21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN
Before anyone scuttles off and reaches for a libel lawyer, or puts together some Parliamentary Question about me, that's the title of an old King Crimson song, albeit a pretty prophetic one.
The Independent on Sunday had an interesting leader this week: it asked, pointedly, whether Labour's motion on Cachia Caruana was one of political expediency or of genuine conviction that he had been naughty and deserved the censure of the highest organ of the State. On this latter point, I'll remind you that Parliament is not the highest organ of the State, it rests on one leg of the tripod of democracy, even, in some contexts, on one leg of the quadruped, if you include us lot in the media.
The fact that Labour's motion, as it has now become apparent, is based on a fundamental misreading of the situation (in fact, as Caruana Galizia points out in her blog, some Labour exponents don't even know that the Government got us IN to the PfP and not out, twerps that they are) leads me to the conclusion that, with the House about to reconvene after the Spring Break, it was time to dangle some juicy morsel or other in front of their hero, Franco Debono.
So eager are Labour for an election, so disappointed were they when Debono didn't give it to them, that they're madly piping pretty tunes, hoping to entice him into another session of Government-baiting.
Cheap shot, or what?
I think so, though the Independent's closing line, posing the question whether it was Debono who was the rat and Labour the Pied Piper or the other way round, was illustrative of the dilemma on which some media commentators (the ones who don't lionise Debono in the interests of their own agendas, of course) find themselves impaled.
Talking of the Independent, and commentary, the current editor's predecessor appears to be carrying on with his usual style. He penned, as is his wont, a lengthy piece about the current situation, which I tried to plough through but, it being a fine Sunday morning, couldn't.
One line struck me, though: "That [referring to what he calls the tiredness of the PN] explains the nasty and scurrilous attacks on Labour...".
He fails, for obvious reasons, to give us chapter and verse on these attacks. He can't, because when you analyse media commentary and the social media, you see that it is as plain as day that the nasty and scurrilous attacks come from the (so-called) left and are aimed at media commentators who don't toe Labour's line. Yes, Labour is attacked, and attacked hard, but that's the name of the game and all Labour's repeating of the mantra does is get people like Noel Grima to repeat it.
Come on, chapter and verse please, you can comment here, while reading the comments below and understanding the provenance of the attacks to which you refer.
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Edmond Micallef
Apr 24th 2012, 18:49
Ensuring that the tightly nit brotherhood remains firmly in place, aren't we?
He who said that the country is run by a 'clique of evil' must really know what he's talking about.
And, by the way, parliament is supreme to all the other institutions mentioned, especially media, in that it is the only entity which is elected by the citizens in accordance with their will.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Apr 24th 2012, 12:59
Do you advise your readers to buy shares in the Piano SPV? Will you be buying shares?
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Apr 24th 2012, 12:34
>21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN
Indri tal-bajda of Tiko Tiko bar (Zejtun) keeps pointing out that your titles are:
- Capslock in a vain attempt to stand out above the others. (They might be 'louder' but certainly don't stand out when it come to content quality..)
- Often seem to be more apt for describing "the one" himself... rather on the subject matter.
Frankly, I can sometimes see what he means: as there seems to be so much on the line and the oligarchy seems to be on its last legs no matter what you pull out of your proverbial... one might quite easily see clear signs of unnatural bile and venom in il-bocca's blog(sic!) that could easily be explained by a bad state of/stressful mind?
But what is truly shameful in what you write is not Franco Debono's behaviour or your ever increasing abusive language (THAT is totally understandable if taken into the context of the panic you seem to find yourself in!)
No, what is truly shameful is the total disrespect of what is constitutionally correct, the throwing out of those OATHS taken BEFORE GOD (to serve, to uphold the Constitution etc) and the utter/continual disregard of the democratic processes of this country.( 4 weeks holiday, one vote taken in 4 months, the PFP saga, the (lack of) debate on justice and home affairs (presented five months ago!!!), etc etc etc.
The unbelievable lengths that this govt. and its lackeys are having to go to in order to remain "in power at all costs"...wow!
Why not just call an election?
You're going to get re elected again via divine grace anyway right? So why lower yourself so unecessarily?
As you point out LP is just full of old socialists, JM has no clue, we have never had it so good etc... so come on: call LP's bluff.
Simple.
And (while we're at it) in the meantime, GOD FORBID that someone like the Independent's editor's predecessor should even think - let alone pen - something as ludicrous as "That [referring to what he calls the tiredness of the PN] explains the nasty and scurrilous attacks on Labour..."!!
Who does this ex editor Think he is?? One of us ( a 'brainy PN guy' who can think) or something?
sigh....
(well ok. Not sigh, but snigger!!)
Guzi Abela
Apr 24th 2012, 09:15
If these are'nt nasty and scurrilous then you can call me San Guzepp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaBC5WMBjgc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f25ivljecQo
Eddy Privitera
Apr 23rd 2012, 21:40
Rest assured that watching Lawrence Gonzi and his troupe dancing to Franco Debono's tune is highly entertaining . May it continue for some more months !
Alex Ellul
Apr 23rd 2012, 15:44
I can imagine the PN having a plan A and plan B. Plan A being what to do after losing the elections, you know, the usual political loser's talk, democracy, resignations etc; and they have Plan B, just in case by some quirck of the universe, the PN remains in government.
The PL (ex MLP) have only one plan; plan A, which is what to do as soon as they win the elections. No details are necessary here, just fill in the blanks acording to historical experiences. But the pl (MLP) do not have a plan B for the simple reason that there's no plan B and there cannot be a plan B. Why? The reason is very simple: If the LP(MLP) loses the forthcoming general elections, their reason to exist ceases to exist. The LP(MLP) has not won a real election (except the VAT election in 1996, lost in 22 months time) since 1976. All other elections and referenda had been won by the PN. So, what would a political party be doing in existence if it cannot win one single general election in space of 35 years?
The LP's plan B is dissolution.
Joseph Cilia
Apr 23rd 2012, 15:23
what scares me most, is the character - and the persona that Muscat is projecting, a persona that is so hungry for power that he does not really care how he gets it, who he will stab on the way up.
Any ways, someone like Muscat and his crew who so evidently know nothing of the political ethics will only get to the seat of power, but drag the country with them to a level below the mud - however what is even scarier is that they will not stop and admit they have done wrong, but further on dragging in mud just so they can enjoy a full term of government.
Eddy Privitera
Apr 23rd 2012, 21:48
"Political ethics", like convening parliament whenever it suits Lawrence Gonzi ? Never taking a vote in parliament because Gonzi is scared stiff of Franco Debono ?? That's ridiculing parliament. If this is "political ethics" to you, then no wonder you support GonziPN !!!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Apr 23rd 2012, 15:13
Qutoing chapter and verse: can I ask you to read the letter sent by Mr Paul Pace, president of the MUMN regarding the publication of confidential reports by the PN media when such reports concern persons from the LP. If in your opinion these are not nasty and disgusting attacks, then no wonder you ask for quotes from chapter and verse! Because for you, any form of attack on the LP is valid, no matter how low and squalid.
Mr Joe Micallef
Apr 23rd 2012, 12:39
What is really, but really scary, is PLs modus operandi which becomes evident when considering this and similar FREJJEG by the PL (another that comes to mind is when Joey insisted on a time bound discussion of the Divorce referendum which essentially excluded a substantial number of new voters).
One cannot but realise that
FROM THE COMFORT OF THE OPPOSTION BENCHES THE PL CANNOT EVEN PROPERLY THINK THROUGH A PARLIAMENT MOTION
Just imagine what would happen the day they are entrusted with real policy formulation.
David Bezzina
Apr 23rd 2012, 14:50
WHAT PALIAMENT ?
ONE VOTE TAKEN IN 4 MONTHS.
Please choose the reason of your report below: