With reference to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s piece with the above heading, I would like to say that I fully agree with what she writes because a democratic country calls for a democratic system to condemn one person for his or her wrongdoing. However, I have a few statements and questions for her and all those who so hastily are ready to back your every word.

Firstly, just because another unfortunate accident in the past did not receive the same media coverage and public attention as this, does not in any way remove or diminish the severity of this case. So please compare like with like! And also please, do not use such pettiness of defining words as “killer” and “murder” to make your case, as we all know exactly the context in which these words are being used in this presentation.

Yes Daphne, one may argue (and rightly so I believe) that the way in which the author of the said presentation (which I have received quite a few times now!) has rearranged the photos to suit his/her purpose may be rather underhand and not entirely correct. Or maybe it is! Is the author trying to give vent to anger that is being felt by not only the bereft Micallef family but maybe by the population at large?

Is it not a safe bet too, to say that the public is sick and tired of hearing from the media about yet another victim of irresponsible driving, behaviour, action or work?

Am I correct in understanding that the point you are making is that just because Anthony Taliana is no different to thousands of other men his age” and that he was unfortunate enough to have actually knocked down and killed Clifford Micallef, does this make him any less guilty (always presuming that he IS found guilty by our courts for such actions!)?

So I ask: Is this how YOU recommend we should feel in such a situation? Is this how YOU suggest the system should move forward when faced with such a situation?

In doing so, are you trying to sympathise with Anthony Taliana and feel sorry for him because his and his family’s life will be changed forever? Excuse me, but serves him bloody right. He should have thought about that before he got into that car and drove off in such a state. One of the first disciplinary lessons I remember from my younger school days was that we always have to suffer the consequences of our actions! And no matter how screwed up this “boy” or “man”, however you describe him, will end up as a result of his nightmares following this unfortunate incident, I am sure that many will agree with me in saying that he will be not even one infinitesimal stretch worse than the victim’s children and wife, who now have to go on with their lives without their beloved one by their side.

Whether you have children his age or not, in no way justifies how you should look at such a situation. Whether we talk about Anthony Taliana today or any other similar incident in the past or future, we should not lose sight of our better judgement and be nothing other than objective about it all. Was he driving legally? No! Was he driving properly? No! Was he driving in a sober state? No! Was he responsible for knocking down and killing Cliff Micallef? Well apparently yes, as we wouldn’t be here discussing all this, but let us leave that to the courts to decide! Was he responsible enough to suffer the consequences of his actions? Apparently not, as he fled the scene (in panic and fear or blatant irresponsibility or both), ignoring the dying Cliff Micallef at the side of the road. So if he is found guilty of such then he should be given the full penalty at law, and may he serve as a lesson to all those, including my children when they grow up, that there is nothing and no one in this country who will excuse such illegal and irresponsible driving. Again, may I point out that like you, I have no brief for either Anthony Taliana, who lives another day with the chance to repent, “come to his senses” and do good with what is left of his life, or for Cliff Micallef who has now been robbed of his life forever!

J.P. Barthet