Tuesday, 3rd November 2009
Dom Mintoff and the politics of division
I was amazed to read Robert Henry Bugeja praising Dom Mintoff (The Politics Of Division, October 30). If ever we had a political leader who fomented class hatred and division in years of political violence, it was precisely the politician Mr Bugeja adulates.
His nostalgia for the pre-1987 Labour government sounds more like a case of amnesia. Not only the political violence but also government controls in all facets of life, corruption, high unemployment, lack of opportunities, closed University, second-hand investment and, to top it all, 8,000 jobs for the boys in the last few days before the 1987 election are simply forgotten by Mr Bugeja in his earnest wish to have Labour back in government.
"If there are still some good people out there who still believe that Malta saw the light when the PN came to power in 1987, think again", implores Mr Bugeja. Well, what we can certainly say is that on May 9, 1987, we ended a dark period in our political history that should really have ended in 1981 if it weren't for Labour's inability to accept defeat at the polls.
Mr Bugeja's praise of Joseph Muscat is a case of amnesia as well. Doesn't he remember Dr Muscat spearheading Labour's anti-EU campaign on Super One TV with his "made in Brussels" diatribes? But, of course, with Mr Bugeja's nostalgia for Mintoff, he would have liked every minute of those programmes.
We are one nation now because successive Nationalist governments gave the opportunity to tens of thousands of working class youths to achieve the level of education that has widened the middle class. The 1981, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2003 and 2008 election results show that the Maltese people appreciate the well-being brought about by Nationalist governments and that the dark Labour years Mr Bugeja yearns for under Dr Muscat remain a blot on Labour's history.
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Comments
This is what you wrote
"Please, don't make me laugh, most of you. At least, if nothing else, today, we can criticise to our hearts' content - it was not so(sic) during Mintoff's regime. At least, today, we can study to our hearts' content - it was not so during Mintoff's regime!
You did not answer hence your argument is lost. The question is:
"Why did you write that at all? Because you have been brain washed! Misrepresenting and trying to brain wash others. That what upsets the stomach Not saying the truth bluntly. You did not attenuate your writing, no you are positive 100 % and you proved nothing because there is nothing to proof. So use carefulness when writing to be published. I cannot stomach lies, you see why you upset my and perhaps others stomach too.
If a public manifestation of insurgence takes place, which government stands with closed arms. A civil servant according to the democratic rules cannot absent himself from work except in case of a lawfull strike and not following a call by the leader of the opposition. It was a protest for one day less holiday when, and you cannot deny it, though you were a teacher that that government that abolished a one day public holiday gave 52 days extra holidays to government workers, Saturdays. So don't show that you have been brainwashed nothithstanding you pretend to be a well educated person and perhaps a free thinker. Come on see things as they were and not as related by the dependent press.
The truth is that there is no freedom without social justice, and social justice was introduced in Malta by the PL.
@ jc forte. I think you are having a hard time defending your Dom.
Pity is, the (M)LP never got any better meaning they never had the gumption of swallowing their pride (pills) and truly reform, regret and apologize for the past and start a fresh page.
Changing leaders but sticking to passé' methods does no good. The present successor to Dom Mintoff invited back elements from Mintoff's time proving that there is not the least desire to change tack from the dark era.
"But how can you explain that in 1996, the PL gained about 18000 more votes but still finished with 3 seats less. "
Where on earth did you get the 18000 figure? In 1996 labour won by 7,632 votes, no more, no less! No wonder you find it so easy to forget the evil regime of the 70s and 80s if you don't remember 1996.
>>>> At least, today, labourites cannot fear for their very lives, under PN, as was the case with Nationalists under Mintoff. I am not in any way trying, even remotely, to defend the PN, especially this administrationm because it has huge faults and it is carrying out immense blunders, to my knowledge. However, facts are facts and you cannot try and deny them.
How is it that you and other PN bloggers, keep saying that the PN should have been in power in the 1981 election.
Can you please quote from our constitution the paragraphs regarding election and who should have been elected.
As far as i know, the constitution stated that it is the party who gained more seats should govern.
I know it was a perverse result.
But how can you explain that in 1996, the PL gained about 18000 more votes but still finished with 3 seats less.
Also, i don't know how the PN bloggers shed all this hatred against one of Malta's great politician.
Also as regards JM praise, as if everyone coming from the PN side was in favour of joining the EU.
Grow up and look ahead as it is the future that is of interest to us.