Thursday, 11th September 2008
PANIC PANIC
Oh dear, how the Lil’Elves are lapping it up. The EU Commissioner, whatever her name is, has said that the Government’s plan to hive off the shipyards is not within EU rules, which has led to a veritable deluge of wise-cracks about how Gonzi should make way for Muscat, because he knows better (yeah, right) and how we’ve lost our sovereignty and how Brussels rules the roost and now we can see what the PN signed up for.
To start with, coming in on the end, as it were, it is the country that signed up for the EU, notwithstanding the opposition put up by the MLP, convinced as it was (but no longer) that our place was out in the cold, not the PN. This oblivious chanting of the mantra “PN-this and PN-that” by the Lil’Elves, generally with supposedly humorous quotes from the PN’s electoral slogans (none of which are as funny as “Svizzera fil-Mediterran” and “Il-Vot Le Rebah” were and remain) demonstrates why so much of the country is unable to make a coherent argument. To his credit, Joseph Muscat has accepted the argument that the shipyards need to be privatised, but has this been taken on board by the rank and file of his party?
Not much, if the comments on the story about Ms Thing’s opinion about the privatisation plan are anything to go by. Incidentally, can we once and for all stop calling these people bloggers? Blogging, at least as it is practised on this web-site and in other serious web-sites, is the process of setting down coherent (well, you know what I mean) thoughts in a structured and syntactically and grammatically correct manner. From the evidence, comments appended to the various “mainstream” items (including the blogs) that appear on the site do not consist in coherent thoughts set out in a structured and ... well, you get my point.
Returning to the story, does anyone really believe that Ms Kroes (see, I do my research, eventually) has said the last word on the subject? Anyone who has bothered to follow any story percolating from Brussels knows that there are wheels within wheels outside other wheels which themselves are within other wheels, all of which have cogs and gears which move this way and that.
Which is a convoluted way, designed to irritate the Lil’Elves, of saying that there’s plenty of water that has yet to flow under our Neelie’s bridge. This will be a disappointment, of course, to all the armchair experts who latch on to pronouncements such as Neelie’s as an excuse to scream and shout and run about. Usually, there are two reasons for this: either it’s convenient for the screamer and shouter and runner about to foment a bit of doom and despondency or said screamer hasn’t actually understood much. The latter usually includes within his remarks such gems as “only in Malta.com”, imagining this to be the very soul of wit.
Now, I’m not putting myself forward as any sort of expert on matters European. Far from it. In fact, my eyes tend to glaze and roll back into my head when I am confronted by the turgid prose of a directive or other dictum wafting towards us from the sublime heights of EU Officialdom. But I know enough to be able to express the idea that just as the Italians got themselves shot of Alitalia, similar arrangements will be made. Never let it be said that the EU is insensitive to commercial realities, for all that the sandal-wearing components of society seem to think that the EU is there to provide safety nets for all, irrespective of whether they deserve it or not. There is a happy confluence here: commercial realities dictate that the shipyards have to be disposed of and the country deserves this to be achieved.
Getting back to the panic-stricken comments, here’s a beaut for you, penned by Mark Fleri, and going “Malta you gained your independence on September 21st 1964 and you lost what you fought so hard for to get on the 1st of May 2004 when you joined the EU. You are no longer Maltese you are Europeans, get used to it. EU controls our government, Gonzi is a goldfish in the ocean.”
To this particular morsel of political philosophy, I can only respond, yep, thanks for reminding me, mate, I’m European. That’s precisely what I voted for, as opposed to the frightening mediocrity of Mintoff and KMB’s Malta. If it means we have to behave like Europeans, so be it.
And then there’s A Daley and his masterpiece of pithy comment: “Oh dear! Oh dear! Another bodged job by Gonzi par idejn sodi! What did PN sign for? The chickens are coming home to roost! Lies and deceit! Iz-zejt tiela f'wicc l-ilma!” You can tell when it’s a Lil’Elf writing, of course, because of the peculiar vocabulary and the plethora of exclamation marks.
I could go on, but it’s getting late and I think I’ll pass the buck over to y’all out there, Lil’Elves and not, for you to have fun commenting. Commenting, mark you, not blogging. Blogging is what I do, much to the chagrin of many of you. You just ride on my coat-tails.
Arrogant? Moi?
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Comments
I agree with you Mr Galea that we should not adore anyone on this earth.
You say that you do not know ABC. It is not very difficult to know the physiognomy of our host (remember he is the blogger and we are the commentators). A search on Google images will provide you with some very good pictures of ABC - who is quite a photogenic person. The only problem is that his writing is not always very clear and sometimes he makes English mistakes - but don't we all , including myself? The substance is more important than the form.
I agree with ABC when he writes about civilised behaviour. Talking about civilised, perhaps a few of us bloggers could suggest to meet Andrew over lunch or dinner and we could have a civilised chat. How about it, Andy?
Meanwhile I wish to suggest a topic that is becoming increasingly popular as the June 2009 MEP elections approach. What qualities and convictions should candidates have? Maybe ABC (the blogger) will write something about this and we (the commentators) could react.
Is your comparison of "those who dare disagree" as Pavlov's Dogs an attempted form of insult: to be 'clever' (like the Master's 'witty (sic!) cleverness' ??
One could argue that Pavlov's Dog - contrary to your conribution- led Pavlov to a Nobel Prize -something which I doubt will be achieved through il-Bocca's 'Blog' (SIC!) and other numerous contributions to great Medical advancements.....
(The only contributions I see in this Blog (sic!) is the subtle (as a sledge hammer!!) attempt to move much warranted "present day flak" awayfrom (kiss kiss) PN .
So tell me, Joseph Galea, what would you have of us:
- to disagree with this 'blogging' (SIC!) and voice our oppinion? (And be called/compared to dogs for doing so?)
- or to just conveniently agree with everything said ? (Just like..... an obedient lap dog would???)
Ok with you if I choose my own side of the fence. After allthis is meant to be a democratic (SIC!) island, right?
And before you flatter yourself by telling yourself this is a knee jerk reaction, please also consider that it might instead be an attempt to pass on a much more subtle message to your good self.
..... and by the way, the only being I "adore" is not on this earth! I do not know ABC and would not know him if I saw him, although I understand that he might be difficult to miss.
Lighten up and have a good life! Cheers.
What you have written here is factual and I do agree with the points you pointed out to Mr. Galea Vincenti. What actually bothers me are certain other comments which you brought forward in other comment boards related to the same subject. Anyway I wish this MDD issue is settled asap for the benefit of the workers and the Maltese in general.
What you have written here is factual and I do agree with the points you pointed out to Mr. Galea Vincenti. What actually bothers me are certain other comments which you brought forward in other comment’s boards related to the same subject. Anyway I wish this MDD issue is settled asap for the benefit of the workers and the Maltese in general.
What you do is look in the mirror and ask," Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest of them all?" and then look closer and tell youself, " MOI"
Well as long as it keeps you happy and us amused .........
The commentator who adores ABC has done it again. He thinks ABC leads us by the nose by saying something to make us react like Pavlov's dogs. Thank you very much Mr Galea for comparing writers in this blog to dogs. I thought you had more respect for us, and after all you are one of these writers.
As for ABC's tongue-in-cheek, perhaps Mr Galea, who is so awed and impressed, could have also mentioned Bocca's frequent foot in something else.
Let's not be paranoid please: the EU Commission is not picking on us because we are small and weak. Rules are there for all to follow and as I said before, if you think that some government - Maltese or foreign - has broken any regulations you can take it up with your MEP, lawyers, etc.
As regards the Dockyard, the problem is not more complex than that of any other factory or company which goes belly-up. It is sad for the workers involved but there has never been all this fuss when other enterprises closed down. The truth is that the MDD should have closed down years ago but we have cossetted the Dockyard workers for decades, waiving hundreds of millions of debts, guaranteeing salaries, providing subsidies and so on. No other worker has benefited from all these privileges.
It is time the Dockyard workers realise that they are equal to everybody else and have to take responsability for their own lives, not expect the country to bail them out permanently.
The rise in unemployment benefits would be minimal compared to the millions that have been poured into the Dockyard as subsides. All the younger workers would find other jobs easily, especially if they are as skilled as they claim to be.
The 'golden handshake' programme set up to decrease the number of workers is a further strain on the social benefits fund.
The sooner Malta can solve the problem of the Dockyards - which has been stagnating for the last forty years or so - the better it shall be for all of us and the EU should appreciate the fact that there are many aspects to this complex problem which finally seems to be on the point of resolution hopefully once and for all.
He is really good that guy.
My concern though is that apart from the Dockyard we also have a big problem related to social benefits which are ever increasing considering the present situation. I would like to put forward a question now…. Don’t you think that the Dockyard closure due to bankruptcy would lead to a domino effect whereby we will see a rise in social benefits for the unlucky ones?
I find it very amusing how you adore ABC, imagining traps and strings, and is amused at everything he says - even when he puts his foot in it! Stop adoring, Mr Galea, and give us your own opinion!
Ms Kroes is doing her job and not 'treating us like idiots'. There are rules to be followed and if you think that some other country has broken them you should refer the issue to your MEP and ask him to bring it up in the EU Parliament..
Why should we Maltese be united in continuing to pour money down the dockyard drain? Did it occur to you that some of us might actually agree with the Commissioner?
I just counted on my left fingers...
For your info, the lil'elves are not complaining about the privatization but rather about the fact that Ms Kroes (aka EU) is not approving the plan for privatisation as proposed. That is quite different from your perception of the events!
Should the EU make it harder for privatization to go through by disallowing the write-off, then any interested investor would have to cover the debts and offer less for the shipyard by the same amount. So, it's six of one, half dozen of the other. Neither the EU nor the government would be any better, or worse. A veritable tempest in a teacup.
One question I ask. Should privatization fail and no subsidies are allowed beyond December 31, who will pay the wages? Will not the shipyard be declared bankrupt? Who will absorb the shortfalls?
A case even more pronounced than our local Dockyards case is the case of Alitalia in Italy where the debts being written off are well over hundred billion euros.
Likewise, what can we say of the various agreements signed by Blair, Chirac (and now Sarkozy) and Berlusconi with countries such as Libya which manifestly are aimed at giving undue competitive advantage to their homegrown businesses?
One example: Blair signed a 4.6 billion euro contract on behalf of British Petroleum to develop the gas sector in Libya. Sarkozy and Berlusconi followed suit in various sectors (not to mention Putin and now the US).
Let us argue amongst ourselves but always present a united front outside of our shores. Alas, the public nature of the web does not allow us this..
Other gafs today (intentional or otherwise)…
a) MF: “EU controls our government, Gonzi is a goldfish in the ocean.”
Il-Bocca: “.. I’m European.”
since when do we have to be in the EU to be European??? HELLO...???
b) "Blogging is what I do"
No! Blogging is more sophisticated (yes!) than mere checking off an antiquated check list & regurgitation already chewed... CUD.
c) " much to the chagrin of many of you.”
Amusement actually.... and disappointment that someone who thinks himself so “sophisticated” can be well .... downright parochial... and historically trapped.
... very sad really.
d) "You just ride on my coat-tails."
Ha! Like I told you before, the lil'Elves are way ahead of you!
For instance, let me tell you what you're going to 'blog' (sic!) about next:
1) Belittle Muscat...
2) Attack those who dare disagree with (kiss kiss)GonziPN...
3) Mention the Devil incarnate...
4) a mention of the dark ages...
GEDDIT?? (zoooooom!)
Pity.. I hope at least you get paid in kind (or otherwise) and sufficiently for loweringoneself (my opinion) to such ..."blogging"?
e) "Arrogant? Moi?"
You might think that of yourself: others have other opinions and hope for better things for/from you...
HAHAHAHAHA!
Let's see now:
1) Belittle Muscat:
"Gonzi .... Muscat, because he knows better (yeah, right) " TICK!
2) Attack those who dare disagree with (kiss kiss)GonziPN:
"how the Lil’Elves are lapping it up" -TICK!
"about Ms Thing’s opinion” -TICK!
"here’s a beaut .. penned by Mark Fleri" -TICK!
"A Daley and his masterpiece of pithy comment..." - TICK!
3) Mention the Devil incarnate:
"the frightening mediocrity of Mintoff and KMB’s Malta. " - TICK!! TICK!!
TWO devils today!!
Aren't the ‘juices’ (painfully?) gushing today ?!
;)
4) a mention of the dark ages too.... (see above!) wow! - double TICK! for effort.....
5) Attempt to thwart an issue SERIOUSLY effecting Malta TODAY by making a joke(?) out of it & thereby taking pressure off (brownKissKiss) GonziPN...
"Not much, if the comments... about Ms Thing’s opinion about the privatisation plan ....to go by. " only one TICK here (the other one re insulting "Ms. Thingy" already taken up....)
DEAR, OH DEAR....!!!
One delightful correspondent and a friend wrote about her old school reunion dinner. Her comment sent a message home. “There was kindness all round” she wrote “and no mean words. Certainly no boastful and spiteful bloggers amongst us who spend the best part of their nights posting insults and diminishing others .We leave that sort of thing to girls from other school” These comments pushed me to carry out some pondering and soul searching. Thanks and God bless....... I forgot to say adios last time I blogged, oops sorry I meant commented.
What interests me is not the Labour of the past but the Malta of the future.
Why you never said anything about the oil in Malta or the pipe that passes from libya to Italy? No millions but billions of euros.
The Labour are weak but does it mean that Nationalists have to accept you support for immigrants, just because you say so, against the vast majority?
Do you think that it was you alone that brought freedom to this country till 1987?