I was planning to take a good break from writing this month. I thought August would be perfect for this, you know with not much happening and the summer heat taking its toll. I was secretly hoping that everyone would go into holiday mode and not do or say anything that would get my goat.

But of course, here I am, which means that my hopes fell flat on their face.

Martin Galea – spun out of control
First it was the Martin Galea’s story and the political spin that surrounded it that got my blood boiling. I followed the story closely and when another section of the media reported his personal experience I couldn’t help but wonder what in the world was the Government trying to do by whirling, twirling and manipulating the truth beyond recognition. I couldn’t help but wonder if it the terrible handling of the communication, that exposed the spin so blatantly, was actually a simple a matter of incompetence or a good plan gone badly. I fully understand the need for secrecy in matters of security but, once the man was safe on our shores, and once he was free to talk to the media and give his version of the facts, why keep up the charade?

Ebola – every racist’s wet dream
Then came Ebola – every racist’s dream come true. Here’s the ‘reason’ they needed to justify their bigoted hate. I’m sure that Imperium Europa and its followers are thanking their lucky stars and lighting some candles in gratitude. But let’s face it, this is just another excuse to hate ‘the others’ for the weakest of reasons – their skin colour.

The outbreak is occurring in West Africa and the immigrants who usually land in Malta are from East Africa. There are thousands and thousands of miles between the two areas, but of course, for true racists, this is just a small detail not worth any attention. The fact that we’re taking every precaution possible and that the chances of contamination in Malta are lower than death by sun stroke or car accident, is also being conveniently ignored.

Parties having a party
Whilst we’re getting our panties in a knot about party financing, it’s just been revealed that nine agreements (not one, not two, not three, but nine) which amounted to around €150,000 each, were signed on the eve of the last general election. In total the contracts amounted to more than a million euro in agricultural funds and were signed by the previous administration in the week prior to the last election. Nice!

I mean seriously, with all these shenanigans entertaining us during what is supposed to be a dead month for news, I’m seriously doubting whether having a complete break from writing (without popping an artery) will ever be possible.