'Obscene' story editor to face charges

LXerri

Jan 25th 2010, 22:37

i think this was way beyond vulgar. there's a diff btwn being funny and entertaining and being rude. another point i would like to make is why the maltese only use the language to swear. When u go round malta and listen to people speak, they say a whole sentence in english then the only rude word is in maltese

G. Guccione

Jan 23rd 2010, 17:00

@ Kenneth Cassar. You are right. This island is getting very near to that country in 1984. Veryyyyyyyyyyy Neaarrrrrr. Did you know that the government signed an agreement with IBM so that our electricity bills, water usage and what so ever are going to be monitored by the government? The government is going to even know when, where, and how we are sitting on the toilet. Incredible. Censorship is at its historic high probably. What more? Closing down paceville? or send to prison people who speak against the government? Im very curious what will happen in the next few years....

C.Farrugia

Jan 23rd 2010, 09:49

I have not read the article, am not a relative of the editor or the writer.......but this makes me want to puke.

Right this very moment, with one click, I can avail myself to the most obscene, vulgar, sexually criminal articles complete with graphics to my heart's content!! So should we close down the internet?

Everything is life is a matter of FREE WILL. What to read, what to believe, what to act on....

As for the issue of handing the paper out to students near Junior College: a very close relative of mine lives in the area and is entertained with obscenities and what-not every single day, as she's going about her daily errands. I'm not saying ALL students are like that, but even then, it's what they live with all the time.

Can't stand the hypocrisy on this island. Far worse *crimes* than this get away with nothing.....crimes where people's lives have been taken, or lives shattered because of other acts committed against them.

Ludwig Flask

Jan 20th 2010, 21:50

Well done to Mr Camilleri for having published Mr Gera's piece of work. Maybe I have a sick mind, but from the few lines I have read it was a good read. Why no one has commented on the Maltese used? Was the language architecture worth a university level audience?

The published text maybe of a mature nature, porno someone said, but I think its more of an erotic type (prono is not erotic), and maybe Maltese law specifies that a reader has to be warned of the mature content, and this is the only fault of Mr Camilleri, but aren't university students mature? Whom else reads 'Realta'? MCAST students? Aren't these mature as well? And whom has defined when someone is mature? Laws? Is Maltese Law on this issue outdated? In some foreign countries, 13 years old is accepted as a mature age!

I think that whom had to opportunity to read Mr Gera's work is intelligent enough and 'mature' to consider the text as either a piece of good Maltese literature or rubbish, no one needs to get offended and the issue stops here.

Kenneth Cassar

Jan 20th 2010, 09:28

1984

A. Peresso

Jan 17th 2010, 10:23

I feel very sorry for this poor chap, Im sure this is a very important issue for the Maltese court and the European court . HaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Very tad dahk

n.camilleri

Jan 15th 2010, 21:03

Not surpirsed at all because for sure you have realized now that we are more close to the arabs then any other european country . Again, not surprised at all when europeans calls us ARABS WEARING SHOES ! Offensive or not but this is the reality.

mjbagley

Jan 11th 2010, 23:02

What would they do if they read bits of Marquis de Sade? Now THAT is stomach-churning.

D.Dimech

Jan 11th 2010, 17:04

Meta qrajt dan l-artiklu hassejt sens ta rabja lejn min ikkundanna dan l-att... Jien ma qrajtux dan l-artiklu.... pero kemm seta jkun atroci biex il-kittieb/publikatur jiehu sentenza ta habs? Ara vera adna nghixu fil-passat ee....

Roderick Micallef

Jan 10th 2010, 22:48

No wonder our roads were compared to Zimbabwe, considering the state they are in, it's very applaudable but when I heard this piece of news, well, I guess we have REALLY reached all limits on this island.
A young editor will be arraigned in court after publishing a sexual related article, an article which in a way explains the grim reality with a good dash of humuor. I would have understood that most of the Maltese audience is still too childish to take such an article but that the authorities will actually press charges is just unbelievable in a supposedly democratic country.
I am ASHAMED to be Maltese when I hear such news, I feel angry and upset at the fact that I am actually paying taxes, taxes that are being spent on ridiculous cases such as this one.
I urge Mr.Mark Camilleri to take this up to the European courts and not only will he be freed of any accusations but most probably be able to take legal proceedings against those that are pressing charges against him.
Politically I hope that this case will help to change a government that has now disgusted most of the sensible Maltese people!

G Falzon

Jan 10th 2010, 20:51

I venture to ask how many of those commenting here actually read the article in question "Li Tkisser Sewwi". So, I query the validity of their comments. The article is made up of hard core text aggravated by the audience for whom "Ir-Realtà" is intended. But risking prison for such a publication is beyond comprehesion in a secular, modern country that forms part of the EU! After all, the article is freely available online at malta-exposed. So why all this exaggerated fuss?

Emma Xerri

Jan 10th 2010, 20:49

@Steffan Kottmann

I agree. I love Sarah Silverman too - she is the best. I love her wicked sense humour and how she holds nothing sacred. These hypocrites we have here on the island could use a bit of fresh air like Sarah to clear their stuffy cobwebbed minds.

Sarah rocks!!

George Poitier

Jan 10th 2010, 20:45

Sounds like an interesting article, where can I get myself a copy please someone?. My e-mail is george.poitier@gmail.com

Raymond Cachia

Jan 10th 2010, 20:01

What? When has been 'insulting' someone a crime under any Western Jurisprudence? Or have we already adopted the Islamic culture in Europe and Malta? Are we already living under Shariah Law and do not even know it?

Obscenity is subjective and like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Malta is truly returning back to the days of the Dark Ages! Why have we brought the Inquisition back? Why put a young writer or editor through such a terrible ordeal? Where is the right of free speech and freedom of expression? Writing about sexual fantasies and women is a normal part of any heterosexual male's psyche, so why should writing about it be a crime?

Why not also ban Shakespeare and Boccaccio and other great writers of history, who also wrote frankly about sex and sexual matters?

Shame, shame Malta, when you allow religious fundamentalism to dictate your secular laws.

These days I am truly ashamed to say that I am Maltese. These are not the results I had hoped for when I voted to join the EU.

Chris Grillo

Jan 10th 2010, 19:20

What a sad state of affairs this country has dropped down to. So it was a story. So the author said it gives an insight into individuals' thinking....

We have become a country full of contradictions. Although I am a practicing catholic, I can totally understand that I must not make everyone bow to my wishes or thinking. I'd rather read something like this than be bombarded by petards during the 'festa', or see men (and women, the uh...gentler sex) who usually swear their heads off, dancing in front of the statue of their patron saint.

It's a supposedly free country... I bet the courts will kick this out. The EU courts will do for sure.

Waste of money...

Joseph Schembri

Jan 10th 2010, 18:37

I hope that age of consent laws are also reviewed as they are sending people to court and sometimes to prison unnecessarily.

J. Micallef

Jan 10th 2010, 18:11

vera pajjiz spiccut ee dan !!!!!! Mela jekk toqtol jew tiffroda lil-gvern ..... hekk ok ...... nahfrulu miskin, imma jekk tpejjep joint jew tikteb xi artiklu tispicca il-habs.

Keep it up malta, vera qed nitpaxxa bik. haha

Joseph Schembri

Jan 10th 2010, 17:53

hehe this is a good one: http://malta-exposed.blogspot.com/2010/01/defiled-children-sic.html

J.Debono

Jan 10th 2010, 16:30

Firstly, I have to admit that I am sorry for this student who is facing such an upheaval in his life. Did it have to go this far, that he may even have to face a prison sentence? Secondly, the world is overflowing with 'insulting' things and what may be insulting to one person may not be insulting to another. Thirdly, there is reality. Obscene events are all around us - but can we annihalate them simply by hiding them or turning a blind eye? The Internet and Satellite TV - almost everything is made available here, so we ban these too? I'm almost certain that there are some who would if given half the chance.
If someone is trying to barr certain ideas, information and place this nation of ours 'go bozza' then they should know that they are facing an impossible task. Better not waste time on such issues which in turn would backfire. It is in human nature that when placed in a corner some sort of retaliation or rebellion is to follow. I think it would be better to concentrate our energies on sending out a positive message with the hope of safeguarding moral values.

Franco Rizzo

Jan 10th 2010, 16:24

To my colleague, i wish you best of luck in the case.

This will be taken into account, especially since he is currently studying for his masters. And this only serves to hinder his work.

Today's Times pointed out that laws will be revamped, and I'm waiting to see what's in store...

Andre Pizzuto

Jan 10th 2010, 15:54

Let us all hope that Mag. Demicoli helps the country make the cultural leap necessary to recognise that Malta is not a fundamentalist Taliban regime, in theory at least.

If, on the other hand, she still holds the backward and conservative tenets of what seems to be the majority in this thread, then I hope Mr Camilleri will have the temerity to refuse to pay the fine and spend time in jail until he wins his appeal at the ECHR. This will make shocking news across the civilised world.

Christian Sciberras

Jan 10th 2010, 15:28

r. ebejjer - I'd rather not know what certain men think bout women, thank you very much.
I'm sorry for your past, but it certainly is a sweeping statement what you say about women (and men).
Don't know which part of the island you live in, but at my corner, you get jailed for this sort of behavior.

Pule' Carmel

Jan 10th 2010, 15:00

Does freedom in our country and means, that I have to learn to walk the streets and accept all that I hear,read, all that I see and all the things I hate? I hate driving to the University now , for what was oncea clear pleasant drive is now a scenario full of distractive Placards where there were trees and now even the electricity poles are being decorated with advertising space which in my opinion distracts drivers from safe driving. Well all this is considered accepteble by someone else but deep in my heart I feel that freedom in a country does not mean that children would be allowed and exposed to certain subjects before their time.
I once read some news of a young child who played about with his father hand gun(revolver) and when he shot his father his first word were, "I did not know that blood was warm!" There were otherchildren, who thought of flying through the window with an umbrella after they saw
the popular film, Mary Poppins. I am a little confused as what freedom means, it seems that everybody else would be allowed to do what they like and I accept it!!!!

d.attard

Jan 10th 2010, 13:04

i see this as a great opportunity for malta to became a place where responsible freedom may be experienced by all, not just one, cultural expressions.

Making a (legal) determined stand at this point may become a historical landmark that launches us into modern times. as a first step, All progressive lawyers should join forces to protect the kid and our freedoms.....

G Falzon

Jan 10th 2010, 12:46

Ridiculing justice. Madness incarnate! Waste of public funds.

Chris Reiff

Jan 10th 2010, 12:36

Apparently some people believe they have a right not to be offended.
This case reminds me of the anti-blasphemy law in Ireland, where you can face a harsh fine for blaspheming.

Stop being children.

J. Scerri

Jan 10th 2010, 11:57

And someone still calls this country (I left the letter C in a Sensitive case for purpose) as a developed one !! Maybe in the IT sector or the Standard of living, we can say that without any shame but when it comes to Mentality & Bereaucracy, I'm afraid we're behind most of the 3rd world countries.

But the shame is that a flock of few people (like the Censorship) want (And finally they are going) to IMPOSE an all the other citizens what they think is good for them. BUT WHO ARE THEY TO DECIDE THIS ? SOME DIVINITY or what ?

Sometimes living here in malta (Even here the small M is deliberately made) is like acting in the film The Day The Earth Stood Still but at least there to decide on other HUMANS were the ALIENS (Which I think that their IQ was much higher than the actual ones taking decisions. For example this one)

Some things never change, malta is one of them .... WHAT A SHAME

R Gatt

Jan 10th 2010, 11:24

Hey! I got an idea. While at it let's ban/censor the internet....there's an infinity of indecent / obscene / violent / provocative stuff on it that can offend anyone who reads/sees it! Same thing goes to the guys over at customs who used to censor the purchase of music CDs with demons and devils on the cd cover back in the 90's.

Mr Gera, take note to publish any future similar articles online. Apparently no censorship that way.

While at it, I simply cannot bear to hear anymore news about fighting in Israel, Palestine, Africa & the Middle East and I personally think the world would be better off if it did not get to hear about such countries' problems....yet I cannot control what gets broadcast. The only option available to me is to turn the tv/radio off when the news caster starts ranting about these places.

That's why it's called freedom of speech and that's why I get to choose what to hear or see.

Stefan Kottmann

Jan 10th 2010, 11:06

I believe that a clear distinction needs to be made beween people communicating obscenities, and people playing someone who is communicating obscenities with the intention of exposing such negative mentalities and opinions. Minors cannot make this distinction, and unfortunately some adults and the law do not either. One of my favourite comedians - Sarah Silverman from the US, deeply offends many people in her shows. Her videos are freely available over the internet. She remains in character during interviews. She does this to imitate persons who truly hold such opinions - and even exaggerates them to highlight the stupidity of these persons. Now, her vdeos are freely available online to everyone, and my guess is that some bookstore also contains a publication or two that uses similar means of expression. The editors of the books are abroad and so is Sarah Silverman, but the books could be distributed by local bookstores and Sarah Silverman's content is being channeled though my ISP. Does this mean that Mark Camilleri's crime is not that of making it available in Malta but of simply being a reachable target since he lives in Malta? All other content can be reached by anyone with internet access,

James Farrugia

Jan 10th 2010, 11:00

@ Ernest Vella: U min qallek, sur Vella, li dak li tgħożż int hu dak li ngħożż jien jew il-bqija tal-poplu? U x'inhi din li ma tistax tikritka u tgħid li trid kontra l-Knisja; il-Knisja tgħid tagħha fil-mijiet ta' knejjes u faċilitajiet li għandha mxerrda f'Malta u Għawdex; hekk ukoll kull individwu f'Malta u Għawdex għandu d-dritt jesprimi ruħu u l-ħsibijiet tiegħu – x'qed tinsinwa bil- “għax m'aħniex poplu musulman...”, li jkun aħjar li jkun hemm xi nuqqas ta'dritijiet bħal ma' jseħħ f'ċertu pajjiżi Islamiċi; dak il-paragun li ħa tuża?

Hija storja – mhux artiklu. Hija storja, li għalija m'għandiex mertu artistiku – din bl-ebda mod m'għandha tfisser li għandha tiġi iċċensurata—il-liberta ta'l-espressjoni mhux qiegħda biss għall-Arti.

L-offiża, sur Vella, qiegħda fin-nuqqas ta'ħsieb.

Mariella Caruana

Jan 10th 2010, 10:30

actually, whoever ispired the story should be prosecuted.

r.ebejer

Jan 10th 2010, 10:03

as a woman, i grew up with guys calling me names and making noises (as if i were a dog), now that is really offensive. all the women here know what i mean, you can't walk and feel comfortable because these men will make you feel insecure and conscious.now that is offensive!we can't walk along the street without some guy saying anything!!
this is ridiculous, writing is a hobby where one can express his feelings or thoughts about something, one can write whatever he wants to.Has anybody read any foreign books??there are soooo many authors out there who write about this kind of stuff, there are sooo many movies about that stuff..come on when is malta gonna move on??everything is a taboo here!!
so no, as a woman i dont find this degrading in any way, as i said before i find it alot more degrading when i am walking along the street and some guy is whistling at me for me to take notice.should i ask these men their name so that i can sue them??, WRITING IS AN EXPRESSION OF SPEECH!! and i'm sure the author wrote this piece to make people conscious of what women go through

t farrugia

Jan 10th 2010, 09:59

dan kollu beda ax qassis fetah halqu u gie arrestat. adna bl-inkwizizjoni hawn malta!!!

Joseph A Borg

Jan 10th 2010, 08:24

M.Portelli goes to an institution of "higher learning" to stuff his brain with what others have explored in the past. Soon he's going to lament that the age of great discoveries is past and we have nothing new to learn. We'll then dismantle all the laboratories and choke all the explorers.

The last thing we'll do is dismantle the glory of Rome and let the hoards marauding at the borders over-run us and burn the eternal city… we'll then welcome the dark ages for their spirituality and superstition.

Ernest Vella

Jan 10th 2010, 07:46

Dawn li qed jitkellmu kontra c-censura biex jidhru sbieh ma l-eletorat hafna drabi ikunu min ta l-ewwel li jaghmlu libell il-qorti ghax jaffordjaw itellghu lil xi hadd il-qorti. Ma dak li huwa religjuz dahlet sew l-idea li jiktbu li jridu kontra l-Knisja jew hwejjed li jghozz il-poplu...ghax m'ahniex poplu musulman ghax kieku kulhadd jahsiba darbtejn.

Jiena nsaqsi biss - xi skop ta gid kien hemm fl-artiklu oxxen li nkiteb....imma tkellmu car halli ferkaz naqbad noffendi l-familja ta xi hadd min dawn il-bullies... imma mbaghad timesofmalta, bi dritt tnehhili dak li nkun ktbt fil-blog taghha, ghax trid u ma tridx ic-censura hija tajba ghax l-imbarazz ma jigiex jidher min nies ta integrita.

F.Psaila

Jan 10th 2010, 05:32

This is incredible. Is it a Maltese style of a cultural revolution?
I haven't read it, but if it is such crap, why is there so much ado about it? Maybe trying to heighten the writer's future aspirations? Sensationalism is the best marketing tool.

For all that matters, all the moralists who wrote here looks like they went to read it. Is it to confirm their position or to satisfy their ego?

If it is a university publication funded from the university itself, then it should be the rector who should be tried for not safeguarding the proper use of the funding put at his disposal from the people's coffers.

In any case if they put the guy in jail it's gonna cost the moralists as much financial damage as it will cost to the liberalists' pockets. Save the money and give it as a rebate on the utilities' bills to those in need.

Kevin Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 19:08

@C.Zammit

Those are commercial enterprises and they were banned becase they crossed advertising boundaries and limits in commercial exploitation. In fact in those same countries you mention worse smutt is regularly on sale in newsagents but it is not censored or banned because it is material that is for private use and controled not to be in the public eye.

You went off on your high horse while all along it was just a donkey (no offence to the hardworking creatures).

Quite the contrary you are only re-inforcing our (i.e. those that are not claiming to be Cromwell's followers) even more that this whole things is so ridiculous. This article was not commercial in nature ... it was porely someones opinion on a topic.

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Jan 9th 2010, 14:28

@ J Farrugia

So in order to “safeguard our moral environment” we should censor such literature, right? Huh! What we should be doing is dealing more harshly with real abusers, particularly those who abuse children, vulnerable people and workers.
In Malta a women who “dares” report a colleague or boss about any type of harassment or unwelcome sexual advances risks losing her job as well as being bullied even further, despite all our so called modern laws. We do not yet have a publicly accessible register of child abusers and sex offenders, or of drug dealers or fraudsters.
However evil and abusive they may be, Maltese parents/grandparents expect and indeed demand that their children/grandchildren continue to pander to their every need, desire. caprice and whim and this nauseating attitude is continually being encouraged even by church authorities to this very day. Yes, locally there is a lot we ought to do in order to try to establish some kind of moral/ethical way of life but wasting court time on this case is certainly not one of them.

C.Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 13:51

My comment below has been censored so It is not all I had to say. Stop comparing malta to arabic countries and other african states! Censorship is everywhere in the world. Let me start of with this: In Australia American death metal band cannibal corpse had their album art work covers cencored. British Black Metal band cradle of filth had their t-shirts banned from many european countries as it had a joke about Jesus on it! So just to tell you that censorship is not only in Malta. If this newpaper is about the life of youths today it's only a small section of the country. Freedom of speech is one thing giving this filth to people is another. It is bad enough that we have sick minds roaming in our streets!!!

C.Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 13:25

Good!! Finally!! Malta is a free country but there are laws and limits!!! This went over the limit!! To all you people who support this there is no place for you in a civilized country. Also please do not try to compare this story to erotic fiction as it has nothing to do with it!!

Joe Fenech

Jan 9th 2010, 10:47

Welcome to Iran!!!!!! Remember Alfred Sant saying "Malta is a country of Ayatollah". Under Gonzi we've gone back to the Middle Ages.

Kevin Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 10:28

I read it. I would not have read it were it not for all the stink. It is obscene. The irony is that it was well thought out. Someone should tell the rector as well as the rest of our political elite that what is in that story is exactly what goes through the heads of a good 25 to 35% of our under 40s if not 50s.

This is the ignorance, crude attitde and single mindedness that has been promulgated by decades of a "jobs for nothing" attitude as a pretended right neglected education standards (not necessarily government but an apathetic cultural attitude) and a lot of time to spare making do with peanuts.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 09:53

Jack. You are wrong. there is filtering, or attempts at filtering of the internet in Malta. Recently a woman in the music industry in Malta suggested that ISPs should block certain ports to make file sharing impossible.

Apart from that some sites have been blocked and ISPs are obliged to keep a record of every site that you visit. These records can be freely accessed by the chaps at the cyber-crime unit at the police headquarters.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 9th 2010, 09:49

Andrew Borg-Cardona: You lecture people regularly, often on subjects unrelated to the argument and in an insulting way. If you don't think legal assistance during interrogation is a good idea take it up with the lawyers at Amnesty International who seem to think otherwise. And, oh, you might also want to consult with Nationalist MP Dr. Franco Debono who, unlike you, is a criminal lawyer and has been vociferous about this issue.

jack parisott

Jan 9th 2010, 09:32

I,m really surprised how we still access the internet without any sort of filtering, like the communist parties. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pierre Agius

Jan 9th 2010, 09:16

This cannot be. This is a University -one of the first to be established in the world. It should encourage free thinking and not censor and control. This is ridiculous no wonder we are were we are. This simply cannot be. Criticise yes but not censor. Only in Malta - I honestly cannot imagine this happening in the Sorbonne or other serious univertsities. Our's has become an extension of the secondary schooling.

A. Borg

Jan 9th 2010, 08:06

Ic-China ghandaha liberta ta l-espressjoni tal-kelma izjed minn din il-Gżira tac-ciwawha!

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Jan 9th 2010, 07:46

Jeremy Zammit - please don't lecture me. My opinion on this case, and for that matter my record on human rights issues, is known and public. Just for your information, the right to assistance during interrogation is not necessarily a brilliant idea, since apparently it impinges on the presumption of innocence and the right not to self-incriminate. I'm no expert on criminal law, I'm just passing on what colleagues in the Criminal Bar have mentioned. As far as this case is concerned, it remains ridiculous and a shame.

Andrew Gatt

Jan 8th 2010, 23:29

@ Elton Grech.........................Excellent comment. Well put. Agree 100%.

kirsten micallef

Jan 8th 2010, 22:44

So much for freedom of speech...

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 21:43

ABC - he has already been interrogated. And you as a lawyer should be fighting for the right to have a lawyer present when the police ask questions to a suspect. Tell your chum Dr. Carm that he is in the wrong.

I don't agree with those who say things like let's spend jail time with him. let's pay his fine etc. I want to see this fought in court and the European Court of human rights. Where is a Giovanni Bonello and page 13 of the Times when you need them?

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 21:38

Emmy Bezzina really - please don't use capital letters. It makes reading your posts difficult and apart from that, without trying to be pedantic, it is considered bad netiquette to do so.

M Pace

Jan 8th 2010, 19:52

Tal-mistħija.

S Azzopardi

Jan 8th 2010, 19:45

@ Emmy Bezzina

Dear Emmy ... can you enlighten us why you insist on writing in bold letters each time??

J. Borg

Jan 8th 2010, 19:33

What is "Obscene" are the public pronouncements and spinning that the political establishment tries to get down our throats......
On the other hand it is good that proceedings are continuing.....it will help everyone realise that the authorities which we entrust to guide our lives, are not God's gift to Malta!

Karl Consiglio

Jan 8th 2010, 18:45

What a stupid country.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Jan 8th 2010, 18:27

Let's calm down - there's little chance he'll be "interrogated" and all he has to do is politely refuse to comment if he is. It's still a ridiculous prosecution, of course.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 18:18

Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for two years and even after he served his unjust sentence he had to flee to France. The British who punished this genius are ashamed of what they did and are very jealous of the fact that he is buried in a grave in Paris. Thousands flock to his grave every year to pay their respects to this genius who was punished for his art and his homosexual lifestyle.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 17:49

Remember guys that Mark Camilleri will not have the right to have a lawyer present during police interrogation. This right is available to everyone in every democratic country in the world. Amnesty international has recently harshly criticised Malta for this severe deficit in human rights. The Justice Minister and the Prime Minister, both staunch Catholics, are the two main men responsible for this.

Anthony Mizzi

Jan 8th 2010, 17:31

Two 19th century quotesfrom Oscar Wilde. In which century is Malta in? ............. The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame. There is no such thing as a moral book or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all. - Oscar WILDE 1856-1900, British Author, Wit Oscar WILDE 1856-1900, British Author, Wit

Elton Grech

Jan 8th 2010, 17:09

You could have taught against it, argued against it, criticized it, knocked it, binned it, ridiculed it, made fun of it, discussed it, comment about it, refuse to read it, negate it, protest against it... anything, you could have done anything to it! But instead, you choose to remain asleep and let the authorities go ahead and punish him. Let them do the work for you, let them "think" for you, while you applaud and be thankful to them for being there for you and making all the decisions for you so that you can go on and sleep...let life pass by and just sit there and watch it go, pray that no one bursts your bubble... Let them punish another person for having expressed an idea or some thoughts and don't worry that tomorrow this could all happen to you, for after all, you're not someone who has ideas don't you ? It appears that you don't need to do any thinking because an institution is doing it for you.

mark Scerri

Jan 8th 2010, 16:55

it all started with the (in)famous nadur carnival case, then the banning of stitching, then the mosta mannequin case, then realta' ... what next???? Very nice track record for Gonzi's Malta .... and well done to the police force for wasting time and money (tax payer's money) on such a ludicrous case .... don't they have anything better to do??? boooh ....

Paul Xuereb

Jan 8th 2010, 16:53

Although I believe Alex Vella Gera's farrago of obscenities is nowhere near literature, I feel that the editor of Ir-Realta in which the screed was published has been punished sufficiently by the angry criticism in the press - though oif course he has also received ample support from many others. What would be intolerable in a mainstream newspaper available to all should be tolerated in a paper produced for students, a paper that would never have been read or even come to the notice of others had all this fuss not been raised. Student publications are always given special treatment in most countries of the free world. The sensible thing would be for the police to withdraw their prosecution and bring the whole sorry affair to a satisfactory end.

Elton Grech

Jan 8th 2010, 16:47

Everyone would like to have their say, but they don't want others to do so...or if they do, they must follow rules which are arbitrary but we hold them as God-given.

Regarding the short story, it's not about whether you like it or not, it's about being able to express oneself or not. "I may very well hate what you write, but I will fight to death to defend your right to write it!" goes the quote attributed to Voltaire, echoed by Churchill.

Also, I have one question. What if a person plays music with obscene lyrics loud in public? or if it is played at shopping arcades?

thanks

Anthony Mizzi

Jan 8th 2010, 16:30

It can only be described as 'Obscene' the way the newspaper was banned and reported to the police by Rector Juanito Camilleri.

That is OBSCENE

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Jan 8th 2010, 16:27

Excellent! I'd expect the Faculty of Law to offer its services en bloc to defend free speech. Ah, a problem: their academic boss started it!

Joseph Schembri

Jan 8th 2010, 16:21

Thanks Jeremy for letting us know where to read the story. Malta-Exposed, the blog, that carries it says that it is tasteless. I don't agree. I find it has literary credit actually. The author is very good. But you have to have a thick skin and be be conversant with this type of literature to see that this story really is quite good from a literary point of view.

It is harsh gritty reality, even more than let's say Immanuel Mifsud's (a university lecturer) 'Stejjer li ma kellhomx jinkutbu' who has written about abhorrent sex etc in Maltese. Also better than Satgno's (one of the best emergent Maltese writers) 'Xemx wisq sabiha'- in its realism.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 15:36

There is a blog that carries the story. Just google 'malta-exposed'

S Debono

Jan 8th 2010, 15:30

If you do not like it, do not read it. Writers should be free to write as much as readers are free to read what they want. I would focus more on whether public or university funds are subsidising the production of such material if it is against established content criteria.

martin portelli

Jan 8th 2010, 15:24

@m.portelli
"I"'m currently attending university in the UK and it wouldn't even cross anyone's mind to print anything even close to the vulgarity in that piece of 'literature' in a university associated publication ... come down on them like a ton of bricks."Such items have no place in an institution of higher learning"

My guess is that you've never attended a lecture on contemporary English literature nor really involve yourself that much on this sanitised 'English Campus' you frequent. I doubt any Rector at a British university would indulge in the same behaviour you so admire in the incumbent at the UOM. My experience in English universities is rather the opposite. I guess you were shocked because you have 'forgotten' the sounsdscapes of Maltese environments. The cognitive dissonance in evidence is incredible. One sincerely hopes that the new cultural policy document puts paid to this undemocratic nonesense once and for all. Should Mr. Camilleri be convicted it will be testament to a society that insists on European values but really treasures an anachronistic belief in repression. I hope minister Cristina is not afraid to take up the gauntlet in favour of democracy.

GiovDeMartino

Jan 8th 2010, 15:19

PPRROOSSIITT. Hkk ghandha tkun is-serjeta! Prosit.

N Zammit Alamango

Jan 8th 2010, 15:02

I cant find more adjectives than those already used to describe this utterly humiliating case ! We re in the 21st century and still discussing censorship.

I would except this from a couple of places but definitely not the University of Malta. Do I need to remind the rector that one should distinguish between the AUTHOR and the NARRATOR ?

I expect the UOM to be filled with enlightened, knowledgeable and liberal thinkers ....
If not there - where? If not now - when ?

It is useless to argue about the protection of morality - every one is free to chose what he or she wants to read / watch.

George Orwell says: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

Sergio Galea Vincenti

Jan 8th 2010, 14:53

@ Kevin Zammit: You are absolutely right in your comment! There are too many instances where we are closing not one but both eyes where the application of the law is concerned.

Unfortunately, we have all become impervious to what should normally be unacceptable behaviour in a civil society.

DR EMMY BEZZINA,LL.D.,MAG.JUR.

Jan 8th 2010, 14:04

THIS CASE IS AS RIDICULOUS AS THE UTTERMOST THOSE RESPONSIBLE BEHIND ITS CREATION CAN GET.IT IS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION,as protected by our Constitution,the European Convention and the EU CHARTER of FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.IT IS NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION AS DETERMING WHAT OUR COURTS MIGHT DO - THE LAW IS THERE AND IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT WITNESSES THE PROSECUTION WILL PRODUCE.WE STILL HAVE THE LAP DANCERS PACEVILLE CASE PENDING BEFORE THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL [ MOST SESSIONS KEEP BEING DEFERRED ];AN IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT WAS GIVEN BY MR JUSTICE GALEA DEBONO IN THE BARE BREASTED GNEJNA CASE;THE PENDING STITCHING CASE BEFORE THE CIVIL COURTS: ALL THESE ARE INSTANCES OF HOW RIDICULOUS SOME PEOPLE RUNNING THE COUNTRY CAN GET.THOSE WHO ARE PROSECUTING SHOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR VIOLATING THE COUNTRY`S FUNDAMENTAL LAWS THROUGH THIS WASTE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
HOWEVER,OTHERS MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION:DEVIATING THE ATTENTION FROM MORE SERIOUS ISSUES BESOTTING THIS NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.

MY SUPPORT FOR THE WOULD-BE ACCUSED - GO FOR IT SHOULD THE CASE MATERIALIZE TILL THE MYOPICS AMONG US VISUALISE THE LIGHT OF DAY - MALTA IS NOT LIVING IN PURITANICAL ENGLAND OF YESTERYEAR!

Franco Farrugia

Jan 8th 2010, 13:59

@ J Farrugia: Well, I don't know about you, but I think the time has come for some nudity in our streets and public places. Some men and women have fantastic bodies - pity to put them to waste, behind clothes! tee-hee!

Malcolm Borg

Jan 8th 2010, 13:56

Incredible! Wow! I had to refresh the page a couple of times to be was sure I was not reading timesofiran.com or timesofchina.com!
This is an attack on the Maltese intelligence! I read the story and am intelligent enough to deem it disgusting. I read the story and am intelligent enough to know that it is fiction. I read the story and an intelligent enough to not wanting to read it again because of bad taste. Because...you know...I have a brain! =) I don't need the police, the law or the judiciary to be the brain for me!

anthea doughty

Jan 8th 2010, 13:52

Pornographic means designed to arouse lust. I do not think that it sounds like this article was in any way to incite lust! There is nothing wrong with having a strong sense of morality which is one of Maltese society's greatest assets, however, I think the action taken by the rector and subsequently the police has been ridiculously over the top. I hope that Mr Camilleri does fight all the way to defend himself against such an attack by the authorities. For goodness sake, with the internet available to anybody and everybody these days every person has access to whatever lust arousing/pornographic material they could possibly want if that is their thing. Anyhow, even those this comment might not be popular it seems to me reading your newspaper that Maltese men treating women like objects that they own is a common occurrence! Also even in Malta advertising uses the images of attractive women to promote products. Don't be hypocritical!

R. Azzopardi

Jan 8th 2010, 13:37

@Jeremy Zammit

Nobody forced me to read it but the newspaper was literally distributed to all and sundry. I do not condemn the publishing of certain articles but I believe that they are not to be included in printed matter that is left lying around for all to see.

Another thing. The article contains foul language and blasphemy (both of which are against the law). If I cannot blaspheme in public I don't believe that one should be permitted to use certain language in printed matter which is available to the general public.

D. Scerri

Jan 8th 2010, 13:34

@Joseph Falzon

Thank you. I now have my weekend fully booked. ;)

M. Galea

Jan 8th 2010, 13:34

I am all for freedom of speech and more lax censorship rules, as we are all supposed to be grown up and able to decide for ourselves what to read and not to read.

However, I don't agree that material which is degrading to both men and women alike should be freely distributed in places such as the University.

Perhaps a prison term might be too harsh, especially when one sees other criminal cases (VAT, cannabis etc) but I guess we should be more careful what is published.

Ian Waugh

Jan 8th 2010, 13:28

This material may not be to everyone’s taste.

Some might find it crude, rude and obscene.

The “banning people” and “disallowers” are a thing of the past in 2010.

This a dark day as this EU state member is continually under the cloud of censorship.

Strangled by throttling rules, bans and choking regulations.

Freedom of expression is a rare luxury for creative Maltese.

Theatre, journalism, film, broadcasting, the written word lurking in the shadows in fear of being banned.

The Maltese do not need or want to be patronised - they can choose, yes or no.

When will the decision-makers ever get the point?

When will creative Maltese ever have the freedom to express?

When will the general public ever be given credit for self judgement, to decide to consume material or not?

The world waits with baited breath.

Joe Azzopardi

Jan 8th 2010, 13:11

Freedom of thought addio!! 1 case in which a suspended sentence would be welcome but in which a hand shake to the author and one to the editor would be much better. Hey Malta we are in 2010 remember!!

Andrew Gatt

Jan 8th 2010, 13:08

Welcome to MALTALIBAN!

Mark, I do not know you and I certainly do not hold leftist views, but I would be happy to contribute towards paying any fines you might incur.............hopefully, the Magistrate will throw out the case as the stupid waste of time that it is.

Good luck!

Monique Agius

Jan 8th 2010, 13:01

Kemm aħna taċ-ċajt f'dal-pajjiż, kulħadd dejjaq, verġni u qaddis.

C Gatt

Jan 8th 2010, 12:56

@ m. Portelli
quote: I do support the right of free speech but i don't support the right of doing whatever you like whenever you like - next we'll be walking naked down the street as we have the right of 'freedom of expression'.

Judging by Portelli's series of generalisations I really do fear for the level of critical thinking at Malta's university. (lol)

PS if the university of Malta does not stock works like American Pyscho, teh books of Henry Miller, William Burroughs et al, well frankly, I'm not sure what students are studying when it comes to Modern Literature.

Ronald Cauchi

Jan 8th 2010, 12:53

Best of luck to Mark Camilleri. Hope he's found innoncent and acquited. It will be a victory for him and for all liberal minded people in this priest-ridden, christian fundamentalist island we live in. If not someone should organise a fund raising campaign to pay his fine. Better than paying for fire works or subsidizing political parties.

Sergio Galea Vincenti

Jan 8th 2010, 12:45

Before we all hasten to post comments, it would be wise to reflect on what boundaries should there be in relation to what can and should be published: For every right, there are limits which may change or not over time as a result of changing circumstances.

Let's take as an example freedom of movement: Whilst we do have this right, we certainly cannot expect to go, say, trespassing in secure areas such as the airport apron or in private property. The same can be said for freedom of speech and any other freedom within our Constitution.

Different people have different moral values and it is evident that when these cases crop up, there shall be those who cry out foul whenever the law is applied. One should remember, however, that without laws, we would live in anarchy even though I feel that some fringe elements would enjoy this.

I now expect that the same yardstick used in this case is applied to those supposedly responsible individuals who chose to challenge the system and published the full text of the article in question online to be arraigned in the same manner as Mark Camilleri.

Ian Galea

Jan 8th 2010, 12:42

What a disgrace!!

joe briffa

Jan 8th 2010, 12:42

Another cacophonical dillusion of our morallities....few words to describe this is stupid so called morality,Malta u il-mohh maghluq u stupidu..ghandna biex niftahru wkoll...where is freedom of speech and opinion??? Are we different from muslim extremists????

Timothy Guntrip

Jan 8th 2010, 12:37

Absolutely pathetic.

Oliver P Vassallo

Jan 8th 2010, 12:34

Great news indeed! I heard through the grapevine that the film "Witchfinder General" is due for a remake. Considering that Vincent Price is no longer around, the producers are looking for persons (not necessarily professional actors) for the title role. Anyone interested from the University, Police Force or other self-proclaimed guardians of public morality and Catholic orthodoxy? Are we going to whip up the frenzy generated against "Il-Madonna tac-Coqqa, The Music Lovers, again!!

Victor Laiviera

Jan 8th 2010, 12:32

Welcome to Iran-In-The-Med.

This is shameful. We are regressing to medieval times.

I urge Mr Camilleri, either in his own name or in the name of his paper, to set up a "Fighting Fund" to help him fight this oppressive persecution up to the European Courts if necessary.

I will be the first to contribute.

Kevin Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 12:28

It is immoral, vulgar and crude to parade an entire family on TV because they are midgets
It is immoral, vulgar and decadent to parade what current society deems as beautiful women as objects
It is immoral, vulgar and disgusting for bus drivers to swear in public
It is immoral, ignorant nd stupid to keep using a vehicle that emits black clouds of toxic fumes
It is immoral, decadent and ignorant to let off petards with loud bangs without any regards to the sick and non-firm
It is immoral, decadent and vulgar to get drunk and behave like a monkey on the day of the feast of a saint in the middle of a square

....

need I go on?

yet I have never seen any of these people herunder who are criticising this person protesting in the streets about any one of the above. Malta ippochrita!

I hope the judge throws out this case ...

Joseph Falzon

Jan 8th 2010, 12:23

hey I have an idea. As an encore the next step should be to censor Google too!

After all one can simply go on Google, set it to "no filtering", select "images", type in something racy such as "big jugs" (innocent sounding, no?) and be fed a whole list of pictures of women with big .. well .. jugs. And there is lots more where that came from, so..
get a life people, why don't you ! Also, where can I get a copy of the story please - I also wish to read it ?!

M.Portelli

Jan 8th 2010, 12:20

1. I haven' t read Viz but i do know about it - the difference in that magazine is that is not associated with any UK university but is general magazine. It is not the publication of this material that I have a problem with but the publication of it in a university associated publication. If for example the Times were to publish it (although i believe the times to be more cultured than that) i would have no problem with it at all.
2. @ A.Schembri - I refuse to believe that books with that sort of obsecenity exist in the UOM library - if you can kindly reference which books exist in the library please do.
3. I do support the right of free speech but i don't support the right of doing whatever you like whenever you like - next we'll be walking naked down the street as we have the right of 'freedom of expression'.
4. No where have i said that I am in favour of his imprisonment - a heafty fine and a ban on his work in the university would be enough - imprisonment would be overkill to say the least

mario gellel

Jan 8th 2010, 12:16

Liberta sfrenata ghal ftit,Multi jew habs ghal kotra.
As I commented many times,Malta is a democratic country under a dictated policy.

C Gatt

Jan 8th 2010, 12:03

@ J Farrugia
Often obscenities, like beauty are often in the eye of the beholder. who asked you to read it? Also what other good books have you read recently?

C Gatt

Jan 8th 2010, 12:01

@ M Portelli
I find it very amusing that M Portelli feels that they can talk in the name of UK universities. I find it even more amusing that M Portelli thinks his/her opinion on what constitutes 'obscene' is in any way relevant. I take it that M Portelli is an avid reader of nooks and contemporary literature and Maltese literature.
I assume that M Portelli is an avid consumer of 'art' hence the shrewd , illuminating critical analysis, which incidentally I also find very amusing.
In Fact, frankly,i am simply amused

D Vella

Jan 8th 2010, 11:58

Back to the future. I'm disgusted allright,but with the not so moral right who seem to think they know what's good for the rest of us.

Andre Schembri

Jan 8th 2010, 11:51

@M.Portelli Do you know that in the University of Malta library there are such 'vulgar' books?

Andre Schembri

Jan 8th 2010, 11:45

@ J Farrugia : So you are saying that the state should start imposing his/your political and moral views on me(by law) ? (do you know that that's political oppression?)

toni attard

Jan 8th 2010, 11:37

This is indeed another dark day for creative expression in Malta.

D. Scerri

Jan 8th 2010, 11:36

It's one thing to have these things going on every day in Malta, but for god's sake, let's not talk about it! Let us all just pretend that these things do not happen and that everyone is a devout xtian who really does follow the laws of god. Yes, much better.

Actually, some of the comments here I find offensive to my morals. I'm sure there are others, so perhaps we could put some pressure on the police to round up some students and have them flogged^D^D^D^D^D^D^D charged with something vague and all encompassing?

@M.Portelli
Being at university in the UK, have you never read Viz?

c. hansel

Jan 8th 2010, 11:32

Freedom of speech??!!!

What is happening here in Malta???
Soon websites will be banned as well... ppl watch out this can turn out bad...police state!!!

Miguel Micallef

Jan 8th 2010, 11:30

You can't support the human right for free speech than agree that a person be sent to jail for saying something. Sorry, but that's plain stupid.

If this person gets sentenced to jail I suggest we all go and spend time with him. There are quite a few twisted minds here that seem to be in favor of this prosecution, but I still have trust in humanity and I am quite sure that many, many more have the ability to see the truth in this and are against it.

marthese mussett

Jan 8th 2010, 11:28

This is absurd?Aren t adults allowed to read whatever they like?There are so many worse things happening in this country that we should focus on.Also,can anyone let me know where to get hold of a copy of the article?Because this has given it good publicity,and in my opinion people want to read it even more

Nick Grech

Jan 8th 2010, 11:27

This is a disgrace, a complete waste of valuable police time and taxpayers money. Now I can feel what my parents went through in the 60's when vasts amount of literature was banned as it "offended the church". Alas Malta will remain a backwater of idiots unless a massive counter reaction to this embarrasing and frightening purge of free thinkers is staged now, without delay.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 11:26

R. Azzopardi: nobody forced you to read it. I read it and didn't really like it. It is just a question of taste but who am I to say who should or should not read it?

I don't like flowery bermuda shorts and I find them disgusting. Should we make them illegal then because one member of society is offended by them?

Dominic Fenech

Jan 8th 2010, 11:25

If Mark is found guilty and punished, this society will suffer from self-censorship for years to come.

M.Portelli

Jan 8th 2010, 11:18

I totally agree with JFarrugia - I'm afraid that people have been hiding behind the veil of 'art' and 'freedom of speech' for too long. While I do support the human right to freedom of speech, i believe that there has to be a distinct line between the freedom to express your opinions and the use of obscene material for obscenities sake. I have read the infamous article online and I was, plainly put, shocked.
I'm currentluy attending university in the UK and it wouldn't even cross anyone's mind to print anything even close to the vulgarity in that piece of 'literature' in a university associated publication - the authorities would come down on them like a ton of bricks. Such items have no place in an institution of higher learning - if you wish to publish such literature, put in the public domain - where people have to search for it to find it - it was very irresponsible for my fellow student to allow this work to be published freely in the university .
Finally well done to the rector - if he had let this work freely circulate, then the UOM would really be Europe's Joke.

Charles Vella

Jan 8th 2010, 11:18

Pajjiz tad-Dojjoq!! So what li ppubblika il-grafika? Aren't we NOT a free country? I am sure that what was published is REALITY!!! IFTHU MOHHKOM JAQQ X'PAJJIZ TAC-CAJT!! :(

R. Azzopardi

Jan 8th 2010, 11:13

@J Farrugia

I couldn't agree more. I read the article and was utterly disgusted. Now I am well known to love a good "hamallata" but this article didn't tickle me at all.

adrian aquilina

Jan 8th 2010, 11:13

unbelievable..censoring is bad enough but taking someone to court is outragous and a waste of time and public money..this shows how far behind maltese mentality is..all publishers should be fighting against censorship..i find this story very disturbing

David Stephen Ganado

Jan 8th 2010, 11:08

@J Farrugia
So what you are trying to say is that we should be making an example with this case for everyone else to be carefull what they write/say/do, otherwise the state will come down on them like a tonne of bricks!!
Get a life! This is only about freedom of expession. Those who dont want to read the article dont have to, its as simple as that. If i am reading something and don't like the content i simply stop reading it. There is no reason for me to get offended by the content unless it is referring directly to someone specific.
There is no place for censorship in our modern society. Everyone should be free to make up their own mind about what they feel is good for them or not.
I hope this case goes all the way to the ECJ so that we can really end up being the laughing stock of the EU, then our 'holier than thou' leaders (political and social) can get a reality check!!

J Farrugia

Jan 8th 2010, 11:06

being modern does not give you any rights to insult or utter vulgarities in public. That's not being modern, that's only lowering yourself and your respectability to vulgarity.

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 11:04

There is a difference between something being immoral and something being illegal. Do not confuse the two J Farrugia.

It is immoral for me to sleep with a woman who is not my wife but thank God (or rather the labour government in 1973) adultery was removed from annals of the criminal code.

Gluttony for example is one of the 7 sins so it is immoral, but you wouldn't want to make eating a dozen pastizzi illegal would you?

The concept of immorality stems from religion and has no place in a secular society.

Eric Gahn

Jan 8th 2010, 10:59

This is shameful in today's world. What do our beloved elected MP's have to say? Is it right for a man to be threatened with imprisonment for publishing such a story (and yes, I read it) in 2010? Why are we still living with medivial mentality?

@ J Farrugia et al: Why do you feel the need to be morally protected? Are you not adult enough to not go where you do not want to?

Wayne Flask

Jan 8th 2010, 10:52

This is plain shameful. Do we call ourselves modern? Do we really have the gall to condemn the taliban oppression?

J Farrugia

Jan 8th 2010, 10:48

Jeremy this is not oppression against these vulgar persons. This is just safeguarding our moral environment which is falling to pieces unless action is taken to change tack. We cannot allow (with the escuse of freedom of expression) people to insult women and utter pure obscenities in public. And dont tell me that blasphemy is common in Malta. We are what we are but we must not add to the already suffocated scenario when even in our own homes we hear continuous blasphemy. Even children today are copying their parents causing shock and horror in our schools. Man was made to safeguard his own moral conscience. We dont see nude people running wild in our streets and let's hope it remains this way. Otherwise we are all goners and there will be no hope for us for the future.

claudia pace

Jan 8th 2010, 10:40

It is a shame if a prison sentence is given to someone who has just written about reality. It is more of a shame that a prison sentence would go about with this University student for all his life. It is laughable that time is wated on something as petty as this when there are real criminals out there

Deo Catania

Jan 8th 2010, 10:28

Pajjiz meqrud. Minflok fl-EU ahjar inghaqadna ma' skoss pajjiz Gharab, konna nkunu 'home' hafna izjed.

Moira Heath

Jan 8th 2010, 10:26

Now let's see our justice system at work. A possible prison term for this poor sod versus a suspended sentence for the infamous VAT fraudsters.

joe fountain

Jan 8th 2010, 10:25

shame shame shame

Jeremy Zammit

Jan 8th 2010, 10:24

This is what happens when the state interferes in the private lives of the individual. One day it is me the next day it is you.

Let all those people who are for things like sex crimes register, censorship (of any form), not lowering age of consent etc open their eyes and see that oppression of the private individual happens one tiny step at a time.

A. Saliba

Jan 8th 2010, 10:23

Malta: the laughing stock of Europe.