Herta Müller: Calvary and victory

On October 8, 2009, the Germano Romanian Herta Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, following the French writer JMG Le Clézio. The Nobel Prize Academy explained that Ms Müller was being rewarded especially for throwing light on the world of the poor.

Ms Müller lived in Romania and belonged to a group of German-speaking writers considered by the Nicolae Ceaucescu regime as "a ferment of opposition". She lost her job after refusing to collaborate with the Securitate, the Romanian secret service. Ms Müller was expected to use her writing talents to hide poverty and injustices under the carpet, to be a mercenary pen and mind so that she could enjoy freedom and comfort. But freedom and comfort often find it difficult to coexist.

Since 1995, Ms Müller has been a member of the German Academy of Language and Literature (Deutsche Akademie Fûr Sprache und Dicthung).

Around the globe - and even in the "democratic" world - writers are harassed by intolerant persons in administration. They do not always suffer through physical torture and imprisonment but through boycott where employment and promotions are concerned.

If we were shocked at the Ceaucescu regime and its roughshod treatment of idealists, perhaps we should also look at the regimes that punish psychologically while wearing velvet gloves. Did I hear someone say "Pharisees"?

Blaming the Church

Some people in favour of the introduction of divorce or gay marriage keep bleating and kicking at the Catholic Church's door, which will never accept these things. If one is scared of leaving the Catholic Church but wants it to grant rights contrary to its dogmas at the same time, one is not very credible. When you don't like something an organisation cherishes strongly, don't weep and yell, just move on to another organisation that accepts your opinions and your rights. Don't worry, you will still go to heaven - if you love your neighbour.

Leaving this aside

Speakers mentioning something irrelevant and out-of-subject - but which has been creating acid in their stomachs - sometimes realise that transparency makes them look ridiculous. Their defence mechanism is to say: "But leaving this aside..."

Diary

Client: I need a pocket diary.

Salesperson: Which year?

Client: &ˆ%$£*

A propos of sales and other persons, do lady chairpersons who prefer to be called "chairman" even in the 21st century have a conservative gender inferiority complex?

Comprehensive pomp

The comprehensive educational system is a socialist idea introduced in Europe about 60 years ago. This system was applauded and sworn by (and at) several times. It swung back and forth with the pendulum of history.

The Education Division has rediscovered this educational El Dorado and intends to rouse it into vibrant practice in slow but sure movements of Argentinian tango - until some enthusiastic conservative politician buries it once more for a few generations. It will be re-introduced with plenty of preparatory groundwork using the spadework of educational intellectuals who will avoid the notorious social studies gaffe.

The euphoric, back-thumping, ear-to-ear smiling ceremony announcing the kiss of life and CPR to the comatose comprehensive system reminded me of the children's games of yore as sweetly reactivated in some towns and villages. Lots of cameras and invitees were present. Hurray! We have reinvented the wheel... and the comprehensive system. Let there be somersaults, fireworks, church bells and euphoria!

Meanwhile, the notion of equal educational opportunity has not been followed to its rightful end. The inevitable rapport between education and employment has been sadly ignored. Tracer studies confirming that educational effort leads to professional success have been sadly missing.

Education is not about puerile, artificial jamborees revamping old systems to project an aura of dynamism. Education consists of a full circle - of learning and doing.

Chinese investment in Africa

China owes less to Africa than many European countries. Yet, a new cooperation agreement between China and Africa will surpass the commercial exchange cooperation of 2008 to the tune of $107 billon of direct infrastructural investment. The World Bank has declared that this investment reduces poverty in Africa. Meanwhile, European countries that can reduce the migration problem by local investment hesitate and pontificate while doing a lot in the way of conferences.

Balluta says no

Balluta residents put up quite a show of militant no-nonsense resistance during a public meeting on a proposed car park. Hundreds gathered to shout a clear message: "Please dump this unpopular project, which would produce pollution, urban pressure and ugliness."

To impress the lovers of "progressive technology", a car lift inside a cylinder was shown. Who wants a car yo-yo as a Christmas present?

Also similar projects abroad were shown but in different circumstances. The Maltese are no longer impressed by the simple assumption that anything foreign is good.