I find it surprising how many people now use a verbal attack on their victim as a means to salve their conscience and to allow them to even feel aggrieved that someone has dared to point out their wrongdoing.

A few days ago I noticed a cyclist behind me as I approached a red light. He was carrying two children using in-line baskets set ahead of him so I gave him as much room as possible on my left by pulling over closer to the kerb to my right. Lo and behold this supposed paragon of clean safe transport moved his bike to my right and gave me a considerable mouthful about being a car driver!

The fact that his dangerous intended path and general attitude towards his children’s safety could seriously compromise his family’s future was apparently quite beyond him. Cyclists are, however, far from ‘all bad’. The following day I carried out an almost identical manoeuvre in a similar situation and received both a big smile and a cheery wave from the lone young lady cyclist.

A couple of days later, a car driver in a hurry seemed not even to look to his left when exiting a minor side road into the main (one-way) street and almost drove into my side. I stopped and received a real blast, rather than an apology, not only from that driver but from the driver of the van behind him.

I recently heard Manuel Mallia, Minister for Competitiveness and Digital, Maritime and Services Economy, lambasting the Opposition for not supporting the government in its bid to oppose potential European legislation against illegal betting. The proposed regulations seem to be the proper, easier and more sensible way forward but false and misleading political ‘buckshot’ is clearly more important than reality.

With so many nonsensically aggressive attitudes these days, what hope is there for social cohesion, common sense, reason, peace and prosperity for all? Today so many people seem to demand their ‘rights’ but feel only others have ‘responsibilities’.

For a society to function for the mutual benefit of everyone I believe citizens need to put their responsibilities slightly ahead of their rights. Rights are most important but there can be no proper rights without attendant responsibilities.