Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas, Swieqi
Let's keep debate to the issues
Marlene Mizzi's reaction to my article (When Petty Is Pretty Serious, March 5) was a knee jerk personal attack on me that was totally uncalled for, in that my criticism was limited to the political approach she has adopted and was based on verbatim quotes from her own article.
I wrote that she wants to be in the EP to do things like "hamper our government", "name and shame the government" and to attack "a government gone wrong".
At no moment did I stoop to emotional and personal tirades, neither against her and nor in a pseudo empathic champagne-socialist listing of types of problems that real people face and who she claims to have looked in the eye.
Notwithstanding the relative age gap, I can claim years of studies and experience in European affairs, including active (and voluntary) campaigning for EU membership.
These experiences have taught me that the European Parliament is best peopled by genuine individuals with a good grounding and belief in what Europe stands for and who know well how to work inside the system for the betterment of the citizens they represent and not as a platform to attack their own governments. That is why I am running for these elections for the second time with the party that steered this country not only to EU membership but more relevantly to the opportunity for all Maltese citizens to be represented in the European Parliament, something that the party Ms Mizzi has joined was vehemently against.
People want to see politicians debate the issues not slag each other off. I therefore absolutely refuse to be drawn into the type of argument and level of debate that Ms Mizzi seems to have launched, although I must say that I did find the mental image of her in boxing gloves quite amusing.
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Joe Xuereb (London UK)
Mar 13th 2009, 16:58
Ms triccas, I would not vote for you to be elected to represent me anywhere. Did you not say only a few weeks ago that after the stresses of the working week - and who does not suffer strees 24/7 thesedays - you prefer to unwind at the theatre watching something of the level of a pantomime. Because this reflects real life I think you said. Here in UK I believe pantomimes are regular Christmas fare. And annual offering, offering belly-laughs to those of seasonal good will. Are you suggesting that in Malta, Christamas and its reflections are year round? You may have a point there. Just.
Muscat pat
Mar 13th 2009, 15:38
Spinning and weaving Part II. First we had the introduction of panegyric by Salvu Felice Pace from the silent village of Gharb, and now we have the proper weaving by the Soprano herself!
Joseph Scicluna
Mar 13th 2009, 15:02
L.Galea and I thought that it was a trade mark of you know who. L.Schembri. I do not look into glasses, I look in the mirrors.
Lucy Bartolo
Mar 13th 2009, 14:56
What do you expect? That RMTT stays quiet when someone personally attacks her? I am sure you would have done the same if you were in the same situation. Good job Roberta! Keep up the good work.
Caroline Borg
Mar 13th 2009, 14:47
How sad to play on age differnece and how cheap. Is it an offence for a person to be older than you are? One day you will be as old as Marline Mizzi too ,and you should wish that you will look as good and will be as successful as her.
Dr Roberta, I also come from NP stock but your attack on Marline Mizzi did you or the party no service. She replied to your article as any politican would do when attacked. Why are you surprised?
You have shown your weakness and inexperince of youth in the way you wrote. I suggest you wait till you are Mizzi's age before wanting to represent us and the NP. Parliament is not for children.
M.Gauci
Mar 13th 2009, 14:46
Edgar Azzopardi
As I said I am not pooling in for Ms. Triccas. However I can assure you that I have not lived on the moon and ask you again in what pretext are you saying that she is remarkable when she is not tried and tested. In fact I never described Ms. Triccas as remarkable because she is not tried and tested as well.
My point is, are you attributing remarkability to Ms. Mizzi on the basis of having being Chairperson of Sea Malta and she was a lady and not a man ? or because she has got a business empire ? Well there are many people who have done both. The proof of the MEP pudding is in the eating though.
Again - I repeat - her first analysis of a particular situation, in describing Joe Muscat as a seasoned politician is without comprehension - if anything he is the other way round. Will she assess other EU things with the same millimetric reasoning ?
Edgar Azzopardi
Mar 13th 2009, 14:33
M Gauci>
If Mizzi was not a 'remarkable adversary' MTT would not have been instructed by Gonzipn to attack her. Unwarranted attacks like her first articel are not addressed at nobodies! The demonising strategy of the PN is by now very well known. .It is an open secret whose protege MTT is, apart from the fact that hearsay from the PN side has it that is that she does not write her articles herself.
If you think that all Mizzi has done is run for MEP elections, you must have lived on the moon. Pls tell us what this MTT has done except write to tell us how wonderful she is.
Attention: all NP candidates: Give up the race. The NP has Roberta etc etc.. It does not need you. She will handle Europe on her own.
As for her amusing mental image of Marlene Mizzi in boxing gloves, MTT should ask Austin Gatt how amusing Mizzi is in boxing gloves !!
A Micallef
Mar 13th 2009, 14:33
I would like to test the knowledge of Marlene Mizzi in European politics...I am sure she will enlighten us with her immense experience.
It is time to change and have fresh ideas!! Power to the youths!!
Simon Sullivan
Mar 13th 2009, 13:58
Hahaha well put Roberta.
Game Set and Match !!!
simon amato
Mar 13th 2009, 13:58
dr Mtt pls leave Marlene and continue working for your campaign. Everyone knows what Marlene means...she means business. She is intelligent and the results show that she can be a successful person. Fortunately she is not contesting under the ticket of arrogance!!. She is respected by people from both parties and by all the categories of our society. So with your argument that you have that experience in EU and Marlene doesnt, Onor PM can resign as he has no experience in EU parliament or in its institution!!.
laurence schembri
Mar 13th 2009, 13:36
Joseph Scicluna must have been standing in front of the same looking glass as Dear Roberta.
James Hamilton
Mar 13th 2009, 13:32
@ M, Gauchi,
In answer to, your question, I would say that Ms Mizzi is one of the few women in this country who can stand up to Austin Gatt, I also thought that her position in Sea Malta was quite remarkable considering she was chairman of a male dominated company .
James Hamilton
Mar 13th 2009, 13:16
Ms MTT, the more that you continue with your petty mud-slinging campaign, then any credibility that you may have had, will be quickly lost.
I am quite surprised that you thought it wise to continue your arguements through these columns, considering that you said that you refuse to be drawn into the level of debate that Ms Mizzi has launched, and here you are doing exactly that.
At the same time it's good to be able to boast about your credentials, although they mean very little to me when it is quite noticable that one of the main ingredients lacking, is common sense.
I hope that Ms Mizzi uses her common sense and ignores your letter.
L..Galea
Mar 13th 2009, 12:58
Joseph Scicluna
Mudslinging is the pn's trade mark.
F J Brincat
Mar 13th 2009, 12:51
Do we really need to see all this political posturing, cat fighting and self-congratulating garbage from any of the prospective MEPs?
M.Gauci
Mar 13th 2009, 12:42
Edgar Azzopardi
You describe Ms. Mizzi as remarkable ? On what pretext ? Maybe her analysis of Joseph Muscat as being a "Seasoned Politician". When Joe Muscat is so new to politics that he can be considered as a 2 year toddler.
I mean come on, I am not here to pool in for RMTT as I didn't read her article etc... but done "remarkable" Ms. Mizzi when all she did so far was contest the MEP elections on the MLP ticket and describe a political newbee as seasoned.
Ruth Bonello
Mar 13th 2009, 12:16
Roberta you started this. I wish Ms Mizzi was running on the PN ticket. If you cannot take the heat get out of the kitchen. Telling us how much you studied does not impress us you know. What impresses us is track record.
What you have done you did it for yourself. What Ms Mizzi has done she did it for her country.
I come from a Nationalist family and we are ashamed of you.You have let NP women down. Pls stop it and practice what you preach. Stick to issues. It was what you should have done in the first place..
Edgar Azzopardi
Mar 13th 2009, 12:04
Who does this woman want to fool with her holier than thou writings. She started an attack on Mrs Mizzi and she hoped to get away with it. When Ms Mizzi reacted MTT took it personally.
MTT said that she will not be drawn into this type of argument and here she is contradicting herself and throwing venom again at a remarkable adversary. MTT stop telling us in every article you write on how great and clever you are. Let the people decide that. and stop your self praise.
Take my advice and lay off Mizzi. You are no match for her. True you are younger as you like reminding us - and obvioulsy more foolish.
Joseph Scicluna
Mar 13th 2009, 11:48
Dear Roberta, do'nt expect anything better than arrogance and mud slinging from the socialists!
F. Camilleri
Mar 13th 2009, 10:34
Pleaseeeeee ladies!! Give us reason to vote for you instead of wasting time insulting eachother!
Although... in hindsight you are a good source of entertainment for us readers...
:)