Public flocks to Valletta to pay respects to Mintoff
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The public have started to pay their last respects to Dom Mintoff, as he is lying in state at the Presidential Palace in Valletta.
They took photos of Mr Mintoff as the guards kept telling them to move on and some threw kisses at the late prime minister.
The queue, of several hundred people, started to form outside the palace at about 7 a.m. and by 8.45 a.m. it stretched well past the Cordina cafe'.
By 10 a.m., it had expanded to the law courts after going round the queen monument in Republic Square.
Doors opened at 9 a.m. but visitors were not let in until about 9.20 a.m., after tributes by the family, the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker.
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca paid his respects at 11 a.m. followed by former President Eddie Fenech Adami and Ugo Mifsud Bonnici at 11.30 a.m. and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat and a delegation from the Labour Party at noon.
Those who filed past Mr Mintoff's coffin also included the PN Parliamentary group and PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier.
A PN delegation this morning also called at Labour headquarters to sign the Book of Condolence.
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John Spiteri Jones
Aug 25th 2012, 18:58
Rest in peace Perit, a true maltese patriot who took Malta out of the poverty that was rife everywhere you looked.thank you for all you have achieved for us maltese and our country.
Victor Pulis
Aug 25th 2012, 14:10
Grazzi lill dawk kollha li tawni t-taghrif mehtieg dwar id data ta'meta dahlet l-edukazzjoni obbligatorja u l-income tax specjalment lil Aaron De Giorgio tal kumment estensiv.
Nazzareno Cortis ma nafx ghala blajtni ghax staqsejt mistoqsija.Nies bhalek jaghmlu hafna deni lill min suppost jissapportjaw. Jekk ma kontx taf it twegiba jmissek ma kkunnentajtx... U nissuggerilek taqra t-twegiba tas sur De Giorgio forsi titghallem taghti l-kredtu lil kull min haqqu.
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 23:14
TO ANGELO VASSALLO
With that 1947 election, Barbara became the first woman to serve in Malta's unicameral legislature, and in 1955 she became the first cabinet minister as well, when new Prime Minister Dominic "Dom" Mintoff appointed her as his education minister. It was during this three-year period that Barbara achieved what would become her most important legacy in her commitment to improve Malta's standard of living: full-time schooling was made compulsory for all children under the age of 14. Many new schools and trained teachers were needed to meet the expected demand, however, and over the first several months of 1955 Barbara supervised a massive hiring of teachers and the construction of 44 new facilities. By September of 1955 the new education law went into effect, just five months after the decree, thanks to her management of the program. The rest of her stint as education minister was equally busy: she oversaw the establishment of a teachers' training college; transportation services were set up for elementary and secondary students, as well as basic medical care. Barbara also ordered a survey of the developmentally disabled and the vision- and hearing-impaired in the country, and established the first schools for them in Malta. Perhaps most important, she ensured that science classes were open to students of both genders, unlike the high school that she had attended, which was restricted to males.
Read more: Agatha Barbara Biography - family, children, parents, school, mother, book, old, information, born, college, husband, house, time, year, Determined to Attend High School http://www.notablebiographies.com/supp/Supplement-A-Bu-and-Obituaries/Barbara-Agatha.html#ixzz24V4wbfz6
Eddy Privitera
Aug 24th 2012, 21:42
Angelo Vassallo, ruhi, bli ktibt dwar li skola full-time, komplejt ikkonvincejtni kemm il-media tal-PN trid izzommkhom injuranti dwar li storja politika ta' pajjizna. Ghax jafu li jekk issiru tafu l-verita, tibdew tisthu s-siegha u l-mument li bdejtu tappoggjaw lill-PN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S.M. Cuschieri
Aug 24th 2012, 20:55
"Prosit, keep it up ta!!!!" What the heck has that got to do with Mr. Mintoff's lying in state?? Was it for the public to genuinly mourn him or was it just the feeding of gory curiosities and the chance to clamour around Dr. Joseph muscat and his Mrs??? RIP Mr. Mintoff. RIP.
Rocco Camilleri
Aug 24th 2012, 19:52
Veru gest sabih li tara delegazzjoni Nazzjonalista tidhol fil-kwartieri Laburista (apposta ta' twemmin politiku) jiffirmaw il-ktieb tal-kondoljanzi lil Perit Mintoff. Kulhadd qed japprezza dak li ghamel ghall pajjiz dan il-politikant hekk kbir minn familja tal-Haddiem. Bniedem li kellu qalb kbira lejn iz-zghir u pajjizu. Bniedem li ta' id-drittijiet lil poplu Malti kollu fejn anke fl-antik il-vot kien jinghata skont kemm ikollok djar (gid) barra li n-nisa ma' kellhomx vot kif ukoll li kien minn 21 sena l-fuq, fejn wara gabu minn 18 il-sena il-fuq. Niftakar sew il-meetings li kien jghamel fejn kien jigbed hafna nies warajh u anke meta kellu l-kwistjoni mall-knisja jew aktar biex inkunu precizi hi ( il-knisja mieghu) fejn barra li kienu jdoqqulu l-qniepen kienu anke jmorru jippurfumaw fejn ikun sar il-meeting. Hadd ma' forsi jemminhom dawn, imma graw veru u jekk wiehed iqalleb fl-istorja (gazzetti) jsibhom zgur. Kien bniedem kuraguz hafna ghax kien jaf li hu qieghed fit-triq it-tajba u kien jghid li l-Gustizzja ghandha tkun l-istess ma' kulhadd. Bniedem li ta' ruhu u Gismu biex jara li MALTA tigi L-EWWEL u QABEL KOLLOX. Gera ma' kull rokna tad-dinja biex igib xi haga ta' siewi ghal pajjizna u mhux biex jiggwadanja hu. Anke meta kien jibghat lil xi Ministru barra kien dejjem jippretendi li jgib xi haga lura mieghu ghal pajjiz u mhux qiesu mar xalata. Bniedem li mexa fuq it-tghaliem ta' Kristu fejn kien qal dak li tghamlu ma' kull wiehed zghir tkunu qed tghamluh mieghi. Perit Strieh fil-Mulej fejn zgur laqak flimkien mall-Madonna li tant kont thobb u l-qaddisin kollha specjalment San.George Preca li tant ghent meta kien jigi jitolbok xi haga ghall minhu fil-bzonn. Grazzi Mulej ta' dawn in-nies li ghogbok ittina u j'Alla l-ispirtu taghhom jidhol fina biex nghamlu l-gid u nghatu ezempji tajba lil ta' warajna. Nixtieq nghid Proset lil Joseph Muscat tal-organizzjoni u lil Dr.Gonzi tal-Funeral Statali li ghogbu jghati lil dan il-bniedem li tant maqdruh nies f'hajtu.
Joseph Borg
Aug 25th 2012, 00:19
prosit well said.
A Abela
Aug 24th 2012, 19:12
Grazzi Perit tal pensjoni tad due terzi
Ray Buhagiar
Aug 24th 2012, 19:10
Hafna minnkom titkellmu fuq Dom Mintoff qisu l-istatwa tar-rahal. Ghalija Dom Mintoff huwa politikant li ghamel policies tajbin u affarijiet hziena (forsi mhux hu direttament imma dawk ta' madwaru). Jibqa l-fatt li l-istorja biss tista tiggudika dak li wettaq anke jekk kien hemm hafna la ghajruh traditur. Xaghar iehor jintesa kollox u minn prova jiredikola il-memorja tieghu jew jinqeghda bil-memorja tieghu ghal xi voti jintesa wkoll.
Issa ejja ha nkomplu nharsu 'l quddiem ghax fl-Ewropa rega qieghed iberraq.
M. Cachia
Aug 24th 2012, 19:02
The idea of letting the visiting public take photos of a corpse lying in state is, in my opinion, not acceptable!
I could not help notice people going past the coffin, more interested in taking photos rather than paying respect!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Aug 24th 2012, 17:37
Throughout my life time I attended practically all the Mass Meetings where Mintoff was the main speaker. I was at Paula Hill in April of 58 giving a child’s contribution to the then Freedom Movement for its fight against the Colonialist’s injustices. My head was hit with one of Vivian De Gray’s batons which were being flogged about like there’s no tomorrow. With tens of other young people I was arrested by the police and kept at Corradino for 36 hours guarded by the Royal Marines leaving my family in despair as they hadn’t a clue of what was happening to me Now that the time has come to accompany my Hero to his last mile to gain his eternal rest my medical condition is stopping me from paying my respect to the greatest man, the Father of our Republic. Such is the bitterness of life. God bless you Perit, rest assured that Malta will never forget you
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 17:33
@ Ms Sandra Grech
Today, 15:37
I really think we are much better off now than in Dom Mintoff's time for sure Mr Farrugi
GOD ONLY KNOWS ???
WHAT A GUILLOTINE ON TOP OF OUR HEADS
OF 6 BILLION EUROS NATIONAL DEFICIT !!!!
Victor Pulis
Aug 24th 2012, 17:20
Jista'xi hadd jghidli ezatt is sena meta l-edukazzjoni giet obbligatorja ghall kulhadd jekk joghgobkom?
U meta gie introdott l-income tax ukoll?
A Abela
Aug 24th 2012, 17:48
Sa fejn naf jien l income tax giet introdotta 1948 minn gvern laburista, il pensjoni tad due terzi fin 1979 taht mintoff dwar l edukazzjoni meta tela mintoff fl 1955 kien skola part time ghax ma kienx hemm skejjel bizzejjed u kien fetah xi 80 skola u l edukazzjoni giet full time. Imma ghalija l aqwa bicca xoghol tieghu kienet il pensjoni tad two thirds.
Tarcisio Mifsud
Aug 24th 2012, 18:08
Victor - mhux cert 100%
Edukazzjoni 1956 jew 1957
Income Tax 1948
Tarcisio Mifsud
Aug 24th 2012, 18:25
Edukazzjoni jew 1956 jew 1957
Income Tax - 1948
H. J. Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 18:34
Jekk m'inix sejjer zball, l-edukazzjoni primarja obbligatorja dahlet mal-kostituzzjoni tal-1947, flimkien mal-vot lin-nisa. L-elezzjoni kien rebahha il-Malta Labour Party, immexxi minn Palu Boffa u Mintoff kien ministru tax-xoghlijiet pubblici - iz-zmien meta qered is-slum area tal-Mandragg.
Aaron de Giorgio
Aug 24th 2012, 18:37
Dear Mr Pulis
Compulsory education was introduced in 1955 to 1958 by the late Agatha Barbara, who instituted compulsory full-time education in Malta for children, leading to the hiring of hundreds of new teachers, as Minister for Education in Mr Mintoff's first government.
Sir Paul Boffa was instrumental in obtaining recognition for the Maltese language in the law courts, and the introduction of compulsory primary education and old-age pensions, and some of these reforms were when Boffa joined up with Sir George Borg Olivier's government until 1955.
State funded primary, secondary and tertiary education (what people often call "free education") wasn't Mr Mintoff's baby at all. Free primary education was introduced by Sir Paul Boffa, and free secondary and tertiary education was introduced by Sir George Borg Olivier.
Income tax - or the concept of "take some from the rich to give to the State, to give to the poor" - was introduced by Sir Paul Boffa, and not Mr Mintoff.
On this pyramid of Boffa-Borg Olivier reforms, Mr Mintoff added children's allowances and unemployment benefits. Mr Mintoff increased old-age pensions by bringing in National Insurance Contributions (NICs or "il-bolla"). Mr Mintoff also enacted laws that allowed public and private land to be sequestered for housing and social purposes including in the "national interest".
It is rather rich to ascribe all these reforms to Mr Mintoff, he did enhance most, but with a state funding burden which means that because there was no pension fund and money collected via NICs was not put in a "reserve" or "fund", but used to fund capital projects such as the building of the B'Bugia breakwater and so on, at one point, the gainfully employed contributing NICs will be less than those receiving pension benefits and the tap will run out.
Apart from children's allowances, the welfare state created by Mr Mintoff will be a massive burden (and already is, going forward), unless income tax is increased to meet the shortfall. Children's allowances was a positive long term plan to encourage positive population growth.
I do not feel that it is fair to either Sir Paul Boffa or Sir George Borg Olivier to call Mr Mintoff "the father of the welfare state", really, as he was the one to radically increase it but not establish most of it. Unfortunately, under these reforms, minimum wage plus benefits plus allowances plus free medicine and so on, meant that we now have two generations of low income earners (probably around 40-50% of the population, who truly believe that the State owes them a living and that the Government's role is to "provide for them".
This is a massive cultural political burden that needs to change, and fast.
Some hope!
Nazzareno Cortis
Aug 24th 2012, 18:40
Victor----f'listess sena meta dahlet il VAT ta 15% u wara li Malta dahlet Fl "EU" din gholiet ghall 18 % !!!! Fuq kull oggett li nixtru!!!! U f'listess zmien -----Ghax insejt ukoll----meta cilindru gass ghola minn 5 ewro u 40 cents ghall 19.50 ewros!!! Hallina siehbi u ddahhaqx nies bik!!! specjalment fi zmien partikolari----tkunx c bit tikka!!
Issa halli nirrispondik----- "l-edukazzjoni giet obbligatorja ghall kulhadd" dahlet bejn 1955/1958 taht gvern Laburista-----u l-"income tax dahlet meta kien ministru Colombo-----fittex l-istorja ta Malta u tkun taf ezatt id-dati !!!!!!
A Abela
Aug 24th 2012, 21:23
@Aaron de giorgio
"the welfare state created by Mr Mintoff will be a massive burden" what bais. Maybe we should reverse everthing Mr Mintoff did. Apart from the things you mentioned you forgot to mention Mr Mintoff flagship, the two thirds pension scheme introduced in 1979. What about the thosands of plots, houses and flats that were practically given for free. Should they be returned in case they are part of the massive burden.
Eddy Privitera
Aug 24th 2012, 21:23
Jekk niftakar tajjeb l-income-tax giet introdtta fin- 1947 jew 1\948 mil-gvern laburista ta' Boffa-
Tarcisio Mifsud
Aug 24th 2012, 17:16
Jiena ma mortx narah mejjet, ghax kont rajtu bizzejjed meta kien haj. U meta kien haj giebtlu rispett kbir ghax kien huwa li ghallimni nixtri l-faham, il-prodotti taz-zejt. Ghallieni nirriskja, ghalliemni nistenna, ghalliemni nkun ragel, ghalliemni nkun proud bix-xoghol tieghi, u minkejja li gieli ghajjat mieghi dak kien jaghmlu biex ikun cert li jiena nkun ghamilt dmiri lejn il-pajjiz kif jixraq, minghajr l-ebda biza minn hadd, ghax la taghmel is-sewwa hadd ma jista jerbahlek. Minkejja li ma mortx narah mejjet, imma tlabt ghalih ghax dak huwa l-aktar importanti.
A Dimech
Aug 24th 2012, 17:53
Prosit Tarcisio.
G Mangion
Aug 24th 2012, 17:15
Wihed mill aktar Slogans fuq bicca kartuna li juri lipokrazija ta certu nies, li rajt il - bierah fuq it T.V kien jinqara hekk : GRAZZI U AHFIRLI , PERIT . tejd ghaliex ? jitolbu il - perit Jahfrilhom ....! Ghalija kien messu jinqara hekk -
GRAZZI U NAHFRULEK PERIT .
G.Mangion.
Lee Micallef
Aug 24th 2012, 17:15
although Mintoff was not everyone's cup of tea and did some bad and some good things i fail to see how people react as if this was a very close relative or something . He was a politician for goodness sake and the Maltese people need to learn not to put politicians on pedestals or think they are some kind of superior being ! RIP as a person
Michael Magri
Aug 24th 2012, 19:03
Mr Micallef.. I can assure you that, for goodness sake, Dom Mintoff was NOT just a politician.
His era was not like it is today. It was an era of the Super Powers, i.e. America & Russia. They dictated everything that went on in the world. Dom Mintoff was the right politician at the right time for Malta. Malta then and up to 1964 was a British Colony, and even then Malta was not FULLY Independent, as the British were still holding on to the most strategic points and places in Malta. Like the airport, the ports, telecommunications, broadcasting, and so on and so forth.
Very breifly, Dom Mintoff had a very clear vision for Malta and the Maltese and of which he was more than determined to imply. Firstly there was the total liberation from colonialism.. Then being self sustainable and last but not least, making Malta a Social State, whereby with some state aid, EVERYBODY should be in a position to be able to live decent life.
Mr. Micallef, i can assure that all that was not very easy to achieve.. I know because i lived those years.
Ofcourse.. What i said is just like a drop in the ocean, because the details involved will surely fill up this newspaper very EASILY.
C Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 16:37
Illum Mintoff hu mejjet u kull min qed jikteb hazin fuqu meta hu mejjet hu bezziegh. Fuq bniedem ikteb li trid meta hu haj ghax ghandu cans jirrispondi; meta jmut bniedem ghandna infahhru dak li hu tajjeb ghax il-mejjet telaq u l-familja jista' ma jkollha x taqsam xejn.
Issa nigu ghan-nies li qeghdin ihossu ;li ghandhom jirrispettawh bil-prezenza taghhom; nemmen u nghid li ghandhom dritt; inzertajt minhiex wiehed minnhom ghax kieku dawn ir-rimarki moqzieza ma jeffetwawnix.
Nerga nirrepeti u nemmen li llum mhux iz-zmien li nitkellmu hazin fuq Mintoff; tant hu hekk li anke EFA ma semma xejn partikulari u l-awtoritajiet kollha ta kull naha marru jaghtu rispett.
Rocco Camilleri
Aug 24th 2012, 16:30
Veru Perit kien haqqek li jkollok funeral statali ghaliex il-gid li ghamilt lil pajjizek se jibqu Munumenti Kbar li qed ingawdu minnhom sa' llum u il quddiem ghalkemm hemm min ga' hattlek minnhom. Rajt nies jibku xjuh u mezza eta u zaghzagh ohra u tfal iccassati iharsu ghax qatt ma' kienu semghu fuqek daqshekk ghax kien hemm minn ipprova inessihomlom. Ma' tixbax tisma l-kliem meqjus li kont tghamel f'kull meeting kolossali fejn qatt ma' kont tinsulenta lil hadd imma tuza kliem meqjuz u b'tghaliem imprezzabbli. Anke waqt li qed inharbex dawn iz-zewg kelmiet inhossni kommos u ninharaq nara kitbiet kontra tieghek, ghax veru jrid ikollok qalbek berzuta biex ma' tammettiex dak kollu li ghamilt ghalina PERIT. Min jaf kemm iljieli ghamilt ma' torqodx minnhabba fina biex tarana ingawdu l-quddiem Int li-erfajt liz-zghir minn taht u hloqt il-faxxa tan-nofs tal-HADDIEM li qatt ma' kienet tezizti. Int li ghent lil hafna familji tal-Haddiema billi tajthom fejn iddahlu rashom u ohrajn art fuqhiex jibnu, Childrens Allowance, Bonus kull sena, gimgha ta'40 siegha, nofs ta' nhari lil haddiema tac-civil, Sick leave u leave u hafna ohrajn li taqta niffsek tiktibhom kollha. Dan barra xoghol iehor li Malta qatt ma' kellha jew setgha jkollha bhalu. Int li tajt ic-cans li ulied il-haddiem jidhol l-Universita fejn iggradwaw bhall ulied ta' haddiehor f''hafna oqsma ta' bzonn utli ghal pajjizna ghax kont temmen fil-Maltin. Int ma' komplejtx thalli hela ta' rizorsa ta' nies bis-sengha jitilqu jew jibghatuhom barra pajjizna. Dan kollu se' jkunu jafuh billi mezzi ta' l-Internet popli ohra barra minn xtutna halli aktar ikunu jafu xkont issarraf ghal pajjizna. Strieh fil-Mulej PERIT li tant qalu li int Komunist. GOD BLESS YOUR WORK AND EMBRACE YOU IN HEAVEN.
John Mifsud
Aug 24th 2012, 16:28
If one wants to be constructive, Mintoff's achievements by far outweigh the few 'mistakes' which his government may have done.
I was disgusted by the article in the catholic herald by Father Lucie-Smith, supposedly a 'catholic'. I personally think that his prayers should be directed to some members of the clergy who did not give the last rites to innocent catholic church-goers, members of the clergy who were responsible for burying Maltese Catholics in a piece of land which was referred to as a dunghill.
The hatred in the hearts of some people for this great man is amazing. I pity them because I am sure that all this envy is eating them from inside.
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 17:06
John Mifsud
Today, 16:28
@ The hatred in the hearts of some people for this great man is amazing. I pity them because I am sure that all this envy is eating them from inside.
I AGREE WITH YOU AND I THANK GOD THAT EVERY ONE HAVE TO DIE
Mr Alex Phillips
Aug 25th 2012, 06:27
John, someone has to do something to evoke hatred. You dont just hate for the sake of hate. Mintoff did a lot to a lot to evoke a lot of hatred. Some loved him, many hated him. That's life and nothing and no one can change that. As they say, you reap what you sow.
Angelo Vassallo
Aug 24th 2012, 16:23
@ EDDIE privitera
EDDIE, fis-snin sittin, fi zmien il-Prim Ministru l-Onorevoli Dottor Giorgio Borg Olivier, jiena kont immur l-iskola Primarja li kienet FULL TIME. EDDIE mhux minnu li qieghed tghid int, li l-iskola kienet part-time. EDDIE jiena kont immur l-iskola filghodu bejn 08.00 u 12.00, wara mmorru d-dar nieklu u nistriehu. EDDIE konna nergghu mmorru lura l-iskola wara nofsinhar bejn 14.00 u 16.00.
Din hija l-VERITA`. Tkunx IPOKRITA EDDIE
l-iskola part-time qatt ma ezisttit
Carlo Borg: Taf x'edukazzjoni kienet tezisti qabel Mintoff ? EDUKAZZJONI PART-TIME, MIN FILGHODU, U MIN WARA NOFS IN-NHAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Noel Abela
Aug 24th 2012, 17:07
Angelo meta int kont ghadek nemlu l'iskola IVA kienet part-time. Kellu ikun il Gvern ta' Mintoff 1955 li nehha dan billi bena skejjel kemm felah ghat-tfal tal-haddiema u wara hafna snin gewdejt min dan kollu INT bhal ma qed gawdi Universita' b'xejn issa ghax Mintoff ghamila b'xejn biex meta tikber int tkun tista tmur hemm bla hlas. Mela please ikber ftit iehor u qalleb fil-kotba tal-istorja forsi titaghlem xi haga. Ghax billi lilna tajarna Lejburisti ma tkun qed tnaqsilna l'ebda penz anzi..............................
Tony Abela
Aug 24th 2012, 17:24
Angelo fis snin sittin kont tmur l iskola full time ghax bejn 1955 u 1958 meta onorevoli mintoff kien prim ministru ghamel l iskola obligatorja u full time
mark johnson
Aug 24th 2012, 16:22
I knew the Maltese were capable of forming an orderly queue if they put their mind to it.
Ms Christine Micallef
Aug 24th 2012, 17:47
Good one !! :)
Kleaven Maniscalco
Aug 24th 2012, 16:21
Maaaa x'fanatizmu certu nies
j brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 16:21
Whilst we wish him eternal peace we pray for the one who insulted him most!
Now the message is very clear for this same person!
He is loved by the public in general who yesterday thronged the streets and today flocked to pay their last respects! But what about..........?
(jb)
Gordon Galea
Aug 24th 2012, 17:08
It's not as if all Malta was there JB - many people oppose him but that doesn't mean that they will all post comments etc.
A Tonna
Aug 24th 2012, 16:03
'Public flocks to pay respects to Mintoff'. But there are still some who are doing their best to insult him and render meaningless the efforts and sacrifices he made and the achievements he obtained to build a new modern Malta. On the contrary they say how he harmed the country.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2012/08/22/dom-mintoff-a-dominant-figure-in-malta-for-30-years-did-great-harm-to-his-country/
Can't believe how many persons can have so much hatred in them and this is coming from a supposedly 'catholic priest' on a supposedly catholic site, and I cannot believe how this site allowed persons to post vulgar comments. Are these followers of Christ? The 60's are coming back,!
Joseph Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 16:40
Jien kont nemmen fil knisja kattolika u issa iktar nemmen wara li qrajt l-artiklu moghqziez ta dan suppost qassis kattoliku. Min dejjem ghid jiena li l-knisja hija organizzazjoni politka wkoll. Dejjem jinqdew b'Alla biex jistghanew min fuq dar il popli. U dan ilu sejjer min zmien Konstantinu.
Nazzareno Cortis
Aug 24th 2012, 19:01
Siehbi Joeseph Borg-----jien ili li ndunajt b'lipokresija ta whud minn dawn in nies mis snin 60!!!!----Kelli biss 15 il sena---ma tawnix assuluzzjoni ghax il-genituri kienu mintoffjani!!!!! Jien ili minn dak iz-zmien nitlob fil kwiet ta qalbi bil mod tieghi,u nhossni kuntent!!! Dak iz-zmien naffar hafna nies mill knejjes!!!! Jien il-lum nghodd ftit zmien mhux hazin----imma filwaqt li dejjem emmint u tlabt lill hanin Alla (ta veru)---ma dawn ma rridx affari!!!
S. Cuschieri
Aug 24th 2012, 19:13
@ Joseph Borg
why? This is just an account of someone who has lived during those years and as you may know, not everything was 'ward u zghar' as us Maltese would say. Yes, Mintoff introduced various benefits but a lot of people endured harsher brutalities during those years which make them less fond of this figure (and they have a right to).
Joseph Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 20:42
@S. Cuschieri
Sorry but you did not understood my message. Secondly even under the PN a lot of people endured harsher brutalities and one of them is me my friend. But i repeat again my message was not about what did one or the other but it was about the false teaching of the catholic church especially by its members. If you take a look at the statistics about religion believes you find a rapid decrease of memebers from the catholic faith. The catholic church is showing its hypocritsm day after day untill a time will come when the vatican will just stand alone with just a few cardinals walking around the corridors.
twanny borg
Aug 24th 2012, 16:02
nahseb li biex tifhem lil mintoff trid tistudja l-karattru tieghu. mintoff kien twarrab fi zmien li l-mlp kien fil-gvern ta' sant u bniedem li kien imdorri bl-attenzjoni u issa gie moghti l-gemb din weggatu hafna. nahseb weggatu wkoll li sant rebah lil efa li kienet sorpriza u haga li ma ghamilx huwa. f'certu zmien in-nazzjonalisti tawh aktar attenzjoni u din ghenet ukoll biex huwa hadha kontra sant. in-nazzjonalisti tawh kollox li xtaq. nahseb li bi ftit pacenzja mintoff kien icedi imma mhux bl-arroganza u billi tajru traditur. sant jimmerita li naddaf il partit minn marmalja ghax induna li l-mlp kien qed jitlef biha.
Gaeta Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 15:33
Grazzi Perit tal-gid li int ghamilt mieghi, mal-familja tieghi u mal poplu kollu ta Malta. Tlifna lil missieri ta' eta zghira u kont inti li hrigt l-ghajnuna socjali li ommi kienet tircievi u b'hekk bis-sahha tieghek setghet trabbina u taghtina l-edukazzjoni mehtiega. Anke fuq il-post tax-xoghol tieghi, kont inti li bl-ghaqal tieghek waqqaft il-kumpanija fejn fil-present ghadni nahdem, bir relazzjoni tajba li kellek mal-Libya. U ghalhekk jiena ghadni ngawdi frott il-hidma tieghek. Grazzi ta' kollox Perit u qatt mhu ser ninsa l-gid kollu li inti ghamilt. R.I.P.
Gaeta Muscat - Hal-Safi
Shawn Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 15:20
F'dawn il-jiem Malta kollha waqfet sabiex isellem lil dan il- bniedem kbir u hekk xiereq. li ma kienx ghalih min jaf f liema livell tal hajja ahna llum. pajjizi ohra wara hakmiet dittatorjali jew kolonjali ma kellhomx ix-xorti li kellhna ahna li kellhna mutur li immedjatament startja l-magna ta l-ekonomija. Perit il-generazjonijiet prezenti u dawk futuri huwa midjuna lejk ,
Nawgura li monument tieghek ghandu jkun ximkien fil-belt fejn jispikka ghal kull minn jidhol il-belt ghax hekk jixraq halli jfakkar il-monumenti kbar hajjin li inti ghamilt u li qeghdin ingawduhom illum.
F' qalbi u f hsiebi Ghaziz perit ghal dejjem
Ivan Delia
Aug 24th 2012, 15:00
Inselimlek Missier Malta ! Mhux se ninsewk qatt ghal gid li ghamilt lil dan il-Pajjiz !
Brian Farrugia
Aug 24th 2012, 14:52
Our cry should be Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox, and not il -partit l-ewwel u qabel kollox, Mintoff practised this too well 1958, 1984, 1998. The party was his tool for Malta and not the other way round, shame on most of the politicians we have today. We are heading to catastrophy and a failed country.
A Tonna
Aug 24th 2012, 15:28
So true. You couldn't have put it better Brian!
Ms Sandra Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 15:37
I really think we are much better off now than in Dom Mintoff's time for sure Mr Farrugia
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 16:57
Ms Sandra Grech
Today, 15:37
better off >> O YES WHAT 6 BILLION EUROS NATIONAL DEFICIT !!!
D Vella
Aug 24th 2012, 14:40
Good luck to all concerned and God rest his soul. I can not say that I can look upon my childhood years with much fondness, largely thanks to this man.
Ronnie Callus
Aug 24th 2012, 14:38
Bir-rispett kollu lejn certi bloggers opposti nixtieq nghidilhom li din tista tkun hafna ghejra ghax jafu li bhal Mintoff lil hadd ma' kellhom. Anzi kien hemm li fi zmienu meta kien jigi biex jghamel xi haga ghas-servizzi socjali jew jghati xi zjieda lil haddiem kienu jivvutaw kontra. Anzi ! fl-ahhar qed jirrielizzaw kemm kienu u huma zbaljati ghax dak li ghamel Mintoff mghamlux ghalih personali imma ghal kull cittadin Malti Ahmar u Blu u xi kulur iehor ukoll. Mintoff kien verament ihoss ghal haddiem ghax kien iben bniedem komuni bhallna u qatt ma' sab halqu fix-xghir bhalma forsi jsibu tan-naha l-ohra. Nghid Proset lil Joseph Muscat tal-hila li wera biex jghaqqad il-Partit u ukoll lil Dr.Gonzi li ppermetta li jsirlu funeral statali li MALTA zgur mhux se tara iehor bhalu. Ix-xewqa ta' hafna hi li dan kollu jmissu jaqghad il-poplu flimkien u nahdmu fuq il-principju ta' Mintoff 'MALTA L-EWWEL U QABEL KOLLOX' bil-fatti u mhux bil-kliem biss. Inhoss qalbi tinghafas meta tisma jew tara certu kitba b'tant hdura lejn bniedem li hadem bla heda biex iwwaqqaf tant Servizzi Socjali mix-xejn u jibni lil Malta mill-gdid minn wara t-tifrik tal-Gwerra u minn wahda kolonjali tiddeppendi fuq is-servizzi Inglizi u dak li jogghobhom ittuna ghal wahda Reppuplika b-raghjna f'Idejna u President Malti. X' maghandniex nuru rikkonoxximent lejn dan il-bniedem li uzu hajtu ghal pajjizu b'tant saggrifficcji personali u tal-familja. Kemm ghamlulu fi' zmienu miskien lil dan il-bniedem sa' waslu li qalu li riedu jsallbuh. Biss Perit int bqajt sod sa' l-ahhar fit-twemien tieghek u dejjem hrigt rebbieh ghax kont tghamel il-homework tajjeb. Bnejt relazzjoni tajba ma' kull rokna tad-dinja u dejjem rajt x'tista iggib lejn pajjizek u mhux x'se' tiggwadanja int. J'Alla l-Ispirtu tieghek jibqa fostna u nhaddnu t-tghaliem kollu tieghek li hallejtilna. JOSEPH take note of all his speeches and see what is relevant to the present situation. Wish you good luck for the benefit of our country, which I feel sure that a lot are going to vote for your party. RIP PERIT.
Mr Clayton Mangion
Aug 24th 2012, 14:27
R.I.P MINTOFF
GRAZZI TA KOLLOX !!!
Familja Mangion Min Hal Safi !
Vincent Galea
Aug 24th 2012, 14:24
I think, my humble opinion, that it is most undignified to have people looking at you when you cannot look back.
Joe Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 14:02
It was thanks to Dom Mintoff that many people received an acceptable secondary education. His methods were crude because it was only by determined action that he could achieve what he did. Sadly what he obtained for Malta has now been sold to outsiders.
Hopefully the politicians filing before his coffin will emulate this great patriot and go by his repeated cry: Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox!
Presently Mintoff's cry has been fortgotten by politicians who prefer another: The interests of the Party before all else!
salvu zammit
Aug 24th 2012, 13:52
When Christ was on Earth he said "Judge ye not, so that you will not be judged". Why are you judging a dead person? I am sure that these people who are making these judgements, have sometime or other made use use of our social servises. God is the only Judge! rest in peace
Mr John Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 13:51
Fanaticism in some cases?
Joseph Mizzi
Aug 24th 2012, 13:46
Tislima aħħarija lil Mexxej kbir.
Għax kbir għamel żbalji kbar ukoll.
Imma kollox ma kollox, Dom Mintoff tassew kien il-perit li biddel lil pajjiżna fl-aħħar nofs tas-seklu għoxrin. Mintoff jiqba’ f’qalbi tul ħajti kollha. Kondoljanzi lill-familjari tiegħu.
ALBINO ELLUL
Aug 24th 2012, 13:35
mr,j. brincat those who did not come ,it is not because of the bad comments but because they were bitten by his Justine done to them when he was in power.. although they might forgive .but they do not forget because they are still suffering now if you want to call that justest then you are really out of this world
matthew tanti
Aug 24th 2012, 14:22
l-edukazzjoni b'xejn donnha ma tantx swiet ghal certu nies
Carlo Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 14:57
Sur Matthew Tanti, L-edukazzjoni b'xejn kienet ilha hemm minn qabel Gorg Borg Olivier. Ma nafx kif qieghed jghidu li Mintoff gabha.
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 15:30
ALBINO ELLUL
Today, 13:35
@ Really out of this world !!?? mr. j. brincat those who did not come ???
Could it be that they were EGOIST that they think for themselves only ??
for all the social services which DOM MiNTOFF are for every one !!!
Mr Luke Vella
Aug 24th 2012, 15:34
@ Carlo Borg
Taf li qabel Borg Olivier kien hemm Pawlu Boffa? Taf li Mintoff ghamel l-iskola obbligatorja, taf li li fetah l-Junior Lyceums?
Eddy Privitera
Aug 24th 2012, 15:38
Carlo Borg: Taf x'edukazzjoni kienet tezisti qabel Mintoff ? EDUKAZZJONI PART-TIME, MIN FILGHODU, U MIN WARA NOFS IN-NHAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Gatt
Aug 24th 2012, 16:42
@Eddy Privitera and co. Obligatory education was first introduced by the French. The British open a school in every town and village in the 19th century and in 1946 education became obligatory at primary school level (and free). The Lyceum (which opened just after the war) was one of the finest secondary schools on the island. It was also a government school that offered FREE education for the best students whatever their status. The Junior Lyceum mentioned by another correspondent was originally a polytechnic and provided excellent foundation in technical crafts and was around since the sixties. De La Salle college was offering education for Drydock workers since much earlier. The Secondary Education for All act was introduced in 1970. And the period between 1955 and 1971 was marked by the building of a number of new schools and higher education institutions (as can be evidenced by the architectural style of many of these buildings). Mintoff continued on work started in the years before. However he also created major confusion first in the seventies when Agatha Barbara was Minister of Education and proceeded with the complete removal of streaming and the downgrading of the status of teachers, and then in the late seventies with the dismantling of the university turning it into a glorified polytechnic and for which we are still suffering the consequences, vide the mediocre level of lecturers and education in this country. (The current commentary on the papers today is a perfect testimony of what I mean)
By all means adore your heroes but please get your facts right
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 24th 2012, 13:31
Perit grazzi, ghamilt ragel minni, ma ninsiek qatt. Grazzi ta Kollox
Ninu
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 24th 2012, 20:17
Eddy Privitera...Jien kont immur l-iskola tal-gvern fl-1946/47 u dejjem mort gurnata shiha, filghodu u fl-ghaxija. Ma nafx minn fejn gibtha din tal-part-time. Kelna wkoll lezzjonijiet tad-drawing mill famuz pittur, Joseph Calleja, u lezzjonijiet tal-muzika minn Toni Pellegrini. Terga' darba fil-gimgha fl-ghaxija fis-sitta kont tista' tattendi ghal-lezzjonijiet tax-shorthand bil-Malti. It-teacher kien Mr Ransley. L-iskola primarja kienet ilha b'xejn minn qabel il-gwerra fi zmien id-Direttur ta' l-Edukazjoni Laferla. L-iskola bil-fors ghal kull minn ghandu anqas minn 14 il-sena giet bl-Compulsory Education Act fl-1946, qabel ma kien hemm l-ewwel gvern Laburista ta' Paul Boffa; l-istess il-vot tan-nisa gie moghti qabel il-gvern ta' Boffa, in fatti kien l-ewwel darba fl-elezzjoni tal-1947 li n-nisa vvotaw. U kien il-gvern ta' Boffa li ntroduca is-servizzi socjali, ir-relief; ghalhekk dahlet l-Income Tax mill-ministru tal-Finanzi Colombo fl-1948, u l-lotterija nazzjonali. L-iskejjel sekondarji saru bla hlas fiz-zmien il-Koalizzjoni ta' Borg Olivier/Boffa fil-bidu tal-hamsinijiet. Mintoff tela' fil-gvern wara, fl-1955. L-Universita giet b'xejn ghal kulhadd fis-sittinijiet fi zmien il-gvern nazzjonalista ta' BorgOlivier. Imma min ma kienx jista' jhallas, l-Universita kienet ilha bla hlas ferm qabel. Ma nezagerawx, Borg Olivier u Mintoff ziedu s-servizzi socjali li bdew fi zmien Boffa. U ta' dan x'ha Boffa mil Mintoffjani? Fl-1949, Boffa gie ttratat aghar minn Alfred Sant fl-1998. Dik taghti d-dinja. In life you meet all sorts.
Eddy Privitera
Aug 25th 2012, 21:22
Joseph Briffa: B'min tahseb li qieghed tidhak ? Kieku veru dak li ktibt int GHALIEX IL-PN QATT MA JIDDIKJARA DAN FIL-PARLAMENT, PER EZEMPJU ??? JEW JOHROG IMIERI LIL DR. MUSCAT META JSEMMI DAWN L-AFFARIJIET DWAR IL-VOT LIN-NISA, IL-WELFARE-STATE, ETC..ETC.. ???
carmel muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 13:24
il hasra hija li lil dak liikun iffahruh wara mewtu din veru hasra
D. Xerri
Aug 24th 2012, 14:04
Naqbel Mieghek Perfettament !
Missu ilu zmien twil dan il-Pajjiz janalizza u jeduka fuq il-principji u l-kisbiet kbar li gab go Pajjizna l-Perit Mintoff pero wisq nibza li f`Malta jezistu Zewg Kotba tal-ISTORJA u mhux wiehed - l-istess jigri f`xi Dokumentarju li naraw dwar l-Istorja ta` Dan il-Poplu - Min juri naha u min juri n-naha l-ohra tal-istorja - u Ghadna qatt ma wasalna li nuru dak kollu li kien L-ISTORJA TA DAN IL-POPLU bit-tajjeb u l-hazin kollhu taghha !
G Tonna
Aug 24th 2012, 13:23
'Nothing is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity' Luther King
Charles Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 13:19
Well well well, all Prime Ministers are placed in there seat to serve the country and they all get paid well including the late Mintoff. So what is the big deal here,
D. Xerri
Aug 24th 2012, 13:59
The Big Deal is Not Being a Prime Minister and getting paid for it But ACHIEVING Goals like Giving Malta back to the Maltese People after hundreds of years that Malta Belonged to Foreign Empires and Rulers !
Dom Mintoff taught the Maltese to Stop looking face bowed when in front of our foreign rulers but to look eye to eye ! He was the man to stop the inferiority , the ignorance , the servitude !
Along with that Before Mintoff there was Nothing but beggars, homeless or very poor housing, no health services, no pensions, no sick-leave, no maternity leave, no vote for women , no childrens` allowances, no bonuses.... in a few words He Built the entire Welfare State in this country from Nothing but Pure hard work and excellent negotiations and relationships with every foreign country able and willing to help Malta !
Michael Magri
Aug 24th 2012, 15:18
You Must Be Joking Sur Muscat.. Mela you judge some prime minister`s successes by how much he is paid...!!!
WE Judge the Great Mr. Dom Mintoff By His Amazing Abilities, Shrewdness and Guts, Of How He Manages To Emiliorate His Country To The MOST Benefit Of It`s Citizins, During The Most Difficult Times, In Malta And Abroad..!!
Hallina Trid.....!!!
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 24th 2012, 15:33
Charles Muscat..if you recall, one of the first things the Mintoff government did was to award themselves a hefty rise in their salaries. Charity begins at home, they say.
D. Xerri
Aug 24th 2012, 13:18
Dom Mintoff is The Man who gave Malta to the Maltese ! ..... if it was for this reason ONLY it would be already very much ! .... we maltese never had a country before Dom Mintoff ..... we were just either under a foreign empire or under a foreign ruler !
Then when it comes to Welfare - Before Dom Mintoff there was NOTHING !
This Man loved and did so much for this country that totally erases the bad comments and past errors that some mention .
R.I.P. dear Dom Mintoff
Anthony Agius
Aug 24th 2012, 13:14
Farellwell Leader of precise eyesight and God be with you for ever and ever
Mr Luke Vella
Aug 24th 2012, 13:07
Reading some hatred comments about il-perit, then I come to one conclusion in his words, "Min ma jitghallimx, ghax ma jridx".
RIP Dom, yesterday's TV footage was enough to believe what a state man he was.
Victor Pulis
Aug 24th 2012, 13:06
Lucienne Dimech
Today, 12:11
I love these pictures they really portray the hypocrisy of our politicians
It's comments like these that sow hatred not criticism of some of the negative things Mintoff did. What would you have said if the PN did not pay yheir respects? What will you say when the PL goes to pay their respect (as I'm sure they will) to Eddie when his time comes? Political opposition is not hatred.
Tony Agius
Aug 24th 2012, 13:03
Mela lewwel in nies tal Partit gabuh frokna tant li kellu bilfors jivvota kontra il partit u iwaqqa il Gvern tal Partit li Hu stess mexxa ghal hafna snin , imbghad listess nies tal Partit ghajruh TRADITUR , U HAFNA KIENU LI QGHALU li ma jahfrulhux , u issa hafna dmghuh tal kukkudrilli , u jigru bil gisem mejjet tieghu min Kniesja ghal ohra , xi haga li kiku kien ghadu haj zgur li ma kienx jippermettiha , Lanqas rispet lejn ix xewqghat tieghu u limgieba tieghu f'hajtu ma gew rispettati .
rest in pease Perit .
D. Xerri
Aug 24th 2012, 13:49
Nahseb li kieku l-Perit Mintoff ried li jkollu funeral privat u mhux statali kif qed tghid inti, li dan ma kienx jippermettih li jigru bih minn knisja ghall ohra kien jaghmel testment u juri x-xewqa tieghu Mr Tony Agius. Hafna kummenti jsiru minghajr ma dak li jkun jahseb naqra qabel ipacpac u jlablab u jiggudika lill dak u lill iehor !
Ronnie Callus
Aug 24th 2012, 14:10
@ Tony Aguis:
Xridtuh jghamel lil Mintoff li jivvota favur !! xi haga li kienet tmur kontra t-twemien tieghu u tal-Partit meta Dr.Sant bir-rispett kollu gholla l-pitroju u affarijiet ohra ezzenzjali li bihom jghix il-HADDIEM li tant iggieled ghalihom Mintoff. Mintoff meta ra' l-Partit qed jimxi fuq principji kontra t-twemien Socjalista ma' ridtx iccappas idejh maghhom u kellu mitt ragun. Wara kullhadd beda jinduna bli zball li ghamlu u nghid Grazzi lil Joseph Muscat li kellu rhiela iddahhal lil Mintoff fil-Kwartieri u jerga jaqghad il-Partit. Mintoff qatt ma' iggieled personalment ma' xi hadd fl-oppozizjoni imma kellu irhila jipperswadi bl-argumenti sodi u studjati tieghu.Sur.Agius toqghodtx tghid issa kollu biki tal-kukkudrili ghax l-importanti hu li wiehed jgharaf li-zball u jirrikkoncilja. In-nies li marru l-corteo bkew bil-qalb u bir-ragun ghax li ma kienx MINTOFF ma' kienx ikollna dawn is-SERVIZZI SOCJALI kollha, operazzjonijiet b'xejn, medicini b'xejn, Pensjonijiet ghall kulhadd , gimgha ta' 40 siegha u leave/sick leave u ruxxmata ohra. Dan barra il-jobs li qatt ma' konna noholmu li xi darba jkollna - qed nirreferi ghall Pilots kemm ta' l-ajruplani u anke tal-bahar. Anke waqt li qed nikteb dawn iz-zewg kelmiet inhossni kommos u ninfaqa nibki. Inhoss hafna meta xi drabi qed nisma tfal jistaqsu ' Mela min kien dan Mintoff ' b'certu zuvjet. U dan inhoss li gej mill-genituri taghhom ghax misshom jghidulhom li kieku ma' kienx Mintoff mhumiex jiehdu 'CHILDREN ALLOWANCE' barra affarijiet ohra. GOD BLESS PERIT u daqstant iehor laqawk b'ferh fis-sema. REST IN PEACE now PERIT.
david debattista
Aug 24th 2012, 12:53
WE BID FAREWELL TO A MAN OF SUBSTANCE AND LEADERSHIP DOM MINTOOF ! R.I.P.
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 12:25
Although the PN BLOCKERS tried to DISCOURAGE PEOPLE by NEGATIVE comments about DOM MINTOFF
the PEOPLE turned out in THOUSANDS to pay their RESPECTS to this GIANT MAN that MALTA had ever
seen and will never see again !!!!!
YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS FOR EVER
GOD BLESS YOU DOM MINTOFF
Robert Cassar
Aug 24th 2012, 13:06
WIth all due Respect, Mr Brincat, there were many Nationalists as well who paid homage to the Late Dom Mintoff...Yours was a sweeping statement which certainly does not honor the name of the Late Prime Minister...nor that of moderate Labourites...
Anthony Agius
Aug 24th 2012, 13:11
I agree with your comment that this GIANT MAN, MALTA had never seen like him, However, time will come when another like him will appear when MALTA will be mostly in need of him!
P Azzopardi
Aug 24th 2012, 16:13
as usual , hopeless and senseless comments by this so called blogger......come to think of it , maybe you should check your laptop keys as the caps lock seems to get stuck often in your comments !!!
Lucienne Dimech
Aug 24th 2012, 12:11
I love these pictures they really portray the hypocrisy of our politicians
Andrew Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 12:49
what are you expecting? if he played a big part in shaping the history of our country and he obviously is a great politician, whether people like him or not, the least they can do is go and see him for the last time. they do not show hypocrisy since if they did not agree with him on certain ideas, this doesn't mean that they are now agreeing with him, the people are simply showing some respect even if they have not liked him during his times
Alfred Falzon
Aug 24th 2012, 13:01
Well said.
Saviour Fenech
Aug 24th 2012, 13:47
kumment immatur
carmel cassar
Aug 24th 2012, 11:33
It is easier to destroy then outshine
Michael Camileri
Aug 24th 2012, 13:24
I like that quote :)
Mr raynond ciancio
Aug 24th 2012, 11:17
most of you can say what you want here today, the real people that love their country cannot answer you, they are otherwise observing bereavement their most beloved leader. case closed
A Trapani
Aug 24th 2012, 11:41
... so I am not a real person that love my country since i'm not observing the coffin with Mintoff in it? Not very good reasoning ciancio
Ms Maria Vella
Aug 24th 2012, 12:25
Mr Ciancio
I love my country much more than you do if you portray this man as a saint - he had his good points but he certainly was no saint.
May he rest in peace
Joseph Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 12:58
@Ms Maria Vella
Enlight me a name of a saint please. Do you believe in saints? I dont.
Pablo Mallia
Aug 24th 2012, 14:05
The people who loved their country took us to Europe not to Libja, Korea, Russia, and all the communist countries. Go rest in peace and leave us rest and look forward in a free and democratic country.
Michael Vella
Aug 24th 2012, 14:31
I can mention many Saints...Mintoff is certainly not one of them.....definately a good statesman and politician (not that i agreed with him in the slightest)...but he certainly is no saint........May he rest in peace
Eugene Sapiano
Aug 24th 2012, 14:32
Mrs Vella I am not going to comment whether Mintoff was a saint or not; but in Italy a former prime minister, de Gasperi was recommended for sainthood, but wait a minute he belonged to the Christian Democratic party always supported by the popes even though members of this party were involved in several scandals.
John Caruana
Aug 24th 2012, 11:05
The evil that men do lives after them, the good is always interned with their bone. Ma nafx jekk ikkwotajtx sewwa lil Shakespeare.Imma dan il-kliem ghandkom ittemu sewwa intom li hsiebkom biss biex issemmu l-izbalji ta' Mintoff. Jien qatt ma vvotajtlu lil Mintoff imma il-verita tibqa verita u bhala insara ahna ssoltu ninsew ui nahfru l-izbalji ta' dak li jkun meta jmut, il-gudizzju inhalluh ghal Mulej.
C Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 11:20
agree
Michael borg
Aug 24th 2012, 12:02
Mr. Caruana,
jekk jogbok dan mhux il-mument ta ghax ghalkemm jien labour u kburi, qatt ma ghamilt hsara lil hadd it-tieni habib oqghod attent ghax ma tafx x jista jigrielek. Kull kelma tigi osservata,jekk jogghbok din id-darba uri rispett ghax Mintoff huwa bniedem li jekk issir tafu sew tkun kburi li sirt tafu ghax karatru generus u umli.
Victor deBono
Aug 24th 2012, 10:53
All this politics bores me to tears. This was a man who was highly divisive and confrontational. Does Malta really need another such specimen? Let us thank God for little mercies.
Victor J deBono,
Grantham,
UK.
Michael Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 11:12
Since we live in societies where classes and groups of people have antagonistic interests. Divisions are not created by leaders though these may accentuate them. A society which is run in the interest of a number of group/classes, and not of others, may have leaders, parties and public opinion that pronounce all kind of discourse about unity and peace. Yet these would only serve to conceal existing divisions and injustice
C Muscat
Aug 24th 2012, 11:18
@ Victor deBono and others;
Shame on you that do not respect what many hundreds are doing; that is showing their respect. Even if we are not talking of someone just died......
Again I say shame on you. Today it is time for those that benefitted from this man to show respect that they wish to show. There are many others that benefitted and do not feel anything; so what! We leave everyone free to act civillly.
For your word specimen (again shame on you); please note that this specimen was able to govern and increase social benefits without having to be in the trouble like so many eu countries because every year the country accounts were in black in real and strong black..
RIP to him and condolescences to the family
David Farrugia
Aug 24th 2012, 11:20
Mr. deBono. At least have some respect since Mintoff was a leading statesman. For those who were well off, Mintoff was a threat. Thank God that people like you Mr. deBono are not fit to live in our beloved country.
Mr raynond ciancio
Aug 24th 2012, 11:20
mr debono, this is not politics, this is a nation paying respect to a great leader that brought it forward in life
Michael Magri
Aug 24th 2012, 12:04
Mr DeBono.. Your assessment of Mr Mintoff makes me wonder of how genuine you realy are.. Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, was a man of a standing, knowing exactly what he wants and how to get it. His tactics bore fruit for Malta and ALL of it`s Citizins, EACH TIME HE WAS THE HELM. His era was at the time of the `Cold War` between Russia and the U.S.A. So that yes, that was the times were all politicians had to be tough when negotiating. Mr Mintoff always had on his political agenda of how to eradicate ignorance and poverty, of which he succeeded. Put Malta on the map again, left an economy of millions of malta pounds in Surplus and Lots of Maltese Companies which were pumping more millions in our economy.
So You Mr DeBono... This kind of `specimen`, as you so ignorantly refered to Mr Mintoff, had made political miracles, to the extend that when the PN took over, they found a lot of `waters` to `swim` in....!!
Ok.. Nobody is perfect, i admit... BUT ARE YOU MR DeBONO..!!!!
R.I.P. PERIT.... And MANY Thanks For All Your Political Sacrifces Towards Those MOST IN NEED...
A Wood
Aug 24th 2012, 13:06
@ Mr Ciancio, Could you please explain how He brought the country forward? I would like some details as I was not around at that time. Please explain in great detail what he did for Malta.
As far as I am concerned, an old politician has died, and that's it. My sincere respects for his family through this tough time.
Kenneth Williams
Aug 24th 2012, 13:37
tidher li toqghod l ingilterra ......ghax ma smajtx lil Albert Mizzi jitkellem fuq Mintoff halli tara kemm ma nixtiequx li ikollna wiehed bhalu . Mhux ahjar toqghod kwiet fejn qieghed u thalli lill politika ta Malta ghalina.
Vincent Borg
Aug 24th 2012, 13:39
@ Mr. Victor deBono
Nistaqsik, fejn hi r-rikoncillazzjoni?
Mintoff kien it-tarka u wens tal-fqir, imissek tisthi specialment jekk int gej minn razza li kienek fqira.
Michael Magri
Aug 24th 2012, 15:50
@ A WOOD... " Could you please explain how He brought the country forward? I would like some details as I was not around at that time. Please explain in great detail what he did for Malta...?"
Are You Serious...!!!!!!!! If you realy want to know ALL the details, and spend the rest of your life searching a LOT of Years of Mintoff`s Successful Political career, then you either go and make your searches at the National Library, The House of Representatives or The Labour Party Headquarters. Because, for anyone to do what you want to do in just a limited space of a newspaper, rest assured that there will surely be not enough space on this whole newspaper to do it...
Gordon Galea
Aug 24th 2012, 17:11
@ C Muscat & the likes - can you please stop quoting 'Shame on you' on people who disagree with your views? It just shows the attitude you inherited - my way or otherwise "shame on you".
Charles Micallef
Aug 24th 2012, 09:49
To those who think they can tamper with history...!
"The truth is incontrovertible.
'Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
Victor Laiviera
Aug 24th 2012, 10:11
Well said - as the last few days have shown. Decades of character assassination were blown away and the truth emerged - never to be distorted again.
Bertrand Gove
Aug 24th 2012, 10:38
Victor, the problem is that you fail to realise that exactly the same quote applies to the other side of the truth. You think that the many people mourning his death is enough an approval for whatever he's done back in the days? It's actually an insult to those who are crying for joy as this episode brings some closure to the suffering they had to endure. And because no one can tamper with history, the same argument can be used for both good and bad actions.
As this is one of the most controversial politicians of all time, I think it's more fitting to just respect the memory of Mintoff as a human being rather than a politician. You will get 100% of the nation behing the first objective, but you will never get everyone to agree on his way of doing politics.
Michael Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 11:16
@ Bertrand Gove regarding the partiality of history writing I fully agree (See my article in this paper http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120803/opinion/Search-for-honest-answers.431314).
However, what I find unacceptable (from a moral, not historical point of view), is that when in the recent past people who belonged to the other side of the political divide died, the common feeling was that one could only say or write good things about them, with regards to Mintoff the prudent version is admitting that he did good things and bad things, while the 'less prudent' one is showing outright joy. No such feelings where apparently acceptable when the other political figures I referred to died.
Charles Micallef
Aug 24th 2012, 11:38
Bertand Gove
It is comments like yours that keep this Nation divided politically, whatever one thinks and wishes, the day an elder statesmen of any colour passes on, that is when intelligent and fair minded people stop all malice and respect and remember that person for his/ her achievments, as indeed did the PM and EDF on this occasion, but it seems to me that your personal hate knows no bounds and is inbedded in your blood for you to make such a comment. Dom MINTOFF fought for Malta and the Maltese and is regognised as such worldwide, and repeat a very fitting comment by Winston Churchill
The truth is incontrovertible, 'Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is."
Bertrand Gove
Aug 24th 2012, 12:31
Charles, you want me and everyone else to say good things about Mintoff. I hate to break it to you, but I can't think of many. It is bad taste to demonstrate outright joy when anyone passes away - that much I'll give you. I am not demonstrating joy am I? I am in neutral position, but you cannot respect that either.
The job of any politician is to fight for his country - I think he just did his job. Whether he did a great job or not has been a point of dicussion for many years in Malta. You can't just decide to wipe off the cons bit and concentrate on the pros simply because he's now dead.
Mintoff was hated by Labourites more than Nationalists in 1998 - but this is a fact that no one wants to remember it seems. I find it terribly hypocritical that so many Labourites are now crying when you very own leader is using this as his most massive PR stunt ever. My feeling is that you will find more ecstatic Labourites than Nationalists at this point in time.
But then again, I won't be taking any advice from you and you won't be taking any from me. So to each his own.
Bertrand Gove
Aug 24th 2012, 12:37
Michael, I don't agree 100%. Much has been said about Guido de Marco when he died. He wasn't as controversial as Mintoff. I think that the difference here is that Guido redeemed himself throughout his presidency. We have never ever had such an elegant President and First Lady since Sir Anthony Mamo. All other presidents were/are very valid, but not as elegant. Mintoff created problems right up to the end of his political career - no wonder the people who didn't agree with him at the peak of his career continued to see him as a problem - including Labour's own, let's come clean on this one.
Michael Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 15:06
Bertrand.
1/ Assuming that De Marco was less controversial than Mintoff, this does not mean a) that he did not have his minueses (obviously depending on one's perspective) b) that being 'less controversial' is somehow tantamount to deserving a better 'judgement' than somehow who is. Jesus, Ghandi, Muhammad, were much more controversial than an lot of mediocrities.
2) Moreover, what does it mean 'redeemed himself through his presidency'? a) you are assuming that there was something to be redeemed b) I cannot see how elengance in a formal and powerless office like the Maltese presidency (assuming you are right that he was 'the most elegant') can 'redeem' someone.
3) I cannot understand why the presumed fact that Mintoff 'created problems right up t the end of his political career', and that many ' continued to see him as a problem' entail that he should be judged less indulgently that one who did not. The giants I mentioned in the first comment all created problems to the very end.
Bertrand Gove
Aug 24th 2012, 17:21
Michael, you and I share pretty much the same underpinnings of the discussion. So don't get too worked up.
Guido redeemed himself because yes, originally he was controversial, was apparently holding secret meeting with the opposing party, some family issues, etc. But then, at the end of his public life, he spent 5 full years behaving in the most gentlemanly of manners, and I'm not saying he wasn't a gentleman all along mind you, but people had opinions. Mintoff on the other hand, ended his political career when Sant's government was forced out of office following his vote in parliament. this is why I say he created trouble till the very end. The very end of his public life I mean obviously. On a personal level, he could have been the best person, but that is not what half the nation saw at the time, and following 1998, more than half the nation.
You mentioned giants like Jesus, Ghandi and Muhammad. Do you not see that they are very much a topic for discussion nowadays as well? There are so many people with different opinions on each of them. Why does it seem that we are not allowed an opinion on Mintoff? Why do we have to all have the same opinion? I cannot say that I respected him as a person either, because the political dimension was too big to let you focus on anything else that this person could have been. It doesn't mean I hated him, nor that I wished he would die - he was always going to die anyway, so it's not surprising that he's dead now. It's the one guarantee that we all have as humans - we will die.
All I can say is that I'm relatively lucky for having only lived through his last few years in power, which I still remember very clearly though, and it's a period in my life which I don't want to re-live. Others would love to re-live those years. I'm not going to stop them dreaming about it. It won't happen though - he's gone.
Michael Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 20:38
Bertrand a few points:
1/ You keep making the same allusion that not being controversial is some kind of merit. If it is, you have to explain why.
2/ Moreover, you have to demonstrate why behaving “ in the most gentlemanly of manners,” in an ineffectual position redeems any misdeeds (if there were any … you seem to assume there were) which are attributable to one when s/he held some form of power.
3/ Your allegations regarding “ …holding secret meeting with the opposing party, some family issues, etc” would seem to contradict your further disclaimed that “…he wasn't a gentleman all along mind you,…”
4/ The fact that Mintoff “…created trouble till the very end.” Does not coutn an iota against him. You have to show that he was wrong in creating trouble.
5/ You claim “You mentioned giants like Jesus, Ghandi and Muhammad. Do you not see that they are very much a topic for discussion nowadays as well? There are so many people with different opinions on each of them. “” Yes, and that’s why they are interesting figures. Had they not been controversial people might have forgotten them in a generation.
6/ Did I anywhere imply that you “… are not allowed an opinion on Mintoff?” If anything your claim that Guido was uncontroversial; as if his conduct is beyond discussion or disagreement (read controversy) would seem to imply that.
7/ I completely endorse your final statement “it's a period in my life which I don't want to re-live. Others would love to re-live those years. “ The latter I’m convinced, would include many who today consider themselves lucky of having back then been able to raise a family with one wage (albeit freezed) or to have been purchase a house and pay its mortgage in five years time and not fifty, despite maybe not endorsing other aspects of Mintoff’s rule.
twanny borg
Aug 24th 2012, 09:47
l-ghomor lil familja mintoff. rip. mhux facli taghmel hajtek fil-politika. meta tirbah kemm int tajjeb meta titlef kemm int hazin. imma dak huwa l-bniedem. kemm huwa sabih ir-rispett fil-hajja.
Joseph Brincat
Aug 24th 2012, 09:43
DOM MINTOFF>> REST IN PEACE
THE BIGGEST CORTEGE THAT MALTA HAD
EVER SEEN AND WILL SEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angelo Polidano
Aug 24th 2012, 10:32
Ofcourse, organized by PL who will do anything to acquire a vote. Rest in peace Perit and condolances to the family.
Mr Eric Camilleri
Aug 24th 2012, 10:45
@ Polidano
Proset Sur Polidano anki f'dan il-mument ta' dieqa iddahlu -Politika!
P BORG
Aug 24th 2012, 10:53
May God spare this nation again from this sort "entertainment ".
Believe me it more than enough for a decent citizen's life time.
jason cassar
Aug 24th 2012, 11:28
@ hossam helwani ,
i just get hysterical when i see a boat full of illegal immigrants !!
W. Grech
Aug 24th 2012, 11:36
...I think people have shown all of you insignificant critics that this IS truly a Great Man....Malta ( and the rest of the world, unless you only read local news) has never and will never see such respect and admiration for any other Maltese man. If you think otherwise, then please, let us know what and who of our Prime ministers ever gave so much to this country...And please spare us the millions of jobs that have been created by the Nationalist government...the running joke of the century!!!!!!
Charles Micallef
Aug 24th 2012, 11:43
Angelo Polidano.
if you knew the Perit, he will be saying that he would not have wanted any fuss and let us get on with our lives, however if there is a statesman in Malta who deserves all this adulation is Perit Dom Mintoff , as history will confirm!
carmel cassar
Aug 24th 2012, 11:47
Mr Hassam Helwni
There is a big difference between a christian and a church goer. I see him as a good christian because he really followed on Jesus footsteps with his deeds not lip service, as we often gets.
jason cassar
Aug 24th 2012, 11:54
@ eric cammilleri ...
u anki ghall bniedem mejjet hawn min jghir !
A Tonna
Aug 24th 2012, 12:18
@ Mr Polidano,
who do you expect to be organised by?
m farrugia
Aug 24th 2012, 23:01
mr brincat, absolutely no sign of mourning in the central and northert parts of the island.what we are seeing are just festas, people eating out and going to the beach. it seems that only the south is mourning. no wonder the south still feels the effects of the mintoff era, that is big unemployment, the biggest number of school leavers, the biggest number of people living off social services to the detriment of honest taxpayers etc.
Paul Azzopardi
Aug 24th 2012, 09:04
As a sign of appreciation or common kindness, the labour party or Authorities should send someone to pass around small bottles of cold water to the people in that queue, it would be humane and also good marketing ..........
G Schembri
Aug 24th 2012, 10:55
Ray Azzopardi on One radio has told listeners to take more than one bottle of water with them. Anyway as Maltese living in this climate we all know we should take bottles of water with us if we are going to stay in a queue for hours. I don't see why the authorities or the PL should shoulder the expense of hundreds of bottles of water.
Please choose the reason of your report below: