Updated: Debono Grech attends Labour activity

Dear Mario Borg,

Initially my piece was directed to rebut F Spiteri's baseless claims that:

1. The PN used the Church hierarchy to reach its aims (???)
2. Dr Gonzi owes Labour an apology on behalf of his ancestor's anti-MLP directives

Nowhere have I stated that ALL bad things are due to Labour. Labour may be responsible for MOST but not ALL. Surely you'll admit that the psychological, religious violence used on Labourites in the 60s and the organised, systematic, repressive physical and psychological violence of the 1976-87 era are worlds apart !

I sincerely sympathize with you for the consequences suffered by members of your family as a result of the Church's aggressive anti-Labour stand in the 60s. You must be reasonable enough however to admit that anti-Labour protesters and exponents also suffered from physical and psychological violence during the Socialist era. I also have first-hand experience, not solely information, of this aggression.

Regarding the recommended historical books for perusal, I omitted to mention that other titles are available. If Ganado's point of view can be regarded as conservative, it is generally held that Pirotta's views are progressive and leftist.

@PJ Mifsud.
I’m commenting to your blog because some times, I feel as if all the bad things that happened on these few rocks know their paternity to labour. Acknowledging that violence was committed by both sides of the divide definitely helps to get a better picture of events gone by.

Regarding your reading recommendations, I did read Rajt Malta tinbidel, but unfortunately not the one by Pirotta, but I promise I will read it as soon as I can. However, when I read I always try to keep in mind the writer's point of view and his prejudices. As an example, there are a million books denying the existence of god and another million book 'proving' god's existence. It all depends on which side of the fence you're standing.

But what I'm pretty sure is that neither Ganado nor Pirotta suffered the consequences of the church aggressive stand against labour during the 1960's....unlike several members of my family including my father. Listening to their side of the story can surely be classified as getting a biased view but at least it is truly first hand information. Don't you think Mr. Mifsud?

@ Mario Borg

I don't know why you bothered to comment on my blog without including any counter-arguments based on facts. Of course I'm sure of what I wrote, though you DID admit that I'm right. Permit me to recommend these books for your perusal. They'd probably be available for borrowing at the Public Library.

Fortress Colony: The Final Act. (1945-64) in 3 volumes by Joseph M. Pirotta
Rajt Malta Tinbidel. 4 volumes by Herbert Ganado or the English version translated by Michael Refalo

The problem with your type is the ingrained local habit of failing to obtain first-hand information (through reading) and taking as gospel truth whatever others who are completely misinformed have to say. Naturally this is relayed on enveloped in a politically- slanted package. Believing word for word whatever you hear from dim-witted orators has no face value.

I never stated that it's ALWAYS Labour's fault. The main issue centred around a feud between Mintoff and Archbishop Gonzi (who in the 1930s was an MLP representative in the Government Council) regarding Catholic dogma that the Church Authorities considered anathema to be introduced in Parliament. The main blame may be attributed to Mintoff's handling of the issue.

@PJ Mifsud
are you so sure mr.mifsud?
yes but of course you're right, after all it's always labour's fault!

@ PJ Mifsud.
Very well put Mr Mifsud, some political party supporters do have the habit to believe word for word what they hear from parents and other supporters.

@ F. Spiteri

No Nationalist government has ever used the Maltese Church hierarchy to attain its aims, as you erroneously and baselessly alleged. Mortal sin imposed by Archbishop Gonzi wasn't the outcome of any MLP-PN political confrontation. The Church hierarchy had its valid reasons for reacting to the MLP's provocations and insolence so strongly. Please note that Archbishop Gonzi is Dr Gonzi's great great-uncle and not our government's uncle (sic) - governments are abstract entities, hence they cannot have any relatives.

I recommend you consult local history books dealing with the 1960s politico-religious issue between the MLP and the Church Authorities to learn the actual facts. Fictitious stories and tales related by bar patrons are not reliable material to be used in serious arguments. Years ago, the local Church authorities publicly apologised to the MLP and its supporters for the anguish caused in those troubled times, even though they weren't the main culprits.

Solid arguments should be backed by historical facts. One should avoid being foolish to rush in where angels fear to tread to make ridiculous proposals, such as expecting Dr Gonzi to apologize for his ancestor's alleged irregular treatment of this unfortunate historical issue.

@ john cassar

you still did not answered my Qestion, now don't escape it ok ?
thanks for calling me GERRY. !!! VERY NICE OF YOU, the hilly billy way, lol,
as for your writing all the comment in Capital Letters your are still in the agony of all your last defeats, cool it man cool it, or you may miss the boat !!!
I know you got it now deep down too, !!!!??? !!!! :) Cheers.

Mr. Spiteri.... A conditioned pardon is no pardon at all. You see you would pay anything to be able to impute anything directly to the nationalist party to balance the MLP's endless and shameful list of torts to fellow Maltese.

Dear Joe Martinelli,
Maybe it is about time you brush up on your English!!! If you know the meaning of the word APOLOGIST, it refers to a person who constantly argues to defend and justify a particular institution or party - just like PN APOLOGISTS!!! If you read your comment once again, ironically enough you are going to say "Oops!! So I am a PN Apologist!".

You opted to mention PN's achievements. Without MLP's past achievements we would have never received free education, health care, pensions, etc. And if you would like to know what Dr. Muscat achieved for Malta already while an MEP, browse his website.

If you would like to mention about the apologies that BOTH PARTIES should make with regards to the past, well ... you are not up to date enough!! Joseph Muscat has already done that!!!!!! We are at the moment waiting for GONZIPN to follow such examples. Do you recall the imposition of mortal sin by Archbishop Michael Gonzi, our government's uncle???? It is the time when PN used the church to reach its aims! Why doesn't Dr. Gonzi do his duty about this apology?

I thought - well the resignation of this hardliner who considers half the Maltese population as irrelevant strangers was really the sign that the much coveted and celebrated new beginning was finally happening!!!

Days proved me wrong and sent hopes reeling! Cheap populist spate….

@John Cassar

And that's when the Malta/Gozo Cruise Liner will be called 'TITANIC' and I'll be jumping ship.

Get it Johnny ;)

@ Gerard Mangion..

YES GERARD, AT THE MOMENT JOSEPH IS THE CAPTAIN OF THE MLP BOAT...

IN A FEW YEARS TIME, AND AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNE MOMENT, JOSEPH IS GOING TO BE THE CAPTAIN OF THE MALTA/GOZO CRUISE LINER...

DO YOU GET THIS ONE IN NOW, GERRY.....!!!!!?????!!!!?????

Dictionary definition of resignation: resignation |ˌrezigˈnā sh ən|
noun
1 an act of retiring or giving up a position

Evidently this does not include our politicians.

@ g.c.Forte... I lol'ed... Big Time!!

@ j. martinelli. i understand that some people are ashamed to be defending gonzipn at this moment in time.
debono grech came back bcoz he knows he's wanted & that his place is in the labour party.
i wonder why frank portelli & dalli came back! maybe u can enlighten us?
re the rest of your comment.....u have a right to your opinion and the rest of us to ours.

I hope this one get in, !

@
john cassar

I agree with you, yes J.m will make a good captain, But tell me is He not the Captain already?
or ???....................

@ joe galea

I guess you will have to ask Joson, about the MEXXEJ min xejn, hard luck my answer to you was skipped for some reason, ma gara Xejn my friend.

@ TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE STILL TRYING HARD TO UNDERMINE JOSEPH....

IT LOOKS LIKE JOSEPH`S GOOD LOOKS... NEW POLITICAL ATTITUDES... SMILES... CHARISMA... INTELLIGENCE... `YOU NAME IT....HE HAS IT`, HAS REALLY SHOCKED THE PN BOAT AND IT`S `SAILORS`, LIKE I DON`T KNOW WHAT....!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK JOSEPH... IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL MAKE AN EXELLENT `CAPTAIN` FOR MALTA AND GOZO...

Joseph Muscat has brought a fresh glimmer of hope not just in the Labour party but for the whole of Malta . His non confrontational style is breaking down old boundaries not just within the Labour party structures but also outside the party.

In a truely democratic spirit he is able to reach out across old feuds within the party and across party lines. It is obvious that the Nationalist Party have no idea about how they are going to deal with him.

their old tactics keep misfiring. All that talk about il-magna tal-partit. THE MAGNA that was supposedly for Joseph and against anglu. Their predictions turned out wrong because the spirit of Joseph is bigger than any MAGNA.

the more I listen to his words and the more he implements change the more he wins us all over.

On the other hand the Nationalist Party stands out as being so controled. Where's the dialogue. Does no one dare contest any posts within their structures? Is everyone so scared.? Every day the Nationalist Party comes over as being so autocratic. There is no room for opinions within the party . then what is it like for those outside the party?

How disgustingly sweet! Old Joe comes back after he resigned from the party claiming that 'he had not been treated fairly'! Nothing much is changed within the MLP, so he must have struck a 'fair deal' with Joseph?

@ Joe Galea et al

Stop calling Nationalist supporters 'apologists'. We have nothing to apologize for. We won Independence, joined the EU, joined the eurozone, brought prosperity, free trade, record employment, more work and better work, more tourists and improved infrastructure after years of utter neglect by Socialist regimes.

It is the Labour Party who should apologize for their gross misdeeds of the 70's and 80's and very, very briefly in the 90's. They should be labelled 'apologists'.

To Ivan Camilleri:
If you understand these 3 points hereunder you will never remain so astonished with Joseph Muscat's achievements:

1. There are always able people; the challenge lies in discovering and fostering them.
(MLP met the challenge here! Joseph Muscat's qualities were discovered, was elected as the party leader & we are already seeing results!)

2. When one takes full responsibility, one's true greatness will manifest.
(Need I explain, Ivan Camilleri???)

3. A person who cannot genuinely empathize with others can never excel as a leader.
(The reason why Joseph Muscat's charisma, "hugs & pep talk" are leaving results - they are genuine!!!!)

If you are still finding it hard to understand, then I suggest you wait till next election is over & Jospeh will be governing Malta!

What a U-turn.... typical of MLP front liners.

Hahaha Thanks God we have another 5 years of beautiful entertainment of this type.

It seems that jm is not just talk and no do. He is managing to move people and putting the nationalist party on the defence. Many people who did not care about politics are now starting to show interest and the running of our country. maybe this new season thing is not just a slogan. keep it going

Gimmicks? Ask the workers at the Malta Drydocks?
Before the election they received a letter, stating that their job is safe, and that there will be lots of work for them at the Drydocks! Now presto, the government is saying that the MDD should be sold because it is a liability to Malta, and that we are paying with our taxes for them. So what. We have been paying taxes for the last 20 years for the incompetence of the PN government, finanzi fis-sod, Mater Dei, why should it matter for the govt. if we help out other workers until he can find a way so that it can become sustainable.

@Ivan Camilleri...Yes the hugs and Pep talk are the face value of the real work being carried from behind the curtains to unite the Party. Moreover I assure you that the party was fragmented due to dicontent with the former leadership. Joe Muscat is changing the mentality and he is instilling a general feeling of hope in the country not just by words but with facts.

The problem is that GonziPN is becoming more arrogant each day as it is doing in the Malta Shipbuilding case. So before attacking Labour and criticising negatively everything MLP does, look at all the blunders your government is doing (e.g. broken electoral pleas, dictatorially decision taking, etc).

@all PN apologist, please give us a break from desperately trying to paint all Labour does black. Remember that within the PN there were those who left or made to leave and came back like Frank Portelli, John Dalli, etc. I think the farce was before the election, with Gonzi claiming that nothing as found against John Dalli, just to win John Dalli's constituents votes. I would call a farce the JPO saga and his involvement in the Mistra Valley planned environmental disaster.
Dear Renato Costigan, if you look at your party you will notice that most of the parliamentary PN representatives have been the same for decades.
Dear Mr. know-it-all Ivan Camiller, please note that Jason Micallef doesn't lead the party and his current job is on till the next administration elections announced to be very soon.
Dear Gerard Mangion, can you illuminate us on Joe Muscat becoming a Mexxej minn Xejn? I think you and all you orchestrated comrades in here are so sour about MLP becoming more united every day that you can't bear it.

to quote: "And it seems that the PN will do it again next time round to the MLP of Joseph Muscat who has already fallen into the old trap and been 'mibjugh minn hutu' ."

...we are already sold.. to the highest rates in taxes, surcharge, utility bills, and many more to come. Why should we worry about the present state of affairs of the MLP when the low income families will not survive while the middle class has vanished...and yes the PN will do it again promises and more taxes...may Malta rest in peace.

@ Ivan Camilleri. It is obvious that everyone is uniting behind JM's leadership. I personally was for George Abela but now I am most willing to support JM who was my second preference. And you will see more of these JM approaches in the coming days. Mintoff, george Abela's new role launched, and many more! I think you basically cant stand the idea that Labour is already growing amongst its natural grassroots and amongst floaters

So its a Gimmick you say eh !!
If I`m not mistaken, the oracle of truth i.e. NET TV and its journalists has been bombarding us with the resignation of JDG .

Now here you have it !!

Labour is back

What a nice idea from Joseph Muscat.

Everyone back within the Malta Labour Party.

A M A D A M E T U S S A U D E ' S M U S E U M.


A continuation of the Carry On's.

I really would like to know why those people are saying this is a gimmick, why they didn't told it was before today. I bet in a few days you are going to say that also about Dom mIntoff it was another gimmick. Joseph is really making what he had said before being elected. Everyone is welcome to the party.

@George deGiorgio,
Sour grapes? hehe......
I have one question & i hope someone can reply pls........

Once the electoral report was published everyone had one simple conclusion & everyone agreed with it......

MLP is fragmented, souless, packed with cliques etc etc......

Why suddenly it has become as united & peaceful as the holy heavens i might ask? Is it possible that with some hugs & pep talk all those huge disasters were resloved?

Pls reply with substance.......

Can't the Labour party get rid of his old habits all these catch words , 'BIDU GDID' and 'STAGUN GDID' and we are getting nowhere .

Seems so LOGICAL and I quote from the article. JOE D GRECH said '.....the party said his resignation was not accepted.' AND Joseph Muscat said '......Mr Debono Grech never left the MLP'. clearly Obvious .

One does not need a PhD to understand this.
What's all the fuss about ? Nothing was broken so Nothing needed fixing.

I call this playacting virtual accomplishments..... events that seem to have happened but did not happen in reality.

Why oh why are MLP supporters so happy that Debono Grech and AST are back. They should be HAPPY if they leave and never return. Who needs these relics in their party

Why are PN supporters swallowing their own venom?

I am bored by this circus.

PN won the MLP with all that old stuff with Dom Mintoff as their leader. It won again with that same old stuff lead by KMB. Won for the third and fourth time the MLP hotchpotch team of Svizzera fil-Mediterran lead by Alfred Sant who had recently prior to the general election preached that 'hadt mhu ghar-rimi' and immediately after the election it was he himself 'li intrema minn shabu'. And it seems that the PN will do it again next time round to the MLP of Joseph Muscat who has already fallen into the old trap and been 'mibjugh minn hutu' .

Welledone J.M Welldone

You got your hilly billy back,

CAN you tell us what made, your lost sheep come back ? and why he resigned, the moment you
became the MEXXEJ MIN XEJN ?? CHEER'S.

To the entire nationalist that are writing in this column and wishing us well. Remember that JPO will come and haunt you; better fix your problems as now you have your own glass house. MLP will unit and that's what's worrying the nationalist.

Look at you PN supporters... kemm intom mahruqin!!!

Great job JM and JDG

Everyone have high hopes for JM, and he is proving himself day after day. On the other side of the coin, We get arrogance, taxes, more arrogance and even more taxes (most of them hidden, but now they don't even bother to hide the taxes we are imposed upon) to the lease paid and third class citizens of Europe. We are a third world country. And if you ask a poor African who barely survives with a piece of bread and a cup of water he'll tell you he is rich (because he compared himself to other Africans who are dying of hunger). Maybe we are rich compared to an African but we are por very poor compared to the rest of Europe .And that's what we think we are because we lost our freedom to even question what the PN gods do and say

Keep it up JM maybe at last, some day, we will regain our freedom and democracy back, if anyone here even remembers what those two words really mean.

@ Ivan Camilleri
Sour Grapes!

Well done Dr Muscat. Your achievements in uniting the party these last two weeks are proving to be quite a headache to the PN accolytes. Keep it up.

Well done, Joseph for making such an excellent move although JDG's leaving d party wasn't a big issue for me personally since I am not a Labourite but a floater.
All you PN apologists, I wonder, what's your real problem or worry actually? The more I read comments like the ones below, the more I become confident that JM was the best choice.

Gimmicks? Politicians live by gimmicks. On the eve of the election the nation was told that under the Nationalists finances are solid, so much so that taxes will be reduced--Lawrence Gonzi.
Only yesterday we were told by Tonio Fenech that the unjust airport tax cannot be abolished till November, his words; `If we lift the tax before November we will not meet our defecit targets`, whom do you believe. In other words we are taxing people to reduce taxes, crazy.
Next will be the hike on Electricity and Water, surcharge and tariffs. All this from a government that have finances under control. Gimmicks and unthruths is a way with politics worldwide.

Joseph Muscat is making great effort to give the impression that he is succeeding in uniting his party. His latest approach was to A. Sciberras Trigona who unlike Joseph has not yet seen the light and is still staunchly against Malta's entry into Europe. Perhaps Joseph will make a venture to bring KMB too. Now the question is this; will the party allow persons who go against the official policy in it's fold simply to be seen as a united party?

@Brandon camilleri
Yep its true we have just 2 contestants......but what can the party do at this stage Brandon in your opinion? All i can say is that PN can be admired for his system which requires a reshuffle of the whole executive even AFTER winning elections!!! Unlike MLP which has to wait for 4 disasters to change somethin!! Now we have Mr.Micallef who still wants to cling to his post even if he knows that his days should be numbered.....

@Mr.Michael Debono....
The issue of 1500 votes is deeper than anyone can think.......
Labour was supposed to be a staggering 15000 votes ahead but thanks to the ego & super confidence of certain people all was lost......
Mr. you-know-who was spreadin the word that labour would win even till noon of 9th March......people were misled & treated rather badly for being let hittin the streets celebrating a victory which was known it was lost by 11am!!!! How can you be led by such people??!!

Hip Hip Hurray! Finally the Labour is getting back together again. Wonder if they will ever change but..

There is a limit to anyone's Bluff.
All those who before the last elections used to say that the MLP does not deserve to govern because it is a disorganized party, are being proved right.

All this is all a gimmick. Do you think that JDG ever left the party? U ejja !!!!!!!!!

@A.Attard
you mean ONE chair with THREE legs ha ha ha

Now let's give Joseph a challenge. How about trying this gimmick on Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici !

To me it means that JM welcomed back Debono Gech. Which means mission accomplished for JM! I think it is evident that the party has grown since JM took the helm

The Nationalists when some people left from the Labour party, criticized with all their strength and with all their media that we are not being inclusive. NOW, NOW, we are being open for everyone, we are ready to work with everyone ...... BUT the Nationalists still criticize this behavior of being inclusive and the party of everyone ...... decide what is your opinion!! What do you want, giving you the Labour party in your hands to do what you want with it?!! Come on Mr/Ms. Nationalist, give us a break!!

Ivan....you mean that the PN is a united party. Look at the choice of general secretary. The administration is doing it's best to leave out Borg Olivier from this high post and ended up choosing someone who is also an MP. And guess who will win this post. Hope that the independent media in the like of Bondi+, Xarabank, this newspaper and the Independent will make the necessary survets to see who is the ideal candidate for such a post. Unfortunatley for teh 2 contenders they are not gaining the head lines of any of the newspapers.

Is this the "Shake Down" - welcoming back old people in an old party?
Come on, make space for new people - that were never ever involved in the MLP party before, unlike Mr. Muscat himself.

What the MLP really wishes? - A new start? - when one person starts a change, people will argue and will leave and the person making the change will lose popularity - surely Mr.Muscat doesn't want to lose the popularity! - unlike the PM Dr. Gonzi who back in 2004/5 - did lost the popularity vote, both within party supporters and non-party supporters - but now in 2008 - even the MLP is trying to be or give the image of a GonziPN wish only valid in the weeks before the Election!

When it comes to gimmicks there is nobody who can take the CUP from Mr. J.P.O,because he can twist and lie the same argument at the same minute. May I ask how can a person sign a contract in January and deny it in March.and swear on his children that he did not know about this project. If this is not the Biggest Gimmick of all centuries just tell me which one.The ironic thing is that the P.N. cannot get rid of him. Shame.

LIke it or not, Labour is being united again into one strong force to reckon with. PN watch out.

@Ivan Camilleri you requested to stop being treated as a bunch of idiots. How do you want to be treated? Everybody is listening. 1500 votes have been enough to make you accept being so treated by you know who?So why feel sour?

Is this a farce ?

To Mr.Martin Camilleri,
Pls never compare the PN with MLP on such matters. PN officers never treated the party in such a way labour officials do!! PN officers never left, came back, left etc etc...... There is such an image of mistrust in your party that shines like the sun!!

One of your "new" deputy leaders was kicked out of the party, formed alternattiva demokratika, then came back, clashed again with some officials & now he occupies the aforementioned post. Can you check out for me if the "pepsodent-teeth-smile" statement still applies? Pls don't tell me you don't know what i'm refering to!!

good job joseph! you are managing to bring everyone back!!!! Now NET NEWS say you have 2 chairs instead of 1!!! Joseph you are great!

I don't understand why Mr.Muscat is still trying to impress the nation with such comments. The more he tries to give the impression that Labour is one united party, the more pathethic he looks! Pls don't treat us us a bunch of idiots & give us a break!! (I Camilleri, Sliema)

The news item seems to imply that Joe - welcome back 'Superjur' as we used to call him at the Malta Rubber- had an issue with the current leader. The reason for Joe's action has not been revealed, but i know that it goes back months. So it is not a question that he did not embrace the current administration.
Joe - whether you agree on all scores with him or not - has always been a staunch defender of the workers cause and on this issue i am sure he will not be a party to betray their cause. So please stop all the speculation about Joe and the rest before you know the facts from the horses' mouth.

Gimmick's : John Dalli episode was a gimmick or not? PN always the same Arrogant Arrogant and Arrogant. What is wrong to others is right to them and what is right to them is wrong to others

Can you please stop the gimmicks Joseph? After all these years in the MLP, you have not yet realized that gimmicks won't work.?