H. Tomkins (TMIS 11th September) has every right to call my argument “stupid”, as I have every right to call her “unrealistic”.
Perhaps H. Tomkins would answer this simple question. Is it possible for this tiny island to receive the never-ending inflow of illegal immigrants just because, 60 years ago, Malta signed the Declaration of Human Rights? Does this declaration not include our right not to receive foreigners on our island for the simple reason that there is no space for them and they are a burden on our human and financial resources, among other things?
Anyhow, the intention of my letter was to show my indignation at the hypocrisy of the regular columnists who preach one thing and do another. They want to dictate, criticise and pontificate to us on any topic on earth, when their lifestyles reveal the opposite to their writings. They seem to have the solution to everything. It’s a pity they dare not enter the political arena – although some have, with little or no success.
They label those who oppose the illegal immigrants as “racists” while they live a secluded lifestyle from the rest of the population. They have their residence in a secluded part of the island so that they will not be disturbed by the rumbling of other ordinary people and woe betide them if new buildings are allowed nearby. They send their children to private schools – again so that they will not mix with the rest. Many of them even boast of not speaking or writing in their mother tongue.
Yet these columnists have the temerity to label those who oppose the illegal immigrants in our midst (not theirs) as racists. I wonder what they would say if these illegal immigrants, with all their bad manners, different culture, different religion, etc., were accommodated near their residence and were then to infest the whole area.
It is easy to criticise. It is easy to point fingers. It is easy to pontificate and tell others what to do. But when things begin getting into one’s own back yard, I am sure everyone will cry wolf.
Carmel Camilleri
Paola