I’m really not a fan of my dentist even if I must admit that Dr Marlene Farrugia managed to halve my phobia with her gentleness and professionalism.  However, I suppose that we realise what wisdom is the moment the excruciating pain starts hitting that molar!  This is indeed a life lesson because wisdom is about the walk not the talk.  So here I am sharing very briefly some thoughts and you can judge for yourself where the wisdom lies. 

Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna

This man gets the occasional Tweet moment.  This time it is the GWU’s contract with the government on the Jobs Plus scheme for the long-term unemployed.  The deal according to him is ‘shameful’ and if it was underhanded or simply intentioned to appease the union’s coffers he is right to point it out.  I still think that whilst reacting on Twitter is commendable one needs to understand that people still get grouchy when unions or parties are put on the spot.

Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat

This ‘we are the under dogs’ thesis smells of electoral campaigning and makes me spin right round.  All who are in government have an advantage over their opponents and no one can deny that.  They are the ones with the best media exposure, have access to all the information and know exactly when to pull the ropes - so please go to the next line.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Simon Busuttil

This David and Goliath rhetoric is so inappropriate and insulting if you ask me.  I can understand where it is coming from, but if Dr Simon Busuttil considers the Nationalist Party he leads as ‘David’ compared to ‘Goliath’ there would be something I am missing.  The Nationalist Party in my eyes has stood its ground when the situation in the country was a mess.  ‘Eddie’ as I will always (affectionately) call him was a statesman second to none who turned around the free-fall this country was plunging into.  He made Malta what we see now with its good and not so good bits and he did that becasue even against the odds he believed in his party’s capital.  In my eyes the PN is a massive organisation and what needs to be sorted out is the suspicious, mistrustful and guarded aura it is creating around itself (which reminds me of the Alfred Sant era).  If Dr Busuttil holds on to this mentality, it will indeed make the party small. 

Professor Alfred Vella

I have been a full time academic for these last 10 years or so.  It bodes well when an event organised by the Rectorate, the Pro-Rectorate led by Dr Carmen Sammut and the Faculty for Social Wellbeing discussed access to courses for people with Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities.  It is only the first time I can recall that the University of Malta has opened its doors to public scrutiny on matters that are traditionally considered as internal decisions. 

Oliver Scicluna

This week is essentially dedicated to reminding ourselves that in the field of disability we have done a lot but not enough.  It is good that this government, like the previous one, has given ample attention to this sector however.....I still try and have a meal with a friend who has a physical disability and don’t manage because most restaurants are inaccessible, I still try to invite physically disabled colleagues to conferences but they are essentially barred and I still get the staring and gaping when I’m with intellectually disabled friends.  So my appeal to the CRPD Commissioner is to keep inspiring this sector and making amends for this intolerant and inhospitable society we still live in.  With people like Oliver I still have hope.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca

These last years the President has grown from strength to strength in terms of her ability to do what she is best at doing, that is, supporting those at the margins in our society.  This coming month will be the President’s month because of the high intensity of activity and media exposure – an excellent opportunity to remind ‘all’ that ‘all’ is not well for ‘all’.

Bana Alabed

This seven-year-old girl from Aleppo in Syria has been sharing her story via Twitter account, @AlabedBana (managed by her mum).  I will share some of her Tweets.  Anything I add is superfluous:

Allow in food. Just allow, just.... Please allow it for the thousands starving here. Why is it a problem?. - Fatemah #Aleppo (25/11/2016)

Good afternoon from #Aleppo I'm reading to forget the war. (26/9/2016)

Last message - under heavy bombardments now, can't be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. BYE.- Fatemah (27/11/2016)

Tonight we have no house, it's bombed & I got in rubble. I saw deaths and I almost died. - Bana #Aleppo (27/11/2016)

Under heavy bombardments now. In between death and life now, please keep praying for us. #Aleppo (28/11/2016)

We have no home now. I got minor injury. I didn't sleep since yesterday, I am hungry. I want to live, I don't want to die. - Bana #Aleppo (28/11/2016)

Need I say more?