Matthew Xuereb
Vote Lawrence and get Franco
People driving into Floriana yesterday were greeted by a Labour Party billboard that had many doing a double take.
It is a remake of one of the PN’s most iconic billboards of the 2008 general election campaign, except that Lawrence Gonzi is not the protagonist.
Instead it shows the face of rebel backbencher Franco Debono next to the original slogan promising voters “peace of mind” under Dr Gonzi.
Some initially got the impression that it was a PN billboard that had the MP saying these words. There was, indeed, nothing to suggest it was a Labour advert other than a sentence in fine print on the lower right hand side, saying it was done by the Labour Party’s Communications Office.
It would, therefore, appear to be a Labour attempt to rub salt into the PN wounds following a series of embarrassing episodes in the past weeks in which the government was left guessing what Dr Debono’s next move would be in parliamentary votes.
The MP embarrassed veteran minister Austin Gatt by abstaining on a vote of no-confidence moved by the Opposition in Parliament, forcing Dr Gonzi to call a confidence vote in his government.
Then came a surprise announcement by Dr Gonzi conceding to Dr Debono’s urgent requests for constitutional amendments and the splitting of the ministerial remits of justice and home affairs. This was on the eve on an important budget vote to which Dr Debono had initially declined to commit himself. When asked to explain its reasoning, the Labour Party said it did not understand the “fuss” over the poster, adding that it was about “the person calling the shots within government”.
When contacted, Dr Debono said: “I have no comments to make on the billboards but let’s look at the validity of the proposals I have been making regarding political and constitutional reforms and reforms in the justice sector which should lead to stronger institutions and a new political culture.”
The Nationalist Party described the billboard as “petty” and “an attack by the Labour Party on the Prime Minister and one of our MPs”.
A party spokesman went on to eulogise Dr Debono, seen by many Nationalists as one of the party’s greatest liabilities.
“Franco Debono is an energetic and proactive Nationalist MP who made, and continues to make, valid calls and pushes for reforms to strengthen democracy – as well as reforms in the justice sector, both within the party and in Parliament, which this country needs to discuss and will implement, where necessary.”
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John Schembri
Dec 10th 2011, 14:20
I nearly forgot to tell you that our prime minister Lawrence Gonzi also skipped an election , and was made speaker during the time he wasn’t an MP. .
Are you telling us that PM Gonzi is an opportunist also?
BTW: If Hermann Schiavone is eliminated with some dirty trick we can have some other Schiavone on the ballot paper, when the anonymous letter eliminated Schiavone from his electoral race of 2003 his wife got more votes than Franco!
Ms Mifsud , feel free to ask ,I hope some gentleman will come up with the answers.Tonight I will try to reach Dr Schiavone and refer him to your questions .
Probably he’s too busy with his electoral campaign.
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 13:42
Can you please tell us exactly WHEN HE STARTED HIS STUDIES? He finished them this year.I dont know of any studies or course which take nine years.When did he start?
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 13:39
@ John Schembri
would Schiavone have given up his sheffield restaurant indicated by you and come back pushing his candidature if Louise Galea was still a great minister during his legislature?
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 13:30
Uuuuuuuu Zgggguuuuur.U Zggguuuuur.Kif spiccaw Helen,Ninu u Louis kulhadd thajjar! Mela gej bl istudies Mr Schembri. Hallina minnek!
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 13:26
Noel Galea and Janice Chetcuti were not afraid to contest the 2008 election.They are not opportunisti and the electorate should vote for them too.
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 13:21
@ John Schembri
Schiavone was not away because of his studies? If Delia has been in the PN for ages why he decides to contest only now, that Louis and Helen are gone and Ninu is no longer minister? Yes Bezzina is fresh even within party since I dont think that he was even a member of the party.
re: alphabeth let me tell you that last election there was damato helen and chetchuti janice before debono franco. And there were three cabinet members and ghaxaq was removed and Franco did not give up.He did not go abroad to open a business.He stayed here and the people elected him.
Good luck to the opportunists brigade after 2008 fifth district opportunities.
John Schembri
Dec 10th 2011, 12:47
@Ms Mifsud , as far as I know young Delia has been in the PN for ages as a member and he’s still young,energetic and intelligent , Dr Hermann Schiavone has always been popular in the fifth district, he’s loyal, intelligent and forward looking , he had to miss an election because of his doctorate , and Architect Anthony Bezzina whom I hardly know seems to be new and fresh.
Are we expecting to have a Putin/Medvedev style plebiscite in the fifth district? Let the best candidates win , the more the merrier!
By the way...on the ballot paper Bezzina comes before Debono , the alphabetical order works miracles.
John Schembri
Dec 10th 2011, 12:12
@Ms Mifsud , as far as I know young Delia has been in the PN for ages as a member and he’s still young,energetic and intelligent , Dr Hermann Schiavone has always been popular in the fifth district, he’s loyal, intelligent and forward looking , he had to miss an election because of his doctorate , and Architect Anthony Bezzina whom I hardly know seems to be new and fresh.
Are we expecting to have a Putin/Medvedev style plebiscite in the fifth district? Let the best candidates win , the more the merrier!
By the way...on the ballot paper Bezzina comes before Debono , the alphabetical order works miracles.
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 12:00
@ John Schembri:
and the million dollar question is :
why wasn t Herman Schiavone here in the 2008 elections but appeared immediatly afterward? After he went abroad to open his restaurant did he come back and get his job in the civil service?
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 11:56
@ John Schembri:
are you sure he is not disobeying strict party orders that whoever is not a candidate and has no guarantee that he will be, cannot organize activities?
After all even Manuel Delia was reprimanded by the party for just presenting himself as a candidate let alone coffee mornings!
mary mifsud
Dec 10th 2011, 09:25
Because in the fifth district immediatly after the 2008 election we had an interesting phenomenon.
Delia of public transport reform fame,Schiavone who had left the island and settled with a restaurant abroad, and Bezzina who probably was not even a tesserat( a member of the party)started to show great interest in being party candidate! A few months after election! More then four years before the next election! U zguuuur! u zguuuur! Louise Galea and Helen Damato where gone. Ninu was no longer minister,the district was flung wide open.And there came the opportunistic brigad!
John Schembri
Dec 10th 2011, 07:43
@ mary mifsud:
I made some research. In the 2003 general election there was a Schiavone (Hermann’s wife) on the fifth district’s PN list. She won 1244 first preference votes. Comparing like with like ,in the same election and the same district, Franco Debono won 1130 first preference votes.
Regarding his time abroad, I only found that he returned two years ago with his Doctorate in political science from the University of Manchester.
If you want to ask for more details I suggest you come tonight to the charity activity that he is organising and get to know him better, though you might have a slight problem talking to him at length as I am told that he has over 600 people booked for the event. Proceeds are for the Saint Theresa Home in Nigret Zurrieq.
I find him to be a smart approachable person.
mark borg
Dec 9th 2011, 23:08
@John Scerri
True, but pity PN true colours are Jet Black as shown on the party emblem ...blue was only started to be associated with PN while governing on a joint venture with the church back in the 60's (when half of Malta had to emigrate due to poverty) . It was the church that manipulated the gullible people of that time, to vote blue for the Madonna,since it was always fearing that Mintoff would remove all the power they used to enjoy (as thankfully with time occured)
mary mifsud
Dec 9th 2011, 21:17
@John Schembri:
sorry John Schembri in 2003 Herman Schiavone did not contest the election and PN won by 13000 votes.
In 2008 Herman Sciavone did not contest and PN won the election,thanks to among others people like Franco Debono and Ninu Zammit in the fifth district.
So what do you mean? And then you said he left Malta in 2003 to study. But then he finished studies this year?
So did his studies take 9 years? Or did he start his studies after 2008 election by means of some scolarship? From where? and why after 2008?
mary mifsud
Dec 9th 2011, 13:25
@ John Schembri:
How does Schiavone assume that he will be approved as a candidate by the PN? Do you think you should be attending coffee mornings of someone who wasn't here in the last election and who has no certainty that he will be approved as a PN candidate by the party?
John Schembri
Dec 9th 2011, 17:36
Ms Mifsud, if Dr Hermann Schiavone is not accepted as a PN candidate then the Nationalist Party , Franco and the other PN candidates will have a BIG problem , there are many people like me who won’t give the number one to a PN candidate on the ballot paper of the fifth district, if this happens.
Won’t you join in?The more candidates the PN will have the wider the choice.
I don’t mind attending coffee mornings and pasta nights, especially where the food is great at a good price and the profits are donated to the Saint Theresa Home in Nigret Zurrieq.
He wasn’t here in the last election , because of his studies , if Hermann was here we wouldn’t be in this political quagmire created by Dr Franco Debono.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 9th 2011, 12:53
Charles Vella, ma nafx kif ser jimxi l labour, imma ma nahsibx li min thanzer u seraq kemm felah, u min kisser litteralment lin nies u min kien verament ahdar, ser jinghata promotion fuq promotion u jkompli jithaxxen izjed. Issa jekk int b gustizzja tifhem vendikazzjoni u mibeghda affari tieghek. Jekk trid il gustizzja ala PN, idhol mal Labour, sawwat kemm alla halaq nies, u meta jitla jerga l PN jaghmlek sinjurun, itik xebgha promotions u jilghaqlek il qiegh ta saqajk. Il buzillis hu li mhux ser ikollok cans taghmlu dan, ghax il labour imbidel. Min kien imqareb gie ikkontrollat ghax jafu li nies malinni tal PN inqdew bihom biex jimlew l irjus tan nies.
Charles Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 18:54
...i guess the brain washing machine of Joseph Muscat is working well on you... You should thank your lucky stars of having a PN government who developed our 3rd world country and brought peace to our islands.
Labour has not changed as the old people who where ministers when Mintoff was at his best are still there!
But people like you just want change, and then you will say 'ooops, hadt sball' - U meta Joseph Muscat jitla fil gvern u jfarrak pajjiz ekonamikament u hafna nies jispiccaw bla jobs jighdilna 'ooops hadt sball' ...typical Childish and this was already done by Joseph Muscat!
David Scicluna
Dec 9th 2011, 22:17
To be honest you sound more brainwashed Charlie. Pointless to open a serious discussion with you!
John Scerri
Dec 9th 2011, 12:49
Allura dawn tal-lejber qed jinqdew b'nazzjonalist biex jirrispondi dak li jghid u jaghmel Gonzi?
Allura jekk ikunu fil gverntal - lajber jistaqsu lil nazzjonalist biex itihom parir fuq kif jaghmlu l-ghaffarijiet ?
Allura ghalfejn ser immorru nivvutaw meta tal Lejber qed i dahhlu nazzjonalisti maghhom ?
jekk il votant irid jibdel mil qiegh jghazel partit shih mhux partit imraqqa b' nies li xi darba kienu nazzjonalisti .
Allura ahjar tibqa b'dak li ghandek .
Mr C Camilleri
Dec 9th 2011, 11:18
Ohhhh poor people ... PN was attacked and embarrased. I will soon cry ... WITH LAUGHTER . You really know how to play the victims when in real life you are the cannibals behind it all. As if we did not have enough of your electoral BLA BLA BLA and slogans that offend our PL Leaders.
Only nationalists use lame excuses such as Christmas and Hatred to look like victims !
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 9th 2011, 08:45
Vella creating hatred, do you watch Net TV and E22 up to its neck in creating hatred. Franco is getting some very good free advertising for the now very close elections. After all Franco says what he honestly feels unlike all the other yes men in the party.
John Scerri
Dec 9th 2011, 08:35
Kemm hu sabih il - BLU
Charles Vella
Dec 8th 2011, 22:22
Even in Christmas time labour want's to create hatred amongs those who are Blue or Red... Haven't you done enough damage with the hatred you sowed back in the 70's and 80's... The hatred mintoff sowed during his government unfortunately is still with us today... Labour only brought fighting, hatred and division to our islands, nothing else and it's still evident today... During Christmas.
It's sad that we don't have an alternative to the PN and there is no way I shall vote Labour, apart from 1996, a big mistake and take my country back to the dark ages and creating a total mess in out economy.
In the meantime, a merry Christmas to all Times of Malta readers... Blue, Red, Green, Pink etc... At the end of the day we are all Maltese.
joseph saliba
Dec 8th 2011, 17:48
Some so called progressive liberals cannot distinguish between antics like the recent PL vote on the divorce bill in parliament and real debate that takes place between gentlemen. No matter how many imported tags a party uses the people will judge after all.
Pat Hobson
Dec 8th 2011, 19:17
Much like your party then. You seem to forget that "Together Everything is Possible" was taken from Sarkozy's electoral slogan. It seems that your party has got copycat fever.
Mark Cassar
Dec 8th 2011, 17:41
It makes you wonder, what else is on Dr Debono's agenda? It is good that the Prime Minister listens to suggestions, but to change ministerial remits on Dr Debono's say so? I wonder what else Dr Debono will think of next? What is certain is that he certainly has Dr Gonzi's ear.
mary mifsud
Dec 8th 2011, 17:36
@ John Schembri:
is it true the party stopped Schiavone from presenting himself as a candidate even in his articles?
I think Franco Debono from the backbench came out with a great number of valid ideas fundamental to our system.Not even some cabinet members came out with one tenth of his ideas! And Franco wasn't co opted. He had the almost impossible task of ousting Louis and Helen:two cabinet members.For this alone he deserved a cabinet post since the people's endorsment of him was very clear
John Schembri
Dec 9th 2011, 17:58
Hermann Schiavone doesn’t need to write that he’s a PN candidate , that’s understood I suppose.He doesn’t even write “Dr” in front of his name , even though he has a doctorate from the University of Manchester in political science(?).
Schiavone still writes in The Times as far as I know , why would the party stop any of its candidates from writing?His articles are well researched and written.That would be censorship on baseless grounds.We will wait and see if he writes again, say in a month’s time.
Franco’s problem is that he thinks he’s the only one who comes up with ideas, he thinks he’s God's gift to the Maltese people.
And his tusk was to oust George Vella not Helen D’amato and Louis Galea!!!For that alone he should have been put in the political dungeons for the whole legislature.By your standards if he were a soldier he would have shot his general and his lieutenant instead of his enemy to be promoted.
I hope Franco does not think the way you’re thinking Ms Mifsud.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 16:24
Jekk certi nies jahsbu li bil kummenti taghhom qeghdin jaghmlu gid lil Parit Nazjonalista u lill Gvern, qed jizbaljaw bil kbir. Jasal mument fejn torri ta Babel mibni fuq il qerq jikkrolla. Min irid verament il gid tal PN irid ipoggi idejh fuq il kuxjenza u jammetti li dak li hu tajjeb hu tajjeb u dak li hu hazin hu hazin. F dan il pajjiz ma nistghux nibqghu sejrin f din id direzzjoni li jekk ikollna loki bil badge tal parit nivvotawlu wkoll. Bizzejjed ghandu problemi Gonzi u Pawlu Borg Olivier. Izziduhomlomx billi tipprovaw tghattu x xemx bl gharbiel.Il verita u l fatti ma jista jmerihom hadd, avolja naf li xi hadd mill kontributuri x ghandu f mohhu. Mhux ser insemmieh b ismu imma jaqbillu ma jhallinix niftah il kanuni fuqu. Dur u dur il verita tohrog u jekk jahseb li jirnexxilu b dak li heddidni li jaghmel qieghed jgharralu bil kbir. Xejn ma nghidlu, xhieda falza fil Qrati ssarraf f sitt xhur habs. Affarjiet ohra, jekk hemm, jissarfu wkoll.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 17:39
U nzid ohra. il battibekki u certi gambetti bejn kandidati tistennihom. Imma meta jkollok nies wicchom imcappas, li bi ftahir ( u jekk triduni nghidilkom min, fejn u ma min) jghidu kemm bghabsu elezjonijiet interni fil partit, dawn it tipi jaslu ghal kull hmieg immagginabbli. Jekk batejna fit tmeninijiet ma jigustifikax hmieg u porkeriji fiz zmien ta wara. Nirrepeti, x jaghmel u x ghamel il Labour affari tieghu. Nigi naqa u nqum. Jien la kont attiv fil PN li il PN jimxi kemm jista jkun suret in nies jimpurtani. Issa Gonzi hemm fil gvern. Id dmir tieghi bhala cittadin hu li fejn nista nesponi l hazin li hemm nesponih. Bil hmieg kulhadd ibati hu min hu, sew jekk hu nazzjonalist u sew jekk hu laburist jew ta xi partit iehor. Ovvjament temporanjament igawdu dawk li jkunu qed jghumu fil hama, forsi ghalhekk gieli ssib min hu daqshekk akkanit jiddefendi certi pozizjonijiet. Ftakru l ahwa li fl ahhar mill ahhar l koll kemm ahna sitt piedi taht l art ghandna.
Joe Scerri
Dec 8th 2011, 16:21
What nice comments. I always said that Christmas spirit is only found in bottles.
mary mifsud
Dec 8th 2011, 16:11
@ John Schembri :
why did Herman Sciavone not contest the 2008 election and immediatly after come back to Malta pushing his candidature?
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 22:12
He was in Manchester doing his doctorate ,I suppose.That’s what I think he was doing , and he also ran his restaurant where he left his mark :
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/food-and-drink/the_star_of_malta_brings_heavenly_taste_to_pisces_1_443402
I like people like Hermann who are able to build their business and continue studying for a doctorate like he did.Probably he wrapped up his business after successfully completing his doctorate in 2008.
Is there anything wrong with that?
Like Franco ,Ninu , Delia , and Bezzina , Hermann pushes his candidature in the district with home visits , fliers, articles in The Times of Malta, Face Book ,coffee mornings and all the other tools modern forward looking candidates use these days.
j brincat
Dec 8th 2011, 15:49
@Louis Muscat
"You seem to forget how the Pl or the MLP then poked fun on Dr.Borg Olivier and to repeat your own phrase They were even so inhumane and unkind to point out even personal 'matters' in him. Have you forgotten how the labour supporters on winning the election run along the streets with dead rabbits and playing on the National television the song "run rabbit run" for Dr.Fenech Adami"
What is wrong is wrong but with due respect there is no comparison at all to what was meted out at Dr Sant, by the PN. He was not even spared when he was sick in the last election.
As regards 'Run Rabbit Run', now you tell me: "Who was the culprit?" You should remember, no!
(jb)
.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 14:56
Halli nghidha, ghax jien subajja dritt u ndahhlu f ghajn kulhadd. Issa if its the index one or the middle one, kulhadd jaghzel hu ghal gosti tieghu. Eddie jaf li ma vvuttajtlux ghal kap, ghidtlu b wicci minn quddiem, pero dejjem ipprovajt nobdih u nsegwih mill ahjar la stajt. La kien il kap kien il kap u m hemmx argumenti. Pero dan igibni ghal bicca storja. Meta konna hadna il kazin tal PN sliema, fil gallinar konna sibna airgun antik. Kellna hafna ritratti ta Eddie u bl inqas hsieb wahhallana wiehed u bdejna nilghabu daqsxejn target practice. Pero, u hawn hu l argument kollu, l ilsna hziena marru sabu lil Eddie, sefsfulu f widnejh u min jaf x ras aghmlulu. Ma nqala xejn specjali kieku. Imma tibda tara l hazen ta certu nies meta per ezempju jigi xi hadd fuqek, ma jkunx jaf min int, u jghidlek : lil Dingli tivvotalux ghax kugintu qahba. u nieqaf hawn.
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 15:28
Minghajr ma kont qrajt xi ktibt ikkonfermajt li ghidtlek :" Ilsna hziena se ssib dejjem u kullimkien . Dawn tibdilhom tista’ mhux teliminahom “.
Kullhadd irid jinhabb mal-kap jew il-leader, Marcel!
Fil-hames distrett kandidatt suppost Nazzjonalista hareg qlajja fuq kull kandidad tal-PN fid-distrett tieghu , biex jitla hu . U telgha!. Fuq dak m’hemmx kontroll mill-partit.
Kien hemm kandidati li sofrew minn dipressjoni minhabba dawn il-qlajjiet, imma baqghu lejali lejn il-PN u dak li jemmnu.
Jekk int imwegggha ghandek ghal-xiex, ghax dak mhux diskors..
Edgar Gatt
Dec 8th 2011, 15:29
Marcel, unfortunately I got to know you when I was in the same committee as you were and always thought that you were supporting the wrong party. Luckily I have lost contact with you and did not know what happened to you since the 80's. However I have to admit that I am really happy that you are no longer a supporter of the PN.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 8th 2011, 15:38
@ Marcel Dingli.
Pray, why all the long serial diatribe in this blog vaguely vilifying the post Mintoff/KMB Nationalist Party and praising your own good self to high heaven for the straight alignment of two of your fingers?
I have searched up and down the comments on this news item and, if there are any that deserve your excessive reaction, well, I did not find them.
Have you never heard the proverb "Excusatio non petita accusatio manifesta" or the Italian version "Chi si scusa, s'accusa"?
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 15:42
Halli nghiha cara u tonda, bla kantunieri u straight to the point. Rajt il programm ta Lou Bondi fejn intervista lil Karmenu Vella u n Net news, fejn dak li qal Karmenu Vella gie maqlub ta taht fuq u gie kwotat b mod malinn. Jien mghandi xejn minn Karmenu Vella u il Partit Laburista. Imma jekk ix xandir ufficjali tal PN jirrikkorri ghal dawn il porkeriji fl apert, mela kemm isiru porkeriji bil mohbi ! Jiddispjacini naf li bejn il kandidati jkun hemm il lanzit, imma biex il Partit ufficjalment jghawegg jigdeb u x ma nafx elf haga ohra jaghmel, hekk le. Jiddispjacini. If the core is rotten then the whole set us is rotten. Il poplu jixraqlu ahjar, u jekk ikun gahan ghandu jsir attentat serju biex jigi mghallem, mhux abbuzat.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 9th 2011, 04:46
Edgar jiddispjacini ma fhimtx sew il kumment tieghek. Dak iz zmien konna nahdmu b kuaragg, determinazzjoni, senza interessi u nohorgu il flus mill but ghall partit. Wisq kont nobsor li wara dak iz zmien kellhom jigu 25 sena fejn sofrejt il madmad ta tiranijja kbira, vendikazjonijiet horox u faqar kbir tant li gieli l anqas kelli zewg centezmi fil but biex nixtri sigarett. Tant kienet kiefra l oppressjoni li l anqas ministru habib taghna t tnejn ma kien f pozizzjoni li jipprotteggini. Dawn huma wegghat kbar imma l akbar weggha li ghandi u li tbikkini bis serjeta, fejn l anqas fil funeral ta ommi ma bkejt, hi li il partit glorjuz bi storja kbira li tant habbejna illum gie ridott ghall partit tal laqx fejn jeccella is sentiment baxx. Ezempju car tajtu x imkien hawnhekk. Fejn dak iz zmien konna naraw affarjiet bhal run rabbit run u simili, illum dan l imbarazz qieghdin narawh fuq l istazzjon ta dak li suppost hu l Partit Nazzjonalista. Tant hu mimli imbarazz illum il partit li hemm nies f pozizzjonijiet gholja li l anqas jafu min kien Borg Oliver, Nerik Mizzi u tant ohrajn. U xi nghidu ghall Gvern. Jigu appuntati nies bhala diretturi li l anqas jafu bl ingliz, ikollok personal assistant tal ministru tal infrastruttura li l anqas jaf xinhu l MIDI u Alla jaf kemm tgerfix iehor. Jigi Demartino jikteb fil gazzetta li rceva ittra b ma nafx kemm il zball. Skuzi Giov , mhux int b ilsien mdendendel sa l art qaghad tilghaq il lokijiet sempliciment ghax kellhom il badge tal partit fuqhom, u tipprova minghalik tghaddi minn ghajn il labra lil min irid li l affarjiet isiru sew? Nirrepeti qsim il qalb ghandi li il PN veru gie ridott ghal stat tal biki. Issa naraw jekk il ftit genwini li hemm jirnexxilhomx bxi mod itaffu l effett tal valenu li hakem.
Francesca Abela
Dec 8th 2011, 14:26
Franco Debono will help Labour win the next election - thanks to his antics in Parliament . There is no place for non team players in Politics!
Mario J Spiteri
Dec 8th 2011, 14:06
Il-lupu jilbes ta haruf, il-prostituta tipprietka l-verginita' il-q.... milli jkollha ttik! Ja qatta ipokriti nazzjonalisti, tippruvawx tghallmuna lilna c-cittadini meta intom mimlijin hmieg u ma tahmlux li jkun hemm xi hadd b'opinjoni differenti. Dejjem taraw kif ser tiddemonizzaw lil mexxeja ta partit iehor, x'intom toippretendu li kollox hu - il-poter hu taghkhom bi dritt? Nizzlu saqajkhom ma l-art u thallux raskhom tikber bhalma gara lil PL fit-'80! Lil Dr. Debono nghidlu prosit u grazzi ghax irnexxilu jqajjem il-PM minn raqda! Nies bhalu rridu li jkunu kapaci jitkellmu mhux "yes sir" biss. Dak hu demm gdid sinjuri!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Dec 8th 2011, 14:51
Sur Mario Spiteri,
Ma tistghax tissottometti kumment minghajr ma tkun vulgari jew insolenti?
Lil min qed tiddefendi, lil Joseph Muscat jew lil Franco Debono?
Jekk inti u l-Labour Party inthom daqshekk kburin b'dan il-kartellun ghaliex nehhejtuh wara ftit sieghat?
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 13:33
"Who else? "
Hermann Schiavone immediately comes to mind, Mary. He’s the antithesis of Franco.Hermann made a come back and his popularity is increasing every day, and part of it is thanks to Franco’s bad behaviour with the PN.
I pity Franco because his delusions of grandeur made him behave childishly and now the opposition ridiculed him with that billboard which was all over Malta.
I really pity this waste of talent. Maybe it is all not lost , if he gains the confidence of the Labour supporters who encouraged him.
lilly vella
Dec 8th 2011, 13:30
xi hlew ta apologisti nazzjonalisti , toqodux tinkwetaw fuq dak li qed tghidu zball, jew pl got it wrong , mhux ahjar ghalikhom? mela don t worry enjoy life.
k abela
Dec 8th 2011, 13:30
how imaginative! what a vote churner! (Sarcastically)
Franco Attard Trevisan
Dec 8th 2011, 12:24
I think the PL really got this one wrong big time...
I mean, I would be delighted to vote PN if they do guaranteed that we will have more MPs like Franco Debono
Really cannot understand the PL's point with this billboard. It basically states that by voting Gonzi we would have real politicians... what's wrong in that? It's actually positive...
If I were the PN I would print even more billboards like these... but only if they can keep their word!
Shaun Camilleri
Dec 8th 2011, 14:09
So true!! We want people like Franco Debono in politics.
j brincat
Dec 8th 2011, 12:19
@Mr Marcel Dingli
"Character assassination is never a positive thing. However tha malice and vileness excells when its done to those of your own breed."
Yes, it hurts more.
I remember you writing in the Times of Malta in the good old days when we used to pen letters to the Editor. You were speaking differently then. But many people have become dis chanted with the PN ever since.
(jb)
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 13:48
I remember those days. I might have been a heavy critic on Labour but i also whipped the PN when i felt it right. The facts are that then or now i never resorted to vile and shallow tactics, or maybe blood thirsty ones to achieve what i think is right. I never participated in "konguri fil kuriduri", or in affairs such as Strada Federico. I might have invited activists to my residence, to encorage active participation though, not to smear people with filth as has happened within the PN. What has happened and happens within the Labour party is its business. What i care about is what has happened within the Nationalist Party, because there it was where i participated. At that time i was having a little whiff of the filt, which over time increased to an unbearable pong. At that time people like myself were seeking to enhance the well being of the Maltese people. However the end result was that we ended up with a PN government which failed to deliver what it had actually promised. I am sorry i`ll have to use Eddie`s own words : Fic cirkostanzi li qeghdin, il budget irrelevanti. U irrelevanti ukoll illum l affarjiet zbiegh li jghammxxu l ghajnejn.Jiddispjacini imma il verita toffendi, ghalkemm il gideb, is sefsif fil widnejn u affarjiet ohra mahmugin bhal dawn joffendu aktar. il verita hi li personalment issa nigi naqa u nqum minn kull ma nara u nisma minghand il politici u nahsel idejja bhal Pilatu. Pero jibqa l fatt li ghalkemm kont attiv hafna fil PN, aktar hargu ta gentlomi mieghi nies Laburisti. Il karta ta l identita li ghandu l PN kieku hi sabieha, imma kemm fil prattika il PN wasal biex verament jattwa dak li suppost jemmen fih?
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 13:59
PS jien lest nisfida lil kullhadd. Ara qatt xi hadd, laburist, nazzjonalist, tas sunshine snacks jew hu min hu, sofra xi vendikazzjoni minghadi ? Aghmilt hafna xorti jien, imma qatt vendikazjoni lil xi hadd jew lil xi kazin laburista. The only thing i did which can be considered vindictive is when i urinated on the chair of the director at the office, which in a way can be considered as a prank rather than a real vindictive action. But i`m really pleased that he fell for it and the aircon got the blame. I guess this is part of my naughty side.
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 15:11
Marcel , kull meta nara nies li jindhesu z-zejjed ma’ partit dejjem hekk jigri: minn estrem imorru ghal iehor.
Il-PN ghandu hafna affarijiet x’jirranga bhall kull ghaqda li tezisti, m’ghandekx ghalfejn taqleb minn estrem ghal-iehor ghax tara xi affarijiet hziena fuq in-naha li qed tweggghek.
Jista’ jigri li l-inbid li tkun qed tixrob ikun ordinarju u dejqek , imma ma’ jfissirx li fil-flixkun tal-hall li hemm fuq l-ixkaffa hemm inbid itjeb!
Hares harsa madwarek u tinduna li imqabbla ma postijiet ohra qed ingahghuha mhux hazin ghax kellna tmexxija ghaqlija, u xejn aktar.
Fuq gentlomi u ghajjurin nista’ nghidlek li issib kullimkien , jekk mort ma’ partit iehor sempliciment bdiltom.
Carmel Xuereb
Dec 8th 2011, 12:12
Ahna tal-PL nhobbu naghmlu reklami b'xejn u din id-darba mess lil Franco Debono ghax kien jixraqlu ghax bl-agir tieghu donnu qajjem daqsxejn lil dan il-gvern mir-raqda li kien fiha. U issa avolja jiena mal-PL nawguralu li fl-elezzjoni li gejja jerga jkun deputat fil-parlament, mela le ghax jixraqlu. U ha hemmx ghalfejn nistagbu li l-PL ghalmel dan il-billbord ghax min jaf x'billbords hergin minn nahha tal-PN. Naraw u nistennew hux. Il-festa t-tajba lil kullhadd.
j brincat
Dec 8th 2011, 12:10
@Jo Camm
"I hope Dr Franco Debono will send a letteor of thanks to the PL for this FREE advertising.
Franco did his duties more than the PL because he always made constructive criticism"
Can you give us some examples of PL's negative criticism. We're waiting!!!!!.
But Franco did send the shivers down your spines and made this a wobbly government!
(jb)
Jo Camm
Dec 8th 2011, 15:50
@ J. Brincat - "some examples of PL's negative criticism" . If I start, the editor will not accept it as it will take miles of column writing. STOP
Saviour Cachia
Dec 8th 2011, 12:09
Oh s...t, i lost my previous comment., So i just console myself to hear hear Hon. Franco Debono. Carry on doing what Government back benchers are expected to do. It is a pity that party politics are above Malta's best interest, and we remain stagnanted to the the usual 35-34 vote to save the government. Maybe in this regard, Hon. Debono you are at fault. You should go the whole way and not find yourself easily won by Hon. Lawrence Gonzi compromises. How does the PN backbenchers accept that they are there as a number, when certain amendments to the laws are presented to Parliament, without first the PN Parliamentary Group discuss ing the matter? I like the Labour Party poster, but unfortunately feel that the electorate is being taken too much for granted by the two big parties, PN and LP. This might push us to give stronger support to AD or not vote at all. What's the hell. Why worry....
j brincat
Dec 8th 2011, 12:03
@M Mamo
"are you forgetting the "DAN HAZIN"?"
AND when and where did I ever say so? For me Dr Sant was one of kind, a true gentle, CORRUPT free and highly intelligent. Totally against violent and he morphed Labour into a modern party. He tried to build a culture that 'every person counts' and did not dish out jobs or select members on boards simply because they supported Labour. Unfortunately this did take root. Look at the chairmen and board members of government entities and you readily have your answer!
But the PN would not let him be. They character assassinated him the extent of which we have never witnessed in Malta. The poked fun at him on each and every occasion they could. They were even so inhumane and unkind to point out even personal 'matters' in him. I pretty well remember on the 1998 PN's victory day their supporters in Sliema waving wigs in all hues. That was very Christian like, wasn't it? Wasn't this also violence in another form.
Before you throw accusations at me please check matters correctly, Capito?
(jb)
(jb)
Louis Muscat
Dec 8th 2011, 13:53
You seem to forget how the Pl or the MLP then poked fun on Dr.Borg Olivier and to repeat your own phrase They were even so inhumane and unkind to point out even personal 'matters' in him. Have you forgotten how the labour supporters on winning the election run along the streets with dead rabbits and playing on the National television the song "run rabbit run" for Dr.Fenech Adami.
mary mifsud
Dec 8th 2011, 12:01
@ John Schembri:
Franco Debono got the votes of the lost sheep in the last general election.Who will get these votes in the fifth district if not someone with the charisma and energy of Franco? Who else?
Stefan Zammit
Dec 8th 2011, 12:27
i can field that... the usual fanatics who vote pl for the sake of pl, and pn for the sake of pn
Shaun Camilleri
Dec 8th 2011, 11:59
Politika mahmuga!!! Messkom tisthu!!
Jo Camm
Dec 8th 2011, 11:41
I hope Dr Franco Debono will send a letteor of thanks to the PL for this FREE advertising.
Franco did his duties more than the PL because he always made constructive criticism.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Dec 8th 2011, 11:14
There we go again - Election Campaign on the way : WE THE PEOPLE vote with OUR MINDS not THIRD PARTY`s MINDS - 2011 HAS PROVED EFFECTIVELY WHAT ALPHA HAS BEEN PROUNCING FOR THE PAST THRITY YEARS.
IN OUR MINDS WE TRUST - IN MANIPULATORS` MINDS WE DON`T TRUST!!
===============================================================VOTE MALTA FIRST & FOREMOST.
W Cassar
Dec 8th 2011, 11:10
It made me laugh when I saw it the first time! Better than than the usual billboards the PL and PN churn out.
And for those who say its Christmas there should not be any political billboards, well I think that is subjective. Maybe we should stop Net Tv and One from broadcasting over this period too mela.
Joseph Grech Attard
Dec 8th 2011, 11:16
Well said Mr W. Cassar!
M Mamo
Dec 8th 2011, 11:06
"PROGRESSIVI U MODERATI ... ija mela
mary mifsud
Dec 8th 2011, 10:57
@ John Schembri:
I agree with you that Franco is foursquare behind PM..and that the party appreciates that Franco is one of the best brains of his generation and his points are very valid.
However I agree he must dose his energy in a better way.Franco is one of the greatest assets of the party and he will help the Party to win the next general election.
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 11:31
There are other good assets in the PN who are loyal and patient.
PN is never short of talented people.
If Franco shows team spirit with his party colleagues, and behave like a mature politician, he will get re-elected in the twelfth count perhaps.
The billboard ridicules subtly Franco Debono at the expense of our Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi and the PN.
With his antics he was only pleasing the Labour supporters who will never vote for him, he lost a considerable amount of support from the PN voters in his district.He should aim at getting the new supporters from the PL who admired him , what’s lost is lost , but all is not lost.
D. A . Agius
Dec 8th 2011, 10:55
Let's take it on the lighter side. PL's humor is a bit on the dark side but for people interested in the current political scene, it has been a bit of a ridiculous period.
Franco Debono is not a Problem just happened, it simply shows a stark and utter disconnection between backbenchers and the Cabinet, and ultimately, reflects bad on its relationship with the public. Also, problems get sorted and addressed immediately whilst this issue is dragging on, simply because unless Governments (and Cabinets) open up and work as a team, accidents are prone to happen.
It's like a group of engineers trying to design a car. The guy building engine components must be in sync with the guy devising the chassis and the other who's handling the bodywork. Anything but full LINEAR co-operation will end up with a mess.
Joseph Grech Attard
Dec 8th 2011, 10:54
Well done PL! 'La verita` offende!' At least there is no character assassination in this billboard. Very witty! It has confused many! Congratulations. After all we Labourites are not a 'marmalja,' as the PN tries to picture us. We do have intellectuals as well - and wait and see for more!
Mr David Ganado
Dec 8th 2011, 11:45
Well done? If they did such a good job with this billboard why did they feel the need to remove it already? I think you are going to have to dig deeper to find your so called intellectuals!
What a farce. A perfect case of a prank gone wrong!
j brincat
Dec 8th 2011, 10:49
"The Nationalist Party described the billboard as “petty” and “an attack by the Labour Party on the Prime Minister and one of our MPs”
I don't see it as petty but as subtle!
Is the PN forgetting the massive character assassination on Dr Sant? And we still do not know what is coming in the impending election.
More of the same perhaps.
(jb)
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 11:05
Character assassination is never a positive thing. However tha malice and vileness excells when its done to those of your own breed. Are we to be astonished why certain people abandon the Pieta brood ? And whats worse, they keep at it !!! Only God knows of how many people have suffered at their expense.
M Mamo
Dec 8th 2011, 11:07
are you forgetting the "DAN HAZIN"? fejn jaqbel issemmuh lil Sant, tinqdew bih!
Andre Cilia
Dec 8th 2011, 11:15
What do you expect for a 'Leader' who hysterically shouts GOOOOOOOOOONZIIIIII ina masss meeting. What a humiliation it would have been having him as prime-minister only God knows...
Honestly if billboard is subtlety then only God knows what subtlety is. People only took it as a billboard sponsored by Franco Debono (the LP print couldn't be seen from a car) reinforcing Gonzi. Where is the subtlety you mention? Its more like a stupid backfiring action (like the MILJUN LIRA CASH remember? or hte other MAKKU comment)
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 11:24
By the way, i`m not part of the Hamrun crowd. I never was. However i`ll vote for anyone except the PN. I`m sorry guys, you made me that way. JIsta` mhux il PN jaghmel lil Malta timxi fuq ir rubini (li ma hijiex), jista mhux jibni bieb il belt tad deheb u jtihuli jista mhux jaghmel x jaghmel, never never again. PN folk dont waste your time and money knocking at my door or sending invites and other nonsense,enough is enough and many have had more than enough. Your credibility is less than nil.
Dennis Zammit
Dec 8th 2011, 10:22
Shouldn't political billboards be accepted just a few months before an election?
Is the MLP expecting an election that soon?
Aren't there any MLP politicians that presentable for their billboard?
D. A . Agius
Dec 8th 2011, 10:50
Should we consider the zillion Public entities billboards showing up through the year as Politically Motivated? If in the affirmative, then, YES
Juan Kalot
Dec 8th 2011, 10:22
"Vote Lawrence and get Franco."
Or worse still ... Vote Franco and get Lawrence !
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 10:16
Who needs enemies when the PN has friends like PL?
Are the PL and PN in cahoots to make FD our next president?Or is Franco being considered as to be a PL candidate? I’m sure he is four square behind our prime minister, after all he gave him all the attention he wanted.
Franco Debono’s points were by and large valid but his way of getting HIS things done leaves much to be desired. He cannot jump the queue , there are other laws which need to be discussed, a case in point is the law which will back the Commission for Mental Health which is still awaiting to be enacted.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 09:44
I see this as nothing else but a humourous jibe and an amount of leg pulling. Quite acceptable and normal. Had we to take politics in this way our life would be jollier and happier. Unfortunately too many take things quite seriously, to the point of filling themselves up with bitter hatred. Thank you Labour Party, you gave us something to smile about this Christmas.
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 10:26
It’s a costly humorous jibe then, all those posters cost quite some money .
I suppose PL does have loads of money to afford this kind of humour.
Are the PL supporters going to sponsor such things next Tuesday?
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 10:39
Well John Schembri. i dont give a hoot of how the Labour Party gets its money and spends it. What really is worrying though is the bitterness people like myself have suffered during the past 25 years after working so hard to get the PN elected.
John Schembri
Dec 8th 2011, 11:00
In the past 25 years I experienced bitterness during the two year rule of Labour by Alfred Sant.
Dr Franco Debono’s zeal cannot be compared with Dom Mintoff’s axe grinding against Alfred Sant.
I, like Franco give a hoot as to where the political parties get their money from, in due time I hope this will also be tackled.
The PL’s behaviour in favour of certain projects, and against their competitors is glaringly obvious.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Dec 8th 2011, 11:41
Pity that people like Tal Farfett have passed away, he would certainly have deserved a vote being an honest and sincere person. I must laud the Gozitans though for having for a time elected il Hanfusa. Much better than being taken for a ride by being presented a " karta tal identita" tal fixfixo, and ghostly commissions etc supposedly instituted to investigate the hurts of the people.