Raymond

Lately the Nationalist Party is remembering two very important but miserable events (amongst other) that have conditioned our political landscape. 

The first serious incident being remembered is the street riots that erupted in the road known as Tal-Barrani.  The Nationalist Party had won a Constitutional right at the time that they could address a meeting in this Labour stronghold.  The government at the time interpreted this situation as a direct challenge to public safety and security however the PN wanted to make a statement of intent that there shouldn’t be a no-go area in Malta or Gozo.  This heated exchange that came from both directions was symptomatic of a tragedy waiting to happen.  The gushing of tear gas and the beating of people as they were exercising their right to protest was totally upsetting and disturbing as were the chants coated with so much anger and hatred. 

The second is the villainous and wicked shooting of Raymond Caruana whose death remains a dark splodge in our political scenario. I recall perfectly what happened on the day, the brutality of the situation and the way our country was literally on the brink of civil war.

Yes it was the right thing to do for the PN to give vent to its anger as this whole situation was unravelling.  Having a young man killed as he was having a drink with his friends because some criminal thought it was OK to spray a party facade with bullets was outrageous.  Thankfully what could have created a ripple effect of violence was in the main contained.  At the time, doing the right thing was crucial.  A wrong decision or an inapt reaction could have precipitated serious outcomes and possibly a life-threatening state of affairs. 

These two incidents proved to be a massive responsibility on the shoulders of the PN leadership.  I recall very clearly the mass meetings that I used to attend often ended in clashes with the police.    I remember the incidents in Zebbug, Rabat, il-Fosos and the list is interminable.  These weren’t the only serious events that happened.  These episodes were a daily thing; political party clubs being burnt to the ground, bombs placed behind people’s doors, intimidation at the Depot, transfers, strikes – trying to name them all leaves me breathless.  The hatred that had been harvested was leaving an indelible mark on many.  Needless to say the youth movement at the time, especially the tan-Numri movement, was extremely vociferous and I proudly say I was part of it. 

It is good to remember these moments because this violence was heaping pain on so many people and this situation was creating so many problems; families would not talk amongst themselves, marriages ended on the rocks and neighbours clashed.

What I find reassuring is that we seem to have grown as a nation since then.  Our political scenario has cleared up and we are in a better position to talk our minds, tell it how it is and resist that which is wrong and unruly. 

But even though we are out of the woods and our political discourse is protected by the Institutions that have been set up, I still feel that I haven’t felt such aggression and hostility coming from the political class as I’m seeing it build up in these last couple of years. 

A word of caution:  It takes very little to go back to where we came from.

 

Bjorn

Bjorn Formosa, the ALS activist, and Maria Muscat have tied the knot. 

Bjorn who has championed a cause that has affected him deeply, instead of sitting in his bed waiting for death to swallow him up has decided to try to take his life forward, for as long and as far as he can.  As usual we are very quick to judge, calling him selfish, self-centred and some went even as far as to say he was insensitive and this, because he decides to get married to the person he loves!  Some even suggested that Maria was almost coerced in taking him as her husband and called their decision a fanfarunata.  We are all ready to admire people - but on our terms and conditions it seems!

But really, what are ‘we’ made of? 

Can’t we just shut the flip up for once in our life and let people get on with it, aspire for what they want to achieve and make the choices they fancy - or do we have a divine right to judge at our hearts content?

Bana

Bana Alabed’s , this young Twitter phenomenon, has gone ‘silent’.  Hope against hope that all is fine. 

Evarist

If there is any lesson to be learnt in this matter is that ‘canvassers’ are simply wired to short circuit their masters.  In a moment they risk turning them from cream of the crop to bottom of the heap – how depressing.

Nameless and faceless

Recently, the Faculty for Social Wellbeing added on to the chorus of concern on the THP-n ‘removal’: 

The Faculty noted with regret the recent media reports that the government intends to revoke the status of THP-n, thereby stripping persons who have been living in Malta for a number of years, from their basic human rights.  The introduction of THP-n represented a necessary step forward in migration reform in Malta.  This status acknowledged the presence of a number of documented migrants residing in Malta who, due to circumstances beyond their control, could not return to their country of origin.  Up until its introduction, a cluster of migrants were denied access to basic human rights and any legitimate means of survival. The provision of THP-n provided these individuals and their families access to rights, a level of security and more importantly a regularized status.

This policy decision will force an unacceptable and deplorable situation on migrants living in a ‘tolerated’ state. The implications of this decision go beyond the migrant community. Living in conditions of protracted limbo, pending deportation is inhumane.  What the Faculty noted is that tolerating or actively supporting a situation wherein the basic human rights of any individual are denied represents a dangerous precedent for us all. 

The Faculty appealed for common sense and decency.  It is unacceptable that in justifying matters on legal procedures we veto the humane, benevolent and charitable roots of what makes our nation.  The appeal of the Faculty is that ‘our credibility should not be measured on how strong we are with the weak but how bold we are with the controlling’.

The Faculty appealed to all political parties to remain on the right side of history and do the morally justified judgements.

Marie Louise 

Apologies to HE the President for referring to her, in this sub-title, with her first name.  However, I must say how much the President is ‘growing’ in this role.  The excessive entourage is something I would do away with, but apart from that, her gentleness, willingness to engage with the community, her passion to make a difference are indeed leaving a positive impact. 

Her regular appeals to turn around the heavy handedness in our political scene has left some impact showing that she is able to rise above   partisan politics and contribute to the calibration of this society.