Hunger, poverty, discrimination, disease, global warming, nuclear proliferation… the list of issues which humanity should be doing its utmost to tackle is impressive.

Humanity has, however, decided to prioritise when it comes to setting the agenda. We have decided that a couple of cartoons should be given global attention.

They have led to mass protests in a number of countries, threats of violence from Islamic extremists and clerics, and deaths.

A Catholic priest has been murdered in Turkey.

On the other side of the coin we see Western editors falling over themselves to publish these cartoons in their papers in what they deem to be an expression of freedom of speech.

It is shameful that the cartoons were published in the first place.

To persist in doing so is, in my eyes, sheer irresponsibility.

Remember that famous John Bundy song, Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse? It seems Dinja tal-Mickey Mouse would be a fitting sequel.

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Did you know that 65 per cent of American adults between the ages of 18 and 25, when asked to do so, could not find the United Kingdom on a map of the world? Let alone Malta!

Only eight per cent of all Americans ever bother to apply for a passport. That means that the rest of them couldn’t give a pip about what the rest of the world is all about.

George W. Bush had actually never travelled out of the US of A before being elected President.

Go on, Mr Bundy, let’s have that sequel!

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‘Teacher, what do you think? Is it against our law to pay taxes to Caesar? And Jesus told the Pharisees: ‘Why are you trying to trap me? Whose face is on the coin?’ and they answered: ‘The Emperor’s’.

So Jesus said: ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s’.

It is evident that coinage wasn’t being left up to the people of Malta in those days. Even Jesus would have been confused if that were the case!

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Since we are now officially the happiest country in the world I agree with those who suggest we put a happy face on our euro coins.

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I love the Eurovision Song Contest, I don’t mind admitting it. The entries range from the beautiful to the absurd. I can’t think of another show with such a varied menu! But hands up all of you out there who think we might be taking it a bit too seriously. And it’s still months away! We have been subjected to a plethora of talk shows discussing everything from Eileen Montesin’s frock to Lou Bondi’s nose-hairs.

We have had national surveys and televoting questions about the blessed event.

Just sit back and enjoy it for what it is, for Pete’s sake. It’s just a bit of fun.

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I’d like to round this article off by sharing an amusing incident with you. My youngest daughter, Marija, is seven and my partner’s daughter, Celine, is nine.

They often engage in heated debates about a wide variety of topics. They were watching Hocus Pocus this week, yet again.

There is a reference to virgins at one point.

“What’s a virgin?” I heard Celine asking Marija while I was preparing supper in the next room. “It’s someone who only eats vegetables,” was Marija’s prompt reply.

I nearly knocked over the salad!