These last weeks we have witnessed a couple of booboos made by public figures who many claim should know better than spill out comments on social media.

Let’s take this one step at a time.

Whilst appropriate use of language is called for, whether it’s on Twitter, Facebook or some blog or other, let’s try to get away from this bigoted mentality that haunts our nation.  Lest we forget, this is the same country that is known for its non-stop gossiping and where so many swear their heads off even when faced with the slightest contradiction they might face whether it’s an old woman struggling as she is crossing the street with her shopping trolley or getting overtaken by a car at a zebra-crossing when the lights are still red.  So getting one’s knickers in a twist might be a bit too much.

Then again calling Ira a ‘bitch’ whether it is in private or public is a ‘no-no’ and Dr Andrew Borg Cardona being the reputable and experienced lawyer he is should have known better.   

Like every other human being, Ira deserves better - not only because of the ‘service’ she has rendered to the local music industry.   Her lovely presence, her willingness to remain humble, her disposition to be closely affianced with the people who listen to her music which she has done for so many years deserves better, much better.  Whilst I do not subscribe to any hero-worshiping and will not put Ira on a pedestal, because she has done all this for herself as well, she most certainly didn’t warrant this misapplication. To add insult to injury, all of this happened less than 24 hours before she had to perform in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.  This is further compounded by the fact that the Prime Minister was called a ‘motherfucker’. 

I’m sure people with an ounce of common sense would know that the virtual World has never been so real and the word spreads faster than the speed of my typing – so there you go, slap-slap but let’s get on with it.  Oh, and as a side note, if people believe that winning the Eurovision would favour the Government as election day looms (because it would create a feel good factor), I would really give up completely on this Country.  It would only mean that the Maltese and Gozitans are loony which I really don’t think is the case.  In my opinion people will choose a Government that will improve their salary, provide for cheaper fuel and gas, postulate opportunities for training and employment and is ready to reduce bureaucracy – that is the feel good factor that people are keen about! God help us if having a concert shifts the vote - that would really call for all politicians to pack up and go fishing. 

Anyway, so I think we agree that this was wrong and inappropriate. 

This hinges to other circumstances that have raised eyebrows.  What Mr Joe Grima, the former Minster and Government’s Special Envoy for the World Tourism Organisation said on Facebook following the appointment on the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who happens to be a Muslim, is farcical and absurd.  He was quoted as saying:

“The writing is on the wall. The cockroaches have invaded dear old London. Londoners thought they were buttering their bread by voting in an Islamic Mayor but with the butter they allowed in the cockroaches.”

Since than Mr Grima has apologised and claimed that he was misinterpreted.  He said that he had no intention of making this sound like a racist blurb. Well, well.

However, unfortunately this shooting from the hip is becoming symptomatic of broadcasters, bloggers and people who thrive on social media (including police officers).  One needs to appreciate that the level of discourse that is plunging by the minute is nowhere near decent.  We are obliged as individuals whether in our private or public capacity to make sure that the way we talk and relate to each other creates a dialectic and an opportunity to bring together the complex issues that construct our society.  Easy to use social media, time on one’s hand or a passion towards a party or some ideology do not give us the right to throw it at each other left, right and center.  Lwet’s face it, we have a couple of blogs that have redefined insults. I think that the wealth that comes with progress in terms of opportunity to speak our minds should not be mixed up with saying it as it comes imprudently and impetuously. 

This unfortunately is indicative of where we stand in this country at the moment.  The mud-slinging, the anger, the blown up antagonism we can do without and political parties have a primary responsibility in toning down the aggression and asking their supporters to do likewise.