Monday, 3rd November 2008
ENDING ERAS
Those who attend Mass at Marsalforn’s church were saddened to learn that Dun Marjanu has called it a day.
This hyper-active cleric, who has been ploughing this field, along with working full-time in the Gozo State School system, for nigh on thirty-two years, is retiring and we will be the poorer for it. He wasn’t an intellectual preacher – in fact, sometimes he verged on the fire and brimstone – but his heart was in precisely the right place and his message was one of reasonable hope and love at the bottom line, pitched to his extremely varied audience perfectly.
Readers who know I am generally pro the secular and opposed to the interference of religion in defining policy will wonder how come I know all this. Well, the thing is, I go to Mass most Sundays.
Out of habit? Superstition? Faith? Why?
To be honest, I wonder myself. I wonder most when I’m half-listening to some platitude-filled sermon, which ignores daily realities and just spouts the party-line.
At these inspiring junctures, I find myself telling myself that I go to Mass in spite of and certainly not because of the message that the Church Organised sees fit to push all the time.
I try to live my life according to my own moral code (sorry about the pompousness of that statement) where tolerance for the foibles of my fellow man (unless he’s a Lil’Elf or a hero thereof, for instance) allows me leeway to pick and choose which strictures the Church Organised seems to think are so vitally important to apply to myself. There are very few, frankly, and it’s going to stay that way.
Frankly, an organisation that has managed to live with itself and its flirting with fascism, big business and self-interested cover-ups of criminal activity by some of its ministers, to mention but a few of the less than inspiring landmarks of the Catholic Church’s history, can’t really expect blind loyalty from anyone with even a vestige of an independent mind. I generalise wildly, of course, and appreciate that many, many, many of the priests and nuns who work in the Church are exemplary, altruistic, human beings who demonstrate a love for the rest of us that borders on the heroic.
But, by and large, it’s in spite of the curia (using the word in its widest sense, not as a reference to the staffs of Archbishop Cremona or Bishop Grech) that I still take less than an hour out of Sunday evening and sit with my mind wandering, sometimes in what they would think is the right direction, most times not.
Many of you, for different reasons, will think I’m a bit of a hypocrite, then. To confirm that you have the right to think that, I promote the idea that there should be no discussion about divorce: it’s well past about time we could get one here. I think that the Church’s official line, or deafening silence, more precisely, about racism is as shameful as that of our political parties. I keep my hands firmly in my pocket when the annual collection of money for Church schools is taken up.
In my own defence, I’m only human and I can rationalise most things along with the best of them.
You will have noticed that I’ve ignored the Budget, due to be announced today. This is mainly because this event bores me to distraction.
There will be a press-conference by the Government, during which we will be told everything is going according to plan, and there will be a press-conference by the Opposition, Joe Muscat’s first one on the subject, during which we will, no doubt be regaled with the usual sound-bites. He’s not been all that much different from his predecessor except in style, so I’m pretty sure he’ll not change on this, either, and equally, therefore, I’m pretty sure that there’ll be little to inspire me to do anything but dump on him in due course.
There will also be the same gallery of usual suspects, headed by the union leaders and the captains of industry and commerce and their spokesmen, some chippier and more self-assured (code for being like Vince Farrugia of the GRTU) than others, all being more or less predictable.
This year’s Budget will be met with more than the usual howls of disapproval from the Government’s detractors, of which there are many, even more so now that the elections are over for another five years and the spectre of a Labour Government is that distance away. The international situation, which can’t really (even though, to listen to the Lil’Elves, you’d think it can be) be laid at the door of Gonzi and his Ministers, will combine with the fact that, as I’ve just mentioned, the elections are over, to produce a brief-case full of measures that Tonio Fenech would probably rather not be toting.
In any event, I’m ignoring the Budget, for reasons amongst which not least is the fact that I’ve long since come to the conclusion that budgeting, on whatever level, is pretty much an exercise in pious hope. The best-laid plans of us mice go aglay so often because of events so far out of our control that they could be happening on Mars that – especially since I’ve about as much a grasp of economics and high finance as I have of nuclear physics – commenting except on the political level would be darn silly.
Not that that ever stops me or anyone else, of course. But the Lil’Elves need their fun, so they can have some asking me darn fool questions about why I’m not commenting on the price of petrol as charged to us by Gonzi and Gatt. My last blog has some particularly moronic comments on these lines by someone who lives in the States and clearly thinks he’s the cat’s whiskers for so doing.
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Comments
Pascal's wager would be fine, except for one uncomfortable fact: we don't choose what we believe (or not believe).
Of course, we could always pretend, but if God exists, does anyone think He'd be fooled?
Further comments are superfluous.
More comments would be superflous.
You forgot 3 taxes my friend.
It-Taxxa fuq kull bieb, the Sewerage Tax and the loved departure Tax just to mention few.
Obama is not a Social Democrat but a liberal, stop this misconception that many in Malta have that is Democrats are our version of socialists and the Republicans are the PN.
Don't be so sure that the Democrats will have better international relations as history shows that almost all conflicts involving the USA have been started by Democratic presidents. The Republicans with exception of the last 20 years have always been for isolationism.
Ironically Obama whom you call a social democrat comes from a party that stood for slavery, Had not the Republican party been formed in 1854, slavery in the USA would have lasted for decades. Republicans made it possible for the civil rights act to be approved in the 60's, the democrats split over the issue and although the majority party at the time, they would have never managed to pass the bill alone. Republicans are conservatives when it comes to values but on the rest they are moderate.
However had I been an american I would have voted Obama, as change is always welcome, republicans have been in power for 28 years from the last 40 years, that's too much.
Isn't it funny how in blogs the elves are the ones discussing the budget, while the blinkered mules are the ones more interested in the electoral results of a foreign country?
Oh and oops I forgot, theres a €4 per week to make up for all of the above.
Uhh which incidentally will also increase employers' taxes by ~€208 per employee, and what choice do employers have other than to increase the prices of their products and services to make up for the wage increase and for all the other new taxes imposed by this budget?
9) Tax bands were promised to be reduced to a maximum of 25%.
Wishful thinking..... The average person will save only around €50-€100 per year which will be annihilated by the utility bills, gas prices, circulation tax etc... 35% STILL REMAINS.
10) Automotive circulation tax ----
I just got a magazine in the mail advertising the Daihatsu Sirion 1.0L @ €11,850.
In the UK the same car brand new costs £7,318 with first road licence paid.
That's €9,072.
(Source - http://www.autoebid.com/carDetails.asp?locator=30467)
So for a very small car you will spend €2,778 more in Malta than in the UK.
Now for the licences:
Having 118g/km emissions the Maltese owner will pay €110.
In the UK the same car will pay £35.00 i.e. €43.44. (Source - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524)
As a result, one of the smallest cars in Malta will cost you €2,778 more when you purchase it new, and €66.56 more every year than the same new car in the UK.
Effectively buying a new car with low emissions in 2009 will cost you far more than keeping your old car now.
11) Cigarettes increase by €0.20 to 'disencourage smokers'...
6) An engine-less kayak will now be taxed at €90, while any 'frejgatina' any size with a 1hp motor will pay €120 yearly. SUPER-YACHTS costing millions will pay only €200 yearly.
7) Conspicuous by their absence, the electricity and water bills. All of us have been utilising this service since 1st October and we still don't know the exact rate, if it will double or treble...
8) Same as above, in the week prior to the budget speech it was stated that gas cylinders will increase in price. By how much? Nobody knows.
9) 145,500 families out of ~ 150,000 are NOT eligible for the incentive to install a solar water heater.
10) 149,000 families out of ~ 150,000 are NOT eligible for the incentive to install double-glazing.
11) 149,000 families out of ~ 150,000 are NOT eligible for the incentive to install roof insulation.
12) 149,850 families out of ~ 150,000 are NOT eligible for the incentive to install photovoltaic cells.
Just because it's a "Victory Kitchen" style of the first in the queue first served. Bet my pants some influential contractor will be getting the whole lot.
Election? What election?
Oh, the USA presidency election.
Well, it's elections of foreign countries which are boring in my opinion. What happens in MY own country is definitely of more importance.
A local budget is boring only if there is nothing new.
In this budget there was plenty of very interesting 'new' stuff:
1) New SISA tax - Petrol will increase by €0.03c (OOPS! budget misprint ALERT!!! €0.05c) while diesel will increase by €0.02c. Bringing our petrol price up to €1.238 whereas in the US (the country most afflicted by the economic recession) it's €0.45 /L.
2) €0.15c on every plastic bag EVEN environment-friendly biodegradable ones.
3) New tax on neon tubes of €0.50c even though energy-saving bulbs contain more health-hazardous and environment-unfriendly mercury.
4) Tourists visiting our country will be taxed at €0.50 per person per night.
5) A heavy tax on pools using abundantly available salt-water (!!!) which are mostly used by our sea-side hotels to €600-something per cubic meter whereas fresh-water pool owners get some €6 increase for using our more precious fresh-water. Hotels can't skimp on services, why is the government destroying our tourism industry?
Dear Andrew, let me suggest to you that the reason that you still attend mass on Sundays may be because in your early years, your then-vulnerable brain was fed (assaulted with?) an extensive and clinically administered programming routine that remains critically entwined to your psyche till this very day, disallowing you from breaking away by creating an abstract, irrational, psychologically-induced fear of undefined badness (perhaps doom) if you do.
The (alternative) answer that you arrive at in your article is, I think, mere rationalisation, while invoking Pascal's gambit is subtle escapism (and retains the costs in time and effort associated with the decision).
Psychology is very complex, yet is exploited to near-perfection by (many) religions. Even the intelligent are susceptible to succumb.
For some reason my answers to your comments are being bared from this blog, therefore I cannot give my reactions to your wise cracks.
'Doctor, I have a problem and need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. '
So the doctor said: 'Ok’ She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy.'
'I think I have a better solution for your problem.' Says the doctor... 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!
You have to hand it to Gonzi: he has managed to persuade the US to cooperate with him all the way.
And that takes us back to Pascal's wager/gambit that it a safer bet to behave as if God really exists than to behave as if He doesn't only to discover one's error when it is too late (an oversimplification, perhaps).
It is rather naughty of you first to scare me, a doctor, that you have a dodgy heart and then to tease me by "even the Nationalists". I will let you off this time.
Only Obama could become the first "black" president because he is not really black - and i'm not referring to actual colour of skin. I'm referring to the fact that although he looks like an african-american he was brought up in a white family, with white values and white ideas. That is the only reason he was voted for by both "colours".
Si Dieu n'existalt pas, il foudrait l'invenier. I have been a contented Catholic now for over half a century and cannot understand why people worry over religion. I was brought up Church of England and still feel affection for the thirty odd years I subscribed to that faith that is all things to all men. Rome offers certainties-probably often erroneousbut who cares?
I have a dodgy heart that could cease ticking any moment but I have had it for some twenty years now and have quit worrying over that matter-ventricular tachycardia or summat like that but a coward dies a thousand deaths and I gave up after a few hundred frights.
Malta remains my delight-though it gives me some concern at times but I enjoy the company of all you good folk -even the Nationalists.
I was educated in Cospicua and do not need to tell you of the educational achievements of that member of the Three Cities. I was once a teacher and visualise sorting out some school or other.
Not only the Africans Nations are happy about Obama winning the Presidency, but the whole world is rejoicing with the vast majority of Americans. In doing so it has nothing to do about race, race as matter of fact was not a factor.
It is indeed the begining of a new era in American politics. An era were ideals are free from political stigma. where ideals triumphs over fears, where ideals are based on thoughtful analyses and not based on political doctrine of any type. The list is long as to why the rest of us should embrace with our American friends the election of Barack Obama.
Another witticism attributed to the insuppressible Voltaire on his deathbed occurred when a maid upset a candle and set fire to some papers. Watching the flames he is supposed to have exclaimed "What! Not already"! In view of his conversion "in extremis" I would like to believe that he was referring to purgatory rather than hell!
Just imagine the tragedy of losing such a wit to the devil rather than his acquisition by the heavenly host.
May the American example be imitated everywhere so that countries could have governments that think about the satisfaction of the many NOT the happiness of the few rich.
Who said anything about Obama leaving the race for the Presidency? Wishful thinking.
A wise Maltese-Canadian from London Ontario who knows it all God bless him.
Pity that some people never change!
Beware of sensationalists, alarmists and ostentatious contributors who pose as experts on any given subject. I’m not naming names (term I learned recently) to save unnecessary embarrassments to the individuals concerned. Nevertheless a typical piece of such spreading false rumours and dignifying it with assertions needs to be highlighted.
Quote “Barak Obama's name could very well be removed from the ballot! Yes you are reading this one right. As it turns out he has not provided the right Certificate of Birth therefore it cannot be ascertained that he is a natural American citizen which is a requirement for any Presidential contest!
And that gentleman will call me a liar but facts are facts and it seems that his 40 year stay in the USA has not been much of a learning experience for him”. Unquote.
French philosphers seem sharper than most for it was reputed that Voltaire made a deathbed repentance but when asked if he renounced the devil and all his works he opened an eye and said that it was no time to make enemies.
Smears claiming Barack Obama doesn’t have a birth certificate aren’t actually about that piece of paper — they’re about manipulating people into thinking Barack is not an American citizen.
The truth is, Barack Obama was born in the state of Hawaii in 1961, a native citizen of the United States of America.
Next time someone talks about Barack’s birth certificate, make sure they see this page.
http://fightthesmears.com/articles/5/birthcertificate
Now I understand why some people find the budget boring. (I could embellish and call names here instead of writing 'some people' - after all I guess this blog was where the name-calling of MLP supporters as 'elves' was concocted, so name-calling is the norm and accepted here. However people resort to name-calling when they have nothing of substance to say, the same as when a person who is upset and isn't intelligent enough to express his views coherently starts blaspheming instead. Further to that, I respect everyone no matter one's political beliefs and no matter how obsessed with thinking that one's party is always right, so I'll never be calling anyone an elf or a blinkered mule or anything like that.)
Come on, isn't it entertaining to analyse what was promised and what we got in this budget, and put them in the following categories:
1) Promised and effected;
2) Promised and not effected; and
3) Not even mentioned but effected nonetheless?
Btw, feel free to insult my opinions. I've got a hard shell. :)
If you think I was the one that swallowed anything at all, I can assure you that millions have listened to the same programme and some questions will arise.
We may not have heard the end of this one.
Not true Joe
Yet his aunt’s status has been questioned some days ago.
Bellawielek ma l-ohrajn siehbi.
from the context I suspect that he is simply playing Pascal’s Gambit.
Like you I am bored with the budget.. that is why I am reading your blog when most of the nation is sitting transfixed by their TVs or radios.
"Workers will pay less income tax by expanding the tax bands, the rate of 35% will start from €60,000, payment for overtime will remain by the hour hour and half and women who decide to work do not pay taxes for a year for every child that they have.
Within two years the government would recuperate the costs which have been used to put into practice these proposals."
"Smart City shall create 5,600 new jobs"
"invest €300 million from the €855 million for the environment."
"Till 2010 the deficit will finish"
"giving five energy saving bulbs to every family. This will help the families in saving €100 every year from the energy bills. In the second year, Government will be giving another five energy saving bulbs, and therefore every family will save €200 every year if it continues using these sort of bulbs."
VERY NICE BUDGET!!!
"Government would remain faithful to its promise to create employment in all sectors including financial services, tourism, manufacturing services, pharmaceuticals, call centres, health and the IT sector."
"the transition system from primary to secondary school will be improved to reduce exam pressures whilst there will be more investment in schools."
"will be investing 855 million euros as a country member of the EU, with 10% of them addressed directly to Gozo. Gozitan businesses will also benefit by means of less cost, less taxes, more money in pockets and more investment for more work "
"The Prime Minister said that our country has not yet started to spend the 855 million euro received from the EU for the period between 2007 and 2013. Gozo will receive 10% of this amount."
"the Government would see that the agreements with the doctors and nurses would be implemented leading to further benefits for the people. The Government would increase the health services in the community by investing in primary health care and continuing to develop the ‘pharmacy of your choice scheme' to cover the whole country, including Gozo. "
"Alfred Sant had broken his promise and removed the (university) stipends or given it to them in form of loans. It's the MLP which had plans of proposals to do this again, to introduce a tax on summer residences and to increase the national insurance of social security. "
"The Prime Minister said that in his second government legislature he would build a new hospital for the elderly with 280 beds. Zammit Clapp Hospital would be extended to five times the size it is at the moment."
This budget isn't boring. It's going to be one of the most interesting in decades.
Quoting from http://www.lawrencegonzi.info/index.php?id=108
"a new Government would continue to provide quality health services free of charge...and free medicine as well as a better environment. "
"The Prime Minister said that he shall continue to take care of and invest in the elderly and pensioners as he did lately by increasing pensions and opening more old people's homes"
"He shall increase pensions of people in services, keep health services free of charge, continue to help students and couples who shall be buying their first property. The decrease in income tax was also mentioned, the decrease which implies that several people will end up not paying any tax. "
"During this electoral campaign, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi spoke about the increase in the price of oil a number of times, and insisted that the Government must continue to care for the country's finances in a responsible manner to ensure that they remain stable."
It has nothing to do with the Church or the budget, but reading through your usual interesting piece, you mentioned a certain gentleman who lives in the States and who is in the habit of talking through his nose.
So, I have to digress from the topics of your fresh essay with the news which has something to do with the American election tomorrow.
Barak Obama's name could very well be removed from the ballot! Yes you are reading this one right. As it turns out he has not provided the right Certificate of Birth therefore it cannot be ascertained that he is a natural American citizen which is a requirement for any Presidential contest!
And that gentleman will call me a liar but facts are facts and it seems that his 40 year stay in the USA has not been much of a learning experience for him.
Judging from the experience of the last several American Presidents one can conclude that none was fit to lead the American Nation !