Divorce, democracy and people’s choices (1)
During the last political campaign I admired the dignified way that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando faced the criticism and actions of his opponents. I regret to say that this admiration has totally evaporated.
The controversial Private Member’s Bill Dr Pullicino Orlando presented last July did upset me. Some people called it “a bolt from the blue”.
President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami referred to it as “political dishonesty”. Dr Pullicino Orlando knew he had no mandate on this legislation, which could leave negative repercussions and affect not only individuals but also society at large. He knew that, come the general election, people base their vote on what candidates promise and not on what they dream up later. He knew, as he himself admitted, that this was a serious and delicate matter which could change the mentality and culture of the Maltese.
Undoubtedly, he knew the precarious situation of his party. I don’t think he was aiming at a personal triumph but, to me, his action was ungentlemanly.
Since Dr Pullicino Orlando was so eager to promote this issue, couldn’t he have waited a couple of years and then join Alternattiva Demokratika, the only party which explicitly states that it is in favour of divorce? Not even the Leader of the Opposition was going to risk introducing this matter in his party’s political programme. He was more prudent.
After all, if Dr Pullicino Orlando really thinks that divorce is a basic human right, he could have taken the matter to the European Court of Human Rights. I hope that each night when this honourable MP puts his head on the pillow, he sleeps peacefully, without stabs of remorse.
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Robert Callus
Feb 7th 2011, 12:01
I find absolutely nothing admirable from JPO in the Mistragate saga. Maybe the author of the letter might enlighten us what we should admire in that. On the other hand, JPO is the only Member of Parliament who had the guts to raise the issue and propose a bill that will ONLY AFFECT a minority - if they choose to. Having the majority impose their views on a minority is not democratic at all.
Alex Ciantar
Feb 7th 2011, 10:42
Wait a few years until anyone who disagrees is good and ready to have the opportunity not to vote???.............I don't think so!!! if every time we had to do that the country would be at a standstill!! (not that it isn't)
N.C.AQUILINA
Feb 7th 2011, 10:42
KULL KANDIDAT ELETT FIL-PARLAMENT IKUN QED JIDĦAQ BIL-VOTANTI TIEGĦU META JRESSAQ SUĠĠERIMENTI FIL-PARLAMENT LI JKUNU JMORRU KONTRA L-VALURI L-PRINĊIPJI U L-INTERESSI TA’DAWK L-ISTESS VOTANTI LI IVVOTAWLU META MA JKUMX GĦAMILHOM PUBBLIĊI QABEL L-ELEZZJONI! IL-FAMILJA HIJA L-AKTAR ĦAĠA GĦAŻIŻA TAGĦNA L-MALTIN! ID-DIVORZU HUWA ĦAŻIN GĦALINA, GĦAL-ULIEDNA U GĦAL-PAJJIZNA! POPLU MALTI ĦU ĦSIEB U NDOKKRA IL-FAMILJA PREZJUŻA TIEGĦEK SEWWA!
Joe Zammit
Feb 7th 2011, 10:22
Rights are positive. Divorce is negative, so it is no right. Rights entail duties. Divorce entails no duty (not even to remarry), so it is no right. The European Convention on Human Rights is reticent on divorce, so divorce is no right. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is mum on divorce, so divorce is no right. Therefore, any argument depicting divorce as a right in view of introducing it in our legislation is flawed right at the start. No MP, no person can vote in favour of divorce without sinning seriously against God. Christ tells all our MPs, all voters that what God has joined together let no MP, no voter put asunder. Any MP, any voter who votes for divorce is betraying Christ.
Sabrina Borda
Feb 7th 2011, 10:12
There is nothing politically dishonest about bringing forward a necessary Private Members Bill to serve those who need justice brought to the fore. A justice and a vital principal that most of the Nationalist Party had been sweeping under the carpet for far too long, pretending it wasn't there, because they just didn't know how to face this kind of social reality. Still they find it is not in their comfort zone and wish it will go away. It will never go away. For a long while Eddie Fench Adami was saying it would not happen on 'his watch', so the PN would not face it or handle it. This was not at all a "bolt out of the blue" it was brought out from under the very dusty carpet where they attempted to keep it hidden. Well done JPO ! for being Man enough to present the reality for the need of divorce and listening to the tempo of the people calling for this basic moderation.
Joe Cassar
Feb 7th 2011, 09:27
Mr Cassar seems to have a strange, mirror-image of reality.
The way Dr Pulicino Orlando acted in the run-up to the election was the opposite of dignified. His tantrums about the way he was being "victimised" when, as it turned out, the accusations were more than justified were really pitiful.
His actions in re the introduction of divorce, on the other hand, show courage and determinatiuon, and a readiness to think independtly, even at the cost of disapproval from his own aprty.
Christian Sciberras
Feb 7th 2011, 11:04
Joe - Well said!
Shame on George trying to spin around what Dr Orlando did.
I don't know how you[George] admire petty politics while criticizing a real change.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 7th 2011, 13:09
Courage and determination? It is anything but. If he had courage and determination he would have brought the issue up before the election!
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