Is it possible that no solution could be found to the problem caused by the herd of sheep in Gozo whose existence clashes with veterinary regulations, and which now live under sentence of death? Do no tests exist which could be carried out to make sure that the animals have not been contaminated by some unacceptable disease?

One can understand that health regulations should be observed to the letter. One also understands that the state should not tolerate the action of those who seek to evade such regulations. But for all rules, an exception should be allowable so long as care is taken not to let it be considered at a later stage, as a precedent for abuse.

Already much money has been spent to keep the poor sheep on death row. Luckily they did not know what was happening to them, for otherwise the treatment they received would qualify as a cruel and unusual punishment.

I am not the only one to wish that a solution can be found in the form of an amnesty that would give them back their chance in life.

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Scalia

While here in Malta so many people suddenly experienced a heartfelt surge of dissent regarding how members of the judiciary get to be appointed, in the US the selection process has started to choose a new judge in replacement of Supreme Court Justice Scalia, who died recently.

While here in Malta after long years, experts and right wing politicians suddenly saw the light and declared that it is not right and proper for the government to appoint members of the Bench, President Obama was making it clear he would proceed as is his duty, to nominate a new judge instead of Scalia.

It is curious that Obama’s opponents do not protest because it’s the President who’s getting to choose a new judge. They just contest his taking this step shortly before the next presidential election.

Perhaps if the Malta government just promises not to make any further appointment to the judiciary before the next election, the current controversy would die down.

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Homeless

During a seminar which I hosted at the European Parliament about European citizens who find themselves homeless in another EU country, we heard about what happens to these people who end up sleeping in the streets. Their number is increasing.

For obvious reasons, the political momentum to tackle their problems is minimal. Such people are politically very weak.

However, there could be another reason to explain why the issue remains less than salient. The life failure of thehomeless is evidence of the anti-social effects of the economic policy that hasbeen followed in recent years. The homeless are an extreme instance of a social development that has spread across populations young and old: precarious work conditions.

The claim that in Europe, all social protection against unemployment and poverty has been swept aside, is manifestly incorrect. But that such protection has been greatly undermined is true. The situation of people in employment has deteriorated without their being reduced to poverty. Who was already poor or unable to make ends meet, now finds him/herself left out.