Friday, 22nd February 2008

University debate: condemnation awaited (2)

Saviour Sammut, Safi.

That students should behave in a rowdy manner is no surprise at all. But being so intolerant to other people's view to the extent of hampering them from giving out their opinion is tantamount to an alarming situation.

Some of the University students' behaviour during the public debate held at the University between the four leaders of Malta's political parties leaves much to be desired. It clearly shows that our Alma Mater may be producing lawyers, architects, teachers etc... but definitely not good citizens who should embrace the values of diversity and tolerance.

They really need some PSD (Personal and Social Development) and citizenship skills at our highest educational institution. Is this the manner how to show that their level of education is helping them to succeed?

To make matters worse, we read that one of the political parties' leaders had to be whisked through a back door. Where there not enough bouncers to bounce out these louts and the hot-headed, orchestrated gang? Their chants of "Gonzi, Gonzi" and their booing of all the three other leaders' interventions shows what a myopic and non-pluralistic political creed they adhere to.

Excusing such a behaviour by comparing it to the 1980s thuggery and violent days means that we are still living in a tit-for-tat tribal politics era. Will this country ever be redeemed from such a state?

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Comments

Daphne Caruana Galizia (on 22/2/08)

Another Labour galloppin, making a clarion call for censorship and the suppression of opinions. To think that there are actually people around who don't want freedom. Amazing.

Jennifer Cosaitis (on 22/2/08)

Mr Sammut, May I assume you only watched the debate on one political station? Of course Dr Sant could be heard speaking and giving his opinion. Personally, I do not like being taken for a ride, and Dr Sant conveniently refused to answer questions put to him, which after all was the aim of the debate. so no I do not accept a political leader arroganty ignoring questions and leading his own agenda. May I remind Mr Sammut, that we are not the violent MLP thugs of the 80s and do not resort to violence to get our point across. Could it be that maybe Dr sant realised that university students are not the twits he made us out to be and couldn't face any more feelings of being rebutted?

Joe Martinelli (on 22/2/08)

The students' behaviour so strongly deplored by the MLP media and supporters does not even come close to Dr. Sant's arrogance in refusing to answer questions posed by the media, save those coming from One TV.
Dr. Sant in his inimitable fashion answers questions with a question and he chose to ask two very simple questions which he did not think would backfire.
The questions were: Do you want a change (in government)?
The students replied quite emphatically 'Nooooo'
The second question was "Who is stubborn?'
The reply, just as loud was 'Youuuu'
To these responses, Labour is calling the students all kind of peggiorative names. This will without doubt 'convert' the students and they will vote MLP!
So, Dr. Sant does not like answering questions from the media and also detests hearing the answers to his own !
A case of wanting it both ways. A case where the word 'democracy' is subject to Dr. Sant's interpretations.