“THE leader is supreme,” was what Labour Party secretary-general Jason Micallef’s told MaltaToday Wednesday edition.
It is of course typical for Maltese politicians or side-kicks to get away with linguistic murder. Words come so easy because it is generally understood that the general IQ of those listening to Jason Micallef is so low that no one will pick up on the gaffe.
Well the first time the term “Supreme Leader” was used was not by Mosta-based Jason Micallef, but when Benito Mussolini appointed himself “Supreme Leader” by declaring his dictatorship of Italy. He was followed by that fellow Adolf Hitler, the man who sent six million Jews to their death. He, too, appointed himself Supreme Leader of his country and countrymen.
In recent times, Iran’s government also has its own Supreme Leader, a cleric with a mission to keep his own country backwards. I guess Gaddafi is also a Supreme Leader, as are all other dictators in this mad world of ours.
Jason’s knowledge of history and choice of words is very limited. His understanding of right wing vocabulary is stunted and so is his bizarre reference to Joseph Muscat as “the leader who is supreme” to be taken as a reflection of how the boundary of his general knowledge and intelligence is only comparable to my knowledge of Xhosa.
Jason Micallef’s laughable reference to Joseph Muscat came about after being asked for his reactions to the news that Muscat would appoint a CEO.
It is, of course, a clear attempt by Joseph Muscat to clip some very handy feathers from Micallef’s wings.
So supreme and obdurate is Micallef’s mindset that he chooses not to read the writing on the wall.
It goes: “Jason, you are a spoke in the party’s wheels, it is only a matter of time before we get rid of you.”
Joseph Muscat’s move to appoint a CEO is in fact a lame way of addressing the Jason Micallef fiasco. Instead of convincing the delegates and asking them to use their head, Muscat is now resorting to autocratic methods to pull his galleon off the reef.
Wonder what it is he has in store for Alex Sceberras Trigona, the anti-European Union and neutrality devotee who together with Micallef are a truckload of TNT waiting to detonate in Muscat’s face.
Santa Marija blues
Endless cars, interminable queues, unbearable heat, heaps of dirt, general squalor and filthy beaches, and yet Santa Marija remains probably the most popular holiday... but not for the magistrates who time their inquiries for this sleepy moment.
I try very hard not to be conspiratorial but the simple truth is that when inquiries are concluded bang in the middle of August – I can only say that I smell a Ratatouille.
Anthony Vella, the recently ‘politically’ appointed magistrate (as all magistrates are) has concluded that there was no police foul play, and that Nicholas Azzopardi jumped off the bastions in the police HQ himself.
The report is not available to the press even though Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici was privileged enough to see an advance copy and issue a press release.
In other countries with a respect for independent inquiries, reports are presented to the press and not leaked to the friendly press, or (worse still) presented to the politician who runs the ‘alleged’ errant department – in this case, the police.
The key issue in the report is that the police corroborated each other’s version, and so it follows everything else stated is simply invented and a figment of our imagination.
Now I have little faith in the police and I say this with my hand on heart – even though PBS, the state newsroom, insists on painting the police like a bunch of knights in shining armour.
PBS of course does not underline the fact that the main police witness in this case was PS Adrian Lia.
He was central to the Nicholas Azzopardi interrogation, and some years earlier he was stripped off a police medal, after it was discovered that he had lied about his so called act of bravery in saving a woman from drowning at Ghar id-Dud.
Not only was he not disciplined, but Lia was promoted to police sergeant from PC.
Yes you heard right. Promoted to police sergeant.
Very much like Joe Psaila, the perpetrator of so many abuses under a Labour government, who was promoted under the Nationalists to Assistant Commissioner.
Now the Police Force argues that allegations against the police are exaggerated. Well, dead man tell no tales, that is why they sound exaggerated.
But videos and live witnesses tell another story. Two separate stories of a police sergeant beating up a woman in Paceville and the recent case of a black man beaten up prove that the police are not exactly overdressed bunnies with lollipops in their mouths.
In the most notorious case of last year it had to be the irrefutable proof of a video clearly showing police sergeant David Sant kicking a middle-aged French woman in the chest. If it had been a simple report or story without a video, we would have been accused of sensationalism.
The latest tradition is to call MT sensational whenever we choose to write stories that speak the truth.
The other case was of a Sudanese who happened to be black and was beaten up by police at Paceville - had it not been seen first hand by Maltese national Rebecca Filletti who had the gall to speak up, it is more than obvious that the police would have labelled this accusation as “mud slinging”.
If anyone on this Island has confidence in the Police Force, I am sorry to say it can only be attributed to those people who have blind faith in governments.
Anyone who trusts a government should have his head checked – but not at Mater Dei please, anywhere but not Mater Dei!
What is sensational?
To be accused of being sensational is of course not rare, so I have taken the liberty of putting down 10 separate stories which in my very sensational view would lead any one of the PN ministers, Labour leaders and/or Green and dark politicians to accuse us of being just that.
1. Calling Gaddafi a mad dog – this is to be considered incredibly shocking since this may sour the relationship between the two countries and the business interests of a select few.
2. Waiting lists at Mater Dei – this is definitely sensational, since one has to appreciate that just because one has to wait years for a cataract operation and hours to be seen to, it does not follow that there is a problem.
3. Letting Group 4S run the show at Mater Dei – once again, to suggest that the job carried by Group 4S can be carried out by government employees is ludicrous. Government employees are good for nothing, wasted space and as such should be treated this way.
4. Reminding government of how many millions it threw away at the dockyards in the last 20 years – Give Gonzi a chance and after all he is on holiday in Normandy and one should respect his privacy.
5. There is something fishy about the ‘break in’ at a Labour MP’s home – The private life of our MPs or MEPs is none of our business, they can do as they wish, even if it contradicts what they stand for.
6. Herceptin is a life saving drug that has not been listed in the list of free drugs - Come on, why remind everyone that breast cancer patients are spending thousands on this drug? Can’t you talk about something positive such as the latest inauguration of a statue of St Lawrence by the PM in Gozo!
7. The attempt by Gonzi to ask Victor Galea to choose between politics and a teacher is despicable – U ejja, why should Alternattiva be treated with kid gloves?
8. PS Adrian Lia is a proven liar, and for his lies he was promoted to police sergeant – This is sensational garbage. Why are you being so personal?
9. Malcolm Naudi sees nothing wrong is serving as President of the Institute of Journalists and as a press consultant to Group 4S – You would do the same, wouldn’t you – you sensational bastard?
10. Alex Sceberras Trigona takes us back to Stone age, his policies are outdated and a throwback to Mintoffian international politics – Come on, give the man a chance, just like Joe Psaila who was given a chance to become a decent guy, I am sure Alex Sceberras Trigona is someone who has a lot to contribute to society.
Next Wednesday in MaltaToday
Saviour Balzan talks about how people should do everything to avoid paying their taxes
