Lessons learnt from the parliamentary limpet

The muttered questions about Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's involvement in the Mistra saga have now become a chorus of cries for his resignation. First there was his evidently uneasy performance on TVM. This was followed by an even more dismal showing on another programme, on One TV, where he refused to be in the same room as the journalists asking questions (this time it was JPO's turn to refuse to face his interlocutors).

It was at this point that those who had previously given JPO the benefit of the doubt changed their attitude. In last week's editorial, this newspaper described him as being "unconvincing". Another Sunday paper depicted him as a Hillary Clinton-like figure who was in denial about what was clear to all. Before wrapping up his trophies and clearing his desk at the gleaming new Nationalist headquarters, outgoing PN general secretary Joe Saliba found the time to tell us that had he been in JPO's place, he would have resigned. The air is thick with cries of "Resign" and you can visualise yellow Post-it notes with 'JPO please go' scrawled all over them being left on his seat in Parliament by his erstwhile colleagues. It seems that the whole country (barring a few ardent fans) want him to ride off into the sunset. There are no signs of JPO going gently into the non-political night. And while many think that this is not good, I find that there is a positive aspect to having JPO super-glued to his parliamentary seat come what may.

In the first place, it's a fitting reminder of the fact that Maltese politicians need not resign from their post even if they bring their party into disrepute. Second, it reminds us that there's an enormous difference between what they say and what they do.

JPO's presence on the parliamentary benches shows that a good part of the electorate will dismiss facts as mud-slinging despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Finally, JPO's limpet act shows us that notions of accountability, transparency and probity are still relatively alien to the Maltese political sphere. So many reminders from one MP.

• There's been a bit of a to-do about an energy drink which has been introduced to the local market recently. Some time ago, an advert appeared in the newspapers asking readers whether they would like to distribute 'Cocaine'. Unfortunately, for those sad souls who thought this would be the first rung in the ladder leading up to drug baron status, this was not a call for Pablo Escobar wannabes. That's because the 'Cocaine' which has to be distributed does not consist of kilos of the illegal drug. It's just another caffeine-loaded energy drink which is supposed to give you as much energy as the Duracell bunny.

Sedqa complained about the advertising and sale of the drink. Its operations director Jean Claude Cardona said that having a product named 'Cocaine' advertised and sold to young people was an act of irresponsibility which created confusion and conflicting messages for them. He was dismayed because this was happening while Sedqa and NGOs were working hard on the promotion of positive messages for a healthy lifestyle for young people.

I can see why the people at Sedqa are not all pleased. The drink got the same sort of reception when it was brought to Britain. An official of the UK National Drug Prevention Alliance had described it as a cynical tactic exploiting illegal drugs for their own benefit. He thought that the 'Cocaine' marketing ploy was a subliminal one, which made the image of drug use cool. Although I have my doubts as to whether the drink will serve as a stepping stone to the drug, I can see why the marketing ploy behind its name is so effective, albeit objectionable. Besides stirring up controversy and follow-up publicity, the drug name is used in an attempt to have some of the illicit glamour of the drug-using scene rub-off on the product.

Of course, this can only work if the drug scene is perceived as being glamorous or attractive. Sadly, it is. That's why drinks such as 'Cocaine' and the even more inanely-named 'Pimpjuice' get their moniker. It's this attitude which we have to try to address rather than railing against drinks which are little more than coffee concentrates.

• Here's an appeal for help which can easily be met and which may brighten up the day for children who deserve it. The Rainbow Ward at Mater Dei Hospital caters for children who are very ill, and who spend long hours confined to barracks.

Besides the fact that sickness is already blighting their young lives, these children can't be running about playing and being as carefree as they should be. In order to make up for this in some small way, the people at the ward have come up with the idea of having a library on the premises. The young patients will be able to read the books or have them read to them, and be transported to another world, albeit temporarily. So if any of you have any children's books which are in good condition and which you'd like to donate, pop along to the Rainbow Ward and drop them off. It's advisable to phone on the general number 2545 0000 beforehand to see which the best time to do this is.

cl.bon@nextgen.net.mt