Criticism and replies

I refer to Salvu Felice Pace’s second letter in reference to my piece Tell Us A Clear Story. It is evident from my reply to his first letter that I did not expect him to highlight the positive comments under my column. I actually suggested that if he doesn’t want to be labelled as a prejudiced commentator from the outset, it is unwise to enter the online comments territory – where invariably there are good and bad comments – and pick the one negative remark upon which he bases his first long letter to the editor. A critic is bound to end up with egg on the face when resorting to this kind of spin. And, to answer another of Mr Felice Pace’s questions: This was the first instance where he put his foot in his mouth. He did it so well that he felt encouraged to continue along the same path throughout his letter.

I am sorry to dampen Mr Felice Pace’s joy at my describing his antics as “legendary”, but doesn’t he know that the word can mean “famous” and also “notorious”? I am sure he has no problem understanding that the latter meaning is the more appropriate one in the context. Although if he wishes to consider himself famous, I have no problem with that, but he may end up provoking people into asking “famous for what?” And I cannot be blamed then for the resulting answers.

Mr Felice Pace then confounds two issues: that of Chris Said’s resignation on a personal matter, and the other of his work as a parliamentary secretary (PS). Dr Said did not “resign” because of something he did wrong while executing his duties as PS, so how confused can one be to ask: Why does Dr Dalli call this resignation “pseudo” and a “sham” when he has earned respect for doing a good job since he became PS?

This is very simple to understand. I wrote about a pseudo-resignation and a sham because when the “resignation” was announced, the Prime Minister said that he would keep the PS’s post vacant until he returns. This attitude was buttressed by the “former” PS’s presence next to the Prime Minister on various occasions after the so-called resignation. It is very clear to me that the resignation farce has nothing to do with the good work Dr Said does as PS. Had Mr Felice Pace not let his emotions carry him away, and had he kept his focus on my original piece, he would not have mixed things up so badly and missed the point that my critique was specifically on the way Dr Gonzi handled this “resignation”. I never questioned Dr Said’s performance in government, as the subject of my column was on how the Prime Minister dealt differently with the resignations of John Dalli and Dr Said.

Mr Felice Pace then complains that I wrote voluminously about him. That’s rich when I was merely replying to his long-winded letter. Then he contradicts himself by saying that I didn’t give an answer to all that he wrote. Wouldn’t that have made my piece even more voluminous then? But maybe he prefers my answering his letter by just two words, which is possible.

The confusion thickens when Mr Felice Pace thanks me for “the certificate that the government is still creating jobs”. Not only did I not say that, I even said that for some people looking for jobs, there is a whole racket going on where they are told “it’s take it or leave it, there are scores of people ready to do the job if one complains”. It is obvious that those people ready to work instead of others who may complain about the precarious conditions, are unemployed. I thus fail to see the certificate which my critic perceives.

Finally, Mr Felice Pace is offended – he starts the diatribe and then, just like a little child, claims offence – because I say that it is pointless to try and get him to empathise with people who are not having it as good as he is. Oh, how quickly he squeals in the face of defence against his barrage of attacks.

Why, pray, is he offended? He gives the impression he does not understand the lot of these people when he writes in such a manner. Thankfully, he must be in a better situation than they are and I am happy for him. But that doesn’t mean these dire situations do not exist and that is why I leave open my invitation for him to come to my surgery; it will certainly be an eye-opener.

Editor’s Note: This letter was written before Thursday’s court judgement on Chris Said.