Protest at visit by warship

Joe Degiorgio

Sep 23rd 2008, 18:15

Graffiti seem to protest about everything that has to do with the military. Since they are so informed about military issues maybe they could enlighten us as to why a number of Graffiti members wear t-shirts / sweaters portraying the face of Che Guevara or simply a red star.

I would assume they know that Che Guevara launched a military campaign that toppled the Cuban Government and put to power Fidel Castro. We all know how 'democratic' Castro was in his leadership.

So please could a Graffiti member enlighten my ignorance and explain why they seem to idolise a rebel that pursued the military life they so much despise and put to power a dictator?

Also for the record. Since you love so much our country; could you please refrain from making so much noise and shout slogans on a yearly basis at the 31st March parade at Birgu? (Especially during the National Anthem ... It's very unpatriotic).

Thanks
Joe

Marvin Mizzi

Sep 23rd 2008, 09:58

We just have to say thank you to people who are ready to offer their lives to protect those of others. Yes long may they come navy ships in our harbours. It is a nice site seeing our harbours with navy ships. Business wise aswell the money these people spend in our island is more that those people on the luxury cruise ships spend in stops in various ports. Finally what graffitti is doing is not protecting our constitution they are just harming it they are not neutrals as they just protest against British or American Warships but not against Russian vessels. In an ideal world there are no wars and crimes but we live in real world and military power is necessary and all of us need protects against invasions and crime. Military power in domoctratic states are there to protect world order. So please lets no call our protectors and saviours kills. Because when the graffiti use those words they are offending of us civilised people.

Charles Zammit

Sep 23rd 2008, 09:11

Keep it up Graffiti. With persons like you young at heart injustices will not go unnoticed. Those who abide only by the status quo only because it pays that they are associated with the establishment. Maybe that's why they have nothing to fear and they do not see the need to hide their face, they have big brother looking after them.

Joseph W. Galea

Sep 23rd 2008, 07:27

The graffitti group are actually giving Malta a bad name because this will be published in foreign newspapers and it will decrease the influx of tourists.

I would like the graffitti degenerates to tell me what Malta is neutral from. Do they really think that if there is a war in the region anyone is going to take any notice of any 'neutrality?'

Warships do not kill. It is hatred that kills and the Graffitti movement (akin to a bowel one) has a lot of hatred towards anything western. Yet I am sure that they read western type magazines, see western type movies, eat western type foods, dress in western type clothes, use western computers and software, probably earn their living with a western connected company and on and on.

If they only knew how unintelligent they appear in these protests, they will forever stop all this childish nonsence and maybe go and get themselves a life.

Like some said, when are they going to get organized and protest vehemently against all the illegal immigrants flooding the 'neutral' country?

Or is there a yellow streak in there somewhere? Why are they so afraid to show their faces?

Edward Zammit

Sep 23rd 2008, 00:31

@ I. Galea

Timidi Mater Non Flet ( a coward's mother does not weep)
Qui Desiderat Pacem Paeparet Bellum (let him who desires peace, prepare for war)

Read and reflect please !!

Chris Finch

Sep 22nd 2008, 22:23

Actually Malta was strategically important for the supply of troops in the defence of North Africa. ANyway, whatever the reason. It was just the average soldier that put his life on the line so you didnt have to be speaking German now.

Denis Catania

Sep 22nd 2008, 19:25

You have to give these guys credit. Personally I don't agree and we do need war ships to protect Malta, but whats most important that these people should have their rights to protest protected. Why are they hiding their faces? It's probably they are afraid of the government. We have to change that in Malta. As far as the illegal immigration goes, we need a big protest in Malta. To let all political parties know, that we will back them up, should they get tough with the EU on the illegal immigration issues.

Joe Borg

Sep 22nd 2008, 18:59

More Fire Power - Less Flower Power.
Graffiti please get a real job and stop living in Eutopia.

Christopher Briffa

Sep 22nd 2008, 17:59

Why on earth does THE TIMES regale these people with any space in it`s newspapers ??

l Galea

Sep 22nd 2008, 17:52

@Rob Galea, Charles DeMicoli, Chris Finch

The British only defended Malta to protect their own interests, i.e. the British empire.

How about when Malta as a colony of the British empire where the sun used to never set being traded with Italy?

Or is everything forgotten when convenient?

@J oatmon
Military power is only used for aggression of other countries such as happened in Iraq and other countries by the USA which has the record of countries it has invaded under one pretext or another

Si vis pacis para bellum is an old concept which only benefits those who supply armaments to the armed forces.

@D. Doublesin
Those included. There are two ways to kill a society. One by direct killing the members of that society, the other by inundating that society by a totally alien culture as is being done by AFFRONTEX which is ferrying illegal immigrants to Malta.

Joe Tabone-Adami

Sep 22nd 2008, 15:26

I recollect a limerick going:-

"Make love not war,
It turns out much cheaper
and you'll enjoy it much more"

Charles Camilleri

Sep 22nd 2008, 15:24

I cannot understand how the Times gives so much prominence to a bunch of people who do not know what they are protesting about. Countries can only enjoy peace so long that they have forces to guarantee that peace. Weakness often invites aggressors. This is happening presently but of course Graffitti do not protest because the aggressors are their friends.
Graffitti are not for peace but a bunch of people mad against anything western.

Rob Galea

Sep 22nd 2008, 15:04

GRAFFITTI, have you got nothing better to do with your life..... why hide your faces when pics are being taken......????? If it was not for the Britsh war ships in the second world war we would all be speaking German....... You should all be thanking your lucky stars.....

Eric Soames

Sep 22nd 2008, 15:00

Hmm, the Indian sub must have used it's stealth technology successfully as far as this group is concerned.

Charles DeMicoli

Sep 22nd 2008, 14:55

Didn't 'warships' defend and save Malta during the last European War, I mean WW II? Hey guys, there's also a submarine in the Grand Harbour, but I guess it's not fashionable to protest against non-west entities.

Chris Finch

Sep 22nd 2008, 14:46

Were any of these people protesting on 14th or 15th August 1943 (or indeed this year on its 65th anniversary) when a group of battleships limped into the Grand Harbour after running a terrible gauntlet for weeks to bring desperately needed supplies to an island on its knees.
How soon some people forget.
Where are their signs saying Warships bring supplies! or are they too blinkered in their own little lives to appreciate the effort some make for others.

Edward Zammit

Sep 22nd 2008, 14:24

@ I. Galea

Protecting your National identity, culture, and heritage is much more important than hospitality. If they would protest against illegal immigration rest assured that I would not speak against them.

D. Doublesin

Sep 22nd 2008, 14:15

@ I. Galea

"How do they tarnish Malta's hospitality when they are protesting against warships whose sole purpose is killing people?"

Like FRONTEX warships you mean?

C. Scerri

Sep 22nd 2008, 12:51

Warships Kill! - even knives, cars, airplanes, cruise ships, cranes, motorcycles, buses etc., etc., etc.

BTW did they go an protest against the Indian Submarine - or only British and US ships that kill?

J oatmon

Sep 22nd 2008, 11:58

Warships and weapons also keep the peace - sometimes the threat of violence is the only thing dictators and criminals understand.

I welcome all military, which is not agressive unless provoked, they preserve our liberty. While fine words are uplifting and comforting it is the military that really keeps the peace - has everyone forgotten the lessons of the second world war, and the millions who died to stay free.

Iris Azzopardi

Sep 22nd 2008, 11:39

I am surprised that 'The Times' wastes precious space on reporting the weekend amusements of a gang of young(ish) people who obviously have nothing better to do.

Joe Scerri

Sep 22nd 2008, 11:11

How come they did not protest against the Indian submarine that is also in grand harbour?
Perhaps because it does not belong to a western country?
I expect a reply.

Charles Sammut

Sep 22nd 2008, 10:43

Graffitti? The same people who hug every African illegal immigrant that washes up on our shores and then go around in Che Guevara tee-shirts. Little do they realise the Argentinian revolutionary's low opinion of the people he tried so hard to galvanise into revolt.

If they read his diary "The African Dream" they will burn all his effigies post-haste!

But they are entitled to their ideas and protests as much as we are entitled to ignore them.

l Galea

Sep 22nd 2008, 10:20

How do they tarnish Malta's hospitality when they are protesting against warships whose sole purpose is killing people?

Fighting for our freedom and rights against oppressors? You must be joking.

As for welcoming illegal immigrants I agree with you 100%. They should also protest against them.

But then will they not be accused by your good self that they are tarnishing Malta reputation for hospitality?

Paul Barrett

Sep 22nd 2008, 10:13

Neutral = Not siding with any party to a war or dispute.
Therefore ships of all types and nations should be either banned or welcomed - otherwise you are taking sides and thus not neutral.

jacqueline chircop

Sep 22nd 2008, 10:05

i really admire these young people what they are saying is give PEACE a chance which is not a bad idea INDEED! i think that they are giving a very positive image of Malta. Keep it up.

Edward Zammit

Sep 22nd 2008, 09:45

"Antica Roma" always the same group of people trying to tarnish Malta's hospitality. They welcome illegal immigrants with open arms, but when it comes to people who are fighting for our freedom and rights against oppressors.