I’ll start by getting a small rant off my chest: one Peter Murray, from Mosta, closed a letter to this esteemed rag by writing: “One final point. Is it me or did anyone else note, or find it ironic, that the chairman of Barclays Bank, who has been charged with such egregious behaviour, is actually of Maltese descent: Marcus Agius? Coincidence?”
I don’t usually leap to the defence of anything Maltese just because someone denigrates it but the sheer insolence of Mr Murray’s sally should not be allowed to go unchallenged.
Mr Murray, of whom I have the impression that he considers himself quite an expert about many things, was writing about the way Barclays has been the subject of quite a bit of attention in connection with what can only be described as very questionable antics.
He asserts that Mr Agius has been charged with this egregious behaviour, when it is clear to anyone who can read that Mr Agius has been charged with no such thing.
Perhaps in his haste to take a cheap shot against the Maltese, Mr Murray ignored this. On the other hand, he may just be plain ignorant of it.
Shouldn’t Labour’s oafish elves step back and take a look at the way they’re behaving towards Richard Cachia Caruana? Now we’re being treated to the usual dollops of green-eyed envy at the salary he was earning before a combination of Labour’s opportunism and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s spite put a stop to his work. Yes, fine, he may have been earning a princely salary, if you want to call it that, but if his detractors could take their heads out from under wherever they usually keep them and look at the real world, they might, albeit dimly, perceive that this is the sort of remuneration people of quality usually earn.
And that’s not all: the components of the remuneration, which has got so many sad Lil’Elves all hot and bothered, are within public service parameters, from what I could make out, though since I subscribe to the peanuts and monkeys system of evaluation, I don’t particularly care. No doubt, the usual suspects will now start making precious remarks about oligarchies and Gangs of Four.
What is it about summer? The heat? The fact that the weather makes it less difficult for refugees to take to the sea? Whatever it is, this Christian realm often seems to get an upsurge of filthy racism about this time and this year we got it in spades, partly due to various reactions to the death in custody that is now the subject of a criminal trial.
Leave aside the morons who seem to think that someone having different cultural, religious or dietary customs, to say nothing of skin colour, is something to get all het up about. They are past redemption, they’re the ones who open proceedings with “I’m not racist...” and then go on to prove that they are precisely that.
Leave aside as well the equally moronic adherents to the chemical reactions that pass for thought in some people: they are equally beyond hope. All you can do is hope they don’t take into what masquerades as their brain to do something other than splutter and rave.
No, the ones who really are starting to worry me are the ones who cravenly wrap themselves in the flag and – they imagine subtly – try to appeal to the voters in the previous two paragraphs without being overtly racist themselves. People like this are nothing more than hypocritical opportunists who deserve nothing more than the contempt of anyone who believes in the rule of law and respect for humanity.
It’s up to you to assess whether this applies to you. All I can say is, if the cap fits, pop it onto your head.
A quick run-through of places to nourish yourselves that we’ve tried out and can stamp approvingly for you. Ferretti’s at The Exiles – try to book the picture window – is one; Sapana in Xlendi for Indian is another and Latini in the Menqa, Marsalforn, a third. All these well bear a visit, for service and quality and, consequently, value for your dosh.
In closing, an instruction for you, if you have any sort of appreciation of that good ole rock’n’roll music. Xirka Rock V, Smoke on the Water, is coming down at nine at Aria (ex Liquid and ex Vibes) in San Ġwann on Saturday night (that’s tonight for those of you reading this in print) and you really do want to be there.
imbocca@gmail.com
www.timesofmalta.com/articles/author/20