I have never heard anything as ridiculous as what I heard French President Nicholas Sarkozy say earlier this week. This short but intelligent man made it a point to have short people surround him during a television press conference so that he would appear tall. Since when did height breed respect and assertiveness?

Admittedly, five presidents of the United States, by the names of Abraham Lincoln, Bill Clinton, Thomas Jefferson, Lyndon Johnson and Franklin Roosevelt, were all very tall men but the respect they gained from the people was not because they were tall but because of their charisma and their true ability to lead. According to Sarkozy, tall people tower over the short in more than just physical stature. What a preposterous allegation and action in the case of Sarkozy!

Valerie Borg, PL councillor

Valletta