EVERYONE'S AN EXPERT
As I step out of my front door, I just glance to the left and I can get a sight of the placards publicising what the newspapers think are the most important issues of the day – you know, the couple of words that are designed to persuade you to part with some coins to read the meat of the story.
MaltaToday's placard this morning read something on the lines of "Government should stall ACTA Ratification – JPO". Since I don't part with coins for that particular paper, I'm not au fait with what JPO (their descriptor, not mine) actually said or even whether my recollection of the detail of his dictum is precise, but that's the sense of it.
My reaction, though, I can recollect precisely: "and so?".
Precisely what qualifications does Pullicino Orlando have that qualify him to pronounce himself from on high (or on Facebook, which is one of his preferred modes of communication) about what should or should not be done with ACTA? His opinion about the darn thing is as valid, or not, as that of any other Tom, Dick or Harry, and the fact that he is an MP with a dissident streak in him does not make said opinion any more valid.
In fact, if anything it dilutes his opinion, because it adds elements of axe-grinding to it, to say nothing of bandwagon-jumping a la Labour.
The opinion of people I respect way more in the field of intellectual property than bandwagon hoppers and axe grinders is that this is a storm in a teacup of gargantuan proportions. Apparently, our national law already reflects what ACTA would require to be done, so what's illegal now would be illegal then too, and all the hysteria has been pumped up by people relying on half-baked bits of information much of which is either intentionally misleading or referring to old versions of the ACTA or SOPA.
Still, never let it be said that Labour and its hangers-on have eschewed a single opportunity to spit out a few convenient sound-bites.
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Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 16th, 11:49
JPO is the Chairman of the Malta Council of Science and Technology. He was appointed by no one else than Dr. L. Gonzi in an effort to stop the blatant attacks from his own backbench by trying to buy off these pests, at our expense of course. Now if your hero Dr. L. Gonzi saw some value in JPO as Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology, shouldn't you respect JPO's opinion on matters technological? Or was this appointment just a way to fill JPO's pockets and (hopefully) shut him up?
Angus Black
Feb 17th, 16:43
The fact that JPO is Chairman of Science and Technology, makes him neither a scientist nor a technology whiz as much as taking a course which includes a chapter on economics, an economist does not make. For that reason, one cannot take JPO's opinion any more seriously as the one given by a quasi-economist who consistently reads the Maltese economic tea leaves wrong.
If you think that JPO's appointment was just "a way to fill JPO's pockets", you may be wrong because if JPO spends the equivalent time in his clinic as he spends attending to his Chairman's duties, he will probably make more money pulling and fixing defective teeth. He could also spend less time on Facebook and uploading pictures of his breakfast fare and more time practicing his profession.
M Grima
Feb 16th, 08:43
I agree with you that everyone seems to be some kind of expert on everything under this sun and that includes you Mr. Know it all.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Feb 16th, 09:56
Annoying, aren't I?
Joseph Calleja
Feb 17th, 11:00
Do not bother just ignore him Mr Grima.
Joe Zammit-Lucia
Feb 16th, 00:50
I'm one of the people (like you I guess) that has no expertise in these intellectual property matters. So I am forced to rely on the general gestalt that seems to be developing around this legislation. Is it true to say that many in Europe are having second thoughts about this legislation; that it is largely stalled and unlikely to get much further; that the former minister of Slovenia (I think it was Slovenia - can't be bothered to try to locate the article again) has apologized to her countrymen for approving the legislation saying that it was premature to do so and, in retrospect it was a mistake? In light of these events, one doesn't need to be an expert to be led to certain conclusions. It may not be politically wise to defend what seems to be becoming indefensible. A mea cupla may command more respect.
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Feb 15th, 20:45
more so called "experts" here too...
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120215/local/most-feel-corruption-is-a-major-problem-in-malta.406944
and what do THEY know anyway, right?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 15th, 17:36
And the most hysterical reaction was from none other than your great hero and Leader, Dr L. Gonzi. He rushed to cCstille after seeing hundreds protesting in Valletta, quickly called a press conference to announce to the world that Malta is to have four new 'civil rights'. These are that we have a right to acces the internet, the right to access information, etc. Is this man a joke or what? Can't he think of something better to attract the young vote, like free pizza every weekend?
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Feb 15th, 13:41
"The current situation, he said, was a distraction from the real issues, which were the economy and jobs. The government, he said, had to take courageous steps to end this crisis."
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120215/local/bencini-government-needs-to-act-to-stop-political-crisis.406925
And no one can exactly state that Bencini leans to the left can they?
Neither can anyone believe that the charade going on at Pieta will actually solve the present instability.
It seems that there are quite a few who proclaim their love for the country and that the people are supreme... yet staying in power is imperative no matter what ... which leads one to ask: Why is it imperative to cling on no matter what?
Karl Consiglio
Feb 15th, 12:29
"...so what's illegal now would be illegal then too"
But more enforced.
B Ellul
Feb 15th, 15:20
as if it will change anything! Illegal is illegal and that's it