Health hazards

One of the things which really amazes me in Malta is the fact that many people seem to be oblivious to the dangers to their health of such things as staying too long under the rays of the sun or eating foods that are not recommendable for a healthy diet. It's incredible but notwithstanding the well-known danger of contracting melanoma, whole families still spend entire days, especially during the weekend, under the scorching rays of the sun. What is even more condemnable is the fact that some irresponsible parents even expose their babies for long hours under the rays of the sun. Some people simply never learn.

Another health hazard is eating too much red meat, processed foods, and foods containing artificial additives.

Of course, it is almost superfluous to mention the problem of obesity which seems to have become the trademark of a substantial number of the Maltese population. What is incredible is the fact that everybody is afraid of contracting a terminal disease and yet so many people ignore the blatant fact that some very serious illnesses, such as certain types of cancer, are linked to an improper and unhealthy diet. Obesity itself is also the cause of many serious illnesses and, yet, some people over-eat to such an extent that they would make a pig feel embarrassed!

Maltese history

There is already a controversy about the alleged downgrading of the teaching of history in our educational system. What I find disappointing is the attitude of many of the younger generation towards Maltese History. Take the forthcoming anniversary of the Sette Giugno. How many of our youths know even the bare details about this important historical event? How many care about it? For many of them, our history has no importance, what they care about is the present and the future.

I was recently speaking to a youth about how important it is to celebrate important landmarks in Malta's history. I was astounded at the facility with which he totally contradicted my argument. "The past is of no importance", he asserted, "it's a waste of time to spend money and effort on what happened in the past!" This, of course, is an intellectually-deficient argument because our history has given us our identity, our culture, has made us what we are today. Only by understanding the past, can we fully comprehend the present and plan for the future.

Pathetic Attack On Joseph And Michelle

Joseph Muscat and his wife, Michelle, own cars worth €60,000. So what? The way this non-issue has been magnified and made to seem as if it was something scandalous and shocking by persons well-known for their pro-PN support indicates the sorry state the Nationalist Party is in. Its exponents are creating a mountain out of a molehill to deviate attention from the PN's unsatisfactory performance both in local and in EU matters.

As far as I know, Joseph Muscat is the Leader of the Labour Party in Malta. He is not the leader of a Communist Party. What many people have failed to grasp is the fact that those criticising Muscat and his wife are disseminating Communist ideology. According to them, the Leader of the PL cannot be successful and become rich.

You cannot work hard, earn money, establish yourself in life and, at the same time, do something for the underdog, for those at the bottom of the social ladder. Joseph and Michelle Muscat have every right to make the best of their lives and to enjoy life's comforts to the full! Don't they already sacrifice so much of their time and energy so that social justice can reign in Malta? So that the standard of living of all Maltese citizens reaches a higher level?

Since when does political activity in favour of the poor, those at the bottom of the social scale, mean that you must be so yourself or seek to imitate their lifestyle? Indeed, it shows the nobility of character of the Muscats that people in their position are dedicating their lives to those who are less fortunate.