We were recently invited, together with our disabled daughter, to a reception held in a school hall. Oddly enough we immediately noticed that several seasoned pioneers of ‘The Cause’ we conspicuous by their absence.

Chairs were laid out, several rows deep, along the walls of the hall. When we arrived at the allotted time, the hall was already almost full to capacity and the caterer was passing round drinks and finger food. Most were happily tucking in grub; and the waiters were momentarily in some difficulty. As the evening wore on and appetites were appeased, it became evident that our prominent host, assisted by a couple of slim secretaries in high heels, hovered round some of the guests to hear their ‘confessions’ and jot down notes. This treatment generally left the client-beggar with feeling of well being as it seemed to him/her that salvation had come his/her way on that day!!

I find such conduct revolting. It gives raise to favouritism. Lackeys and suckers enjoy it; they thrive on it!!

Any serious and robust system does away with such archaic practices, not dissimilar to the bad old days when kings invested themselves with divine rights and when hypocrites kissed the hand they would have preferred seen chopped off!!

The evening was concluded with three brief (thank God) speeches, spiced with bombastic remarks. We were all reminded to be thankful to the Forces-That-Be, as they declared that we never had it so good!! Conveniently, all the speakers failed to notice that it has taken them a luxurious 25 long years to come to this ... a point we could have reached effortlessly, for the benefit of all and sundry, in five!! Take us on and we shall let you know!!

Like most people with one short life to live, I don't fancy spending more time in this GonziPN queue. As my time is running out, it’s becoming all the more precious; and hence all the more imperative to see my daughter and her class-mates suitably catered for, today!! Tomorrow is not good enough!!

Ramon Borg-Bartolo

SLIEMA