I quote, from this site a couple of days ago: "the level of "racism, intolerance and animosity" in comments on immigration was more than frightening and shocked Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi."

Finally, an honest man of integrity at the zenith of this country's system of governance has come out with it: he, like many of us, is disgusted at the racism that is becoming more and more prevalent in the country, admittedly only within that section of the population that is unable to accept that we are, at heart, a civilised and decent nation.

The funny thing, if you'll allow a note of sarcastic levity, is that many of these bigots have suddenly taken to their hearts the very symbol of decency and civility, the crucifix. Having debased the flag by wrapping themselves in it, they are now, apparently without a single solitary twinge of conscience, using the symbol of Christianity for their manifestly un-Christian sentiments.

Of course, silly remarks such as that made by the Imam last week don't help: his position is as ludicrous as that of any other fundamentalist, be he or she Christian, Moslem, Buddhist or Jedi Knight, but the Imam's wrong doesn't make the other rubbish right. And nor did the ECHR's judgement help much, though frankly, so many people are missing the point that it's becoming irrelevant.

To get back to the point: now is the time for the other leaders of the country to get off the fence, once and for all.

The Leader of the Opposition, the Archbishop, the Bishop of Gozo, the union leaders and the leaders of civil society in general must, there are no two ways about it, associate themselves with the Prime Minister's concern and make it clear to everyone that racism simply will not be tolerated, neither within their own ranks nor in the country generally.

I know, to a greater or lesser extent, each of these leaders: we disagree on some things and on many things, but to a man and woman they are decent human beings. If, however, they do not have the courage to take a position and ignore the bigots, then they are not fit to be the leaders of this country.

Stand up and tell the racist scum where to get off, once and for all. There is no other phrase to describe them, the people against whom the Prime Minister has now taken a stand.

And by the term "racist scum" I'm not referring particularly to the people who - regularly - contribute comments to this blog or my "Beck" column and betray themselves to be nothing less than xenophobic bigots whose whole existence is defined by the hatred they have for anyone who does not fit into their sad compass of life, though some of them fall into the definition of "racist scum" to be sure.

I am referring particularly to some of the people who commented on the report of the Prime Minister's reference to his shock and dismay at the racism inherent in so many comments on issues related to immigration.

If any of these people feels defamed by any part of the title of this edition of my blog, I'd be happy to accept service of a writ through the Times.

My defence will be fair comment based on fact, the fact being the contents of the relevant comment.

Please note, however, that you will have to accept that the term "racist scum" was directed at you and in order to do this, you will have to accept the necessary implication that your comment was racist to the extent that a reasonable reader would identify you as the racist scum to whom I am referring.

And then you would have the other problem, that of persuading the Magistrate's Court, and then the Court of Appeal if you manage it, that your comment was not actually sufficiently racist to justify my description of you as a racist scum, this still being, the last time I looked, a country subject to the rule of law.

One of these rules, you might (or might not) be amused to find, is the rule that I am as free to comment on what you write as you are on what I write, or on what the Prime Minister says.

To quote Mr Eastwood, feeling lucky, punk?