Thursday, 26th June 2008
ON DICHOTOMIES
It is interesting, even from a purely amateur (and amateurish) position, to observe our politicians in action, especially when party dynamics exercise scarcely resistible pressures.
As it is the party currently going through quite a stressful time, for all that the lil'elves (and only last Wednesday, former Elf In Chief in the House played the same game) are stirring the PN pot for all their little arms are worth, the Labour Party is rich ground for this sort of observation.
At the apex of the MLP pyramid, we have Dr Muscat, who has quite clearly determined that he is to be the fresh, young face of Maltese politics. He is engaging, if you don't mind the mildly over the top hugs and kisses, and engages well, though he does tend to answer the questions he want to answer, rather than the ones asked. In this, he's not much different from anyone who's done any media training, so we'll forgive him.
He's also a man on a honeymoon, almost literally given his and his wife's (relatively) tender years, so all in all, he's just the ticket for the "let's go for the youth vote" arm of the MLP machine.
Juxtaposed with Muscat, though, we have his immediate subordinates, in the American fashion just half-a-heart-beat each away from the dizzying heights of the Leadership. Before I suffer the fate of Hillary Rodham but I want you to remember I am Clinton, this is merely a figure of speech and I don't really think anyone is going to assasinate Dr Muscat.
In the blue corner (again, a figure of speech) we have Muscat's Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs, a gentleman who appears genuinely to believe that a PN plutocrat chucked a quarter of a million euro away in a buy the druggies' votes exercise. He also has politico-geographic issues, equiparating our country with a TPLAC (come on, all you elves, there's an opportunity to slag me off, if you know what TPLAC means) and stamping his little foot to demand that Big Brother makes sure the PN plays nice. Dr Farrugia, who has been a sentient being for as long as I have, knows that in our dim and distant past, elections were, indeed, run on the lines Mugabe seems to espouse, but that was then and this is now.
More rigorous word-processors than I have taken Farrugia's interview by Herman Grech in the Sunday Times to pieces, and I know that many of the people who read this read that, so if I do the same, I'll just be confirming that I am a running dog lackey of the PN groupie-fest. I do suggest, though, that you click across to the piece and see what makes the man tick. He does adore coming over as the hard man, someone you would not like to meet in a dark alley, someone you apologise to just in case. The reality of things, as always, is perhaps not as intimidating as all that, but hey, if that's how he wants to come across, who am I to contradict him?
Over in the red corner, Muscat has been delivered a Deputy Leader for Party Affairs who can talk the hind leg off a trailer park of donkeys and frequently does. Known for his ability to argue at the drop of a hat, and even about whether the hat was dropped with Marxist intentions or simply fell because it took too much opium to stay up, Toni Abela is going to give Joseph Muscat quite a run for his money simply trying to get a word in at all, much less edgeways.
I'm not privy to the inner workings of the MLP and I don't know if the Deputy Leaders are a) just book-ends b) vital cogs in the machine c) meant to relieve the Leader of part of his burden while being slightly decorative d) even less relevant than book-ends or e) none of the above, but Muscat, for the last couple of weeks at least, has taken care to have their fair phisogs flanking his every time he's been seen in public, so they must be of some import.
It would be surprising, actually, if the two deputies weren't wheeled out at every opportunity. The MLP must be suffering enormous internal strains, with Sant and his machine still exerting influence and making grinding noises, so having the Good, the Bad and the Ugly strutting their stuff is perhaps not such a lousy idea, since between them, the whole range of aspirations within the party can be appeased.
Yet again, before the lil'elves take aim, the GB&U crack was made for comedic effect, though it must be said that like all good comedy (if I say so myself) it has more than a grain of substance to it. You can use the comments section to have some fun: tell the world which is the G, which is the B and which is the U and why, the why bit being the one which is important. I don't moderate this blog, since I'm simply the hack who provides you with fuel, so don't blame me if your less charitable comments don't get through.
Getting my retaliation in first, I haven't written about the internal wranglings of the Nationalist Party, which is in the throes of electing itself a new administration, because,quite frankly, it isn't remotely as much fun or as interesting. The record shows that the PN gets it right, when "it" is the party structure and "gets it right" is doing what political parties are there to do, which is win elections.
In this scenario, who cares who does what to who in Pieta', when who did what to who and why at Mile End gives people like me so much more ammo?
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Comments
When you referred to designer food (and I knew what you meant), the word 'designer' brought images in my mind of models exhibiting exotic clothing up a runway.
I actually saw a smiling Jason in white slacks, brown shoes and a red carnation on his right ear.
ps Barcellona is considered by some as being the capital city of designer food. Barcellona is also the 'birthplace' of Manuel of faulty towers fame.
I have solely ENDORSED Dr F Saliba's brilliant comments regarding the author's and the readers' role in blogs. For your information, the author must initiate a discussion by being provocative and polemical to a civilised degree, in the hope that the discussion will turn out to be logical and entertaining. That is where your type misses the bus !
It would be some readers' fault if the discussion degenerates into a silly, irrelevant and offensive banter. Can you perceive any similarities with your some pieces submitted on this blog?
The advice applies to ALL bloggers including yours truly. What is more important in what concerns your type is that you should READ and UNDERSTAND ABC's piece before churning out the usual, repetitive anti-ABC comments without having the least idea what his piece is all about. Obviously you're part of the crusading brigade that you think can discredit and demolish moderate bloggers who have the guts to criticise wittily and effectively, in coherent English, your little and untouchable tin gods.
By stating that the NP is replete with quality individuals I did not mean that the NP 'handpicks'. It is the MLP which hand picks like it did with Joseph and the 'machine' made sure that enough arms were twisted just to make sure. We knew weeks ahead of the election that Joseph was the 'anointed' one. Ask Dr.George Abela.
Encouraging someone to come forward and compete for a position is not 'hand picking'. Know the difference.
Please don't go on a 'tangent' into fantasy land and bordering on the irrational in order to impress me and others (perhaps), since the nonsense you scribbled does not even come close to supporting your infantile hyperbole.
Along with not eating designer food (that's a new one) please don't dare wear designer clothes designed to make your appearance funny.
I am totally amused. Now let me enjoy some nouvelle cuisine!
Adieu.
I trust that you intend your suggestion, that the NP is replete with quality individuals, to be sweetly hyperbolic.
So you do agree that the NP 'hand-picks'.
Events suggest that the hand-picking exercise that was the SG 'election' process went at a very precarious tangent.
So will the men in grey now enter to limit damage, to overwhelm, to support, and to proceed to mould the frail clay into something resembling a vase?
OK it it were the LP the guy would think that he has become god's gift to humanity and would proceed to preside with the aplomb of a raw trumpet player.
But consider this: A NP made up of quality, and a LP made up of lesser mortals...and all the NP could master was a miserly relative majority that can all assemble in the village telephone box :)
I much prefer home cooking to designer food designed to starve a healthy Mediterranean appetite.
ps. I see that i have made progress in your eyes moving from coma to a state of denial. :)
Take care my friend
regards
Well said and expressed, in a nutshell, Dr Saliba ! If only bloggers would keep your wise words in mind and observe the rules before rushing to their keyboards to comment thoughtlessly on any topic that irritates their likes and feelings.
One must always remember that old but wise saying that states that only fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Greetings.
So the NP's difficulty this time evolves around Dr. Gonzi's favourite declining the invitation of running for GS ? A difficulty would have been if no one wanted the job and Joe Saliba would have been retained until the crisis was resolved or worse, Joe Saliba refusing to continue under any circumstances.
See, the NP works (successfully) differently than the MLP. We have quality individuals and whoever ends up getting a particular position is almost guaranteed to be as good or perhaps better in some ways, than his or her predecessor. And remember neither Dr. PBO nor Dr. Bonnici stepped in to avert a crisis. Both had declared their intentions irrespective of any other possible contestants.
Now compare the MLP's situation. After an independent report damning the party machine and the ex-leader for the latest defeat, Jason is reported to be still doing his rounds in a bid to be re-elected GS. And remember, the party's General Secretary is pivotal to its success (or failure) and Jason's CV is nothing to write home about. Chances are he will still hang around after August 5.
Talk about the NP's difficulties? What, are you in denial?
In my opinion Dr. ABC definitley has a problem. He's completely addicted to his blog. I think he can't go a week or probably even a day without reading comments criticising his articles. Thats why every (I think or nearly all) his articles are aimed at discrediting the MLP's image.
It's not just about discrediting MLP but he seems to get personal with some of the readers who oppose his articles and opinions. The little elves comments tend to indicate that. I must admit I can understand why he has this addiction, I also find it quite entertaining.
Just something I felt like mentioning but I'm sure most people are aware of. On internet forums it is quite normal to see these two sayings:
1 - Don't feed the troll (Troll - Usually the author of an article which generates a lot of negative criticism)
2 - Don't fuel the flamer (Flamer- Usually the argumentative & controversial poster replying but usually with non-constructive replies.)
On a different note I, also, would like to express my opinion - on the image you portray through your posts - which can be interpreted in a number of ways depending on the readers.
Having read several of your blog posts, I believe that you are slowly but steadily losing your credibility. Could this be due to your choice of using highly descriptive vocabulary and jargon in order to cover up the content-less articles?
Taking into consideration your keen interest in the Nationalist Party, it seems as though just like a ‘drowning man will clutch at a straw’, you too are clinging on the ‘little things’.
Greetings
You refer to my quip : 'the PN never had difficulties in choosing its' party official'. So what did go so horribly wrong this time round? :)
This refers to the selection, by a handful, of NP's Secretary General.
Now please correct me if my impressions are off mark:
Did not DrandMs Gonzi invite Dr Simon Busuttil to fill the role which DrBusuttil gently declined?
Did not other contenders, seeing Dr Gonzi's preference, back down?
This left Dr PBO as the only apparent contender before Mr Bonnici came to the fore to contest a two horse (well seeing Dr Busuttil's pedigree I would say a 2 pony:) race won by a fifth or sixth choice (ie a poor also ran).
Now my NP diehardfriends have not been exactly ecstatic at the outcome.
So there was I, getting these and other tinybits together thinking well, the blues seem to have got it terribly wrong this time.
Well, not a subject of significant stimulus. Bytheway, I am impressed at your ability to remember the birthday of dear Dom. How do you manage it? (and please, being a Sunday, do not fall for this one :)
Which one of us has been lying in a coma for the last while?
Did I miss something about the NP having some sort of difficulty electing new people to new positions in the Executive Council?
Last I heard it took some two hours to elect a full slate of officers including the new General Secretary.
The MLP, still out of breath from electing a new leader on June 6 and two deputies a few days later, are slating TWO days, August 4 and 5 to elect their 'new' administration. We will know much more on August 6, (Mintoff's birthday, may I remind you) to find out whether the old creaky machine is still at it. Talk about difficulties! One difficulty I know of is seeing Smiley leave with his plastic smile on his face, unless of course the MLP will use their magic solution of promoting a deadbeat just to get him out of his current position. Maybe there is a deal in the making right now.
I wonder how many blogs are lamenting the NP's ineptitude in electing its Executive Council?
Oops! Wrong attribution
ABC writes quite rightly of we
"peaceful, prosperous and progressive Elves."
You Mediterranean types are only aware of the myths put about by Shakespeare
that we are small of stature but in Teutonic and Norse mythology we are
human sized,very wise and of great beauty.
Consult Google.
At this rate you'll be an MLP sympathiser in a couple of years time, and by the time the next election comes around you'll be a flag waving labour hardliner yearning for the good old Mintoff days.
Your sense of humour qualifies you for promotion to the Elf kingdom where perpetual spring beams on its peaceful, prosperous and progressive Elves. The kingdom's door is open to receive you with open arms.
By the way, you state that 'the PN never had any difficulties in choosing its' party official'. So what did go so horribly wrong this time round? :)
Regards my friend. Keep your smile going :)
2nd paragraph, 1st sentence should read as follows:
When tangible proof is forthcoming, proper charges levelled and should the Courts find Nationalist ex-Ministers guilty, THAT would be the appropriate time for Gonzi to take disciplinary action.
You referred to Gonzi as a liability. Having won the election practically single-handedly in a direct confrontation with Sant and obtained a third consecutive victory for the PN is an unparalleled feat. If you regard the winner as liability, how would you describe the loser ?
When tangible proof is forthcoming, if proper charges instituted and if the Law Courts found Nationalist ex-Ministers guilty, that would find the appropriate time for the PM to take disciplinary action. To date, solely libellous, imaginary accusations forming part of an intense mud-slinging pre-electoral campaign for vote-catching purposes have resulted.
The fact that Gonzi hasn't appointed some ex-Ministers to the Cabinet is no sign of guilt. The PM has maintained his belief to appoint a leaner, younger and different Cabinet. No electoral (not electrical) promises have been reversed; it's another 5 years wait before you can say that!! Price increases for bread, fuel and electricity rates have been forced on the Government by the unstable global economic situation. A Labour government wouldn't have reacted any differently. Wake up, Mr Zammit !! Are you living in cuckoo-land ? Let the PN burn? Why, Labour has been warming opposition benches for 19 out of the last 21 years!!
you should be singning your commnets as jason micallef, jr. To me both sems to be cut from the same cloth. It is because pople like you that the MLP will never get elected. You should leave you cockiness in the cupboard my friend.
By the way, the PN never had any difficulties in choosing its' party official. Just ask Jason. and his predecessors. Now that a thought for food.
............I mean for heavens bleeding sakes can somebody tell this guy that the equivalent of " hallihom jinharqu" is not 'let them burn"..............and it's "electoral" dear John not "electrical".........................sorry J.Zammit for criticising your English but apart from that your blog has absolutely no substance!! ( I'm sure J.Zammit is going to say that AGC is burning too now!!)
Keep it up ABC...................you're burning...... but they still read your comments and spend precious minutes writing on your Blog!! Burn on Bocca!!
The handful who will decide have no real choice, have they? It has to be Paul Borg Olivier. He is an authentic representative of the party’s glorious chapter in its history, a fact that the handful will not dare snub. He excelled himself as first citizen of our August Capital City displaying dexterity and vigor. His vision is fresh youthful and progressive, ideal ingredients to counter Joseph’s significant impact on Maltese politics. The NP needs Paul to counter Joseph with his charisma, humility and drive that will attract back to the fold the thousands of wandering (and wondering) exNPvotes.
I trust that the handful will not repeat their mistake in keeping John Dalli out, resulting in the loss of a massive 2.5% of NP votes that nearly meant the loss of grip on power. Paul is the man who can keep the NP in power in 4 years 9 months 6 days 14 hours (blast I have given my cover away :). Thanks Labour for your straightfowardness.
John Zammit - your wish to see us burn has been noted
Sevasta - a week is a long time in politics - imagine 5 years!
d. attard - that was to prove I don't use spell-cehck.
I can not imagine any other option.
Yes Minister would have had it down for Tin-Pot Little African Country, but I have no doubt in my mind that you are too intelligent and di buon gusto to take that route.
By the way, assassin includes two asses
Sit back and let them burn. The PN know that anchored with JPO, and having such a liability as Gonzi, at the helm, who accepts that his team has done wrong by not putting them in cabinet, but refuses to discipline them, won't enjoy their 1500 majority for long. As you are aware all electrical promises are being reversed - not just crumbling. We already have increases in bread, petrol, electricity coming and what else!
Can anyone please explain to me all the logic into this.
Picture this - the MLP wins the March 08 elections, A.S. steps down as leader, and...the batle rages on for the new leader - only this time - there's more power for grabs!
The MileEndHouseofCards could well house some very valid talent - but why can't they make the correct configuration and build a winning, convincing team? OK, so my childhood traumas of the 80's still haunt me today, (Mind you, even in 22 months I managed to taste MLP's bitter medicine) but I wouldn't wince at thinking that there is a truly valid alternative to the PN.
But there isn't. If the MLP just sit there, act nice and do absolutely nothing, they might have a fleeting chance of leading Malta when the people get sicktired of the PN. Otherwise, if they try too hard they only spoil it. ABC can defend himself with other comment...
Perhaps you want to make the case of how Anglu Farrugia and Toni Abela, giving thier past rhetorics. streghten Dr. Muscat's leadership and the image he wants to portray to the general public.
Here was a chance to start fresh but what does it do? It elects a 'fresh' leader but immediately they weigh him down by electing two old hats with lots of baggage to be his deputies! And it does not stop there. Electing new administration officers including the post of General Secretary will no doubt supply more ammo to ABC.
The 'fresh' leader embarked on embracing, welcoming back and giving amnesty to those who not so long ago were regarded at best as castaways.
It is like paddling with one oar. The MLP is regarded as a party stuck in the past - it aims so low that it constantly shoots itself in the foot. No wonder ABC finds the MLP so intriguing!