Where was the rabble in Valletta?
Austin Sammut (March 9) does not rank as a first class writer, columnist or commentator, whatever he pretends to be. As such I wonder why The Times gives him so much prominence as to carry his contributions facing the leader page - does the position reflect the quality of The Times' editorials?
Dr Sammut's "Return to the rabble?" was just gibberish. It is surprising - as a lawyer, he even contradicts himself. I wonder, what kind of a thesis did he submit for his graduation? All Dr Sammut could say of the protest "rabble" was that they shouted insults at the Prime Minister. I remember the PN's Nazzjon writing much, much worse of Libyan Prime Minister Jalloud.
To stray a little from the subject of this letter, is it any wonder that Malta is today lumped with the rest of the Schengen countries for Switzerland's political use of the Schengen rules, in spite of Malta's protests? Malta should declare it is not bound by Schengen while this situation lasts and our commercial interests are suffering so much. But of course, the PN would not want to challenge the EU, would it?
Dr Sammut objects to the insults hurled at the PM, and also refers to what used to happen in the past when the "rabble" marched - shops closed and there was destruction and beatings, he writes. But that is not what happened in Valletta two Sundays ago. So why refer to the "rabble"? Isn't that a contradiction?
In fact, the heading would have been more appropriate had it been "Return to the boot-licking", in reference to the last paragraphs about Lawrence Gonzi.
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laurence schembri
Mar 13th 2010, 09:43
So there you go, you don`tlike it either.
when was the LP ever concererned about class.
Social Services, non existant in the 60`s, stopped skilled men leaving the island en masse, Pensions, compulsory education, made a nation out of nothing, ST, Elec.,AirMalta, Methode...do you want me to go on... you wouldn`t know about all this because yougot stuck in the 70`s and 80`s. I like you...really. Have a good day Joe and don`t get so het-up, it`s all part of living. Cheers mate.
J Martinelli
Mar 12th 2010, 21:37
@ laurence schembri
Make sure that when you borrow an expression, you apply it correctly. If you are calling me 'low life' and I have nevr broken any laws such as smashing shop windows and looting merchandise while the police looked on and did nothing, then I would imagine that 'low life' would apply to them and those, like you, who seems to condone their action. No I do not wish that shops were broken into last week, but I can assure you that such incidents would have attracted a good response from the police. As a matter of fact, I am not so sure that incidents did not happen because the rabble knew that they would not get away with it this time.
No go and feel snug about the elite attending the protest marches. Too bad their filthy mouths gave them away!
Good for 'inclusive' Joseph and his 'moderate' Party! How his fortunes have been suddenly dented by two separate incidents, not by the rabble but by one MP and one 'prospect'! But then when was the LP ever concerned about 'class'?
Joe Busuttil
Mar 12th 2010, 21:30
I don't know how old Ms Borg is but she should have been at the Umbrella meetings in th e 60s or during an MLP meeting when threats ,whistles blowing and bells ringing prevented the MLP from being heard .Also charges by De Gray's police resulted in many shattered heads and a socialist delegation from Sweden ,I think,was fired upon.What happened in Gozo,where the people were still living in the dark ages,was really funny if it were not so tragic Added to this was the interdict given to whoever supported the Labour party and the denial of a christian burial by another Gonzi ,head of church in Malta to labour supporters. There you would have seen rabble at its best (or worst.)
G.Schembri
Mar 12th 2010, 17:32
@ Antoine Vella Your comment reflects your level of political tolerance.
@J.Martinelli What has GRTU got to do with PL? Two members of the same union had a fight and you like your buddies in Pieta accuse the PL. when you mention the 80s you exagerate - it's either your imagination or your memory. The people might have hurled insults at the Prime Minister - But calling them foul mouthed (and coming from you) is an exageration. Just remember the insults you and your like hurled at Mintoff , at KMB, at Sant and at Joseph Muscat.even with your pen. So any adjectives used to describe them would also suit the mob at PN meetings, I suggest you look them up on UTube.
@ S.Vella - What scared you? the fact that so many people protested against the new tariffs?
@ James Dimech - If you think only PL has that kind of people I suggest you watch manifestations by PN, CMTU and the Unversity Students lead by Fenech Adami Jr in 1998. You can also watch village festas.
Certain people find it easy to hurl insults, but are disgusted at others who have a different opinion.
laurence schembri
Mar 12th 2010, 15:28
Joe Martinelli would have loved it had windows been smashed and shops looted, god we would have never hear the last of it , consider we are still being reminded everyday of the skirmishes of years ago. No, I`m not going to mention burials on the rubbish tip. It takes a low life person to recognise another.
Lawrence Fenech
Mar 12th 2010, 15:27
@Borg You are absolutly right. But this critic has only one trend.
laurence schembri
Mar 12th 2010, 15:14
Antione Vella, Austin Sammut got a bit of his own back, what`s wrong with that. The Times publish your letters, so what`s wrong with this one.
lgalea
Mar 13th 2010, 09:16
You're right. Thanks to The Times
Antoine Vella
Mar 12th 2010, 14:33
This letter is itself an extension of the rabble that was in Valletta and I'm surprsied The Times editor published such personal attacks on Austin Sammut.
Muscat Pat
Mar 12th 2010, 16:31
Considering the political porn found on line by" holier than thou brigade" it takes a lot of concentrated Victorian hypocrisy to feel scandalised by the "rabble".
Gerard Cassar
Mar 12th 2010, 14:28
MTV only showed the line of people behind the baricade and did not show the crowd extending to city gate. Why? what was the purpose of that deception? who gave orders not to show the crowd Gonzipn or the men at Pieta. As for rabble there is no worst rubble than the publishing of DCG notebook running commentary. If ever there was one, that is it.Words that dishonour the class of the writer. Why is she unable to write otherwise? She does not know how? Where did she got her education? At the school that was praised by late Archbishop Gonzi when he paid a visit to the Sacred Heart school and remarked that it was a classy school.
Where did she got her other sort of education. Tell me whom you frequent and I will tell your character.This latter sentence explains all. Is there a reason to stoop so low?
J Martinelli
Mar 12th 2010, 14:13
You tried to make a point Prassede, but the 'rabble' seems to be spreading and invading Parliament and the GRTU offices! A good show for the 'moderates' within the LP!
With regard to the Schengen problem, it goes to show you how much one can trust some leaders of countries close to the LP's bosom.
Since thanks to the progressive LP there were no shops smashed in Valletta and no looting took place a la the 70s and 80s, why was the foul mouthed mob allowed to hurl obscenities at the PM and Nationalist MPs?
What kind of adjective would you use to describe that kind of low life? Maybe in the LP's mind they are the 'elite' of the Party?
michael Degiorgio
Mar 12th 2010, 13:44
so mr sammut objects to the shouting against the pm and his mps well mr sammut did you ever object to what was written and said on dr alfred sant or maybe that reminder is not good music to your ears ps did you get your engery bill yet
S.Vella
Mar 12th 2010, 13:42
Same shiver down my spine watching them on TV.
On other matters, I would choose the EU and Switzerland over Libya on this case everytime. I do not condone abusive behaviour towards employed personnel by an old dictator's son. Do you?
E.Muscat
Mar 12th 2010, 13:14
@P.Borg and J.Dimech:maybe a better description would have been 'rentacrowd' who would become a rabble as soon as they gain power again.
@P.Borg: I would not be so servile to the libyans if I were you:remember the attack on the oil rig and the thousands of immigrants they keep sending our way?Plus the crimes they keep commiting in our country which was a similar reason why this whole problem occurred in the first place in switzerland.
Europe should not be so servile because our southern neighbours have oil and prevent us froming digging for it and nobody does anything about it!
C.camilleri
Mar 12th 2010, 12:40
@ Mark Galea
After your sweeping statement ' reminded me of something worse' can you please elaborate?
I was present and there was nothing to feel frightened off. The usual scaremongering.
James Dimech
Mar 12th 2010, 10:50
Mrs Borg i hate to be a classist...but the "rabble" does exist in Malta. And unfortunately despite all its progressive rhetoric, PL still seeks to cater for the rabble and promotes Maltese rabble culture though its campaigns and causes. Just read Orrizont, Kullhadd or watch One TV. PL's culture still represents all the parts and things that make us embarassed to be Maltese.
lgalea
Mar 12th 2010, 13:34
Just have a look at http://www.maltapolitics.com/vjolenzanazzjonalista.htm to see the rabble
Mark Galea
Mar 12th 2010, 10:28
@Prassede Borg
I saw the manifestation on TV, and the front liners immediately reminded me of something worse ... I cannot comment on the people behind, but I hope they were not the same people.