Former Nationalist MP welcomed at PL activity as new member

GiovDeMartino

May 20th 2009, 15:45

Dawk in-nazzjonalisti/laburisti li jgorru ghax il-partit taghhom ikun injora lill-partitarji ikunu qeghdin jigdbu. Dawn iridu li l-partit ighin LILHOM PERSONALI u mhux lill-partitarji. Dawn opportunisti jkunu mhux partitarji.

Tim Said

May 19th 2009, 20:29

Reading some of the comment in here, I realise more and more of what a sad nation we actually are, someone said ' I was born Pn and I will die Pn no matter what '..... People should go further more than the blue or red colour factor voting and be more assertive on who they vote as an Mp,.... I did admire John Bundy for standing out in public supporting PL Eu contestant Micallef Stafrace Kirill .......we should start realising that the right person we vote makes the difference ,not the Coulour or the political Party......still can't stop thinking on how someone like Pulicino Orlando got elected with thousands of votes in 2 districts, having done what he did.................then again Only In Malta....we are used to these Jokes!!!

Bertie O'Cassey

May 19th 2009, 09:06

@ Dusty and all Labourites

In-nies tal-PN dejjem harsu lejn il-passat sabiex jasiguraw li l-futur ikun ahjar ghal KULLHADD........

F'erba' snin l-affarijiet jinbidlu l-ekonomija tqum fuq saqajja u d-diska tinbiddel...

V Caruana

May 19th 2009, 07:15

Does this mean that members on a board of directors are POLITICALLY appointed? No surprise all "authorities" are out of control.

Josef Micallef

May 18th 2009, 22:22

According to Corporate Governance Rules, a board of Directors should be composed of a balance of Executive Directors and INDEPENDENT Non-Executive Directors. Certainly to 'kill the time', does not fall under Executive Directors (running of the company). Being elected because of being a former MP, raises various questions about one's Independence! What are the ethical issues involved if Austin Gatt has to concede to Louise Refalo's requests? I believe Mr Refalo's requests, sitting on a Board to kill the time, is similar to Maltese MPs' requests at each election to be elected to the Parliament to run our country - and you can see the result in the last four decades, how Malta was run! Ina truly brilliantly AMATEUR way!

C.Busuttil

May 18th 2009, 21:52

@GiovDemartino
Mid-dehra ma tistax tifhem il-punt, jien mill-labour ma jimpurtani xejn, jien il-partit tieghi jinteressani. Jiddispjacini nghidlek li HEMM MIN fil-partit li jridu jsir partit liberali. Dawn nies bla principji dawn nies li mhux vera jhaddnu l-principji li dejjem kellu l-partit nazzjonalista. Forsi llum mhux l-ikbar fazzjoni li hemm fi hdan il-partit imma gurnata wara l-ohra dejjem jikbru. Fl-ahhar jiehdu over.
Dawn in-nies imbuttaw certu individwi oppurtunisti li QATT ma hadmu ghal partit anzi ma kontx issibhom fil-mument ta' bzonn jew telqu barra minn Malta jew taparsi ma kienux jinteresshom fil-politika. Tghidlix li mhux vera dan!!!!
F'daqqa wahda saru nazzjonalisti horox ghax hekk kien jaqbilhom. Jien jiddispjacini mhux ghalija ghax la qatt tlabt jew ippretendejt xi pjacir, imma ghal dawk il-bosta li hadmu ghal partit senza interessi w li kien ikun haqqhom ghoxrin elf darba aktar minn dawn l-oppurtunisti. Tahseb li sewwa dan ? Tahseb li kien ikun xieraq li tikkunsidra certu nies li taw servizz mhux ghax ghamlu hekk, imma ghal kapacijiet taghhom minflokk erba opportunisti bla hila ta' xejn li mhux talli mhux kapaci talli jaghmlu l-hsara bl-arroganza li ghandhom ghax jahsbu li saru allat. Qed naghmlu l-hsara lilna stess u ghad jigi zmien fejn impattu qares ghalieh.

Josephine Brincat

May 18th 2009, 19:57

Why are we placing this on a level of personal interest? Where has the greater good that politics encompasses and politicians work for gone? Look at what has been done to date by either party and judge on the basis of results not empty criticisms - it is easy to sit on the back seat ad criticise what is being done - its much more difficult to please when you are the one taking the decisions (be these good or bad to the individual they are all necessary). So political witty insights aside .... where were in 1987 and where are we now ...... the conclusion is a forgone one and the people who got us to where we are now are the ones we should entrust our future to .... every one else classifies as an armchair critic and an expert at saying without doing.

Francis Attard

May 18th 2009, 19:40

Ippermettil Sur Editur nikteb naqra bil-Malti ghaliex aktar jigi apprezzat bil-lingwa taghna dan li gej. Biex inzijd ma dak li kiteb is-Sur Mangion nixtieq nghid li Dr.Gonzi kellu l-wicc jistiedinha lill dik biex tintervistah qabel l-elezzjoni, minnhajr skruplu ta' xejn. Imissu jisthi.

Francis Attard

May 18th 2009, 19:12

You are right Mr.Mangion. Those are the kind of people who are really respected by the PN. The more time passes, the more I realize what a big FOOL I was back in the 70s and 80s when I used to consider the nationalist leaders almost as 'earthly saints'. I used to do whatever Fenech Adami used to ask me to do without any hesitation and many times suffering the consequencies. Oh how mistaken I was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

D.MANGION

May 18th 2009, 18:06

Some points to think..... 1-Yes some former 80's Nationalists like myself just cannot bear the fact that every Sunday evening, we switch on the TV and see today's media emperess dominate our station with such blatant opportunism, in a show that has been going on for ages, just because she turned out to be a good tool during the EU referendum. Malta is full of talented people who gave their hearts to the xoghol, gustizzja, liberta' motto...and come 2009 they are still without the xoghol and the gustizzja that they DESERVE. 2-All this is the byeproduct of a 2 party system. If there were 3 or 4 parties in parliament, whom would Mr. Refalo go to, with his blackmail certificate ? 3-The fact that an ex-MP somehow expected a directorate in a government board (to kill time), just goes to show what low level of parlamentarians hover on those seats at Valletta. It also shows what low level of voters most of us are. 4-For me the only ones who really believe in their principles, are the ones who work within our smaller parties....they know that they will never have the power, but they keep on for what they believe.

Bernard Galea

May 18th 2009, 15:52

This is beyond a joke...he wants to sit on a board of directors 'to kill time'???

Mr Refalo, write a book, start a blog, take up golf or do a yoga course, whatever you please...but company boards are not playthings!

What is frightening is that a man who has spent so long in politics has no qualms about saying this in public - if this is the way para-statal company boards are assembled, no wonder our country is in such a mess!

C. Grech

May 18th 2009, 15:41

The Nationalist Party has once again shown that it is a club for the selected few. As for all others, including myself, we become important only during election time with people phoning us with the same old story...'Mela ma tiftakarx fi zmien l-Labour meta bla bla bla..'. After this we are subject to an IQ test. During the last elections we were given the children's allowance and flowers in Regional Road, now with the MEP elections we shall be given the forgotten 5 bulbs and as for the flowers check by yourselves. Till now many Nationalists including myself have ONLYy used local council and MEP election to show our disappointment but please make no mistake, this will not happen again the next time up.

J Martinelli

May 18th 2009, 15:39

"....did not like Dr. Gatt's tone when he last spoke to him".
"All he wanted, the 60-year-old former MP said, was to sit on a board of directors"
"...he had only attended the activity because he was very hurt at the way his party was treating him"
"But when contacted, Mr. Refalo denied he had become a member of the PL".
"Mr. Refalo in a statement later denied having left the PN"

The above direct quotes seem paradoxical, so little wonder that all the hugging and embracing by Joseph will continue to make the waters he wades in, even more murky.

Another tempest in a teacup, another allegation promptly proven unfounded, another knee jerk reaction and clearly another amateurish fling at politics.

mario scerri

May 18th 2009, 15:05

Mr Refalo, Merhba fil-Partit Laburista mhux lilek biss imma merhba wkoll lil dawk kollha li b' xi mod jew iehor. Ihossuhom dizilluzi jew ingannati mill-Gvern tal-PN. Kif jghid il-leader taghna Joseph Muscat. Il-Partit Laburista huwa d-dar naturali ta kulhadd. Hemm post ghall-kulhadd

DANIELA VELLA

May 18th 2009, 14:36

Ghandek ragun hawn hafna nies urtati min dan il partit li dejjem hlifna bih.

Johann Vella

May 18th 2009, 14:27

Mela qabel l-ahhar elezzjoni tal-Labour accettaw fi hdanhom lil certu Woods minn Bormla (u tghidx kemm capcpulu tafux) meta dan qal li l-PN ma qabizx ghalih meta kien implikat f'kaz ta' korruzjoni. U issa qed jilqaw maghhom (jew jinqdew bih) lil Louis Refalo, dan ghax m'ghamluhx xi direttur f'xi kumpanija tal-Gvern biex jghaddi l-hin. Le le jafu jazluwhom in-nies tal-labour. Araw naqra min irid imexxi l-pajjiz 4 snin ohra...X'DISGRACE Joseph!!!

dusty williams

May 18th 2009, 13:46

Jekk joghgobkom nazzjonalisti. Biddlu d-diska, issemmux izjed it-tmeninijiet. Dak passat u issa ghadda ghal dejjem, intom tahsbu li dawk iz-zminijiet se jergaw jigu. Hallkom mill passat ghax ejja nghiduwa kif inhi, lanqas ghandkom xi passat qaddis ta intom lanqas ta. Fejn jablilkom tharsu lejn il futur (Ewropa) u fejn jaqblikom tharsu lura ( imsiekeni). Ejja nkunu pozittivi u nharsu l-quddiem issa, jiena ninsab fiducjuz u sta konvint li n-nies ta dan il pajjiz tghallmu hafna mill-izbalji taghhom stess.

Marcel Dingli

May 18th 2009, 11:59

Jien fl-imghoddi hdimt mill qalb ghall-PN, u meta kien hemm bzonn ma bzjatx niffronta nies bhaz-zwieten u l Fusellu. Qatt ma ppretendejt xejn mill PN. Imma li jkollok il hobza tieghek u jisirquielek ma ppretendejtiex l anqas. Tal anqas fi zmien il lejber hobzok kienu jhalluielek. Issa daqshekk PN. Ilhom jidhku bil poplu. Barra minn hekk il PN tilef il boxxla u l principji li twieled ghalihom u sar partit socjal-komunista.

robert ciappara

May 18th 2009, 11:18

Ma niskantax li tehduwa kontra dan il proxxmu. Qed tehduwa kontra Eddie ukoll issa, sa fejn tistaw taslu intom nazzjonalisti ... ?

Sur Barry ... ghadt li taghmel minn kollox biex il labour ma jkunx fil gvern. Lanqas ghal dan ma niskanta ghax veru taghmlu minn kollox biex tibqaw imwahhlin mal poter, ez. tixtru l'voti, theddu n'nies biex jivvutaw lilkom, tigdbu, twieghdu u ma twettqux, tinsinwaw, tahbu l'fatti, tberbqu flus il-poplu, ma tispicca qatt ... DITTATORJAL modern. Ma tahsibx li z-zmien biex twarrbu minn hemm ilu li skada?

mario scerri

May 18th 2009, 10:24

Mr Refalo,

Merhba lilek fil-Partit Laburista w il-dawk kollha li b' xi mod gew ingannati mill-PN jew ghal xi raguni jhossuhom dizilluzi minn dan il-gvern.

Emmanuel Scicluna

May 18th 2009, 09:34

@ Noel Barry

Thank you Noel for showing us how objective you are in your writings.

R. Gatt

May 18th 2009, 09:33

@ Louis Refalo - Former US President J. F. Kennedy once said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Do you think that you're the only one who went through the bad times in the 70ies and 80ies. I'm from the south of Malta I'm proud to say, and believe you me we went through hell in those days because of our beliefs. I'm glad you became a member of the PL. It's the ideal party for somebody like you . Good Luck. You deserve each other.

d. borg

May 18th 2009, 08:58

Mr Louis Refalo should feel proud that he was part of the team who brought democracy back to our island. What he did should have been for the good of Malta not of PN. If he is seeking glory and rewards then he is not genuine. Besides, sitting on a board is not a way 'to kill time' - find a hobby or go to the library.

C. Sapiano

May 18th 2009, 08:05

Oh so the PL made another blunder. Was it a mistake on Joe Muscat's part ?

Colin Camilleri

May 18th 2009, 08:05

well what do you expect gentlemen from the PN? it is made up of opportunists and if they don't get what they want, they moan and switch sides.
so much for their principles!!!!
to add insult to injury, the PN billboards and adverts paint the PL with non direction and inconsistency for changing their views on Europe. Well it shows that honest people who want the best for Malta change their views to accomodate the people and NOT change parties to accomodate their dreams!!!!
learn something from it PN!!!!

Nelson Cachia

May 18th 2009, 07:56

..doesn't really bode well in dispelling claims of the two main parties being the same hotbeds for opportunists.

E. Vassallo

May 18th 2009, 06:27

Jekk dan huwa l-mod kif Joseph Muscat se jaghmel politika, mela Alla jghina. Jien ukoll Nazzjonalist li tghidx kemm blajna gass ta' dmugh, swat, transfers u qatt u nerga nghid qatt ma mort ghand xi ministru biex jwiezeni ghal xi xoghol jew xi favuri ohra.

Stephen Farrugia

May 18th 2009, 00:01

L.Galea

I don't know if he's with labour,.. but if he is, according to Joseph Muscat... he isn't that proud since he denied it!!

I mean, give the guy a break. A 60 year old pensioner who spent most of his life in politics, who is not like other maltese, and views a lot of different opinions, halluh jghix!

Michael Spiteri

May 17th 2009, 23:40

@M.Caruana
Missier Malta??? X'arroganza!

malcolm seychell

May 17th 2009, 23:28

@ De Martino.

Most True Nationalists do not want favours, but want only their party to keep its principles and not turn into another socialist party, just like it is happening right now.

Stephen Borg Cardona

May 17th 2009, 23:24

Cool ! Even i want to sit on a board of directors , otherwise i`ll throw a tantrum. This is why appointments to the boards of government companies need to be open to scrutiny. It would appear that many times the main qualification is political contacts or sympathies rather than expertise in a particular field. Its about time things changed , otherwise this country will never move forward.

M Grech

May 17th 2009, 23:20

We're at it again. PL welcoming everyone with open arms even if it's someone who expects to be given a directorship to kill time.

A.Gauci Cunningham

May 17th 2009, 23:18

@MCaruana---if the last paragraph you wrote was directed to me may I tell you that first of all I have always been a liberal and never part or paid member of the PN but I believed in the PN and thought it was far better than Dr.Sant for whom I have the utmost respect but who i mistrusted!! The election was over and gonzi turned from an angel to a devil, from flimkien flimkien to wahdi wahdi!!! I will not let anyone make a rug out of me so I decided to stop supporting the PN. Seeing that the PL is managed by someone far, far better then his predecessor and far, far, far better than Gonzi and someone who is ready to accept gay people and give them some of the rights they should have as EU citizens i decided to join the PL

Now I am a proud member of the PL......if you or your ilk dont like it that is absolutely your problem!! There are many like me and there will be many more in the coming years so just lump it up and accept that Gonzi is the "yesterday" and that Muscat is the "tomorrow"!!!

Dr Joseph Attard

May 17th 2009, 23:16

@ George Caruana

I perfectly agree with Mr Caruana comments. I think Mr Refalo is still a true Nationalist but the party has abandoned him. In fact Mr Refalo has suffered a lot under the socialist regime. The same is happening with other loyal Nationalist supporters, with their own party giving them its back.

C.Busuttil

May 17th 2009, 22:57

@Noel Barry
Jien nista nifhem il-punt tieghek, bhalek gej minn familja nazzjonalista, anzi meta fiz-zmien il-gwerra n-nazzjonalisti kienu kwazi kollha jisthu jghidu li kienu parti mill-partit, il-familja tieghi baqghet lejali lejn il-partit. Konna ghodna mietna bil-guh, mhux jien ghax ma kontx twielidt imma l-familjari tieghi. Tista tifhem mill-liema background gej. Biss jiddispjacini nghid rajt nazzjonalisti ta' vera u kapaci, li f'dawn is-snin jispiccaw imwarba jew l-anqas ikkunsidrati biex f'certu postijiet jilhqu nies li QATT m'ghamlu xejn ghall-partit. L-uniku mertu taghhom huwa li ghandhom xi hbieb fil-partit.
Qieghed nghid hekk mhux ghalija personali, jien qatt ma ridt xejn, imma jiddispjacik tara minn vera hadem u minn QATT ma beza' juri t-twemmin tieghu anke meta kienu zmienijiet iebsa, jitqies bhala bicca imbarazz. Rajt nazzjonalisti bid-dmugh jaraw certu individwi li meta konna fl-oppozizzjoni kienu jdawru wicchom lejna w issa jgawdu minghajr qatt ma kont issibhom ghalxejn. Mhux talli dawk li jilhqu qatt m'ghamlu xejn anzi qed jaghmlu l-hsara bl-arroganza li ghandhom ghax jahsbu li saru xi allat. Kif nghidu bl-ingliz to add insult to injury.
Minn hadem ghall-partit qatt ma jkun irrid xejn lura imma ma jfissirx li ghandu jgawdi minn qatt m'ghamel.

Joe Micallef

May 17th 2009, 22:35

@Albert Gauci Cunningham

Let me guess! you only watch Super One....or is it a normal One..... well normal not really...so it's One.....A comic....which cost the MLP the umpteenth defeat and Malta an elusive alternative.

michael tabone

May 17th 2009, 22:15

Mr Refalo is hurt like so many Nationalists who voted for Gonzi PN in the last election. Many of these Nationalists have now realized that they have been deceived by Gonzi and his government. I admire Mr Refalo for his courage to attend openly the PL meeting. Many other silent voters will join him in the coming EU election. Well done Mr Refalo!!!

Regarding Dr Austin Gatt, many feel that he treats people like a used lemon. First he uses people, and then throws them away. He has no respect for people. He is not sensitive for people's feelings. Why did he join the PN? A minister means he should serve people, not be arrogant or act like a bully.

Dr Joseph Attard

May 17th 2009, 22:09

@ George Cutajar

I agree totally with your comments. I think Mr Refalo is still a true Nationalist who has suffered during the 1980's under the socialist regime. Now the PN has forget about him and about many other loyal persons who have contributed towards the PN success during the years.

darren cassar

May 17th 2009, 22:02

@Noel Barry
Jien nikkumpatik ghax jien gej minn famillja nazzjonalista u ghalkemm kont ghadni tifel zghir niftakar lil genituri tieghi isoffru taht gvern labour. Pero ma nista niggustifika qatt il fatt li dan il gvern qed jaghmel l istess u min mhuwiex tal qalba qed isoffri hafna ingustizzji. Alfejn jien ghandi nmur ghand ministru biex niehu dak li haqqni. Ma nafx nghidlek kemm qabbzuni nies fuq il post tax xoghol minghajr ebda gustifikazzjoni u jaqalghu eluf aktar minni meta dawn inataw dak li ghandhom qabel l ahhar elezzjoni u jiftahhru li hadu dak li hadu ghax tkellmu l ministeru. jiddispjacini imma din mhix ix xoghol gustizzja u liberta li niftakar fl 87

Paul Pace

May 17th 2009, 22:02

some questions:-

How come Mr Refalo is expecting a directorship? how come?

Was he promised this? Is this the way things are done in PN? Promises for directorshipd, for positions with the government etc? Perhaps this is the way PN kept power for so long?

and some other questions for those "tal-principju" downhere. Well done mates; Did you fight for this system of corruption? well done again.

Francis Attard

May 17th 2009, 22:01

I am not one who likes to enter into direct confrontation with any contributors to this blog, but now I feel that I am bound to make an exception.
Mr.Noel Barry, I too was one who went through a lot of personal sacrifices during the 70s and the 80s and I have documented proof to confirm some of them. I have also documented proof of my militancy in the nationalist party.
But I also have documented proof of how arrogant and this government is and I will be more than willing to show them to you whenever you wish.
Speak only for yourself for you do not know what others are going through.

adrian galea

May 17th 2009, 21:59

Mr Refalo

I do not know you and am not writing with a party lens on.

Just because some has been an MP does not necessarily entitle anyone to sit on a Government company board of directors. The best people for that company should have these roles.

I am a bit worried that you would only do this to kill the time. This should not be a pastime but a commitment to a cause.

YOu may not be the only one from the political class which may feel aggrieved. What I say here applies to them as well. Politicians should have o special right to these posts.

Life is short and stimulating. YOu should be able to find something which interests you out there. Best of luck.

GEORGE CUTAJAR

May 17th 2009, 21:06

Many seem appalled at Louis Refalo's comments. The way he put them across are not exactly perfect but I think the point he wished to make was one that coming from a party which proclaims to being open and that everyone has a place he feels deeply hurt at being abandoned.
Indeed this is the general sentiment of many a dark blue who today feel ostracised by the party they worked so hard for. It is not so much a question of being appointed to a board but more the simple acknowledgement of one's services which in the end counts. Back in the ugly years, entering the Stamperija gave one a sense of belonging. All this has finished as today the PN is managed like a corporation. People in the Stamperija are mere employees doing the day's job.
And no I am not writing this because I want some directorship or some other appointment but simply because I am in a position to understand and totally sympathise with Louis Refalo. Louis was, is and will always remain a true Nationalist but feels that the PN of today has abandoned him like it did to many others.

Noel Barry

May 17th 2009, 21:05

Sur Dingli Jien Nazzjonalist ta veru. Nazzjonalist li gjet arrestat, qlajt is-sawt, thallejt barra mix-xoghol ghax hrixt gurnata stike, ma hadtx promotions. Jien nazzjonalist tas 70s u 80s u ghadni nazzjonalist sa llum u nghamel mionn kollox biex il labour ma jkun fil gvern. Iza jien mhux nazzjonalist opportunist li jekk ma niehux ma nivvutax. Jien ma hadt xejn hlief dak li hadli il labour u ma rrid xejn izjen izda dejjem nivvota ghax jien nazzjonalist twielidt u nazzjonalist immut.

K Serracino

May 17th 2009, 20:57

It seems that now Mr. Refalo is killing his time by attending the PL activities.

In ths time of age and globalisation new challenges requires new people with fresh ideas.

David Meilak

May 17th 2009, 20:53

Sitting on a board of directors is not meant as a time killer, but to be responsible for specific corporations, people's jobs, people's lives etc. I can never understand how someone expects to be a board member for a hobby. Talking about opportunity's sake, the man used the PL's activity for center stage. Get a life and enjoy your retirement and most of all get serious.

J Galea

May 17th 2009, 20:48

Is this the way government appointments are made? What a shocker!

Lydia Pace Workman

May 17th 2009, 20:19

It is very disappointing to read about this issue. The sense of entitlement that some have speaks volumes about sacrificing long standing principles for self-serving opportunism. Being in disagreement with an issue or two and expecting rewards for fighting for what is right during trying years under the PL is hardly enough reason to become vindictive and cross the floor! What ever happened to patriotism for the simple reason that one wants its country to prosper under the better party to govern?

D.Galea

May 17th 2009, 20:14

People here can expect to sit on a board of directors?? WOW now that's a new one!! I WANT TO SIT ON A BOARD OF DIRECTORS TOO!!! PLEASE!!

Joseph Vella

May 17th 2009, 20:00

Usually one "kills time" by engaging in a hobby like gardening or reading a book, not sitting on a board of directors. I wonder what this particular gentleman's contribution to the board would have been, had been in fact chosen.

Noel Cutajar

May 17th 2009, 19:48

@GiovdeMartino - fejn trid tisthi!! Jekk ghandek partit li l-ewwel igawdu tal-qabla u jekk jibqa' xi haga jarmuha u mhux jaghtuha!! Qieghed nitkellem minn esperjenza taht gvern nazzjonalista ghal dawn l-ahhar 20 sena!! Iz-zmien jaghtina parir!!

darren Cassar

May 17th 2009, 19:48

@M Caruana

Which principles are you talking about?? Parties in Malta do not have principles any more. They are just organisations operating a mechanism to gain power only for e.g. by giving unjust promotions. People with no political affiliations for e.g rarely get promotions in this country.

Its black on white how many promotions were given before the last election to people who do not have qualifications or don't deserve promotions in any way to the detriment of hard working people who do not have any 'qaddis'. I know of cases where unqualified people are getting thousands more in pay than a qualified person in the same sector, where the latter is hard working not to say more than the unjustly promoted.
Telling me that this happened under a Labour government does not justify anything and I am aware of this.

After all Mr Refalo is an example and representation of what maltese politicians produce. Politika tal pjaciri and an insult to democracy.

Franco Farrugia

May 17th 2009, 19:46

Ghal darba - u qis li tkun darba din! - naqbel mal-principji tas-sur Demartino. Ufff xi dwejjaq.

M Callus

May 17th 2009, 19:45

It is useless calculating how much more the Labour need to win the next election or not. It is about time that the MLP wins an election as a party being over 25 years in power does not augur well for Malta. Even in the last election, the Labour party was heading towards a great victory but alas....

C.Busuttil

May 17th 2009, 19:39

@GiovDeMartino
Leave out for a minute the MLP or the PL, the fact is that many opportunists who never did anything for the party have been placed in top level positions, just because of their connections. While many who served the PN who would have deserved not just because of their loyalty, but on their merits. Those who served the PN never expected nothing in return I agree with this, however at the same time it hurts to see others who never did a cent for party being placed in top positions, while those who dedicated their life for the party not being even considered. The PN never learns and in all honesty I must say that for once A. Sant was right, its just hbieb tal-hbieb party. The only idiots are those who work for others who never did anything. With regards to Refalo I am not saying that he's right but at a certain extent I can understand that he has been hurt, many have suffered like him, whilst they will never make news he's a former a MP that's all.

M Callus

May 17th 2009, 19:38

I do not know if I want to cry or laugh or both. Although i do not concur with Louis Refalo with his reasoning, I think the Nationalists sometimes needs to learn from situations like this, i.e. if he was promised something or not and...that suitable people only be it blue, red, yellow, black whatever are appointed to suitable board. Although a committed Nationalist myself, I would appoint Labour leaning individuals if they deem are the most fit to occupy certain positions. Malta is too small to allow such banalities.

Francis Attard

May 17th 2009, 19:31

Biex tkun bniedem ta principju toghqod taqla fuq rasek kemm taht gvern u kemm taht iehor, issofri l-ingustizzji minnhajr ma hadd jiddefendik, anzi jipprova jaghmillek il-bsaten fir-roti, imbaghad ma jkunx hemm xejn izjed x'taghmel hlief...................................

M.Caruana

May 17th 2009, 19:23

@Albert Gauci Cunningham
Thanks for the note. I am not sure I know to whom you are refering to. Please elaborate.
However, I would not be surprised. The party you support, called Mintoff Salvatur and then Traditur in the space of a few years. These things happen.

Xorta nemmen li S-sur Refalo qieghed jkun pretenzjuz. Qasam il-kamra (biex nghidu hekk) ghax ma tawhx pjacir "to kill time". Jien ma nafx, pero nahseb li jekk qabel ma kellux cans, issa nahseb dopju c-cans b'li ghamel. Forsi r-ragunar tieghu (jew forsi threat) kien xi naqra affrettat u zbaljat. Specjlament fuq kaz bhal dan.
Jekk ghandu problema ma Gatt, jitkellem mal-H.Q. mhux jaghmel xenneggata hekk. Below the belt kienet din fl-opinjoni tieghi.

To switch parties for petty reasons is pathetic. I cannot fathom how one changes principles (which are most of the time far apart) like that. Li forsi ma tivvutax jew tmur middle of the line, nifhem. Izda li llum tajjar partit kemm tiflah u ghada tmur mieghu, nahseb tkun qieghed turi xi stoffa ghandek. Qisek qed tghid lucifru jaqleb ma Alla jew San Pietru jmur ma l-belzebub. Taghmel sense ?

Alan Bruno Olivier

May 17th 2009, 19:15

Quoting "All he wanted, the 60-year-old former MP said, was to sit on a board of directors." So its I get what I want or else I change a life time of principle....... Shameful to say the least.

M Micallef

May 17th 2009, 18:24

and by the way - who cares about the reason why Mr Refalo switching to PL?

Did EFA not say "L'aqwa li nirbhu?"

With the same argument, one can say, "L'aqwa li irbahna vot"; ciao - il- Hadd it-tajjeb;

GiovDeMartino@CBusuttil

May 17th 2009, 18:16

Jinghad x'jinghad il-principji u l-irgulija ma jitpartx ma' pjaciri. Jien ukoll hdimt ghall-PN meta konna mjassrin, u sofrejt ghal twemmini, imma nhoss sodisfazzjon kbir li jien ghamilt il-parti zghira tieghiu biex Malta llum hi ferm u ferm ahjar milli kienet meta kienu jaharqulna l-kazini kuljum. Jien hdimt ghall-N mhux ghax wicchom helu, imma ghax kienu huma li ukoll sofrew maghna biex helsuna mill-iskjavitu. Min ghadu zaghzugh ma tantx jifhimni. U ma hadt xejn u ma ppretendejt xejn mill-Partit. Jien lill-PN ikkritikajtu hafna u fil-fatt m'ghadni nikteb qatt fin-Nazzjon imhabba kustjoni ma' M" Caruana -U NGHID LI GHANDI RAGUN -u li minkejja l-insistenza tieghi biex nidhru quddiem "imhallef'" injorawni kompletament . Jafu li ghandi ragun. Allura? Se mmaqdar kulma ghaamel ikl-PN u nfahhar il-passat orribbli tal-MLP? Mela ahna tfal jew?

M PORTELLI

May 17th 2009, 18:13

@ GEORGE CUTAJAR

THAT'S WHY THIS GUY SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN ATTENDED THE PL ACTIVITY BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT PL GET UP TO. OLD TIMES PASSED BUT THE SAME PEOPLE ROAM ABOUT AT THE PL QUARTERS. SAME ONES WHO BEATED, SHOOTED ETC ETC.

AT 60 HE SHOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BETTER PARTY AND MAKE WAY FOR OTHERS.

J. Mifsud

May 17th 2009, 18:12

@ Manuel Micallef

CORRIGENDUM : FOR THE PN TO LOSE THE MAJORITY IT ONLY NEEDS TO BE DEPRIVED OF 50% + 1 OF THE 999 VOTES.

Manuel Micallef

May 17th 2009, 18:01

I am not sure this article is telling the true story;

Mr Refalo was PROMISED a directorship before the election. and he left not because he was not given the directorship but because he could no longer stomach the arrogance on Austin Gatt.

This is what many people are saying. Anyway, 999 votes to go for PN to loose their majority. good Sunday to all.

J. Mifsud

May 17th 2009, 17:58

If one reads at face value why Mr Louis Refalo crossed parties, the reader cannot be blamed for criticizing him, but if one reads the last paragraph of this article, Mr Refalo cannot be blamed for feeling hurt at being sidelined.

That is what most of us feel like - HURT FOR BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION - MOST PROMISES HAVE GONE TO THE DOGS.

We were promised Heaven on earth, and we got................................instead.

C.Busuttil

May 17th 2009, 17:54

@GiovDemartino
Mr. Refalo's comments, seem to say because he served he expects some reward. This is a position many in the PN have been taking in the last years. This comes from the fact that some people who never put out their neck for the party or had even left the country, have been placed in high positions thanks to their connections within the PN. In few words nazzjonalisti opportunisti.
Personally I know people who once felt ashamed to be called nazzjonalisti and all of a sudden when it was convenient for them to be so, they became openly diehards. While others that gave a sterling service to the party in very difficult times have been discarded by their own party.
The PN has placed many opportunistic individuals in high positions, these people are harming the party since they only see their own interests. People like Refalo have been hurt, although I don't justify him, he's probably reacting in this manner because indeed it hurts. Loyalty and service in the lower ranks of the PN have always been taken forgranted and turncoats and oppurtunists have always been rewarded.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

May 17th 2009, 17:49

M.Caruana------"missier malta" as you describe him was called "mignun" and "jitmejjel bin-nies" by none other than a Nationalist MEP candidate because that is what suited him and GonziPN in order to get a couple of votes from a couple of hunters. So before we pass judgement and bash Mr.Refalo to death remember that Mr.Refalo (pretty much like myself and many many others) were once part of a Political party that would do anything and go to any depths to hang on to power.......even betray those who built anf fought for the PN!!

I think that Perici Calascione's jibes at Eddie in the presence of the PN's high echelons and Refalo's move towards Labour are a certificate, if one were ever needed, that Gonzi is a cheat and a liar and will be remebered as one of the worst Leaders the PN has ever had!!!!

Giov De Martino-----kieku kienu jghidu li ghenu lill-hbieb!!! Qed tara kapaci nkun onest!! Issa kun onest int u ghidli ghala Gonzi wieghed xi haga lil refalo umbaghad wara l-elezzjoni rmieh u nsieh!! Int x'qed tahsibhom lin-nies!??! Boloh li joqghodu ghal kollox u jemmnu kollox bhal ma taghmel int!!???

Roberto Vella

May 17th 2009, 17:38

Targeting Mr Refalo personally is a nice way of deflecting attention from the real issue. The PN and Dr Gonzi made a promis to this gentlemen, like they did to a thousand and one more before the last election, only for this promise to vansich in thin air immediately after the result came out. What makes it more serious is the fact that Dr Gonzi does not bother breaking his promises to someone who was so close to him let alone how troubled he is breaking his promises to the electorate at large. That is the real issue here...the PM cannot be trusted. Period.

v.sacco

May 17th 2009, 17:35

Kemm hadtuha bi kbira taa ma nafx ghalfejn? il pn accetta lil Vince Farrugia mr principji u qed iccapcpulu sa fejn naf jien.

Jeremy J Camilleri

May 17th 2009, 17:27

For once, I think I agree with MR. Demartino...the reason Mr. Refalo gave is ridiculous to say the least!

David Thake

May 17th 2009, 17:27

Austin Gatt does sterling work.

Maybe you can argue that his delivery is not the most gentle, but the man is excellent at his work.
Being a former PN MP should not be a ticket to whatever you want from a PN government. The fact that this does not happen despite 20 years of PN in government is comforting.

Patrick Cilia

May 17th 2009, 17:23

I have always found that there are two rights - the right we have as citizens and the right we THINK we have as party animals! I, myself, prefer the former...it gives more satisfaction, is certainly refreshing and in the end is a lot more plausible! The problem with this country (and with most small communites for that matter) is that we EXPECT favours - jobs for OUR children, houses for OUR family and guangos for OUR ego. The PN has, at least, given the opportunity to ALL the citizens to enjoy the opportunities for ALL OUR children, choose where we ALL make our homes and even be transparant as to who sits on which guango....do we want the same situation we had in the 70's and 80's when one man - namely the one and only DM the PM - decided these issues for no apparnat reason except that you supported the MLP? It seems our friend with the genlte smile who loves everyone is going down the same way...sime things never change, do they?

jbusuttil

May 17th 2009, 17:21

@ Raymond Camilleri
Good PR who do you think you are kidding? I bet you always voted AD

@ Raymond Pace Bonello.
I totally agree with you that there is much volunteer work that can be done sure there is a place for him but NO he wants a position where he can be seen and stay popular. Insomma issa l-ghasfur tar and any directorship is now Bye Bye.

GiovDeMartino@ALL labour

May 17th 2009, 17:07

KUNU SINCIERI -JEKK TAFU: Kieku S-Sur Refalo taw dak li ried ghax nazzjonalist, INTOM x'kontu tghidu? TISTHUX TWIEGBU.

M.Caruana

May 17th 2009, 17:07

Sur Refalo.

Drittijiet mhux pjaciri kien jghid missier Malta - Dr. Fenech Adami. Allura int ghalfejn qieghed tistenna pjacir ? Li tkun fuq board mhux dritt tieghek. Jekk hi din l-atitudni li ghandek, tisliem. J'Alla ssib xortik ghand l-partit laburista.Kien hemm iehor fil-fatt li mar maghhom, Sandro Schembri Adami. Izda jekk ser tibqa minflok. Dejjem tista tghin mod volontarju lill xi ghaqda.

Matthew Borg

May 17th 2009, 17:07

@ Reno Parnis

Il-gideb jigi miz-zewg nahat, mhux mill-PN biss. Joseph Muscat qed idur jwieghed kollox imma nista' nassigurak li jekk jispicca jitla' fil-Gvern, ikollna l-istess froga li ghandna bhal issa. (Jew forsi aghar).

J.Camilleri

May 17th 2009, 17:03

Is this guy serious?!?!?!?

Raymond Camilleri

May 17th 2009, 16:41

this story shows the way people think about politics: parochial and provincial... a product of a 2 party us and then system.... that's why on the 6 of june my vote will go to Alternattiva...

Joseph F. Falzon

May 17th 2009, 16:11

Dr.Gatt's tone has worried a lot of people in the last couple of years even PN activists and party insiders.
Someone must stop him or do something to change his tune.....and immediately before it's too late!!

Mario Zahra

May 17th 2009, 15:55

Huwm biss it-tfal li jimxu bil-politika ta' jew nilghab jew inkeskes!!!! Il-principji m'ghandhom ikunu qatt ghall-bejgh.

Joseph Cauchi

May 17th 2009, 15:48

I do not find Mr. Refalo’s behaviour acceptable due to the fact that the reason he offered was because he was not cared for enough by his party in not granting him any directorship in government institutions, albeit without payment.

I find this attitude too egoistic.

However, I think that the party in power should be more realistic, humane and less arrogant in its attitude towards all citizens of our society!

../..

GEORGE J. CUTAJAR

May 17th 2009, 15:48

WHAT'S NEW? ALL THOSE WHO HELPED THE PN DURING THE 'UGLY' TIMES HAVE BEEN SHOWN THE DOOR AND THOSE AT THE NEW STAMPERIJA MADE SURE THAT THEY BOLTED IT WELL.
BUT THAN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WHEN THE PARTY IS NOW LED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT AROUND WHEN TIMES WERE BAD, WHEN WE WERE SHOT AT , WHEN THE POLICE BEAT US UP OR HAD BOMBS PLACED UNDER OUR CARS OR BEHIND OUR DOORS?
AT THE END OF THE DAY WHO GIVES A HOOT WHAT PEOPLE LIKE LOUIS REFALO WENT THROUGH FOR THEIR LOVE OF THE PARTY AND COUNTRY. SUCH IS THE POLITICS PRACTICED TODAY.

reno parnis

May 17th 2009, 15:29

Il gideb dejjem kien u jibqa il forte tal partit nazzjonalista.

U mela tigu tghidu li lPL ma tistax tafdah ... duru dawra maghkom l'ewwel ... xeba makakki first class.

Robert Pace Bonello

May 17th 2009, 15:21

Without question Mr Refalo is a very principled gentleman.

He wanted to get a directorship - the party refused so he changes sides. If he really wanted to kill the time why did he not do volounteer work?

A principled gentleman indeed. The PL ought to be thrilled!

Francis Attard

May 17th 2009, 15:15

I am not surprised with the way the PN is treating Mr.Refalo. I am really sorry for him. You only find these people when they are in desperate need of you. And it seems that this culture is being applied even more under the leadership of Lawrence Gonzi.
And I assure everyone that I am totally convinced of this!!!!

GiovDeMartino

May 17th 2009, 15:09

Imma kif ma jisthux jidhru quddiem il-poplu dawn in-nies. Jekk tajt hajtek ghall-partit fl-izjed zminijiet koroh ghamilt sewwa ghax ghent biex salvajna d-demokrazija. Imma issa trid il-hlas lura? Dawn xi principji huma. Tafu tispelluha l-kelma rgulija? Imma possibbli ma tisthux?

Michael Grech

May 17th 2009, 15:08

This is hilarious. No matter your experience or credentials, you cannot pretend to be allowed to sit on a board of directors 'to kill the time'.

Joe Cini

May 17th 2009, 14:59

So, he wants to sit on a board of directors "to kill the time".
How about playing some Monopoly or Scrabble, Louis, for killing time?