Updated - Referendum: PM reacts sharply to JPO 'pettiness' jibe
LAST UPDATED 4.46 p.m. -
The prime minister today reacted sharply to a remark by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando that the PN was being “petty” in its argumentation about why 2,800 young people have been denied the right to vote in the upcoming divorce referendum.
The young people will not be able to vote on May 28 because they turned 18 after the September 30 cutoff date for the publication of the October electoral register. The referendum will be based on the October electoral register since the President's writ for the holding of the referendum was issued on March 30. The cut off date for the April register is March 31.
It had been suggested that the Electoral Commission could have delayed the publication of the writ by a few days so that the April register would apply.
"To argue about hiding the President's writ for the holding of the referendum as petty means we are living in different planets," Dr Gonzi said.
Indeed, he said, if it was possible for the Commission to delay publication of the writ, he would legislate for such things not to take place.
In his comments, pro-divorce Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando warned against “petty” argumentation about why 2,800 young people have been denied the right to vote in the upcoming divorce referendum.
Referring to a speech given by Dr Gonzi yesterday, Dr Pullicino Orlando said the Prime Minister had “confirmed” that the more recent electoral register could have been used.
Not allowing 2,800 young voters to make their voice heard on this important issue could influence the way these people would vote at the election in two years’ time, Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
“Have we considered the difficulties and unnecessary expense that could have been avoided? Hundreds of people will have died since October. Many others will have changed their residence. Hundreds will have changed their surnames due to marriage,” he added.
“These are complications that we are now saying we did not avoid for a reason that many will view as being petty.”
Dr Gonzi yesterday said that If the Labour Party had the “moral courage” to admit it made a mistake, the Nationalist Party would have helped find a solution to enable the young people to vote.
“There were solutions and we would have participated in these solutions, but (Labour leader Joseph Muscat) did not have the moral courage to admit his mistake,” the PN leader said, accusing his Labour counterpart of “blatant manipulation”.
Last week the electoral commission decided it would base the upcoming referendum on the October 2010 electoral register instead of the one that will be published in mid-April.
The commission had been discussing the possibility of postponing the publication of the President’s writ to allow time for the new electoral register to be published. At first it had legal advice saying that nothing in the law prevented this from being done but law professor Ian Refalo later advised against this move, saying it would be wiser to publish the writ immediately according to the practice, so as not to give the impression of partiality. Having been issued by the country’s President, publication should not be delayed, he advised.
Dr Gonzi yesterday appeared scandalised at the fact that the Labour Party wanted to delay the publication of the writ to prevent this problem. He said the Labour Party had been advised against this “manoeuvre” but insisted on pushing forward instead of seeking other solutions.
“Are these the values that we want to pass on to our younger generation? How to play around with laws to escape admitting a mistake and put the blame on someone else?”
The government had simply followed the terms of the motion which Dr Muscat had written, was signed by all his MPs and later approved in Parliament. If there was something wrong with the timing, Dr Muscat should have noticed it before.
“Even the biggest (political) amateur wouldn’t have been so hard-headed. All he had to do was change the motion and include all the young people.”
Instead, Dr Muscat’s solution was to keep the President’s writ “in a drawer” until deciding to act upon it on the ideal date.
In his reaction today, Dr Gonzi said strict observance of the electoral law was very important and it was scandalous that playing about was being suggested. Dr Muscat had proposed the timetable for the holding of the referendum, and he could have easily moved an amendment to his resolution, but he had not, Dr Muscat said.
Dr Gonzi also stressed that the two political parties never agreed to postpone publication of the writ.
See Dr Gonzi's comments on video above.
LABOUR PARTY STATEMENT
Meanwhile, the PL said the Prime Minister was ignoring a crucial point. It said that both the PN representative to the Electoral Commission as well as the electoral commissioners nominated by him had agreed with the roadmap proposed by the PL.
According to the commission's legal adviser, this solution would have been legitimate and given the right to vote to these young people. It appeared, however, that the PM had made other calculations, the PL said and Dr Gonzi had therefore ordered a withdrawal from the agreement.
Meanwhile, both parties have produced YouTube videos to explain what happened and give their version of events, targeting the young people who will not be able to vote:
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Charles Bayliss
Apr 11th 2011, 15:34
Can anybody tell me were in Malta one can find MATURE RESPONSIBLE MALTESE CHRISTIANS? Responsible for causing problems to other people with their words and actions. It is not enough to receive Holy Communion to be mature. Come on, stop using religion like a toy.
Joe Zammit
Apr 7th 2011, 16:29
Divorce is the dissolution of a validly contracted marriage by a human person. It is always a grave sin. Christ himself has pointed this out to us: “What God has joined together let no man put asunder” (Mk 10.9). The Catholic Church in her Catechism speaks clearly about the evil of divorce and says that “it is a grave offence against the natural law” (Par.2384). So Christ and his Church put our minds at rest about the intrinsic immorality of divorce.
This leads to the question of voting for divorce. Morally speaking, voting in itself is an indifferent act. It becomes good or evil according to the object of voting. Voting for something good is morally good, voting for something evil is morally evil. Besides, abstaining from voting against an evil when an evil is at stake is equally evil.
In our case we have no divorce legislation. So, can one vote for divorce without sinning seriously against God? The answer is definitely “no”, because if divorce is intrinsically evil, voting for evil is also intrinsically evil. Abstaining wilfully from voting against divorce is also evil. It is a grave sin of omission.
dvella
Apr 6th 2011, 23:15
Ghalhekk tridhom jivvutaw lit tfal forsi bihom tidhak billi tipprezentalhom Malta moderna - jpo , mma bil kbar - nsara maturi mandekx cans!!!!!
PProva kkonvinci lilna l maggoranza l kbar jekk andek hila!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
John Xerri
Apr 6th 2011, 21:57
Dear Prime Minister.
Where there is good will there is a way. Stop.
mary calleja
Apr 6th 2011, 21:43
@K.J. Vella
I fully concur with your comments. In fact, look at the comments just underneath your comments. People are proclaiming that they are going to vote on the basis of different reasons. This implies that whatever the result of this referendum, it is not going to reflect the people's will against or in favour of divorce.
Furthermore, it is evident that the divorce issue is being sidelined by these comments implying that the people are more concerned about other issues that really hurt them than the divorce issue. This is what the people are saying when they say that they are going to vote for their particular reasons. No more and no less.
Are we implying that this divorce referendum is afterall farsical and without any relevance to the main issue? Those who are remarking that they will be voting for other reasons, this is just confirming that the divorce issue is not relevant in the circumstances. Thanks for this because this is already surfacing the truth about the divorce issue.
John Abela
Apr 6th 2011, 21:08
@M. Agius
I am going to vote NO because the referendum question is sugary (very sweet) and sugar is not good for me because I am a diabetic.
No worries if you don't laugh.
John Azzopardi
Apr 6th 2011, 18:10
I have a feeling that the days for this government are numbered. It looks like JPO may be ready to cross over to the opposition. Just my observation.
Philip Hili
Apr 6th 2011, 18:33
He already did so when he voted against the government which ---suppose---he forms part of and in favour of the Opposition, in favour of those people who for ages did our live misery, with the throwing of stones, etc...
Philip Hili
Apr 6th 2011, 18:52
When one of the our so called "representatives" vote against the government and in favour of the opposition, that means that he/she is crossing over. Unfortunately, two disloyal Nationalist Members of Parliament already exercised this right by voting in favour of the opposition. In the past there was a Nationalist Member of Parliament who crossed over the house. To cross over the house there is no need to cross (physically) from the right hand side of the house where the Government representatives are to the left hand side of the house where the opposition representatives are, and your so called "enemy" become your friend. Just vote against your party in government, a move already taken by our so called "DISLOYALY" representatives.
Allan Gatt
Apr 6th 2011, 19:32
"When one of the our so called "representatives" vote against the government and in favour of the opposition, that means that he/she is crossing over." Igifieri trid tghid li meta Mintoff ivvota kontra il-gvern ta' Sant, sar Nazzjonalist??
V Cassar
Apr 6th 2011, 20:41
some wrecked up political ideas you have Philip Hili.
Keep in mind that first and foremost that when you say "representative" it means he is representing his voters not his party. He has his right to vote in favor of the citizens before what his godfather head of party tells him to do.
k j Vella
Apr 6th 2011, 14:25
I read through the comments by blOggers and if these commentators are a representation of the pulse of the nation, there is cause for great concern. the divorce issue is being politicised by our respective leaders for through politicisation whoever wins will claim a symbolic pre election victory. Both are depending on their respective supporters not to vote in terms of whether one agrees with divorce but rather according to party colours. If labour vote yes if nationalist vote no. Irrespective of the 2800 issue which to admit I cannot understand why the hullabaloo since this is a consultative referendum ie not binding, whether our fellows can or should vote is not the issue unless you see it through a political lens. If these youths are predominantly reds then the fight makes sense... To be honest as adults these people have a right to be heard irrespective of their affiliation and it seems that the pm could have altered policy to admit them. It is not a case of divorce any more but who emerges victorious from all these political machinations that are like summer Christmas! He who wins the referendum is a sign of future electoral victory
monica vella
Apr 6th 2011, 14:10
Quite right mborg .Some people assume that young people would automatically vote pro divorce. Is being age 28 considered young or not...well I am that age and many of my friends would not con sider voting pro divorce, simply because they are practising Catholics.Marriage is for life and unless there is a very sound reason to dissolve the sacrament, then you must adhere to your commitment.
People who do not believe in the teachings of the Church, already do what suits them. So be it. The laws of the Church however will not change for the convenience of some.
sandro busuttil
Apr 6th 2011, 13:17
@James Vella
I was going to vote No and then decided to vote yes because of Dr. Gonzi.
Then I had a stomach ache and decided to vote NO.
Now I heard you telling us that you are going to vote Yes and I am going to do same as you.
Wait a minute. My mother is telling me to vote No. Yes I will vote NO. Can I vote YES/NO to be neutral and make everyone happy?
Forget it. I will vote NO.
MBorg
Apr 6th 2011, 13:42
You summed it up so well. The arguments some bring foward are tal- biki.
M.Agius
Apr 6th 2011, 14:32
@Sandro
Nice one but you forgot to tell us when to laugh.
@James
I share your views as well. its becoming more than just about pro or anti divorce now.
joe bartolo
Apr 6th 2011, 12:42
@John Borg
Issa lqatt il-musmar fuq rasu!
Is-sistema li kien ippropona l-Gvern t'Alfred Sant dwar l-istipendji kienet wahda prattika u tajba. Issellef il-flus lill-istudenti li ma jkunux jistghu u jirrifonduhom wara numru ta' snin. Hekk ghandha tkun is-sistema u mhux, kif ghidt inti stess, hafna minnhom isiru professjonisti (good luck to them) u wara jiccargjawk il-belli liri. L-istudenti ma jistudjawx minhabba l-isttipendji. Dik erezija. Tippretendi li fuq ix-xandir nazzjonali, studenti Universitarji lanqas biss jafu x'inhi d-differenza bejn divorzju u annullament. Mela fuq hiex ser jivvotaw; ghal partiti jew?
victor portelli
Apr 6th 2011, 11:23
@Peter Grech
Which type of reasoning are you referring to? To that before the election or the recent one?
john borg
Apr 6th 2011, 11:14
@Wayne Borg
... allura la daqshekk certi li m'intomx ser tivvotawlu, jien nghid lil Dr. Gonzi. M'ghandikx x'titlef. Nehhi l-istependji. Sellef il-flus ghall-istudji ghal min verament ma jiflahx u l-pajjiz ikun franka 23 miljun ewro fis-sena. U mela nibqghu ghaddejjin bl-istipendji jew? Ghad-detriment tal-pensjonijiet fuq kollox! Min isir professjonista ser ikollu biex ihallas 5000 Ewro iwa. M'huwiex ta' fuqu senduqu.
James Vella
Apr 6th 2011, 10:37
This is clearly an attempt to short circuit a clear expression by 2800 youths.
I was going to vote No but the prime minister's attitude will change my vote into a Yes.
I thought the KMB prime ministership was Malta's worst but at this rate Gonzi won't be too far off.
H Zammit
Apr 6th 2011, 11:56
And I thought principles do not change. It seems that yours change like the wind.
MBorg
Apr 6th 2011, 13:15
That is why we are in such a sorry state. What has the future of families in Malta got to do with the Prime Minister's attitude ? You are either pro-marriage or pro- divorce.
V.Cassar
Apr 6th 2011, 14:17
@H Zammit
What principles should not change - once a Nationalist, always a Nationalist blindly following what Net TV feed us? Principles do not change, the people who represent them do.
What James Vella is saying is pretty correct. The PN won the last election on the political credibility of one man (Gonzi). To say that he has damaged his credibility substantially over the last two years is an understatement. I also feel that the current approach by our PM continues to dent his principles and credibility.
@MBorg
With sincere respect I am pro marriage (happily married actually) and therefore pro divorce - a concept that may be beyond your comprehension. I do not impose my beliefs down other people's throat.
We are in such a sorry state simply because as the Maltese saying goes 'hut minn rasa tin ten'. Why the party I marched with in the 1980's changed from a liberal coalition to the equivalent of the Tea Party in the USA is a sorry sorry state of affairs. Don't blame JPO or Mugliette or anyone. The party is just in self distruct mode.
Mike Magri
Apr 5th 2011, 18:59
Sur Prim Ministru.. Jiena dan l-episodju li INT ma tridx thalli xejn anqas minn 2,800 zaghzugh u zaghzugha jiehdu sehem fir-referendum ghall-approvazzjoni tal-ligi tad-divorzju, ifakkarni wkoll meta INT, fil-5 ta Frar, 2005, b`manuvri w`agir taghkom Xejn Demokratici fuq zewg kandidati nazzjonalisti ghax irtirajtulhom il-kandidatura taghhom bla ma jafu, ma hallejtx ukoll xejn anqas minn 13,000 votant fill-Marsa u z-Zejtun, jivvutaw fl-elezzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali taghhom, u li kienet saret xahar wara, ghax kandidati iktar milli kien hemm bzonn, ma kien hemmx. allura elezzjoni ma saritx..
Donnok tiehu gost mhux hazin tilaghab bid-Demokrazijja Elettorali hux Dr. Gonzi.. Heq.. Ta l-ewwel kont ghamiltu BI SKOP, li b`daqshekk, minghalik kont se ccekken u tkisser il-maggoranza laburista f`dawn l-elezzjonijiet.. U ta issa, bi SKOP li minghalik ukoll, kemm jista jkun se tnaqqas il-voti favur il-ligi tad-divorzju...!!!!!
Imma.. Ta l-ewwel mort zmerc wahda sew.. U tat-tieni ghad irridu naraw Dottore....!!
Insomma... PAPRATA.. A LA.. GonziPN & Co..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
H Zammit
Apr 6th 2011, 12:15
Filwaqt li naqbel parti ma l-ewwel argument tieghek dwar l-elezzjoni taz-Zejtun (ma nhossx li kienet l-awqa metodu ta' demokrazzija) ma naqbilx mieghek mal-kwistjoni t'issa tal-2800 zghazugh/a.
1. L-ewwel nett int qed tassumi li dawn kienu se jivvutaw IVA. Filwaqt li jista ghandek zball, dan ifisser li l-iskop ewlieni li qed taqbez ghalihom hu ghax tahseb li jistghu jghinu fil-kawza tieghek biex jidhol id-divorzju;
2. Int injorajt l-ispjegazzjoni tal-PM li jidher bic-car ta' min kien l-izball u x'seta sar biex tissolva l-problema. Izda ghax trid ghazilt li titfa it-tort fuq il-PM. Min jaf ghaliex?
3. Finalment, nahseb li l-'pettiness' gejja minn JPO u ohrajn favur id-divorzju li qed iqajjmu hafna hmerijiet u issues trivjali sakemm jahsbu li jistghu jghinuhom fil-kawza taghhom. Nemmen li dawn iz-zghazagh setghu jaghtu kontribut izda mhux li jibbaza decizzjoni importanti fuq 18 yr olds - li l-anqas jafu xi jfisser zwieg ahseb u ara x'inhu divorzju. Minn fuq tghajjar b'pettiness lil min mexa mal-ligi. Xi tridu li kullhadd jaghmel li jrid u li jaqbillu skond ic-cirkustanzi?
Mike Magri
Apr 6th 2011, 14:51
H Zammit.. Donnok li jew ma fhimt assolutament xejn l-argument tieghi, jew ktibt dak li ktibt biex taparsi tkun ghidt xi haga..
1.. Tista tghidli fejn jiena assumejt li dawn l-2800 vot zaghzugh se jivvutaw iva...!! Anzi nirrepetilek xi ktibt.. ".. Imma.. Ta l-ewwel,(Marsa u Zejtun), mort zmerc wahda sew.. U tat-tieni, (ir-referendum), ghad irridu naraw Dottore....!! " Anzi, f`dan il-kaz u kif agixxa Dr. Gonzi nnifsu, jidher li aktar tal-`LE` qed jibzghu, ghax assumew li dawn iz-zaghzagh jistghu jivvutaw aktar `iva` milli `le`, Zammit...!!! Mhux hekk....!!
2.. Min Zbalja....?? Nikkwota.."..Dr Gonzi yesterday said that If the Labour Party had the “moral courage” to admit it made a mistake, the Nationalist Party would have helped find a solution to enable the young people to vote..". Dan mhu xejn ghajr kocc LOGHOB BILL-KLIEM ta Dr.Gonzi, ghax Dr. Muscat IKKONFERMA u semma b`isimhom aktar minn darba, is-6 membri, (minn 9), tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali fejn dawn kienu qablu li writ seta` jinqara fit-18 ta April, kif ikkonfermalhom Dr. Ian Refalu.
3.. Zammit hawn hekk zgarrajt bl-krah..Allura GHALIK, iz-zaghzagh, ghall-elezzjonijiet generali u lokali tajbijn, ghar-referendum ta l-ewropa tajbin, imma ghar-referendum fuq il-ligi tad-divorzju, m`humiex....!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallina Zammit..
...GONZI REGA` ZBALJA BL`IKRAH... Dik hi l-VERITA`...
m.farrugia
Apr 5th 2011, 15:48
@Marco Cremoina, JPO champion ghax irradixxa lil dawk li vvutawlu. JPO qabel l-elezzjoni qatt ma tkellem dwar id-divorzju ghax ma kienx fuq l-agenda tal-partit li bis-sahha tieghu ġie elett. Nahseb li kieku kienu jafu x'se jaghmel hafna ma kienux jivvutawlu. Iva JPO huwa champion ta kif jidhaq bil-votanti u kif jahseb li zewg affarijiet hziena jistaw isewwu l-affarijniet. Il-veru nisrani ma ghandu qatt johlom li f'Malta jkun hawn id-divorzju ghax dan imur kontra l-ligii ta' Alla. Forsi hawn fejn huma imhawda n-nies, ghax hemm min mhux qed jispjega sewwa. Jiena kelli ammirazzjoni kbira lejn JPO imma tlift il-fiducja tieghi kollha fih. Jekk inti tqisu bhala difensur tal-minoranza jiena inqisu li dahaq mill-maggoranza ghax jista ikun hemm agendi mohbija wara dan kollu.
Johnny Xerri
Apr 6th 2011, 06:02
Dear M Farrugia,
Since you percieve JPO as not plitical and morally correct because he had no mandate to put forward the divorce issue.....then what mandate did Gonzi had to eradicate hunting...even more so when the PN manifesto included spring hunting and autumn hunting....with a guarantee that these could only improve...
My Christian value tell me that one must not steal (I pressume even votes) and one must not bear false witness (we were not told the truth by PN, EFA, Gonzi, & MIC)
What do your values tell you about this?
As I said many a time, PN & their disciples, get all moral when it suites them...and loose all morality when it suites them.
H Zammit
Apr 6th 2011, 12:30
@ Mr Xerri: I think you have a problem with your argument whenyou implied that PN 'stole' hunters' votes in the last GE. You must realise that with every issue a party can win votes but can also loose votes. You also seem to imply that hunters voted their respective parties only on the issue of hunting and having no regard to other, perhaps more important, issues. It shows little faith on the intelligence of these hunters and their ability to discern beyond their hobby - I'm sure you are wrong because I have a number of clients whose hobbies include hunting and they are more intelligent and altruistic than you suggested.
The same applies to the current issue. Whether JPO had a mandate or not I don't really care but please don't make him as a hero. A hero is someone who displays courage and the will for self sacrifice for some greater humanitarian good and implies a moral excellence. Unfortunately I see none of these or at least they are heavily overshadowed by a sense of selfishness in the matter.
Johnny Xerri
Apr 6th 2011, 14:04
Never did I say that a hunter only votes YES in the referendum and pre EU membership election (both in 2003) simply because spring hunting was included.
I for one can say that, I voted YES for 3 reasons.
1. I was a student and hoped that EU schemes for students could benfit me and future students.
2. I beleived that regarding standards of living and society's needs joining the EU would benefit Malta.
3. I believed that economic performance would improve if we joined.
However, I was saying YES without worrying about loosing my hobby.
After the thanks I received, I can say this without shame, that if I had known how society would have incited the government t threat us, I would not have voted YES.
Speaking about selfishness, how would you feel if you votes in favour of a common good...yet society that is benefiting from this common good...threats you like dirt because it got what it wanted from you.
Never again will I vote in the common interest...since I don't enjoy first being one of society and next day society's scapegoat
Johnny Xerri
Apr 5th 2011, 10:32
Dr Gonzi baffles me to say the least...he appears as a shield of morality...and yet...he had no prob with the PN stealing hunters votes!!!
Do you or don't you know that in the referendum and electoral manifesto YOUR PN party included spring hunting and moreover guaranteed that hunting could only improve?
lol...isn't vote stealing, and denying hunters from something they voted upon also childish and immoral?
PM let me use your words for a second :) "Are these the values that we want to pass on to our younger generation?" that manifestos issued by your party are simply vote stealing gimicks....
of course some may say that spring hunting will be opeaned this year...and I am at least happy that BLM's illegal spring hunting stance has been proven wrong...however, this season is nowhere close to what was guaranteed
Our PM comes all moral and ethical when conveniant to him...and when conveniant to him he casts morals and ethics were the sun don't shine.
But in the end....he is in power, and what we get is what we deserve for giving him power!!
I always said if he can fool and cheat hunters, he will fool and cheat on anyone
Jason Borg
Apr 5th 2011, 08:54
JPO - kummiedja wara l-oħra. Kompli kun mażżra m'għonq il-PM talli ma keċċiekx qabel l-elezzjoni.
F Goodwin
Apr 5th 2011, 08:47
"Ian Refalo later advised against this move, saying it would be wiser to publish the writ immediately according to the practice, so as not to give the impression of partiality."
It would only be partial if we knew which way these 2800 will vote, in which case granting them the vote might (incorrectly) be seen as giving support to one side or the other. We don't know how they will vote, so it is by no interpretation a matter of partiality. In a small population like Malta, 2800 is not an insignificant proportion of the population. If it was legal to delay the writ by 24 hours, it should have been delayed.
If Dr Gonzi wants to change the law later he can try, but the fact remains that it would have been legal to wait 24 hours and grant these young people the right to vote. I agree with the use of the word 'petty' here to describe Dr Gonzi's retort - he will take action to allow the 2800 to vote, provided that PL admit they made a mistake. He is playing with people's basic rights to score petty party political points, and that's disgraceful.
S Spiteri
Apr 5th 2011, 00:35
When will JPO realise that by making such comments he is convincing those who had decided not to vote in the referendum to vote against and those in favour not to bother voting because he has been far too arrogant and we are all sick and tired of his tantrums. Please step down dear JPO because it is crystal clear that you no longer have the support of those people like me who trusted you with their vote.
Peter Grech
Apr 5th 2011, 15:33
@S.Spiteri
Actually JPO's reasoning convinced me to go out and vote yes.
H Zammit
Apr 6th 2011, 12:34
@ Mr Grech: Which JPO reasoning convinced you most? The selfish one, the moral one or the petty one?
Mario Camilleri
Apr 6th 2011, 16:42
@ H.Zammit
It was probably the logical one, the other three reasons belong to the No camp.
Shaun Azzopardi
Apr 4th 2011, 22:53
"Dr Gonzi yesterday said that If the Labour Party had the “moral courage” to admit it made a mistake, the Nationalist Party would have helped find a solution to enable the young people to vote."
So Gonzi's will to be just and fair depends on the PL's admittance of their mistakes? How very ethical and Catholic of him I must say.
This partisanship is disgusting.
Anthony Briffa
Apr 6th 2011, 09:34
@ P. Grech
I am in favour of divorce and would have voted yes if the issue was not politicised by JPO, EB, and mostly Joseph Muscat. Under the circumstances, when I see that those labour MP's who expressed themselves against divorce and then toed the party line in parliament and vote for JM's motion, and certain comments by certain labour MP's regarding the interpretation of an eventual yes vote, I will be voting NO in the referendum. I will wait until the issue is raised again by real politicians. Thank you JPO for making me lose this chance.
David Caruana
Apr 4th 2011, 22:15
Can't the President HIMSELF, in the name of democracy, request that the writ is published few weeks later?
Oh, right, I almost forgot that the same President thinks that secularism is some kind of menace that needs to be fought (and he clearly chose his side):
"Like all the rest of Europe and the western world, we are now facing a conflict between Christianity on one side and laicism or secularism on the other which in the words of philosopher Marcello Pera, as he recently described it in Il Corriere della Sera, whilst referring to Europe :
“e in corso una guerra. La guerra e’ fra il laicismo e il cristianesimo”.
(...)
Today, we face the wave of secularism which has as its starting point the strict separation of Church and State: a laicist model advocating that the State should be strictly separate from religion which is conceived as belonging exclusively to the private domain. This profane character which has developed in some European States is driving people to be laicist or even anti-Christian."
Welcome speech to Pope Benedict XVI
Saturday 17 April 2010
http://president.gov.mt/welcome_speech_pope_benedict_xvi_17_04_2010
Wayne Borg
Apr 4th 2011, 22:13
Ahna z-zaghzagh ghandna d-dritt li insemghu lehhina . Bi rispett kollu , anzjani se ikollom id-dritt tal-vott u z-zaghzagh li adom kemm ghalqu t-18 u andom futur twil quddiemom le ? Dr Gonzi , ahsiba seww ax sa elezzjoni ohra dawk l-2800 se ikunu jistghu jivutaw . L-istorja terga tirrepetti ruhha , imma kulur differenti , jien ma tantx niftakar , imma fl-1998 minalija xi hadd ghajjar lil iehor ' Tradittur ' u qas dam xejn fil-poter .
Giovann Attard
Apr 4th 2011, 21:07
Konferma ohra, jekk qatt kien hemm bzonn, ta' Gvern instabbli immexxi minn Prim Ministru dghajjef, li jghawweg ir-regoli biex ir-rizultat ikun joghgob dejjem lilu. Hekk gara fil-vot dwar l-estensjoni tal-power station u hekk rega' gara f'din il-kwistjoni tar-referendum. Jien ghalija dik mhix kwistjoni ta' divorzju u daqshekk imma hija kwistjoni ta' kemm Gvern jista' jibqa' jmexxi dan il-pajjiz minghajr maggoranza parlamentari li ssostnih konsistentament!
C.N.AQUILINA
Apr 4th 2011, 20:38
@JPO: IL_MALTI JGĦID, DAK LI TIŻRA TAĦSAD, DAK LI ŻRAJT JPO U DAK QED TAĦSAD. INTI OBLIGAT BIL-KBIR LEJNA IL-VOTANTI NAZZJONALISTI LI APPOĠAJNIK BIL-VOT TAGĦNA TULL IL-KARRIERA POLITIKA TIEGĦEK. INTI ISSA BL-EDUKAZZJONI KOLLHA TIEGĦEK, MINGĦAJR MISTŻIJA QED ................F'IDEJNA. IMMA TAF X'QED IL-MALTI HUX: LI MIN MA JISTĦIEX ............ F'IDEJK, TISTĦIEX IĊĊAPPASULU MA' WIĊĊU! POPLU MALTI GĦOQQD ATTENT U TAFDAX, U LA TINSIEX MIN DAĦAQ BIK, U MHUX JIBŻGĦALEK GĦALL FAMILJA. TITTRASKURAX IMPENJA RUĦEK B'RISQ L-GĦAQDA TAL-FAMILJA, GĦAMEL BĦALI U IVVOTA LE GĦAD-DIVORZJU, U MHUX BĦAL MA JGĦIDLEK JPO.
Allan Gatt
Apr 5th 2011, 01:06
Qed taraha dik il-bozza hadra fuq il-keyboard? Dik jghidula l- CAPS LOCK, mister, u hija invenzjoni li ma tghoddx ghalik.
joe galea
Apr 4th 2011, 20:18
WITH GONZI ........IT`S MY WAY OR THE HIGH WAY!!!!!!!!
M Damato
Apr 5th 2011, 13:49
... I think it would suit better JM (!)
A. Borg
Apr 4th 2011, 20:08
And what about the one hour additional time in the last election?
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Joseph M Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 19:51
This should never has been left to a stupid referendum. Parliament disspointed me. No vote from me or my family.
Joseph M Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 19:50
I am pro divorce and abortion but I will not vote in May. This is my protest. In my club they told me to just mess up my vote but to vote. What does that say, nothing. JPO, you tried but it is useless. Even if the referendum is a yes, parliament will vote against divorce.
MBorg
Apr 4th 2011, 20:39
And we have people saying that divorce has nothing to do with abortion. When one lowers one's value anything goes. Very soon we will have others like you who will want abortion as a civil right. Break marriage, go from one partner to another without any responsibilities and abortion is the answer. .If according to you "yes " for divorce means "yes " to abortion I hope with all my heart that the divorce referendum fails. I do not want Malta to turn into a country of murderers.
Peter Agius
Apr 4th 2011, 21:53
@Allan Gatt
How typical!!
Charles Massa
Apr 4th 2011, 19:36
Sur JPO qieghed tara ghal fmin bkejt u xerried id dmugh qabel l ahhar elezzjoni.
Charles Borg
Apr 4th 2011, 20:00
Sur Massa - dak in-nhar iddeskrevejtuh DMUH TAL-KUKKUDRILLI ! Iddeciedu. Issa hafna minnkhom hawn taht triduh maghkhom !
Allan Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 19:26
It's painfully obvious what's going on here. The PN's executive body is notoriously pro-Catholic and anti-divorce, and young people mostly progressive and in favor of divorce. By stopping short of the cutoff date and denying almost 3000 Yes votes from reaching the polls (which is quite substantial in a country of half a million people), it has nudged its anti-divorce agenda that much closer to victory.
MBorg
Apr 4th 2011, 20:22
Funny how all you pro-divorce seem to think that all these young voters share your opinion. What makes you think that they are all in favour of divorce.. Do you know them ? Dont't you credit any of these young people with sound principles ? It is often people who do not shoulder their resposiblities and want out who are in favour of divorce. Being progressive has nothing to do with it.
David Farrugia
Apr 4th 2011, 19:23
What's the problem with delaying the publication of the writ? This lays fairly and squarely on Gonzi's shoulders. He is the one responsible for denying these young adults their vote. Shame.
Andrew B. Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 19:20
@ M. Borg (slm) - in 1981 the result was according to the Constitution. But still, the majority of the people wanted MLP out. Besides, it was also revealed that your great DOM did not want to stay. But members of the then MLP, ( some of them still jigru mas-saqajn today's MODERATI U PROGRESSIVI ) wanted to stay. And you stayed, until the very last day 9th May 1987. And you know what's been happening since then ! And it's not my fault !
Peter Agius
Apr 4th 2011, 19:19
JPO just deflect to the other party and we will get rid of GonziPN. Then you will have your DIVORCE and we will have our M(uscat) LP. And we will chant "he's a jolly good fellow".
Charles J. Buttigieg
Apr 4th 2011, 19:02
Dr.Gonzi, irrespective of whose fault it was for this blunder,you are our Prime Minister and thus hold your politically responsible as you have the last say. When things go right you praise yourself,when things go wrong you should take on the responsibility to put them right. Your rhetoric is convincing nobody,certainly not the disfranchised young voters.
david noel spiteri
Apr 4th 2011, 18:54
Dear JPO I am in favour of divorce. You, however, have polluted the issue. This as well as other back handed manoeuvres you have played over the past three years compel me to vote against your motion. All along you have played the 1 seat card to position what should have been a considered debate into a political one. I have come to believe that Dr Sant's accusations against you prior to the last election were true - for the only constant trait you have displayed since then is dishonesty. D N Spiteri
Simon Peter
Apr 4th 2011, 18:48
During the Mistra case, Dr J Pullicino Orlando said he knew nothing about any development. We believed him! Then it transpired that he had signed the necessary papers to get the project going. Divorce issue: Private members bill presented by Dr J Pullicino Orlando alone. Then it was retreated by himself and a new one was presented by both Dr J Pullicino Orlando & E Bartolo. Joseph Muscat presents a motion and wants the writ to be publish 15 days after the parliament approves it. It is backed by the Hon. members of the opposition and two members, Dr J Pullicino Orlando and J Mugliett, from the Government side. Now they are saying that the writ should have been published, during the month of April, more than 15 days after being approved in parliament. Against their own decision!! Dear Hon Dr J Pullicino Orlando, in this issue alone you miscalculated twice, first when presenting the bill by yourself and now this 15 days issue. As they say Once bitten twice shy ... this is the third time already! Sorry but I now have lost faith in you as my representative.
m. borg(slm)
Apr 4th 2011, 18:23
The chief electoral commissioner said that the problem could have been solved, writ or no writ, and those 2800 voters given the right to vote. gonzi here is playing the fool and pointing the finger at PL and 3 of his fingers pointing at him. Those voters could have and still can get their vote only gonzi is affraid of the result. Cheating CHICKEN.
Andrew B. Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 18:57
@ M. Borg (slm ) - whilst declaring that you do not need advices you are suggesting JPO to cross the floor. I do not think that JPO needs yours advice. I do not agree with him in certain ways he is acting, but still he is free to do it. Without fear. I just can't imagine him crossing the floor ( seems to your beloved PL ) and acting the same way. IMPOSSIBLE. NOT IMAGINABLE AT ALL. Chances to act seemingly within Labour are the same of HAL BAXBUX FC beating Barcelona !
p micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 18:00
The electoral law says specifically what the voting hours should be during an election. However, the PN did not find any problem during the last general elections to extend the voting time by one hour in agreement with the PL. If the PN agreed to play ball then why split hairs now?
Maria Sant
Apr 4th 2011, 23:14
You're wrong.
Article 64 (2) of the General Elections Act provides that the Commission has "the right to extend the time fixed for the poll at such polling place or places..".
M. Saliba
Apr 4th 2011, 17:51
I agree, the opposition and government members should agree to fix this problem as soon as possible. If after the referendum the difference between those in favour and those against will be of a thousand or two, than one can argue that if these 2,800 young people were allowed to vote ( and everyone seems to agree that they have a right,) than the result would have been different, and the result will not be clear. For the referendum to be democratic, these 2,800 young people should be allowed to vote.
Mike Magri
Apr 4th 2011, 17:30
Quote... "..Indeed, he, (Dr. Gonzi), said, if it was possible for the Commission to delay publication of the writ, he would legislate for such things not to take place.." Unquote. Ma tarax li ghidt cucata Sur Prim Ministru... Mela int f`dan il-kaz mhux diga taf, BIL-PROVI, li m`ghandekx il-maggoranza parlamentari warajk....!!!! FL-OPINJONI TA HAFNA, SUR P.M., F`DAN IL-KAZ INT WETTAQT ZBALL POLITIKU U ANTI-DEMOKRATIKU KBIR HAFNA......!!
E. Azzopardi
Apr 4th 2011, 17:26
These are all excuses. Both sides agree that these should also vote. So, meet and agree.
It can be put right.
m.borg(slm)
Apr 4th 2011, 16:58
JPO's days are numbered, next time round it would be difficult for him to be a candidate for gonziPN never mind getting elected, if he therefore wants to leave by making a mark on history his only option is to cross the floor and help the people get rid of a greedy bunch who have ruined our beloved country.
Divorce can wait but not for long.
F Cassar
Apr 4th 2011, 16:49
This is hilarious but very true
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joseph-Muscat-denied-our-right-to-vote/190186597690632?sk=wall
eugene sapiano
Apr 4th 2011, 16:44
Dr Gonzi can expel JPO from the Nationalist Party, but the latter can still retainhis parliamentary seat.
A. Zahra
Apr 4th 2011, 15:41
A word of advice to Joe Muscat and the LP. Because of your past non democratic record the less you call to bazwar with electoral procedures the better. Remember you have already meddled with elections when you gerrymandered twice the district confines and when you ignored the wishes of the voters in 1981 and stayed in power.
m.borg(slm)
Apr 4th 2011, 17:02
Don't be daft in 1981 the results were legitimate and according to the constitution,. That the parameters needed to be redefined is correct to say but to say the election was invalid is sheere stupidity, please do not forget in 1971 almost the same thing happened but the other way round. So stop writing history through your misconceptions and by the way we don't need your advice or warnings.
E Mifsud
Apr 4th 2011, 20:17
You seem to have a selective memory, it's exactly what the the PN did in 1996. Labour just got 1 seat majority with an almost 8000 vote (photo finish) majority. The reason, is the same one you mention, meddling with electoral districts. The pot calling the kettle black. Now we have a very democratic decision to prevent 2800 new voters from having their say in the referendum. The solution was there, an agreement in the electoral commission was reached. Who decided to blow it? It's not difficult to imagine who it was.
R Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 22:01
A. Zahra gerrymandering has been carried out by the PN in every election. Remember the 1971 election when notwithstanding the thousands of votes that PL got more than the PN, the PN demanded a number of recounts because it didn't want to believe that it had lost and would still have governed had it elected the Qormi-Zebbug district candidate? Do you remember that before this election the PN had resorted to gerrymandering by changing not only the districts boundaries but also the number of MP elected from each district? Do you remember that in 1962 and following elections it had the help of the Church through its supporters in the Church hierarchy by imposing the mortal sin on those who voted for Labour? Do you remember when in the 1930's it used a drunkard Ettore Bono to take a false oath that he had seen Sir Gerald Strickland with the Masons Apron? The same thing has happened now when the PN denied nearly 3,000 youths the right to vote in the referendum. These are a few examples of the PN's gerrymandering at every election in Malta and referendum in Malta.
Mark Piscopo
Apr 4th 2011, 15:39
Importanti li nies jaraw dan il link wkoll mhux kollox one sided please
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOop5SWyud4&feature=player_embedded
D Cassar
Apr 4th 2011, 16:55
and this
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joseph-Muscat-denied-our-right-to-vote/190186597690632?sk=wall#!/video/video.php?v=1943042013967&oid=190186597690632&comments
C.Grima
Apr 4th 2011, 15:02
Dr JPO jgħid li dan tfettieq! Aħjar jiddeċiedi SEW u jara min tassew bażwarha din! Hu stess ivvota favur u ried li kollox jiġi approvat malajr malajr. U għax i-PM huwa TASSEW demokratiku aċċetta. Issa qed jgħid li tfettieq! Jeffrey ma pproponiehx hu r-referendum. Hu ried liġi u l-PM (gġax demokratiku) ippropona referendum. Ħallini ha nifhem!!
Jeffrey, kont naħseb li inti TASSEW temmen fi-demokrazija. B'dan kollu u l-aktar bil-fatt li inti abbużajt mill-poteri li għandu kull deputat u minn wara dahar il-PM tiegħek ippreżentajt abbozz ta' liġi fuq haġa li ħadd ma vvotalek biex tgħaddi mill-parlament qiegħed turi li mhux TASSEW temmen fid-demokrazija. Kieku TASSEW temmen fid-demokrazija u meta kont taf li l-partit tiegħek uffiċjament ma jaqbilx ma' dak li trid int, kont tirriżenja mill-parlament u twaqqaf moviment jew partit favur id-divorzju.
Dan m'għamiltux! Mela m'intix TASSEW demokratiku.
Andrew B. Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 15:02
Il- PN dejjem kien partit miftuh. Fejn wiehed jista' liberament jesprimi l-opinjoni tieghu. Bla biza. Izda imbghad ma jridx isir abbuz mis-sistema. Il-partit, wara kollox hu fuq kollox u fuq kullhadd. Wiehed ghandu jesprimi ruhu u jieqaf hemm. Inkella inkunu morna ' OLTRE IL LIMITE ' !
DGalea
Apr 4th 2011, 14:44
Seems like JPO has given up on contesting the next general election on the PN ticket.
J.Tonna
Apr 4th 2011, 14:23
Some Pro-Divorcists are saying that they will not vote as they are 100% sure that the Anti-Divorce voters will win the referendum.
This may be a trick to fool Anti-Divorce voters not to vote as well, thinking that without them it will make no difference.
The PL lost the last election as they were so sure that Labour will win the election that many did not bother to vote and everybody knows what happened.
Remember that abstentions do not count as pro or anti Divorce votes. So it is our duty to make the sacrifice and vote.
Marco Cremona
Apr 4th 2011, 14:21
As more time pases and as the story continues to unfold, it becomes ever more clear that we have spineless opportunists as politicians who are forever obsessed on holding/grabbing power and holding their seat in parliament, are unashamed to make U-turns, be hypocritical and downright incompetent, and completely undemocratic when it suits them best.
Irrespective of how the referendum / divorce bill goes, the only political victor in all this will be JPO who has shown himself to be unafraid of being sidelined, insulted and threatened by the most powerful people in the country and still fights on. He has been a champion for minorities like no other. Some people may wish to regurgitate the Mistra saga to discredit him, but let us not forget that he opposed the building of a cement plant by the most powerful,building contractor -and won, against the construction of the engineered-landfill (an Eddie Fenech Adami project) -and won, against the extravagant St. John Cathedral 'black hole' (a project backed by RCC) -and won. He's a fighter, a sight for sore eyes.
It takes guts to do what he's done .... and for this he's got my full admiration.
A. Zahra
Apr 4th 2011, 15:35
Jpo was only one of a host of people who spoke out against the St. John's project. Foremost among these was FAA. One particular correspondent had two long articles published on the same subject in which he made public the opposition of the cathedral chapter and a number of till then hidden points. JPO only spoke about the project at a late stage. This to give credit where it is due.
Andy Farrugia
Apr 4th 2011, 18:22
"It takes guts to do what he's done .... and for this he's got my full admiration. "
And you have lost mine.
C.N.AQUILINA
Apr 4th 2011, 13:59
-@J.P.O: NISTAQSIK JPO: LI DIGRIET TAL-PRESIDENT TA’REFERENDUM LI JIĠI IFFIRMAT KIF SUPPOST MILL-PRESIDENT SAL-ĠURNATA INDIKATA MILL-LIĠI, JIĠI MOĦBI F’KEXXUN BIEX MA JIĠIEX IPPUPBLIKAT IMMEDJATAMENT LILL-POPLU KIF TITLOB IL-LIĠI GĦALL-XI SKOP ULTERJURI MILLI TGĦID IL-LIĠI, HUWA ABBUŻ?
TGĦID LI XI ĦADD LI JAĦBI DIGRIET IFFIRMAT TAL-PRESIDENT GĦALL-REFERENDUM GĦALL-ĦMISTAX IL-ĠURNATA F’KEXXUN GĦAS-SEMPLIĊI RAĠUNI BIEX NUMRU TA’ ĊITTADINI JILĦQU JIEĦDU IL-VOT QABEL JIĠI IPPUBLIKAT ID-DIGRIET HUWA ILLEGAL?
U D-DIGRIET MHUX MID-DATA MINN META JIĠI IFFIRMAT JIBDA JGĦOD?
GĦAX ALLURA MINN GĦAMEL IL-MOZZJONI U DAWK KOLLHA LI-ISSEKONDAWA KIF MA INDUNAWX B’DAK LI TGĦID IL-LIĠI, U ISSA JRIDU JWAĦLU F’ĦADIEĦOR, U JIPPREFENDU LI JSIR DAK LI MA GĦANDUX ISIR SKON IL-LIĠI?
U ĦALLINA BI'KWIETNA SUR JPO.
R Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 22:02
C.N.AQUILINA GHALXEJN TIPPROVA TGHAWWEG IL-FATTI GHAX HADD MHU QED JEMMINKOM IKTAR AQUILINA.
MBorg
Apr 4th 2011, 13:51
How dare JPO warn the party ? Who on earth does he think he is ? He is nothing only a back bencher after all. Imagine what he would have done had been made a Minister?
We all know that JPO is all out in favour of divorce, he would only be happy if we had divorce legislation yesterday instead of tomorrow, but wait he must .
Watching him on TV during any programme on divorce one can see how he tries but fails to keep his emotions under control when anything against divorce is said. It is he who rushed everything even at the back of his party. He was part of the group who signed the motion , what kept him and the LP group from cheching that everything in it was correct. ?
Dr Gonzi is more than right in saying that no one should be allowed to play about with dates.
Pauline Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 14:29
MBorg how dare the Prime Minister deny us the right to vote when we are or will be 18 at the time of the referendum? Don't worry baby, we shall never forget it and if the referendum does not pass now we shall again gather signatures for another referendum.
MBorg
Apr 4th 2011, 15:22
First of all I am not , and heve no intention of ever becoming your baby !
Secondly it is usually children who will never admit that they are in the wrong even when it is more than clear that they are.
Thirdly thay are even worst than babies when they will not admit defeat.
S Saliba
Apr 4th 2011, 22:12
MBorg Like Pauline we shall give our answer to Dr Gonzi at the next general election and you can bet your boots that he won't like it baby.
P Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 13:35
Perfect - so first JPO votes in favour of Muscat's motion which made it clear that writ had to be published not later than 31st March 2011 (that is before the publication of the new electoral register which woulf have entitled 2,800 first time voters the right to vote) and now after their froga he blames 'his' Party. Tal-biki!
J Pullicino
Apr 4th 2011, 14:33
P Camilleri for your information the electoral register is published in April and all those who are 18 by 31 March have a right to be included. There was also agreement that the writ be published after April 1, but as usual the PM does not tolerate democracy but only impose his opinion and the agreement that had already been reached among the electoral commissioners was undermined by the government commissioners. Typical PN arrogance and undermining of democracy.
jbusuttil
Apr 4th 2011, 15:24
You watch to much One Mr/Mrs Pullicino. The law is there to be obeyed. There was no such agreement.
R Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 22:07
jbusuttil there was and Gonzi reneged on it as usual.
Ramon Casha
Apr 4th 2011, 13:30
Isn't it a bit ironic that a person in Malta may have already been married for 2 years but still won't be allowed to vote on this?
(Minimum age for marriage is 16 years)
George Cremona
Apr 4th 2011, 13:28
JPO your game had become too old now. It's over. You've been playing it since the last General Election. You have no place within our Party anymore. People like you do not deserve to have that honour. You had betrayed your costituency who elected you for reasons other than the ones you had persued since the last general election. Your place is within the party 'tal-opportunisti' . You fit in there perfectly. The earlier you defect to the other side the better.
Fabian Borg
Apr 4th 2011, 14:03
Beware of what you wish for.
Duncan Scerri
Apr 4th 2011, 14:11
Yes, it would be perfect if he did cross the floor, since we would be assured of getting rid of Gonzi.
James De Giorgio
Apr 4th 2011, 13:25
You're causing unwelcome harm to your own party JPO. Why don't you just be honest and cross the floor? You're toeing labour agenda anyway.
joe micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 13:13
JPO din ohra mill-frejjeg tieghek! STOP DIGGING
M. Cachia
Apr 4th 2011, 12:44
@ Mark Mamo - I could not but agree 100% with what you said! Malta is presently living in the 60's or even in the Inquisition Times!
It would benefit everyone should the Church start expressing itself in issues that are really crippling our society. The state of the environment for a start including the high pollution levels across Malta. The mockery of the so called Village Festas. The Gambling Lounges.
The list is endless but perhaps the Church is more interested in protecting its fold!
Keith Goodlip
Apr 4th 2011, 12:43
Instead of blaming each other.......why don't they make an exception a let the commission use the April's register? The way I see it is that the NO camp would fare better without these youth votes. (I'm only assuming the majority if these are FOR divorce) The PM probably knows this and is suiting him fine.
Question: Will Airmalta be used to get Maltese from abroad to vote? Or will they play the card Airmalta cannot afford these chartered flight?
J Cassar
Apr 4th 2011, 12:41
I would have called this story "Lawrence Gonzi calls JPO's bluff". That would have been a more appropriate title, coz call his bluff he did!
Charles Sammut
Apr 4th 2011, 12:28
quote/
The commission had been discussing the possibility of postponing the publication of the President’s writ to allow time for the new electoral register to be published. At first it had legal advice saying that nothing in the law prevented this from being done but law professor Ian Refalo later advised against this move, saying it would be wiser to publish the writ immediately according to the practice, so as not to give the impression of partiality. Having been issued by the country’s President, publication should not be delayed, he advised.
/unquote
So as not to give the impression of impartiality. Really? And denying 2800 young people the vote while hundreds of very senior citizens and dead people whose lives (or ex-lives) will not be affected by this referendum is impartial.
Lawrence Cardona
Apr 4th 2011, 12:28
I would like to address to Hon J.P.Orlando if he thinks that after thes play around by the goverment all he's been fighting for and working for will end up in fumes and i'm sad to know that after lots of years someone tried to imply something that really think of minority but as usual Dictatorship prevales in this country so for not throwing away all your good work Mr P.Orlando you should resign from the party but keep your seat in parlament and vote against the goverment i'm sure that in the next general election there would be a high lobbying in the party to throw you out so this is your last oportunity to not let what you worked for vanish for ever other wise it would have bee waist of time and waist of money stand for what you have been fighting for . even THe old leader of your party said that who is in favour of divorce there's no place for him in the Nationalist Party but who cares what an old man says after what he did liying on tv he's words are worthless.
Ray Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 12:28
JPO to me is the real and proper Nationalist. He fights for the minority's rights. Now that's a good politician, one who does not stand for nonsense, both from his party and the opposition. He believes in what he says and says what he believes. The ones slandering him and inviting him to defect to the other side are all too happy to be under a dictatorship. What a bunch of hypocrites. Go JPO.
Oscar Cssar
Apr 4th 2011, 12:19
Ta 12-il-sena skond il-ligi Kanonika persuna tista tizzewweg u bhekk indirettament ghanke skond il-Ligi Civili.... izda ghar-referendum draw id-divorzju 2800 li ghalqu l-eta matura u bhekk elegibli biex jivvutaw mhu ser jithallew jesprimu l-opinjoni taghhom. L-Ufficju tal-President huwa fl-obligu li bhala Kap tal-Istat jesprimi opinjoni dwar dan u mhux sempliciment nedew norganizzaw il-maratoni, fun runs, kuncerti ecc.
G. Mangion
Apr 4th 2011, 12:15
JPO WARNS P.N !!! A back bencher !
Jpo you are not the bright man lot's of us used to think you were, You fell for j.m's mistakes and not once or twice, whats Next ? You have Deleted yourself ..................
NO TO DIVORCE NO TO DIVORCE NO TO DIVORCE
G. Mangion.
Joseph Cauchi
Apr 4th 2011, 12:12
Wasn’t JPO one of those that voted in favour of this resolution as tabled by Joseph Muscat and accepted it all in its entirety?
JPO should have noticed the wording of “15 Days” and its implications, before rushing to vote with the PL.
Qattusa Ghaggelija …
JC.
John B.Vincenti
Apr 4th 2011, 12:05
I am still trying to figure out all the hype and fuss related to the subject (divorce).
For sure, I for one (at my age) do not need some young university pen pusher or old school geriatric telling me what's good for me.
Those who quote the Bible as being "The word of God" are too dogmatic in their reasoning.
They conveniently fail to realise that the "good book" was written by men who claimed to be inspired by direct /divine correspondence. Are we to be believe that they had no human failings? Are we to forget that it was a man's world where women had no say? Are we to believe that adultery was the only condition for divorce or stoning to death? So it was alright for the man to abuse or beat his wife silly, yet not alright for her to leave and seek happiness elsewhere. There was no recourse for her except to leave home and take up a job as a servant or work as a whore. If she was recognised or caught, she felt the wrath of society. Those who wrote the scriptures were also bound by the culture and politics of the day.
J.Tonna
Apr 4th 2011, 12:04
From his experience in parliament, does'nt JPO know who is to blame??? So why warn the PN?
Wayne Hewitt
Apr 4th 2011, 12:01
Rather than everyone rushing to comment on this, why don't you let these 2800 young people comment instead and tell us what THEY think about being left out of this referendum due to political manoeuvring.
Charles Sammut
Apr 4th 2011, 13:23
Wayne, how can these 2800 young people make their voice heard when as far as GonziPN is concerned they are not entitled to vote? No doubt, they will vote in the next general election which could be closer than we think.
It is now pretty obvious that Gonzi will not allow divorce legislation to be enacted on his watch. So should the Yes vote win, he will have to make some fast decisions.
M. Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 12:00
what is JPO waiting for? Why is he taking long to decide and cross the floor? After all, he has been a pawn in the PL hands for sometime now.
Saviour Sam Agius
Apr 4th 2011, 11:52
How about those of us living abroad? Isn't it about time we are given the right to vote at our embassies? When are we going to grow up as a nation and stop all this nonsense?
John A Cassar
Apr 4th 2011, 14:44
You are right Mr Aguis. We Maltese citizens living abroad are denied to vote in general elections and referendum.
R Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 22:10
John A Cassar you are living abroad, you pay your taxes abroad so how do you expect to come and vote and decide for us in Malta when we live in Malta and pay our taxes in Malta? Why should you just come here on election day, vote, lump us with your choice of government and leave us to face the music? No Cassar, people who do not live in Malta should not be allowed to vote.
Alfred Muscat
Apr 4th 2011, 11:41
OK JPO you followed were angles fear to thread. So now please let everything take its course. You were supposed to have studied the motion by Pl before putting it to vote, noe lets stick to it.
If ile PL wants to arrange this lets move anothjer private motion to emend your motion and ask the President to issue another writ!!!
Morover you seem to champions the youtbut be careful beacuse they are wiser than most people think. From my contacts with youths this are reasonming that divorce not noit be good for them as they want their partner to respect the vow they give each other in marraige to last for life nor for 4 years.
b.micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 11:32
PROSIT JPO - Malta qieghdha f-periklu li tispicca bi gvern theocratiku u donnu
ser jerga jigu iz-zminijiet tas-sittin. Dan il-gvern huwa gvern li ghandu xi jsarraf
hafna voti billi jkun servili ghal-knisja ghas-spejjes u it-tbatija tal-poplu. MINGHAJR
DAWN 2800 VOT IR-REFERENDUM MHUX VALIDU. Jekk il-PN mhux kapaci
jew ghaliex jaqbillu hekk jissepara ir-religjon mill polita allura sinjuri tal-PN
ma ghadx ghandkhom maggoranza u fittex IRRIZENJAW.
Joseph Cauchi
Apr 4th 2011, 11:31
JPO is playing the maverick role.
This will only lead to his political demise in due course.
JC.
David Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 13:17
If it really leads to his political demise then it means that Malta is in a really sorry state.
Mark Mamo
Apr 4th 2011, 11:26
I just cannot understand all this fuzz about divorce or not divorce!
I have been married for 20 yrs under a german law and can divorce anytime, still I don´t intend myself to get divorced, but I believe that divorce is a human right to all those who need it! Malta is the only country in Europe where divorce is not legal, except for the Vatican state(I wonder if there are married persons there anyway!) Maltese people, in which century are you living? 1500? an even more in our opinion less tolerant religion like Islam is divorce also allowed, in Malta, which is supposed to be a secular state is not! Is Malta Secular by the way? Gonzi´s uncle a bishop! Mintoff´s brother a priest! And everybody showing the blessed family outside u kullhad jaghmel il- qrejjen! PROSIT! Keep it up! Not even in a million years will divorce be legal on this island!
Dennis Zammit
Apr 4th 2011, 11:22
It is a fact that those people whose name is shown on the last Electoral Register issued before the writ issued by The President of the Republic.
In this case, there are always new comers who don't make it. So what is all the fuss?
JPO, your district voters, such as the undersigned, will NOT forget your "warnings" to our party and PN. We might have forgotten the MIstra saga but NOT THIS!!!!!
C Muscat
Apr 4th 2011, 11:19
X"jahseb li hu JPO...ghax il-PN ghandu wiehed biss izjed jahseb li jista' jibqa' jirrikatta..dak li ma irnexxielux Mintoff nispera li l-anqas jirnexxilu hu...bid-differenza li biex jitlaq JPO ma hemmx ghalfejn jaqa l-gvern..
Tibqax taghmel il-hsara lil pajjiz....imbaghad dawn jekk ma jivvutawx din id-darba ghax il-ligi titlob hekk darba ohra jivvutaw...u min ma hasebx bizzejjed jieqaf u darba ohra joqghod attent.
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 4th 2011, 11:18
jpo. there is only one way out for you. JUST DISAPPEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K Farrugia
Apr 4th 2011, 11:13
He first he and his colleague Joseph Muscat did a huge mess and now just like his colleague Joseph Muscat he is blaming PN. Incredible
Joseph Cauchi
Apr 4th 2011, 11:07
@ JPO,
Weren’t you also one of those that voted in favour of this resolution as tabled by Joseph Muscat and accepted it all in its entirety?
You should have noticed the wording of “15 Days” and its implications, before rushing to vote with the PL.
Qattusa Ghaggelija …
JC.
Ganni Ellul
Apr 4th 2011, 10:54
Ghamel dak li trid tghamel u aqsam il kamra u daqsekk.
patrick zammit
Apr 4th 2011, 10:53
The responsible authority/s should do their best to see that whoever is 18 years old would be able to vote and not try deprive anyone his vote on mere technicalities.
Paul Gauci
Apr 4th 2011, 10:49
JPO il-hobz tieh li min jaf jieklu jghid lil Malti ... jekk qabizlek dan id-dettal tant evidenti, kemm aktar affarijiet setghu u qeghdin jaqbzulek??
Gerard Cassar
Apr 4th 2011, 10:47
Since there was a solution it is the Prime Minister fault that it was not applied. This smacks of dictatorship.It is somewhat similar to the voting that certain members declared tha Mrs Justine Caruanba voted no.
Such petitness do not augur well of the conduct of the Prime minister. Shame on him.
If this conduct could be retaliated it should so to give a concret answer to Gonzi childish behaviour.
G Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 10:39
Dan bis-serjeta?! So first he voted in favour of Muscat's motion which made it clear that the writ had to be published NOT LATER than 31 st March and now when he realised the mess he and Muscat did and which denied 2,800 first time voters the right to vote, he is trying to blame his Party.
Unbelievable, this man is the biggest liability of the Pro Divorce Movement
Albert Farrugia
Apr 4th 2011, 10:37
In all of this controversy there is one thing which everyone seems to be forgetting. The political parties have the power to CHANGE the electoral law if they want to, whenever they want to.
If they really want those 2,800 "young people" to vote, all they should do is pass an amendment by which the electoral register would be put up to date up to at least a month before polling takes place.
And this, not just for this referendum, but for each election. As it is, a person could be eighteen years and six months old, and still not qualify to vote. One can argue that this is unconstitutional. So, come on, MLPN, get cracking please. Let's see how honest you are.
John Smith
Apr 4th 2011, 10:35
Simply shocking behaviour by a PN backbencher. Is this JPO's swan song before he loses his parliamentary seat, come next general elections?
Ernest Vella
Apr 4th 2011, 10:34
JPO tradixxa lil kostitwenti tieghu, mhux darba imma darbtejn...u jrid igorr il-konsegwenzi elettorali...L-iskop uniku taghhom huwa li jidhol id-divorzju
Ernest Vella
Apr 4th 2011, 10:34
JPO tradixxa lil kostitwenti tieghu, mhux darba imma darbtejn...u jrid igorr il-konsegwenzi elettorali...L-iskop uniku taghhom huwa li jidhol id-divorzju
Benny Caruana
Apr 4th 2011, 10:34
JPO is just playing the bully like Joseph Muscat. They should be sent both at home after the next general election. we've had enough of their bullying.
D. Grech
Apr 4th 2011, 10:27
"Dr Gonzi yesterday said that If the Labour Party had the “moral courage” to admit it made a mistake, the Nationalist Party would have helped find a solution to enable the young people to vote."
So Gonzi has admitted that it was possible not to deny the right to vote to these 2,800 young voters but he chose not to out of pique!!??
george borg
Apr 4th 2011, 10:26
"Warn"..??? is this guy serious.?? Back bencher warning the PM.. !!! Shocking.. How dare he. Just leave the PN JPO. The party does nto need people like you.!!
M Pisani
Apr 4th 2011, 10:39
I would like to slightly amend your statement Mr.Borg. The PN does not WANT people like JPO. Need is subjective and as the Italians say, 'Morto un Papa, si fa un altro!'
In this case, Jeffrey was never anything thank God - so he could might as well pack up and LEAVE!
Joe Muscat
Apr 4th 2011, 10:57
Mela George,
Din hu il mod modern kif issir il- politika. Mela zmien EFA jew Mintof, pupaz f'id ta fuqek. Igibek tapit u tibqa tidhak.
Nawgura li jfaqsu aktar politici b'din l-istamina!!
M.Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 11:05
This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. The possibility to criticize your own party is one of the fundamentals of a free country. The role of the Prime Minister isn't one of an untouchable leader but of someone who must serve the people and listen to different views - you know, plurality, differences, multiculturalism. Or maybe you don't know...
Duncan Scerri
Apr 4th 2011, 11:07
Yeah, PN is only for "yes-men". Toe the line, or hop it!
Lewis Ellul
Apr 4th 2011, 11:07
Agree with you 100% there, George. Dr Pullicino should leave the PN - illum qabel ghada - and cross the floor to the PL. Maybe, at long last, God willing, we'll see the end of the PN in government and all of Malta will utter a huge sigh of relief.
Saviour Sam Agius
Apr 4th 2011, 11:56
Kieku huwa kif qed tgħid int George, x'inhuwa l-iskop li ntellgħu 65 membru fil-parlament? Għax ma ntellgħux il-Prim u l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni biss u nħalluhom jagħmlu stand-up comedy bejniethom? Il-parlamentari qegħdin hemm biex jitkellmu f'isimhom stess l-ewwel u qabel kollox.
Maryanne Bartolo
Apr 4th 2011, 10:25
JPO is way out of line on this issue. First he votes in favour of Labour's motion and now he's using it to attack his own party. What a cheek!
Come next election he should just get himself a one way to Timbuktu where he would be free to play his role without having any serious consequences to others.
Joseph Vella
Apr 4th 2011, 11:46
Ms. Bartolo, if you want, take the one-way trip to Timbuktu yourself. This is a democracy people have a right to speak here (without being sent to Timbuktu!)
Marco Vassallo
Apr 4th 2011, 10:23
Joseph Muscat and his Labour confirmed once again that they never can be the party of the youths. They've never like youths especially university students. These people never change.
M. Jones
Apr 4th 2011, 11:07
It is both parties that are using the young "votes" for their own means, they should both just grow up and see beyond their own Headquarters and actually do something that is good for the people.
C Camilleri
Apr 4th 2011, 11:23
Marco, kemm int vojt jahasra. No need to comment more
D.Galea
Apr 4th 2011, 10:22
Question, the prime minister made exceptions to the procedures as stipulated by the law in regards to working people escaping from Libya, can't such one exception be made in this case be made in regards to Maltese youths or this is just another confirmation that the Maltese inferior to foreigners? Mind you, it's not that one needs to keep hammering this any further, it's apparent enough.
Charles Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 10:19
Party Politics at play with some members of the house seem to conveniently forget that they are elected by the people to represent their thoughts and not their own personal views or respective consciences!
J. Formosa
Apr 4th 2011, 10:03
JPO should do like his ex-wife did, and go with Lejber, and join Joseph Muscat who made 2800 youths lose their vote!!
Ray Gatt
Apr 4th 2011, 12:15
Why, because he's not a yes man?
R Agius
Apr 4th 2011, 09:58
This You Tube clip explains perfectly well Dr Muscat's consistency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm6czpeDBzo&feature=related
M Pisani
Apr 4th 2011, 10:37
READ: DAMAGE CONTROL WARA LI GHAFFIGHA!
Peter Bonnici
Apr 4th 2011, 18:39
Consistently amateurish.
A Abela
Apr 4th 2011, 09:49
Tajba wkoll! Mela first you (dear JPO) rushed to vote with Labour on Muscat's motion which said that the writ had to be published not later than 15 days from the 16th March (ie not later than the 31st March) and now that the writ has been published (again because you rushed to vote with Labour in favour of it) now you are complaining that 2,800 voters lost their right to vote.
Dr JPO you are as much to blame for this as Joseph Muscat is!
Dennis Zammit
Apr 4th 2011, 09:48
JPO is either with the PN and with its leader, the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi or NOT!!!!
If not, JUST KICK HIM OUT.
Charles Micallef
Apr 4th 2011, 10:43
Could it be that he is with the people who voted him in the first instance?
C.Dimech
Apr 4th 2011, 10:50
you CANNOT be serious. I think you REALLY need to brush up on the meaning of democracy and freedom of speach!!!!! Thank GOD there are MPs within the Nationalist Party that are voicing the opinion of thousands of Nationalists on this issue or else the party would be seriously doomed. When all is said and done the party should publicly thank JPO for helping them in not alienating a good chunk of their electorate over this divorce issue!!!!
cgbartolo
Apr 4th 2011, 13:26
C Dimech, the electorate IS being alienated over the divorce issue, and I don't think there's any turning back now. The PN has handled the situation very badly and people will not forget this. In the end the PN will lose out.
This time I don't think that anyone will be able to say that they didn't deserve it.
Mark Galea
Apr 4th 2011, 09:45
@Joseph Muscat - trid titghallem timxi qabel ma titghallem tigri. Kont nahsbek ahjar, imma milli jidher imdawwar minn nies bla esperjenza. Li qed jinghad jidher li veru - li qed tiehu pariri min zewgt itfal li qed jippretenduha li huma xi strategi. Infakkrek, JM, li il-politika MHIX GUGARELL.
r.micallel
Apr 4th 2011, 10:31
jien kont nahseb li gonzi sejkun ahjar meta rebah l-elezzjoni ta 2008 ax tkellem vera tajjeb imma al xejn ta ax min go tagen al go nar morna mark..
jattard
Apr 4th 2011, 11:00
Tidher li tara hafna NET tv habib.
a spiteri
Apr 4th 2011, 11:08
Sur Galea ibqa zgur li jm jaf jimxi pass pass u mhux jigri mhux talli hekk talli mexa ta ragel imma ma min ftiehem is soltu ma mexhiex ta ragel bhal ma jaghmel is soltu. issa drajnieh kemm ma huwiex ragel. l uniku zball li ghamel jm kien li haseb li l pm ha jkun ragel bizzejed u ma jmurx lura min kelmtu imma rega ghamel uturn ohra mal hafna ohrajn li ghamel f dawn l ahhar snin. min tafu issaqsiex ghalih ghalekk jm ma ghandu qatt u qatt javda lil pm ghax fl ahhar jara kif jaghmel imur lura min kelmtu u jdawwar kollox favurih biex jigbed is simpatija tal ftit mil poplu li ghad ghandu mohhu maghluq. u din hija il konferma http://www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=14869
Mark Galea
Apr 4th 2011, 11:11
xi zewg pariri jonqos minn JM biex juri l-esperjenza tieghu - xi wiehed dwar Cipru, xi iehor fuq l-Islanda.
Taf x'jonqos, li jissuggerrixxi li nohorgu mill-EU, ghax hekk kien hemm min tah parir skond is-surveys.
@Muscat Pat - jista jkun li xi nies ikunu jafu aktar x'qed jigri wara l-bibien maqghluqa ta Mile End milli qed tahseb int.