President laments pique

lgalea

Apr 27th 2009, 22:27

Victor Mamo
You are counting your chickens before they hatch.
Just wait and see whether the other states accept lumping our illegal immigrants.

As for skin colour or not, ILLEGAL immigrants remain ILLEGAL and should be treated as ILLEGAL immigrants whatever the colour of their skin.

Victor Mamo

Apr 27th 2009, 19:11

@ Morana While deploring you name calling to Mr Seychell, may I refer you to this article which very well explains the "pie in the sky cooked up by a weak PM": http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090425/local/malta-italy-press-brussels-for-compulsory-burden-sharing Burden Sharing is very much a reality which will happen, not only for our sake (or Italy's for that matter), but also for the rest of the EU since it can not afford to allow one or two Member States weather the storm on their own if it wants to reach it's functionalist goal of greater cooperation.

Alexander Morana

Apr 27th 2009, 18:49

Mr. Seychell, burden sharing is a pie in the sky cooked up by a weak PM. It will not work now or next year, which by then you'll have another 10,000 illegal immigrants knocking on your door. So keep on hoping like a weakling expecting that Brussels will settle this problem once and for all. Ha Ha I would like to see Italy being forced to take another 40,000! Dream on Pal.

Michael Seychell

Apr 27th 2009, 18:21

Edward Morana - Contrary on what you stated the two major political parties have a common policy on immigration issue. This includes the detention for those who are not eligible on humanitarian grounds. In fact the MLP is differing from the E. U. Socialists on this issue. This was stated by Jason Micallef himself on a TV talk show. The only and main difference between the big parties is, that Joe Muscat is prepared to use the veto whilst the PN prefers a negotiable solution. As it happened, today the EU voted unanimously in favour of a proposal that all E U members will have to accept the Burden Sharing and this will not remain voluntarily. This will not come into force to-morrow, however the fact that the principle has been accepted one hopes that the mechanics will be worked out asap, and hopefully before the end of next year this will cnme in force. Michael Seychell Pieta

edward bartolo

Apr 27th 2009, 15:16

Unfortunately, many assume that pique is good because of its motivating power. As the president is saying, pique is dividing the Maltese people, which is very said indeed. Pique divides, there is no need of more evidence... The Catholic Saints should be a sign of unity, rather than a sign of division, because, they were declared by the Church as saints, for the very reason, that their lives, were a very good example of living the gospels. This should be the message of all Catholic feasts, rather than a void competition between parishes. @Moderator Kellek ghalfejn ticcensurani?!

Alexander Morana

Apr 27th 2009, 14:50

If President Abela wishes unity amongst the Maltese he should stop misinterpreting and confusing the issue of illegal immigration, especially now that both major political parties and the majority of the public, have opposing views on how to tackle the problem. Surely by declining the invitation of some village feast does not constitute so much intelligence as though one invites St. Paul to San Anton for tea.

Franco Farrugia

Apr 27th 2009, 13:26

The President is wrong to draw a similarity between the time of St Paul and illegal immigration now.
I think we are receiving just a little more than the 267 who came with Paul, don't you think?

Martin Spiteri

Apr 27th 2009, 12:45

While I welcome the analogy of st Paul, I wish to say that St Paul was no illegal immigrant in Malta. At the time historically Malta was under Roman Law so St Paul was no illegal. I feel a bit insulted when our leaders make comparisons like these. Let us address the issue. Illegal immigration is a gross abuse and it is being organised by people who are making a mint out of it. It should never be used to bring about compassion and to make us maltese feel guilty. Racism is not right, but abuse was never right. If anyone is trying to hide under this banner of being humane, then it will be hypocrisy. The Maltese are hospitable and what is hurting us most is that we are being played about by people who are hiding under the pretence that we have lost our values. Illegal immigration is a problem which is dangerous and should be stopped the sooner the better.

J Galea

Apr 27th 2009, 12:08

I'm no expert on village feasts, but if there's rivalry between two band clubs or fireworks factories, why not let them organise one day each of the festivities, say Saturday and Sunday, so the rivalry can be channeled in the right direction? If, for example, Sunday is a preferred day for both clubs, one can alternate each year. A feast is a celebration, not an occasion for local acrimony and senseless petty violence. Surely this is obvious?

A. Muscat

Apr 27th 2009, 12:03

"He recalled that when St Paul came to Malta, the Maltese welcomed him and hosted the 267 people who were with him, giving them all they needed."

I guess the Maltese population by the time was double St.Paul companions!

Any anthropologist not a theologian to provide an approximate figure pleases?

Marvin Mizzi

Apr 27th 2009, 11:55

St.Paul was A Roman CItizen who had the right to land on these islands. The ship was in distress on the way to Rome and just when the weather was better they continue on the trip while the illegal immigrants abusively want to go in other countries. I feel offended that the our President seemed to compare our Patron Saint to these illegals.

Ernest Vella

Apr 27th 2009, 11:02

The difference we must make when mention Paul coming to Malta was that he was not an illegal immigrant for Malta was under Roman rule and Paul and the ship soldiers were to Roman Citzens...lets make the difference....immigrants must be helped but than send them back to from were they left - Libya

Ramon Casha

Apr 27th 2009, 10:50

"He recalled that when St Paul came to Malta, the Maltese welcomed him and hosted the 267 people who were with him, giving them all they needed."

Actually, when Paul's ship was stricken off Malta we catered for their immediate need then sent them off to Rome - which was their intended destination anyway.