Joe Cassar's decision to resign from Parliament is sad news and good news.

It is sad that a good man is leaving politics. Dr Cassar is a good and honest man. His downfall came because he was too good and as a result he trusted someone that should have never been trusted. Whether acting alone or acting in collusion with some other individual or organisation the villain weaved a diabolical plan to frame Dr Cassar.

He pretended to be a friend, but acted like the most vicious enemy.

Dr Cassar committed an error of judgement. Probably his professional upbringing must have flashed warning lights. But his humanity made him blind to these same lights. Instead of  recognising the schemer for what he was Dr Cassar just saw a man who was pleading that he had a problem as a result of decisions taken by MEPA. Dr Cassar welcomed him into his house and gave him a sympathetic hear but stood steadfast that nothing untoward should be done.

During his political career he did his best to help many other persons of different political persuasions. The needs of the human person were infinitely more important to Dr Cassar than political colours. It is sad that someone who wanted to be kind turned out to be a victim. One hopes that the people who Dr Cassar generously helped will now bear witness to his assistance.

Naïve he could have been but corrupt he certainly was not neither in this case nor in any other case or instance during his political career. He is one of those people about whom I never heard any rumour of corruption.

Joe Cassar has paid the highest price for his error of judgement.

What about the good news?

It is good that someone who passes through such a difficult period can go beyond his pain and see to it that his actions do not cause damage to others. On reading Dr Cassar’s letter to Simon Busuttil, the leader of the Nationalist Party, one could feel a hurt man but not a bitter man. His decision to resign was a conscious and mature decision moved by his love for his family and his loyalty to his party and its leader.

In a country currently propelled by the cynicism of a leadership that encourages all sorts of abusers to make hay while the sun shines it is good to note that there are those who do not try to hide behind all sorts of excuses to shoulder the responsibility for their acts. Dr Cassar’s courageous act shows that he was ready to go beyond what mainstream thought considers to be the call of duty. He did not hide behind excuses. He did not stop at pointing fingers at others but was ready to point fingers at himself and shoulder more responsibility than what most would have been ready to shoulder for a lack of judgement and discretion.

After Dr Cassar’s resignation those on the government benches that are guilty of worse improprieties and improper behaviour not to say allegations of outright corruption have lost the contrived fig leaf behind which they were trying to hide.

What excuse will now concoct to try and hide their shameful behaviour?

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