President visits prison

Evarist Saliba

Jan 1st 2010, 18:51

A teacher used to tell us, "Kieku n-nanna kellha r-roti kienet tkun omnibus." Speculation on what may have been is a waste of time. Let's keep to facts. This was a gesture from HE Dr George Abela to members of the society over which he presides who cannot enjoy Christmas and the New Year like the rest of us. Yes, they are to blame for their sorry plight, and I do not think that the President's gesture implies otherwise. It is those who picture prison inmates as victims, and seek to abuse the concept of "pardon", who distort reality. May 2010 bring better counsel, and a genuine sense of remorse, to those who seek rehabilitation in society. May 2010 bring peace (and forgiveness can help to achieve this) to victims of persons now in prison. May 2010 be a good year for all of us.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 1st 2010, 17:17

@ Angelo Sant President George Abela expressed solidarity with the prisoners. The President said that the time spent in Prison should serve as a period of reflection to put the past behind and to work for the present and the future. People of good will agree and applaud our President for his sentiments. But then you get people like you digging the past for one single reason- to detour the people from looking at the present and the future to perpetuate the life of a despotic government.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 1st 2010, 17:02

@ Angelo Sant.

Il politica ghall Gonzi?

The General Election in March 2008 was a major blow and a sour pill for the PL to swallow. The PL was expecting to win but ended up losing an election by a mere 1,500 votes or 0.5%.

Dr Lawrence Gonzi succeeded in winning an election for the PN on a platform of “unity” and “peace of mind.” A year later, Prime Minister Gonzi has a deficit running out of control and is constantly undermined by disgruntled ministers and parliamentary backbenchers.

Recent international surveys reveal that Malta has slipped in the corruption perception index to the 45th place and 95% of the Maltese believe that corruption is a major problem in Malta.

The long list of broken promises, contradictory and statements full of gibberish and drivel (such as when Gonzi said that the Franco Debono's case is a Labour Party invention) have clearly undermined the credibility of the political class in the eyes of the electorate.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 1st 2010, 16:58

@ Angelo Sant

National debt........................................€ 3,951 Million.
Deficit.................................................. €410.5 Million.
Total negative contribution.................. €4,361.5 Million.

Per Capita Debt on each Maltese Head €10,904. (Since 1987)

This is the price we have to pay for not eating “Ton taz-zejt tal qtates”

Doom and Gloom? Of course not when Malta is ‘f’idejn sodi’.

Jesmond Micallef

Jan 1st 2010, 16:45

It is nice to see the President of the Republic of Malta visiting the prisons.

May I sincerely wish him a year full of success.

Vincent Galea

Jan 1st 2010, 16:26

Every time we speak of forgiveness and forgive, we open the gates of forgiveness.
And you Mr.President will be the first to walk through.

A. Borg

Jan 1st 2010, 15:26

Jien nahseb dan l-att ta l-President li jzur il-prugunieri u l-kliem li qal li hawn hafna li jikellmu fuq il-mahfra imma meta jgu biex jipprattikwha isibuha difficli huwa sinjal car tad-decizjoni li se jiehu fil-futur qarib fit-talba ta Salvu Gauci biex jinheles mill-habs. Food for thought.

marthese mussett

Jan 1st 2010, 15:25

@Eric Camilleri.Very very very well said.Mhemmx xi zzid jew tnaqqas milli ghidt int.

A. Borg

Jan 1st 2010, 15:19

J Grech & C Scerri
Il-PL hares lejn il-futur u mhux lejn il-passat!

J Martinelli

Jan 1st 2010, 15:17

Well done Mr. President - a really good gesture.

But, let us not forget Jason Micallef ( former LP General Secretary) who engineered so beautifully Dr. Abela's path to the presidency! He should be given a medal like Gieh Malta or something special.

I can imagine Dr.Abela's grin at the awards ceremony when pinning the medal on Jason's lapel!

K. Tanti

Jan 1st 2010, 14:23

@ J Grech & C Scerri
li kieku Dr Abela sar leader ta' l-PL zgur li n-nazzjonalisti kienu jsibulu elf difett

Joe E Galea

Jan 1st 2010, 14:23

@ Eric Camilleri: You couldn't say it better. I agree with u 100%.

Angelo Sant.

Jan 1st 2010, 13:58

@Charles J Buttigieg:
Il politika mhix ghat tfal bhal Joe Muscat. So leave it in safe hands like those of our party and our prime minister.
Kien hemm min semma il kontijiet. Shame on you. X fijha hazin li tissokka ftit ic cintorin? L MLP fil gvern gab mizerja, u ghaks, faqar, u dittatura, u rahhas it ton taz zejt. Illum kulhadd igawdi. Imbghad issib min igerger. Min mhux kuntent problema tieghu, u mhux tal gvern. Ghandna gvern il gojjell tieghu. Ghamilna sinjuri. Taghna ix xoghol, il liberta, id demokrazija, u il gustizja. Imbghad tgergru. Shame.
Proset Dr. Gonzi talli hlist lil MLP minn Dr. Abela. Tista tqis lilek innifsek diga elett ghat tielet darba konsekutiva.

D. Xerri

Jan 1st 2010, 13:18

So Now Everyone can see Clearly that its been a Big Mistake to have a President that was formerly the leader of a Party and Prime Minister ! Dr George Abela is the right way to go to Unite Malta!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jan 1st 2010, 13:17

John Grech, your comment is disgusting!! Politics seems to be the sole agenda on certain poor minds!

Well done, Dr George Abela and keep up your good work! Certain individuals are trying hard to obstruct your hard work in re-uniting the Maltese people!

L.Ciappara

Jan 1st 2010, 13:15

Good on you dear President. Nice gesture to start a New Year

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 1st 2010, 13:02

@ John grech

Had George Abela became Leader of the PL and Joseph Muscat President of the Republic you would still be insulting the PL supporters, redeculing George Abela and lauding J. Muscat? We, Socialists, are very fortunate because we are enjoying the best of two worlds, Joseph as our Party leader and George as our President. Who could ask for more? Grazzi Dr. Gonzi for allowing one of our heroes to be a President. Kompli inharaq John.

Emanuel Borg

Jan 1st 2010, 12:59

C.Scerri
(what an opportunity that was lost by the LP and Malta!!!!)

I cannot agree with you more.

Emanuel Borg

Jan 1st 2010, 12:54

The president is obviously a decent man, but he is misguided. It is about time that the interests of victims of crime are uppermost in his and everyones's thoughts. It is the victims who should decide to forgive or not. In Malta the system is often regarded as too lenient. Oh, and asking prisoners for their opinion wether a fellow prisoner should be released, like what happened recently in a tv show is the most ridiculous and pathetic thing I can think think of.
Let us not forget why these people are in prison in the first place and keep that in mind. Let god do all the forgiving, and let the justice system punish criminals to deter others from commiting crime. Christian sentiments like 'forgiving' has no place in the justice system. Mr President, think again. What have you got to say to the victims?

Miguel Sant

Jan 1st 2010, 12:53

To Mr John Grech

"Nirringrazja lil Alla li ghandna George Abela President. Proset Dr. Gonzi. Let the socialist elves cry in opposition. JM is and will remain the continum of Dr. Sant. Thanks God."

I don't know what the "socialist elves" has to do anything in this. But yes, Proset Dr. Gonzi...finally you did something good by choosing this noble and altruistic president...

Kevin Sammut

Jan 1st 2010, 12:51

If you do the crime you got to do the time!

john grech

Jan 1st 2010, 12:33

Nirringrazja lil Alla li ghandna George Abela President. Proset Dr. Gonzi. Let the socialist elves cry in opposition. JM is and will remain the continum of Dr. Sant. Thanks God.

Eric Camilleri

Jan 1st 2010, 12:17

Mr President
A criminal becomes one by an action inflicted on others, which you hereby refer to as "Mistake". It is also know as a crime, usually an irreversible act done to "others" (who are Society) aka as the "Victims", and which irreversible act is usually described by the victims as murder, theft, intrusion, rape, etc, etc... The criminal becomes a prison inmate once he is caught, accused and found guilty in our already too lenient Law Courts. Mr President now that you gave criminals a thought You might as well go that extra mile and ask for a list of "Victims" and plan a very busy schedule to visit each and every one of them, including various grave yards.

a. grech

Jan 1st 2010, 12:17

Prosit Dr Abela. You are really a kind of your own. Quite different from your predecesors

C.Scerri

Jan 1st 2010, 12:14

Can you imagine how politics would have changed had we had the opportunity of seeing Dr Gonzi as PM and Dr Abela as leader of the opposition and alternative PM?

What an opportunity that was lost by the LP and Malta!!!!

philip borg

Jan 1st 2010, 12:04

What a meaningful gesture Dr Abela!!!! Your presidency is strongly bringing humanity back to public office! Ohh how relieving it is to see The President leave the comfort of the throne and feel the people's real feelings and needs!!!!

Visiting prisoners on New Year's day.. when all are partying in front of publicity cameras!!!! THIS is solidarity at its best, THIS is the festive spirit in real, tangible terms... It takes a President coming FROM the people to set the example! At long last!!!!!!!

Awguri George & Margaret and all those who have real conscience!!!!

t. borg

Jan 1st 2010, 11:37

well done mr. president