leading the party". It seems as if he believes that there was no Nationalist Party before him. Indeed, many Nats say that the real PN was the one before Dr Gonzi who, let's face it, with his "new way of doing politics" led the party to four consecutive local council defeats, a Euro Parliament debacle and a Commonwealth Secretary General disappointing election on top of these, making him the greatest serial loser leader the PN ever had.

U-shaped hedges

For years we heard so much against hedging in relation to surcharge limitation that we were brainwashed into thinking that hedging was the greatest economic disaster that could exist. We were told that the government "was not prepared to play with people's money" by adopting a measure used during a previous Labour government. But suddenly hedging stopped being a taboo and was introduced, resulting in lightened burdens. The common sense of adopting hedging is more than political maturity, alas quite late in the day; it is also a forging of double-speak into an admirable u-turn.

Business and the bridge

While negotiations between the government and the business communities of Sliema, St Julians and Paceville were still unfinished, the government went ahead with plans resulting in business suffering from difficult access to these areas. The reason was obviously to hurry up and finish the bridge before the election, as this would have an effect on voting. But aren't government decisions taken in the interest of the country rather than of the party?

Snack and Park at Mater Dei

I do not understand why each time something new is set up the prices related to it are higher than formerly. Snacks etc at Mater Dei Hospital are higher than at St Luke's Hospital. I do not see the moving logic. Also, people on radio stations and the printed media have complained about the prohibitive parking fees at the same hospital. The government promised to "see what it could do about it". This is an incredibly nonchalant way of going about controlling financial burden on patients and their relatives. Low parking fees should have been set even before parking tenders were out.

Party/government distinction

When the construction of new party headquarters is called "a new building for the people" it is dangerous thinking indeed. It means that the whole population is considered part of one political party. This combines demi-christianity with demi-democracy.

Kicking a man on the ground

During Alfred Sant's convalescence, you can still find Christian Democrats attacking him personally. It takes real courage to kick a man on the ground! Now I know what the "Christian" in Christian Democracy really means! At the same time, I don't share the great laughter of people watching Dr Gonzi fail to withdraw euros from an ATM. Laughter, like demonisation, tends to get back to you.

Dr Licari teaches psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and geolinguistics at the Department of French of the University of Malta.