Just yachting

Yes, the MLP have elected a new leader but, as you know, due to the logistical issues involved with actually printing, rather than virtually publishing, this thing, I have to write on Wednesday evening or, at the latest, Thursday morning, so there's not much I can add to the sum of human knowledge about that earth-shatteringly important event.

That's not to say that I won't make a couple of cracks further down and I might have blogged some thoughts, by now, too.

I spotted, on what should become a much improved news portal now that Lil'Mac (opposite of Big Mac) has taken up the reins at di-ve.com, a piece about how the Midi project, touted as a prime development, with not a little justification, has lost the prestige of having the Middle Sea Race starting from in front of its Manoel Island site.

Were it not for a rather salient fact, I would be the first to jump up and down and scream and shout about how nasty the Royal Malta Yacht Club boys and girls were being, to deprive the Midi project of the benefit of being associated with this prestigious event, even if only by proximity.

The rather salient fact to which I refer, however, does tend to obviate the need to stick up for the chaps at Midi.

You see, the Royal Malta Yacht Club used to have rather nifty premises at the business end of Manoel Island, opposite which the Middle Sea Race used to be given the off. The chaps at Midi did a bit of an "engulf and devour", though, and rather than it being a case of the RMYC depriving Midi, it is more the other way round.

It had always struck me as strange that a prestigious development such as Midi seemed bent on evicting a prestigious outfit such as the RMYC: Talk about being hoist with their own petard.

Life lines

Is it only me or did you also find Mr Paul Vincenti's arguments against abortion a few days ago moderately disquieting?

In summary, though to be fair, this is not his only argument, Mr Vincenti was postulating enlightened self-interest in opposing abortion. Just for the record, in a vain attempt to forestall the negative comments I'll be getting, I am against abortion.

The enlightened self-interest strand of Mr Vincenti's argument was that, given that the population of Europe is in decline, we shouldn't go about aborting potential citizens.

Taken strictly arithmetically, he's right, of course, but this ignores the fact that immigration is taking up the slack nicely. Jogging the argument along to its (manifestly unfair) conclusion, can the argument be made that abortion should not be acceptable because it opens the door to immigration?

Clearly not but the mere fact that I've made the link, however unfairly, means that the link exists and, for the life of me, I can't agree that the argument should have been made the way it was.

And this leaves aside the fact that it's pretty naïve to say that abortion affects the number of sprog being dropped at this level of argument - contraception sure, but abortion? Come on, get real, why don't you?

Did they, didn't they?

By the time you read this, the MLP will have a new leader and Sant, Alfred of that ilk, will be a has-been, an almost-was, an also-ran, as will four out of the five contenders. In politics, as in much of real life, coming second is as good as being last, becoming a miserable loser.

So, now you know: The MLP's delegates, assembled in all their glory, have chosen Joseph Muscat, Dr or George Abela, Dr: They were the only two in with a shout while I was putting this to bed.

Did they make the right choice? Time will tell. Did the machine win, grinding anyone but the Chosen One into the dirt or did the worms turn? By now, you know, but as of now (now being while I write) I don't.

Monday's choir

We were kindly invited to the Corinthia in Attard to hear a quirkily named Italian choir, Il Coro del Lunedi'. It was a remarkable experience, up to the highest of high standards, confirming that our Northern cousins are true artists in almost every field, except on the soccer one (couldn't resist that).

While on the subjects of kind invitations, it was a good one for that this week.

On Saturday, we had a birthday celebration at Peppino's, during which it was confirmed that there are some places you can bank on to produce good stuff, week after week after week.

On Sunday, we were invited to the Sunday buffet lunch at the Excelsior, which was, in brief, space having run out, a most excellent feed.

imbocca@gmail.com, www.timesofmalta.com/blogs