Joseph M. Cachia
Joseph writes to us from Vittoriosa, Malta.
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How Much Would This Buffoonery Cost Us? - Most Maltese are unaware of the heavy price that we have to incur in the coming weeks for the enormous cost being borne for the holding of the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in Malta. Of course, besides the pecuniary issue which many are guessing it would go over 10 million Euros, one must also consider other issues, including the loss of studies, work, mobility and a hundred other inconveniences.For one, while noting the undignified stance taken in the forced closing down of our University, Alternattiva Demokratika, quite rightly, also deplored the closing down of all our schools.
“The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.” - Samuel Butler
Our members of government could have done much better to heed the remarks, uttered much earlier by our Prime Minister Muscat when he had expressed his doubts to the holding of this event, or rather 'non-event', way back in 2003, especially on its cost estimates. And he had further continued: “I will not go into the questions on whether our country affords or needs to host such a summit.
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“If governments let themselves be fully bound by the decisions of their parliaments without protecting their own freedom to act, a breakup of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration. - Mario MontiFollowing the resounding "No" from Greek voters in a referendum on austerity, which could send the country crashing out of the euro-zone, European leaders were scrambling in total disarray and confusion.
Greece may be ‘broke’, but it surely broke the backbone of the European Union. It may have lost the economic, financial and political battle, but not the war.
Whatever the E.U.’s response to the courageous Greek “No”, this daring vote blasts wide-open the volatility and frailty of the Union. Another bailout would shatter all propositions and self-imposed regulations of the euro-zone, while its negation would send Greece tumbling out of the euro-zone and possibly out of the E.U. and N.A.T.O.!
Is the prophecy of the ‘The New York Times’ coming to fruition? “Economy Shows Cracks in European Union”, it had predicted. “but even many committed Europeanists believe that the alliance is failing the test…. and they have rushed to protect jobs in their home markets at the expense of those in other member countries”.
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"There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust." - DemosthenesUp till now, nearly all objections and protests about the building of an ‘American University of Malta’ have centred on the plunder of pristine land and encroaching on ODZ (Outside Development Zone) land. It goes without saying that all these protestations are justified as probably are the accusations of the ‘university’ excuse for the usurpation of this land for commercial speculation.
The fact that both the NP (Nationalist Party) and the Church jumped on the bandwagon should not serve as a diversion from more thoughtful perspectives.
Why it it being (erroneously?) repeated that the land is BEING GIVEN BY THE PRIME MINISTER DR JOSEPH MUSCAT? Presumably, it must have had the approval of the whole LP group, or at least a Cabinet decision, as eventually all will be carrying the shared responsibility!
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Does this phrase "No Justice, No Peace" sound revolutionary to you? Do you take it as a ‘threat’? If you do you are totally right, as consequently you are, perhaps unknowingly, acknowledging the pressure of the enormous global injustices prevailing in today’s world. However, it may not be so much a threat as much as it is a cry of the heart. It is not simply a call to protest, but also a naming of the powers and what those powers have done and are still doing.As Jimmy Cliff sang:
How is there going to be peace?
When there is no justice, oh no, oh
Someone is taking my share
And they just don't give a damn, no they don't care
Furthermore, this slogan can be equally applied to the rising voice as well as to the listener, to whom it could well be a warning.
Notwithstanding, the greatest injustice, presently prevailing in most European countries and strongly promoted by the European Union, is the privatisation of most public and government services. When services are privatised, injustice flows freely. Private corporations frame services in business terms, placing economic outcomes over social objectives, preventing prioritisation of the poor and vulnerable.
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“Anyone who interferes with the destiny of another thing never will discover his own.” - Paulo CoelhoThe fact that we have exposed the lies and exaggerations of the global elite – from Iraq’s illusionary weapons of mass destruction to hysterical warnings of Syria’s chemical weapons – does not count for much. The Obama administration — now an imperial presidency in serious violation of the Constitution and the will of the American people — and its partners, primarily the EU (European Union) countries, continue to push for all-out wars despite the transparent quality and facile nature of disinformation put out every few days.
A fresh new report says that the US Congress has SECRETLY voted to fund the delivery of arms to Syrian rebel factions till the end of September 2014. But then comes the utmost hypocrisy!
At the Syria Geneva II Peace Conference in Switzerland, (where, of course the US takes a centre stand) the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon said: "Syrians must come together to save their country, protect their children and find a peaceful path to a better future." Mr. Ban spoke of the suffering in Syria, saying: "Enough is enough. The time has come to negotiate."
And now, here we go again! This time it’s Ukraine. And it’s a ‘déjà vu’ situation.
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About 95% of Crimeans in referendum voted to join Russia - preliminary results.So now it’s over! The people have spoken! But this time the massive majority in Crimea, unlike the strikingly poor but violent mob, definitely in the minority of not more than, perhaps, 18%, incited and openly-supported by US/EU (United States/European Union) bloc in Ukraine have legitimately and undeniably expressed their choice of course for the future of their country.
Your Honour, you reportedly condemned the events taking place in Crimea and reiterated Malta's call for the full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. But how is it that Malta never condemned the violent uprising, against a democratically-elected and legitimate Government in Ukraine? And what did you have to condemn in Crimea? Well, you now have the answer!
You emphasised that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine are inviolable under international law. Hopefully, you recall that what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander and thus your statement also now equally applies to the Crimean people!
Or, are we going to kowtow, as constantly had been, to the European Union diktat and continue to support and aid the unruly and illegitimate uprising in Ukraine? At least, it was heartening to note that while some countries were calling for sanctions against the Ukraine, our Foreign Affairs minister was calling for the EU ministers to assess the situation, as Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich agreed to a truce with opponents and offered early elections.
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