I write with regard to Saviour Balzan’s opinion column article (MaltaToday, 8April) and wish to comment on his less than charitable review of prospective MEP candidate Dr Alan Deidun’s objectives and aims, ostensibly in relation to the horrendous development in Wied il-Ghasel, Mosta, but moreover, in a general aspect of such key elements.
I find myself at loggerheads when confronted by Saviour’s comments as usually I am in total concurrence and accord with his views and opinions (not that that will amount to a crock of consequence to Saviour). However, on this occasion I suspect he has overstepped the mark of good grace in his own formidable and inimitable style by his ridicule and denigration of Dr Deidun.
Saviour, as always, makes very valid, forthright and keenly-observed references as to the incumbent government’s lack of commitment to protecting the environment (indeed more akin to paper platitudes) – the Galdes Commission report and the ODZ scheme, to name but a few – for indeed the present government act like sheep: all carefully concealed in sheep’s clothing.
Should we therefore all give up the ghost and capitulate, rather than attempt to influence whatever government may be in power, and not bother lobbying for support to protect what little bit of green we have left? For pretty soon the only green we will see in Malta will be on St Patrick’s Day! But does it really matter what government is in power? Whilst it can be argued that the Nationalists are in bed with the building industry magnate giants and pander to their every whim – in the process destroying our former green and pleasant land, thereby encouraging pollution, destruction and unabated construction – could we be reliably assuaged and reassured if any Labour-led government was in charge, as they are hardly advocates of the welfare of the countryside, animals or huggers of trees?
Gilbert and Sullivan got it right many years ago and must have had us Maltese in mind when they penned the lyrics of HMS Pinafore and declared: “I always voted at my party’s call... And I never thought of thinking for myself at all!”
Who knows, maybe Saviour’s attitude and run-away-from-it-all response is the way to go, but this defeatist stance flies in the face of what we have become accustomed to with regard to the fearsome and unrelenting fighting spirit repeatedly shown by him, for his pugnacious and sedulous never-say- die qualities are much admired and respected by a great many people - myself included - and perhaps it was to this perception of Saviour’s character that Deidun appealed when summoning his potential support for the plight in question.
For Deidun, along with a large number of like-minded people (myself included again) are attempting to make a difference, especially in the rape and pillaging of our Din L-Art Helwa (I wonder how much longer we will realistically be able to refer to our Islands in this manner?)
Picture us artless, ingenuous and gullible if you must; but regardless of how futile or insignificant our quest may appear nevertheless we are “having a go” and if we can make even a small dent in the giant steamroller riding roughshod over our citizens’ needs and wants, then this attempt should be encouraged and supported.
What is the alternative? Lie down and die, and let them roll over us all? Our efforts may ultimately make as much difference as passing wind in a thunderstorm and regrettably prove fruitless, but we cannot sit back and meekly accept a possible uncontrollable and inevitable fate! It is my perception that the majority of politicians cannot give a rat’s rosy rectum for the truth, but are only interested in power and the maintenance and sustaining of that power. However, to maintain that power it is essential to ensure that people remain in ignorance of the truth by treating them as mushrooms (kept in the dark and constantly fed on a diet of fertiliser). Knowledge is power, and therefore what risibly passes for democracy and actually surrounds us is a vast tapestry of lies, a Kingdom of Liars in fact, upon which we are forced to scrape and scrimper and feed on crumbs from the rich man’s table.
For the glittering prizes and endless compromises will eventually shatter the illusion of integrity presented by the soapbox orators of various colours. Rhetoric rules! Regardless of whether or not one agrees with representation in Europe, and the role, function and purpose of such figures, we still need such representation. However, our representatives owe us not their industry alone but, more crucially, they owe us their opinion for if they sacrifice such to their better judgment they would betray us rather than serve us. So cut Dr Deidun some slack, will you Saviour!
It is understandable if one is immensely disillusioned and massively disenchanted with the whole sordid world of politics per se, and having to choose between the disastrous and the despicable, but please do not ridicule and lambaste those who are shovelling excreta against the incoming tide in attempting to resolve and resist this onslaught.
In conclusion, we may fail ultimately but let’s fail gloriously through trying to stop the rot. I wish I could sleep less.... and dream more!
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