Data covering outward EU tourism show that the two destinations that attract most European tourists are the US and Turkey.

The latter is facing challenges arising from internal and external military confrontation, as well as political complications that have grown recently and are still unresolved.

In such circumstances, it is natural that holidays get cancelled and are replaced by other destinations. Among which Malta.

I’ve been told that in past weeks, a significant increase in cultural tourism took place. Some operators found it difficult to hire tourist guides.

Perhaps it makes sense to investigate whether we are “benefitting” from Turkey’s problems.

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A greater god

It is astonisihing how certain people in Malta cling to the belief that they and their families have some “divine”  right to access the best job positions and to receive the best treatment overall, simply because they are who they are. Over the years, these people have learnt to stake out their expectations more prudently, or shall we say in a less vulgar manner? But they are still around.

This becomes most evident at times like the last two years and a half, when Labour is in government.

You can see how such people mobilise to defend their interests, which they regard as self-evident, while making use of all that is fashionable to push their case. If it’s religion, let it be religion. If it’s the projection of a progressive image, so be it.

Indeed, they seem to consider themselves children of a greater god.

Nothing exposes our society as provincial and isolated as these claims made by individuals who believe they form part of a chosen elite.                    

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Boehner

John Boehner’s resignation as Speaker of the US Congress was a total surprise, not least because of the reasons he gave for doing so.

The Republicans now control the Senate and Congress. They’re hardly in bad shape. True, for the coming presidential elections the party has a problem, with too many candidates and Donald Trump in the lead. He is turning the US political agenda upside down while positioning himself as a different kind of politician.

In effect, as Republican leader in Congress, Boehner found himself under strong continuous pressure from the “extreme” right to prevent the party from making any compromise with the Obama administration.  In the American system, governance depends on compromise arrangements being successfully negotiated between the parties.

Boehner started to look weak, or alternatively a wrecker whenever what he wanted to achieve at all costs would not be done.

To prevent this impression from taking root, he resigned.

Now, he is quite close to the “extreme” right of his party.

For us who also live in a situation characterised by political polarisation between two parties, the huge problem that one faces when one’s own party prevents compromise with the other side, sounds very alien.