On the dot

The Onion Award this past week, if not for this month, year, century, must surely go to the Transport Federation. It not only called an unnecessary strike that disrupted the country and caused untold damage but was unable to control its own members. Shame!

Top Prize

And the top prize should certainly go to the police for the restraint they demonstrated when provoked by violent and uncivilised elements. It would have been perfectly in order for them to charge, and they would have had 100 per cent popular support, but they were wise enough to foresee that the situation could then only escalate.

Iron Man

Transport Minister Austin Gatt proved his mettle. He had no problem pledging that he would step down had the government given in to the transport operators' threats. Love him or hate him, the man certainly leads front the front with utter resolve.

Wise Move

Kudos also to Labour leader Joseph Muscat for the stand he took over the matter. He let it be known that the MLP is for liberalisation in those areas in which the people are not served well, as in the case of public transport. Let's have more of the same, please.

Cry Foul

Some time ago this column complained of a bad smell in the general area of the first fare stage at Blata l-Bajda going towards Ħamrun. The problem is now far worse for the stench may be smelled as one approaches the traffic lights in front of the MUSEUM chapel. Is it possible that the source of the problem cannot be rooted out?

Stem It

Despite the certain damage to the stone and the ugliness of it all, nothing has been done to stem the effluvium staining the area immediately beneath Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, in the area that may be seen as one goes up Crucifix Hill. What's the problem?

No Poetry

Another eyesore must have been extant for over 30 years. The boulders on which the monument of Dante Alighieri stands, in Floriana, are still defaced by paint. How much does it take to commission a troupe of cleaners armed with the necessary equipment to spruce them up?

Letter Perfect

The communications coordinator of the Malta Communications Authority says that, following an episode where mail that included bank documents was dumped at sea, the standard procedure in such incidents was observed, viz that "it was dealt with expeditiously and any related procedures rectified to decrease the probability of (re-)occurrence". She further added that "corrective measures were immediately undertaken". No doubt, it would have set the public's mind at rest even more had we been told exactly what these measures were.

Sea Here

A nylon line to which floats have been attached marks the swimming zone for Bognor Beach in Buġibba. However, this line does not take in the general area of the beach below the Bognor Regis Restaurant, which is where many people throng to swim. Does this mean that these swimmers are less protected than the others only a few metres away?

Square Roots

There used to be an almost flat, circular redbrick roundabout in the square bordered by Triq il-Fanali and Triq l-Imsida, in Sta Venera, which created a problem for motorists who did not see it quickly enough. This has now been joined by a larger, triangular shape, which makes the problem even worse. Surely, yellow lines or other markings on the road surface itself would have sufficed?

Fire Hazard

Along the left of the side road leading from Ta' Qali to the main road that links Rabat and Attard the weeds have been allowed to grow unchecked. When in their fullness they made an exquisite picture. Now, however, they are dry - and nothing more than a terrible fire hazard.

Water, Water...

British chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson says there must be zero tolerance for teenagers when it comes to drinking and driving. He insists that the two-tier system would save lives since it is partly a dearth of driving experience that leads youngsters to have accidents. This is therefore compounded with the use of alcohol. Enough said.

Flaked Off

There is a charming floral mural on the walls leading up to the first storey in the Ċentru Ħidma Soċjali in Sta Venera. However, parts of the paint have flaked off, allowing the base coat to show through. This makes the whole masterpiece look shabby. Could not something be done to restore the painting to its former glory?

Health Farms

The Welsh Minister for Health, Edwina Hart is thinking of introducing a "cost system" for patients who frivolously do not attend hospital appointments, sometimes even though an ambulance would have called for them. The appointments could have been given to the next person on the waiting list but in the case of no-shows this is not possible. This system would certainly decimate the number of people waiting for treatment for some would surely be ready to turn up at a moment's notice.

Rubbish Load

Residents of areas where space for domestic garbage is available are not pleased with the idea. Many businesses in the area use the containers as their own personal mega-dustbin. As a result, the lid does not close and the flies that feed off the refuse sometimes fly far enough to enter households.

Hello Hello

Someone has probably decided that the Maltese word for deaf is not politically correct. As a result, the trend is to use euphemisms, or even the English word itself, to describe a person who does not hear well, or at all. This is pointless.