Wednesday, 5th November 2008 - 10:35CET
Joseph Muscat writes to Obama
Labour leader Joseph Muscat has written to US President-Elect Barack Obama to congratulate him on his victory.
"I am sure that with your election to the Presidency of the United States, the excellent relations existing between our two countries and our people will be further developed to strengthen the economic, social and cultural ties between our two nations," Dr Muscat wrote.
"On a political and, I must say, a personal level, your election makes historical news not only in your country but also for all of us, across the world, who believe in a multilateral approach to international issues in which Europe and the United States work in closer partnership and collaboration."
Dr Muscat told Senator Obama that his election was welcome news for all those who shared their belief that environment and climate change were not just trendy topics for discussion but crucial issues of great importance for the well being of mankind.
"Your election is welcome news for all those who believe that everyone, irrespective of social or economic background, should have the opportunity to succeed in one's life.
"Your election as President of the United States is indeed welcome news for all those, especially young women and men, who believe and hope in a change to a better way of doing things; a way that goes beyond outdated partisan and divisive politics," Dr Muscat said.
Comments
Protocol has got nothing to do with it. Everyone is free to write a letter to whoever they want. If anyone felt to have been misrepresented, they can take issue directly with the author.
Letters are read, either by the addressee or by any of their agents. Letters are tagged and filed for potential future reference. If Muscat is as good as he says he is, then he may get to lead the Maltese people, in which case, these type of communications may come to serve a higher purpose in due course.
Read between the lines; see what happens in the real world. Read The Economist, The Washington Post , The Financial Times, but above all read what G. Grima had to say on last sunday's local Times, with the title "We are all Socialists now" In the real wold there are shades colours and hues, in their thousands. Surely, as a very intelligent and rational person, you cannot lump everyone in the same sack?
It is nothing short of showing respect for one of the same beliefs.
You see what happens when government takes Labour's advice?
Hedging is wrong - just a gamble on the markets.
The oil market is a near perfect market meaning that all known information about future demand and supply is already worked in the price. So hedging is basically useless and is only a game that in the long-term cancels out any advantages or disadvantages. Hedging only works for companies that have contracted prices eg airlines.
EneMalta hedged and now we cannot benefit from the present oil price (which is by no means cheap, as UK prices actually show - Joe Vella should reproduce the last six months' price list in the UK when it was much dearer there and very stable here - now he's taking the most flattering example for his point).
What EneMalta should do is to average: buy an equal proportion every month for, say, three months, then charge us the average price of the previous three months. That is transparent, related to actual oil price, and stable for as long as you want it to be stable.
Jeff Inguanez
who think that the USA DEMOCRATIC PARTY is similar to MLP you are wrong, Besides the fact that in the USA they have a Socialist Party, although its a minor political party.
Politics in the Usa are quite different from the local one, on some issues the republican party could be compared to mlp on others with the pn and viceversa the democrats. Political Ideology in usa is very different from the european one. Both major parties are on the right spectrum of politics when compared with ours.
In the past democrats have been a pro slavery party ... I never heard a left leaning party advocating slavery. Republicans much against the general misconception in europe are NOT war mongers as we belief, nearly all conflicts the usa have been involved in have been begun by the democrats. Republicans have always been for isolationism from world affairs. Conservative on moral issues they are progressive on others. Both parties have no strict ideology and often borrow issues from each other.
the following is a table showing the price of petrol in the UK.
Time Submitted Fuel Price(p/l) Brand Petrol Station Location
08/11/2008 16:24:35 Unleaded 94.9 Unknown Somerfield (Guisborough) Map Link
08/11/2008 16:24:14 Unleaded 93.9 Shell Shell Guisborough Map Link
08/11/2008 15:50:29 Unleaded 97 Unknown Tavistock Service Station - Map Link
08/11/2008 15:41:10 Unleaded 94.9 Morrisons Morrisons Map Link
08/11/2008 15:40:47 Unleaded 92.9 Esso Dunglass Service Station Map Link
08/11/2008 15:22:28 Unleaded 94.9 Esso Belmont Circle Map Link
08/11/2008 15:22:09 Unleaded 92.9 Esso Westside Service Station Map Link
08/11/2008 15:21:48 Unleaded 93.9 Total TCS Peterborough Map Link
08/11/2008 14:15:22 Unleaded 92.9 Sainsburys Sainsbury's Bridgwater Map Link
08/11/2008 14:07:36 Unleaded 95.9 Texaco Somerfield Aylesbury Map Link
08/11/2008 14:07:10 Unleaded 94.9 Tesco Tesco Broadfields Map Link
08/11/2008 14:06:38 Unleaded 94.9 Tesco Tesco Map Link
08/11/2008 13:57:35 Unleaded 98.9 Texaco Texaco Map Link
08/11/2008 13:55:02 Unleaded 92.9 BP North Eastern Co Op Map Link
08/11/2008 13:40:35 Unleaded 97 Texaco Magpie Garage Map Link
If I where to take the average price of 0.95 pence per litre that is equivalent to 1.17 Euros.
Need to say more!
If you want to support a Socialist movement in the USA, I suggest to you to go and Join your brothers and sisters in arms within The Socialist International Movement which are Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) and not The Domocratic Party.
The Democratic Party is made up of individual on the political spectrum form Civil Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals and Centrist.
Next move: check diary - make sure no prior important appointments at one of the MLP clubs so he can let the President and Prime Minister do their thing on Remembrance Day before he takes his turn.
Mirror, mirror on the wall....... yuk!
Finance ministers within the EU have just met to seek ways of stabilising the situation arising from a world-wide financial crisis. Government representatives from the USA, China, EU, and other major economies are due meet in Washington for the same reason. Economies are on the verge of sliding into a recession. In other words, the situation is bad world-wide and stands to get worse.
Malta has fared well as the worst initial blows were contained and absorbed by the sound economic policies observed by government over recent years and by having in place strict controls over financial sectors.
Government has correctly adjusted its targets to as far as possible enable the economy to cope with the ill-effects of the situation prevailing on the international front that is bound to hit us in coming months.
Put crudely, the choice facing the people today is that between paying the going rates for W&E consumption, or paying less for those utilities and thereby risking loss of their job - and so of their main source of income.
Like, with whose money - if not that of the consumers themselves. How long does it take you people for the penny to drop?
As in the case of your reasoning regarding changes in W & E rates, you got my comment all wrong. What I said was not that the protest should not take place, but that holding it was pointless, i.e. whether it was held or not would not affect reality one iota.
And, in any case, no one in Malta makes use of the Astronomical Utility so, whatever that utility may be, the related tariff should not affect anyone in any way.
Re: Frans Sammut: Joseph Muscat wrote to the President-elect and not to the President.
Oh, how bright you are! I am really amazed at your intelligence. Thank you very much for the information. Were it not for your kindness I would think that Barack Obama would be formal president of that obscure country right now which would make that guy Bush a trespasser at the White House. Thank heavens we have Corinne Vella to enlighten us on such occult knowledge. What would we do without her assistance in the cultural, social, political spheres? She should be a cultural adviser to someone important, what?
I did not address that to PN followers. I am not a political fanatic and I only want what is good for the country, coming from whoever it is, even if it is the MLP I did not bring politics into it like you did and therefore and very unfortunately I had to now.
I am addressing that to those of us who have no pride in our country, whoever they may be.
However, do you think that all PN followers are proud of their country? If yes, go and tell it to the marines. And what is urking you all so much that Dr. Muscat sent a message to Mr Obama? He has every right. Even I can send him a message. What is all this fuss?
Mr Savona. Whether he reads or not you will never know. That is not the issue here.
And I highly doubt that Obama will read this letter and if he had to read it, I do not think that he will know who Dr.Joseph Muscat !!
The fact is that Obama will NOT read the letter, everyone knows that. The letter will not reach the desk of a person who will even care, and will remain in a pile of letters from well wishers from around the world and eventually read by a clerk. I am sure he will receive a generic thank-you letter in reply.
The fact is that the letter was written for the Maltese people, not for Obama. Joe is telling the Maltese people what he thinks and is trying to attach himself (in the eyes of the Maltese) to Obama's victory. This is called spin.
Great he wrote a letter, as is his right. However you should not fool yourselves as to the reasons for releasing it to the media. He has clever marketing people. Kudos to them!! Trumped the PM again.
I must admit, the MLP are playing the political game the modern way........Smart.
@...Michael A. Vella... Re your comment to Mr. Joe Farrugia, about next sunday`s manifestations against the IMPOSITION of the Astronomical Utility Tariffs, you said that you don`t mind if it is held.... But then in the same breath, you said that you do not want it to be held because, IN YOUR OPINION, It is, "...so pointless.." .....!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well.. Well.. Well.. So Pointles ehhh...!! That`s exactly what GonziPN whants us to do Michael.. Do not say anything.. do not open our mouth.. do not express our DISMAY in any way , shape or form..... That`s like a Defeated Boxer throwing in his towel in the ring as a sign of defeat, without even offering a due fight.... GHAX IKUN QATA` QALBU...!!!!
In our case, these HIGHEST EVER Water & Electricity backdated bills, have NOTHING to do with what is going on in the world`s economy today, BUT MAINLY BECAUSE OF BLATANT MISMANAGEMENT BY ENEMALTA AND POLITICAL INTERFERANCE DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO...
So Why Should WE PERSONALLY, have to make Good for such mishaps...?? At least we should have been compensated in the budget....!!!!
Michael if you can afford such increases, good for you.... BUT MANY DON`T.....
You cannot take it that a "lefty" is the head of the USA! Fox News, Wall Str journal , the Economist,the Financial Times etc and all the right wing media, believed and thought that Obama is to the left of centre ie a Social democrat! So we do not believe these media and instead we believe you that Obama is not a "lefty"! Dear Mr Vella, if you have lived in the USA for 30 years and have not understood what Obama's politics stand for, it simply means that you have a very myopic view of the reality of American politics. And upps, being socialist has become fashionable again!!!! What is wrong with me?????
So it's OK for the PN to pontificate to President Elect Obama AND to offer advice (sic!) but Dr Joe Muscat gets lambasted for congratulating him on a historic achievment?!?!
What brazen cheek; they deserve the Oscar for Inconsistency and Hypocrisy.
As for the manifestation next Sunday, it's the right of whoever feels like going. I can promise you all that you will not be sprayed with tear gas, you won't be attacked by the SAG with their faces covered, you will not be shot at by the red thugs and police members with covered faces, you will be left to demonstrate in peace, which is a far cry from the 70ies and 80ies, when democracy was threatened, even worse we had a voteless PM who wanted to suspend democracy in those violent days. Where was your pride in those days?
@E. Azzopardi - do not address PN followers when talking about pride in their country. It was PN that brought independence when others wanted integration. It was PN who applied to become EU members, where others as soon as they were in power halted the application, stating we would not cut it out with the whales as we are 'MAKKU'
Yes, but not in the way you think. People here commenting on JM's inadequate performance do so because they are concerned that, ever since Paul Boffa was pushed aside, a significant part of the political sector has been - and still is - without leadership that is credible and which may be trusted to run the country reasonably well as an alternative government.
People who vote PN do so because they believe in fair competition. Indeed, PN has itself expressed its concern more than once on the non-availability of a credible alternative party so that vorters may be presented with a viable choice.
MLP has consistently remained out of the running as an alternative to PN by coughing up a series of leaders that lack the very qualities that true leaders should have. Lack of viable competition is not a happy situation and that applies to politics as well.
Tghidu x tghidu kontra Joseph Muscat xejn m hu ha jaqta qalb dan il-Mexxej Zaghzugh b'ideat godda....
Kuragg poplu, fl-ahhar qed naraw l-min qed jaghmel id-differenza f' Malta.
Is that not what this whole thing is all about?
There was never any comment to the effect that the so-called manifetation should not take place - what is being said is that the whole thing is just so pointless.
What is happening to the economy here is the result of world-wide financial instability and walking down a street and standing around in a public square is not going to change the situation one jot.
The real problem here is not the economy, but those politicians and union leaders who claim that there is an easy solution when, in fact, there is none - other than for all to adjust their way of life to the new realities.
The party is over, far too many people have been living for far too long on a far too large amount of borrowing. Far too many banks have dished out far too much money to far too many people who had little or no ability to pay it back. There is a hill to be climbed . JM and his ilk are wrong to refer to manna from heaven.
And to all those who said that Mr Obama does not even know where Malta is, I say;
WHERE IS YOUR PRIDE IN YOUR COUNTRY? If and only if, Mr Obama did not know where Malta is ( because you are all assuming and when you assume you make an ''ass'' of ''u'' and ''me'') then Mr Obama NOW knows where MALTA is , thanks to Dr. Muscat.
It is not only the Government of the day which can be of benefit to our country.
Let us all work together for the benefit of this country, for goodness sake. Be mature.
Or you are already thinking and imagining that we are going to have a young person leading our country in five years time. By the way, are the U.S. citizens immature that they elected a young President to lead this country?
What I find disturbing however is why this should make any news at all...
Frans Sammut: Joseph Muscat wrote to the President-elect and not to the President.
@ ALL....PN `Friends of Friends`...
I have to say this again, because i just simply cannot understand how and why, a simple letter of congratulations to an American President to be, Mr Barack Obama from a Leader of the Opposition and the Malta Labour Party, Dr. Joseph Muscat, have BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SUBJECT SO MUCH, by almost all P.N. bloggers...!!!!! Especially when certain PN Diehards, start their old tactics of `Demonising` and `Character Assassinating` Dr. Muscat, in persona...!!!!
I am very sure, that at this day and age, this kind of `mud smearing` is catapulting back to the thrower himself, and with NO EXTRA Dividends to the P.N. as a whole......!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets grow up Guys, and if we have to criticise something, lets `attack` the Message and NOT the `Messenger`.....!!!!!!
Mr Pace, should have joseph not contested the MLP leadership election he would have been present for Obama's convention few months ago after receiving an invitation directly from the man himself.
Now you tell me who knows who!
Joseph Muscat congratulated Obama. It's no big deal. he IS the opposition leader of this country, after all. Who else would congratulate Obama on his success, if not fellow politicians?
and for all we know, GonziPN could be knocked off his seat if he doesn't step his game up. So Joseph Muscat may have thought ahead and made a smart move in that respect...who knows.
If my memory serves me right the Americans that the MLP brought to Malta to carry out the polling was a Public Realations Firm that was associated with The Republican Party and not the Democratic party.
Umm! Yes, should keep JM busy for the next few years working out how best to do that.
President - Elect Obama will be Inaugurated on January 20th, 2009 and not on the 29th as you stated.
The Republicans called President - Elect Obama many things during the campaign. It doesn't mean he is any of that. If you are suggesting tha President - Elect Obama or the DNC is/are Socialist they are not.
The Democratic Socialist of America is the American organisation that is affiliated with Socialist International, and not the Democratic Party .
Sorry to have broken your hearth.
THE DEMOCRARTIC PARTY (DNC) IS NOT A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL.
The Democratic Socialist of America is the American organisation that is affiliated with Socialist International.
Here is some background information about the Democratic Socialist of America.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is a social democratic/democratic socialist organization in the United States and the US affiliate of the Socialist International, a federation of social democratic, democratic socialist and labor parties and organizations.
DSA was formed in 1982 by a merger of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) and the New American Movement (NAM). DSOC was the largest group to emerge from the splintering of the Socialist Party of America in 1973; two other Socialist Party factions went on to form Social Democrats USA and the Socialist Party USA. NAM was a coalition of writers and intellectuals with roots in both the New Left movements of the 1960s and the more traditional parties of the Old Left.
All international politicians know Malta. We're close to Libya and US uses Malta as a base for their war ships and we're ally close to other 'rogue' nations.
If Barack Obama doesn't know about Malta, he'll know now with Joseph's letter.
Do me a favour and when you see anything I post don't try to understand. Just move on. Thank you.
Can anyone tell me what's wrong with the fact that the leader of the labour party and leader of the opposition write to congratulate the leader of the democratic party in USA for being elected President of the USA. Don't you know that both parties are members of socialist International? Didn't you follow the campaign? Republicans where trying to scare people not to vote for Obama because he is a socialist? Prosit Joseph, you did the write thing.
5 year old Kid's, Also did !!!
@ Dr Clive Aquilina Spagnol .... protocol? JM could not even follow the simple protocol as the laying of flowers???
Surely everyone realizes that the MLP's marketing department is in overdrive just putting everything Joe does in the paper. The aim of the game is to trump everything before the PN make a move. Of course also to make a link from Joe to Obama's achievements. Albeit totally unrelated. Quite smart, however very transparent.
To use Palins words....."Say it ain't so Joe!"
@.. J. FARRUGIA....
UT OF SUBJECT COMPLETELY Mr. J... ....!!!!!!
As you said "..you have nothing to worry about walking down republic street..", ALLURA, I invite you again to be Courageous and come to valletta next sunday and not only walk down republic street, but hear the other side of the argument... Who knows, you might LEARN somthing.
You will have noticed that during McCain conceding speech upon mentioning President elect name, the crowd booed.
Whereas, on that same historical evening when Mr. Barack Obama mentioned Mr. McCain he was applauded.
That is the difference.
@Daphne caruana Galizia,is it a rule that one have to be a Head of state or country to congraguate an election victory
What would Obama think if he knew how racist most of the maltese are.
Here's a few pointers
We all human beings whatever our colour.
Americans realised that Obama's policies and attitude showed promise and now
the most influential man in the world is black.
Frans Sammut: The president of the USA is called George W Bush not Barack H Obama. If Joseph Muscat meant to congratulate the president, then he wrote to the wrong person.
The Democratic Party is a compilation of people from the Centre, centre left and the Centre right of the Political Spectrum. I ought to know. In my 30 years of having lived on the North American Continent, I was involved within the Democratic Party in the USA and the Liberal Party in Canada over the years.
In todays fast changing world, only people like you and the MLP have stuck in the past and remain prisoners of the political labelling. The PN have been successful over the years because it has recognized the change that it is going around the world and adopted policies to fit the times. The PN today, on the political spectrum, one could say that on the Fiscal side of things resembels the right wing of the Democratic Party, while on the social side reflects that of the left wing of the Democratic Party.
There are other Parties on the left of the Political spectrum in the USA to represent the outdated, Wackey and doctrined policies of the MLP.
Only the MLP have remind stuck in the past.
If JM's letter actually found its way to Obama's attention, together with that of our PM, and many many other country and political leaders from the world over by that time, so well so good.
Does the order of delivery matter? To Obama, surely not. They are one of many.
1) That Obama's election made historic news for people who want closer ties with the US.
2) That his election was welcome news for environmentalists.
3) That his election was welcome news for those who believed in equality.
4) That his election was welcome news for those who believe in change .
Do you think Obama got the point his election was welcome news after Joseph Muscat said it so many times in the quoted excerpts alone?
You need to be more original Joseph. Those comments look as though they were lifted from some BBC news article and appended to the phrase 'Your election was welcome news'.
6/10 Must try harder
Chris Borg
MIKE MAGRI
Dane Cauchi
Simon borg
Daniel Baldacchino ………..and all diehard MLP and PN supporters.
I cannot believe that in 2008, 80% of all of us Maltese still remain slaves of one of two party factions. Today, our country deserves better.
If you sincerely love Malta you simply need to listen to what ALL have to say about any issue and change to judge irrespective of who put the proposal on the table.
For example; notwithstanding the critisizim, Dr. Gonzi was right when he geared the duty of new cars to emissions. Well done!
It is a pity that he did not also gear road licence to emission too. The pollution of any car is geared to mileage. VRT stations measure emissions already + monitored On-Line by ADT. So it was perfectly realistic and achievable. But an excellent start!
The important is One.
Today All Social Partners, Unions, Dr. Gonzi & Dr. Muscat too, treasure what Obama said - Freedom, Democracy and Opportunity.
With Bush gone the difference between Obama & MacCain is small.
The difference between Gonzi and Muscat is small too.
So now it is up to all of us to change too.
SHAME ON YOU GUYS!!!!
As regards to the acclaimed changes Obama will bring to the US, only time will tell. I do hope however that his Administrative prowness are as sharp as his Oratory skills. The proof of the pie is in the eating. What I am sure of is that he is a grand motivator ...and that is nearly half of it in my opinion.
Let us hope, augur and work for ever closer relations with the US as this is surely the best way forward for us and Malta avoiding petty matters.
Well done Joseph.
DCG should know that it is normal and desirable for Social Democrats to write to each other.
But of course we all know what DCG stands for!!!
Gonzipn may write to the rightist McCain.
I do not presume that Gonzi will act now and do the same,for it has no purpose,but even when he does at least he is the prime mimister.
In my oponion America will now have the chance to wipe out the corruption and instability and hatred it was building,since Obama has a vision that will introduce new change to the country and be direct to it's people,which are obviously the tax payers.
So I do hope he will be able with the help of his team will start changing all this.
As for Malta ,well it would help if we had a new young generated party that can lift up Malta's economy and infa structure with a vision that will make it self sufficient,for we have the resources if we can.
This vision can be realised by Azzjoni Nazzjonali and hope that next election the people of Malta will use their votes wisely in order to elect a party that will change the existing system forever and bring prosperity to our sacred island.
Well, the US already have Joe the Plumber, maybe now they will have a new mascot called Joe the Maltese Opposition Leader.
Surely everyone realizes that the MLP's marketing department is in overdrive just putting everything Joe does in the paper. The aim of the game is to trump everything before the PN make a move. Of course also to make a link from Joe to Obama's achievements. Albeit totally unrelated. Quite smart, however very transparent.
To use Palins words....."Say it ain't so Joe!"
You are basing your conclusions of President Obama by what he wes called by the Republican ticket. If you listen to what Obama was called by the Republican ticket and what wes the messages bing transmited by those robocall, One would think that Obama was the Devil himself.
If you believed all of this you are one gullible individual indeed. I, for one, am happy that the vast majority didn't do so and fell for the negative campaign of the Republican Party. It might be news to you that in Malta the party that have a history of runnning on negative campaigns rather on substance is none other the MLP.
On to the serious stuff now. Just to address the one issue policy that you raised, that' s Tax. What Obama is proposing is exactly what we have been blessed with in the last 3 budgets here in Malta. Plainly put, the lowering of the tax rates, and the increase of the tax bands.
Is it that hard to understand?
As to my state of mind Sir please note that it is changed enough to the point that I am not blinded with nice words, the great JM has not once prooved to me that he is actually worth his stuff. Case in point the demonstration about the budget that was proposed before the budget was announced?!?!?! Do I even need to go into the merits of what he actually says?
Joseph Muscat got the same political system what Obama preach and now its in the hands our nation to realize that change is needed .
http://www.usaprotocol.com/
Democrats on the other hand (well Obama) had an excellent campaign, and he was constantly positive and always focusing on his proposals and plans. McCain actually made the same mistake MLP made, which was focus on attacking the democrats through the media, mainly obama. (Examples....Joe the Plumber, Smear Campaign, and of course the best is Obama associated with terrorists, but that was by other republicans).
Similar to the MLP campaign, which all it did was attack candidates of the PN through the media.
I'm just showing the actual similarities. Also just a quick note Obama's Economic Policy is very similar to PN's new tax budget for 2009. Obama promised to fix the economy but McCain pointed that Obama's economic policy will force the taxes to be raised.
"Change " , someone here stated that Joseph came up with the brilliant idea of CHANGE in 2004 , Efa did it before him ; remember "il-Bidla" ? Change is one of the most used slogans in electoral campaigns together with "yes we can" or " Flimkien kollox possibbli".
If JM wanted to congratulate Obama it would have been acceptable if he would not go public , probably the PM , or the foreign minister did just that formality without blowing trumpets.There is a thing which is called PROTOCOL which JM has to learn.
Prime ministers write to heads of state, party leaders write to party leaders , without much trumpet blowing.
I would like to see Barack's -JM will address him like that in no time-reply.
When will he receive the reply is another story.
In your opinion, if someone thinks Obama has socialist tendencies, he should be pitied. If you followed the presidential election, you would have seen that Obama put forward very socialist tendencies into his speeches and in fact, one of the biggest differences between him and his opponent was who to cut tax from, which Obama routed in a very socialist manner. He continuously said how the USA should leave money in people's pocket and tax the big corporations instead. You're so wrong that even McCain himself, as his last weapon, claimed that Barack is a Socialist to incite fear in people (strangely enough in the USA being Socialist is exactly like being a Communist). I don't think you've been following the election well, or else you wouldn't have commented such thing.
Of course Malta needs the USA, that's exactly why the Prime Minister (current and future) should write these types of letters and congratulate the winner.
Obama is being congratulated by major leaders like Medvedev, and image, here he gets Muscat's letter. "Hmm.."- he goes - "Joseph Muscat? Malta? Who? Where? Do I even have time for petty things like this?"
I even think it would be a little silly for Gonzi to bother congratulating Obama, us being such a small country which is , whether we like it or not, insignificant to international politics. Let alone Joseph Muscat!!
Dr. Muscat is the new leader but he should study history with an objective mind and confesses to the USA administration that the Malta Labour Party was always on the other side of the fence.
As regards the environment the record of the Malta Labour Party either in government or not is not something to be proud of - if anything it was damaging and opportunistic.
As regards partisan and divisive politics, the Malta Labour Party is the party that divided Malta into two halves - either with us or against us and if you are against us please hide if we are in power.
I'm pretty sure that the USA have an embassy in every country in the world. That doesn't mean that Mr.Obama knows about our country.
@ D.Buttigieg
If you think that Obama is a socialist like Dr.Muscat, you are to be pitied. America has always been a very liberal country with unbridled pro-capitalist ideas. The Republicans and Democrats are two sides of the same coin. The only difference is that the Democrats are not warmongers and less hardliners than the Republicans in their policies.
@ Clifton Aquilina
If I am under-estimating Malta, than you are way over-estimating it. Irrespective of whether most americans know of our existence, they don't need us! It's Malta that needs the USA!
The Democratic Party is a compilation of people from the Centre, centre left and the Centre right of the Political Spectrum. I ought to know. In my 30 years of having lived on the North American Continent, I was involved within the Democratic Party in the USA and the Liberal Party in Canada over the years.
In todays fast changing world, only people like you and the MLP have stuck in the past and remain prisoners of the political labelling. The PN have been successful over the years because it has recognized the change that it is going around the world and adopted policies to fit the times. The PN today, on the political spectrum, one could say that on the Fiscal side of things resembels the right wing of the Democratic Party, while on the social side reflects that of the left wing of the Democratic Party.
There are other Parties on the left of the Political spectrum in the USA to represent the outdated, Wackey and doctrined policies of the MLP.
Only the MLP have remind stuck in the past. Wakey, Wakey.
I am a U.S.Citizen of Maltese birth and I can assure that our President Elect Obama will have absolutely no idea who Joseph Muscat is . As one other person pointed out previously, very few people here in U.S. even know that Malta is a country and have never heard about the Prime Minister or very much less the leader of the opposition.
The comments made by most of these bloggers show THEIR lack of maturity and not of the Leader of the Opposition.
Moreover, there is that thing called "protocol", which some of us writing in this blog needs some lessons on.
@GonziPN Boggers:
What you are all jibing about, is simply a congratulations note from Joseph Muscat as a Leader of the Malta Labour Party, and Leader of the Opposition to the U.S. President to be, Barack Obama, and of which, he had ALL the rights to do.....
But the worst of it all is, that you are trying your UTMOST, into copying your PN Leaders in the`Demonising` and `Caracter Assasinating` Dr. Muscat, in persona....!!! That`s ALL...
I invite you all, to be with us all in valletta next sunday, and see and hear what Joseph has to say, and maybe get the opportunity to even meet him personally, too... I`m sure that you immediately change your `Negative` Atitude` towards Him.....
COURAGE GUYS...... DO IT.......
Of course it is understandable that a lot of people won’t understand your action, for them Malta is a tiny island and we ought to shut up and let others speak on our behalf.
That’s what the Government has been doing in these last two decades.
A Maltese brain weighs as much as an American one. what's this nonsense about JM not being Obama? Give JM a scriptwriter and a strategist to the sound of Axelrod and amaze yourself.
If one followed Obama's campaign lateral thinking was implemented quite a few times. Now tell me, who's the brains in this circumstances? Ideas and intelligence are measured by quality not quantity.
Obama's victory will raise hope of all movements on the Left. The time has come for the left to take over the pitiful state conservatives brought this world into. lately they became the laughing stock when they bailed out banks out of their defunct political "ideals".
Obama kick-started this wave, i hope Italy follows, and JM finishes it.
I didnt realise there was another mangion. My mistake. I was referring to Joseph Mangion who started the Blog.
I wonder if the Democrat Party has ever requisitioned the homes of private citizens to turn them into political clubs. That would certainly be something else they have in common with the MLP.
No, seriously, there are uncanny similarities: Obama was born on an island, exactly like Joseph. He has been elected but will only take up his post in a few months' time, exactly like Joseph. How can PN sympathisers deny that he and Joseph have so much in common?
Grow up please!! how can we ever move forward in this country!!
When Barack Obama is going to congratulate Joseph Muscat for his victory?
Throw away the sender’s address Mr. Obama, you will not need it … as long as you will not be president in 25 years time!
but that LaurenceGonzi has not. (At least TMOM hasn't reported it?)
It's not funny really. Think about it - it's embarrassing.
Or maybe he's leaving this job to Austin too?
As I have commented on another blog, Joseph Muscat , as Leader of the Opposition, has every right to congratulate Obama, as so have all of us in our private capacity.
But goodness gracious! Do you (not all admitedly) have to put Muscat in the same category as Obama? This is not a question of inferiority complex Obama, who still has to prove himself, after all, will be a leader of a nation of over 200 million people, with the largest economy in the world and as the President of the only super power, is the unofficial and de facto leader of the world. Joseph Muscat, even if he were to be Prime Minister, would be just the leader of a tiny , albeit sovereign nation, with little or no clout in the political world.
Let's keep a sense of proportion and not let ourselves get carried away with ideas of our grandeur. Please, stop trying to take Obama on board the MLP bandwagon. I know many nationalists (I'm among them} who are happy with Obama's success.
You're off target ... no staunch PN ... i've been criticizing almost everything they've done this year !
My comments were just plain truth ... both of them (JM and Obama) are now expected to deliver something valuable in addition to their nice words !
But that does not mean that it does not suck if Joseph Muscat starts imitating Barack.
Democratic Party in the USA is the same and have the same ideas as the MLP. You really do not know what you are talking about. The Democratic Party is a diverse party that is home for all people from all the political spectrum.
To all the little Elves;
Don't go overboard, Joseph Muscat is no Barack Obama.
@ mangion, your comment has "STAUNCH PN" written all over it. please...shhhh
Yes, they have something in common. Both are now expected to start delivering.
Can Mr.Borg specify? He said Joseph Muscat leads that major Party in Malta that is closest to Obama's (and the Democrats') ideals & beliefs....What exactly does the MLP beleive in? The politics of Tony Blair? That he was once against the EU ....(ehe.ehe.ehe) and now he is in favour? The politics of the European Socialist who were always against the MLP stance on EU...or as usual the politics of anti-PN-whatever the issue? So let's go and protest on Sunday, like what Tony Zarb, Alfred Sant and co used to do. Still hoping for an earthquake to happen.
If Obama does not know about Malta yet, he will soon be given detailed information about the strategic and important position this Island possesses. Why else would the USA be building one of its largest Embassies in Europe, and so near to the Middle East ?? !! Need one say more....... ?!
I believe JM was eloquent and politically correct in how he wrote to Barack Obama.
Anybody who says that our island is insignificant in the eyes of international figures such as Obama should read and inform himself. It is far from the case.
Perhaps, it would be better for the critics to read through what JM wrote and wonder whether his words will do any harm in Barack's nascent views of our island. On the contrary, he has chosen his words well.
One has to look beyond partisan rivalries. Lawrence Gonzi rightly said 'judge us not on what we say but what we do'. So rather than nit-picking on any politicians' perceived use of language, let's see what is actually delivered.
Let's hope for your sake and Malta's that yes DR. Muscat will mature in the next five years, because if he doesn't we all have to face another 5 years of GONZI PN and his arrogant gang.
So what is the difference of being leader of the opposition of the UK and being leader of the opposition of Malta , when few days ago someone was saying 27 ministers of 27 countries are on the same level . Or when we want we are makku and when we want we are leaders . That is called inferiority complex which most probably that is the general feeling of nationalist when they go to deal with other countries .
Who is copying who?
Do you know the translation of "ensemble tout devient possible" used by Sarkozy? Flimkien kollox possibli in case you didn't know.
Even if Obama doesn't know about Malta, what's wrong in letting him know that we exist?
Did you say that when GonziPN clearly copied Sarkozy's banners and motto? Or do you forget that quickly? Joseph Muscat represents half the population and thus its only normal for him to congratulate Barack.
Obama's election is bad news to all Nationalists on this blog who still believe that young, progressive politicians can never make it to power. In fact, YES, THEY CAN.
Clive Aquilina Spagnol: I imagine that they have, but it seems Joseph Muscat hasn't. Neither he, not Barack Obama, represent sovereign states.
Pretentious and pompous!
(we already knew, didn't we?)
Are you sure they don't know about Malta and its leaders.... u are underestimating our country and its leaders Blue,Red or Green .....
Unless of course we are happy to continue to get more and more taxes and tariffs
David Cameron has described Barack Obama's election as the next President of the United States as "an important moment not just for America but for the world".
David said, "In these difficult times people everywhere are crying out for change. Barack Obama is the first of a new generation of leaders who will deliver it - he has my whole-hearted congratulations."
And he added, "Barack Obama's victory will give people a new opportunity to look at the United States and see her for what I believe she is - a beacon of opportunity, freedom and democracy."
@ chris camilleri - you tell us that you don't believe in the maltese people. WE DO
@ Joseph Mangion - you get it all wrong.
1)On the 27th of September, David Cameron, leader of the opposition UK met Barack Obama. So what is wrong in Dr Muscat sending a letter congratulating President elect Obama?
2) 3rd of October 2005 - Lawrence Gonzi met President Bush
so yes...they know where malta is and yes, Leaders of the opposition do send letters and meet Presidents and other country leaders
We know that the efforts of the Nationalist Party to cling to office will be desperate, but not to this point!
Its amazing the amount of venom certain bloggers below can produce !!!
UNBELIEVABLE !!
Well said, Toni and Prosit to Joe Muscat for his kind gesture and goodwill.
@ Christopher Camilleri
I believe Obama knows where Malta is as there is an American Embassy here.
Isn't this part of a protocol to congratulate a newly elected leader of another country?
Look forward......like Obama says: Yes We can....
and i continue hope you too can change your state of minds
For those people that are pushing the fact that Joseph is not experienced Obama is their biggest answer cause this guy four years ago was no one . If you believe in what you do you manage to be a leader but if you are a person that you struggle to show enthusiasm in your input than you have anoher PN government .
Joseph YES YOU CAN
Obama too was cosidered as inexperienced in many a quarter but he still manged to achieve a lanslide victory.
Rather than waste good space on petty comments we need to grow up politically and forget the colour embedded in our genes. Let us call black ,black and white, white. Blue or red are colours of the past.
We need to take a lesson from the american peolple: 'change we need' and 'yes we can'.
What this country needs is new blood with fresh ideas. Nobody is born with a magic wand in his hands. Muscat is a rookie: is this 'breaking news'? He needs the time to grow politically. He is still the leader of half tof he nation (at least), and he has the right, the protocol and the obligation to contact any other leader of state. I would say to some of the contributers : it is not about bowing down one;s head but about taking one's head out of the sand.
joe the plumber
"Obama: sorry?.....joseph who?....michelle's joseph....? ehm.... "
"And Obama says who is Joseph Muscat?"
Why do you have such an inferiority complex at being Maltese?
The leader of a political party is always a leader of a political party, whether the country concerned is the USA, UK, Monaco or Australia.
Our country might be smaller in size and with a disastrous economy, but we should still love and respect it no matter what. One should never be afraid of talking to a foreigner who is your equal.
If the US President knows who is the leader of the opposition in the UK, in Canada, in Morocco.... yes he should know (and probably already knows) who is the Maltese Leader of the Opposition. And if he doesn't know, well now he knows and appreciates the letter of congratulations.
I feel that Obama will bring the US and the world closer together.
If we don't have anything to criticize JM with, please, let's at least keep quiet and wait until he makes a mistake and stop trying to attack perfectly healthy actions.
I am sure Joseph Muscat doesn't need any of your "advices", in my opinion it's a brilliant initiative, yes both leaders do share similar qualities irrespective from the countries they come from, both are young, charismatic, dreamers & "inexperienced"... You can keep beating yourself about Malta being unknown & insignificant but many of us choose to do differently & in that's a problem then something SHOULD be done about it.
Infact during the Labour Party's general conference, messages from various parties are read. Among these the Democratic Party.
What is surprising however are all the negative comments on whatever Joseph does.
Why are you all surprised that Mr.Obama might not know who Joseph Muscat is?
I mean, what were you all saying when our Prime Minister went through the indignity of being searched by security staff in an Australian airport?
Or was left waiting hours on end before being granted an audience with Muammar!