Sensitivity vs insensitivity

This is my first contribution since the bad news we heard around Christmas about Alfred Sant's tumour. Having myself suffered two malignant tumours - the first time round I found all the empathy and support from Dr Sant himself when he was a director of a company I worked for - I cannot but empathise with what Dr Sant and his family went and are still going through. In these circumstances, God willing there will be a speedy and full recovery in the shortest time possible.

Coming to the heading of this article, I was pleased to note that consequent to the MLP's press conference informing the nation about Dr Sant's ailment, the Nationalist Party issued a press release expressing moral support to Dr Sant and his family, while Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi visited Dr Sant in hospital.

When the PN resumed its political activities after the Christmas festivities, one could also note the sensitive attitude demonstrated by its media, when the relatively new slogan Par Idejn Sodi, referring to the strong hold on the country's economy and performance by Dr Gonzi, was stopped, giving the impression that there must have been a tacit agreement not to use it - or to minimise its use - as this slogan could have medical/health connotations.

On the other hand, one cannot but notice the insensitive attitude by the Labour Party when surgeon Anthony Zammit, while addressing the general conference, very unethically criticised Eddie Fenech Adami whose only "wrongdoing" was that he took the professional advice given by a local specialist. This insensitivity grew out of proportion when the party leaders, officials and the floor gave a great ovation to the unethical speech by a leading surgeon but inexperienced and naïve politician.

The insensitivity of the Labour Party and its leaders continued in the streets with a billboard showing Dr Gonzi trying to withdraw money from an ATM, with the words Par Idejn Sodi! - a strong pair of hands. One would have expected the MLP leadership to show more maturity in this election campaign.