What a way to end the year.  Attacks on journalists, ministers racking up bar tabs like there’s no tomorrow off the back of the public, playing volleyball with scandals, tossing them back and forth and hoping they land out of the pitch, lies, deceit, arrogance, abuse of the vulnerable and of public servants and institutions, on and on, the list is so long it could send you into the blues for the whole festive period and well into the new year.

“In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.”  Immanuel Kant

Some honest and humble thought really needs to be spared now for those who can take no more of this fraud and malice, this greed and addiction to self.  There is nothing at which they stop to draw a line, nothing they are ashamed of.  Whether it be a threat to society, to life, to morals or to the individual.  On the pretext of the liberal platform in defence of the individual, all forms of perversions are being drawn out of a hat, just to keep the momentum going, make good in the eyes of the electorate to compensate for the complete lack of interest in tangible investment and growth and to fiddle with what works in order to give the false impression that they are fixing things. 

The latest attack on employers with the Equality Bill is nothing short of discriminatory in itself.  As long as there are choices available to employees, why should there not be a choice available to the employer?  We live in a society where there are different faiths and social models living relatively well together because it is based on a free society.  What we have now will put all employers on the defensive and take away their right to run their business or organisation the way they choose to, based on certain criteria, standards and values they seek to promote or feel are beneficial to the growth of their agenda or company.  It will also present a short-cut to individuals who are less inclined to bother about getting an education and qualifications.

Beyond the obvious, which is that in any case, respect is the key factor that makes it possible to cohabitate and employ anyone without discrimination.  You cannot force respect or legislate upon it.  It comes with a mature and educated society.  To use the equality argument to make the Equality Bill is quite clearly a poorly hidden agenda to profit on the grievances’ of some less morally equipped persons (not due to choice of religion or lack of it) and destabilise society so that everyone becomes insecure and full of fear and therefore afraid to speak their mind and reject those who are destroying our core principles. 

Je suis Paris, they said.  What a load of hypocrisy. The attacks on free speech, on members of the Opposition, on journalists doing their job and on the general mood in the country whenever it differs from the “positive”, “alive and kicking”, “mannara”, giving double for any blow, booze and let booze, play and let play sordid image, are the stuff of third world countries in the grip of some mad dictator. 

We should not have any more time for this in Malta.  To be duped once can happen but to even believe for one moment more that anything that is happening now is beneficial to Malta or is being done in the national interest is to believe that pigs fly. 

The atmosphere of conflict and of divisive opposition that is increasing by the day is purposely inflicted.  It is brought out every time something erupts which causes embarrassment to the government.  Rather than doing the mature thing and owning up, resigning if need be, admitting a mistake was made or recognising ill intent and making amends, everything else is done to discredit the truth. 

It is the public that deserves some respect here, before stripping us of our gender, our right to life, our intelligence and our voice, and worst of all, our freedom.  There are so many serious issues concerning life and death, suffering on a large scale, injustices and peace in the world and we waste thought and energy on manipulating slogans and vices on a daily basis.  In the Philippines the people cannot imagine how they elected a murderer like Duterte, who has publicly admitted to killing people.  Murder and execution is happening all around them, sanctioned and even encouraged by the President and his anti-crime and drug crusade.  Duterte, 71, won the presidential election in May by 16 million votes, or about 38%, an unassailable lead that forced his three opponents to throw in the towel one after the other.

CNN reports:  In the lead up to his inauguration, Duterte went on a war path with the dominant Catholic Church, accusing its bishops of doing nothing but enrich themselves. He also launched a blistering attack against the national press, publicly accusing them of being biased against him.

During one of his speeches he falsely accused a reporter of allegedly being biased because he asked him about his health. In the past two weeks, he has shunned press coverage, and has even barred the independent press from covering his inauguration.

I should add that his inauguration was in June and things have got much worse since then. 

"Duterte's troubled relations with the media is partly a reflection of the irreconcilable philosophy of the mainstream press in the country, which tends to focus on the glass half empty, and the incoming president's preference, where the media is an amplifier for the voice of the leader rather than its detractor," said Richard Heydarian, a political analyst at the De La Salle University.

The same can be said not just of the press, but also of the way that the Opposition party and leader here in Malta is perceived by the party in power.

There is no way, sadly, that we can look back on this year and be hopeful for the next.  Except maybe that it could be election year.  But even that brings another thought to avoid, as the cards are stacked well against toppling the mighty from their throne. 

Kant also said - By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man.

As Malta begins its Presidency of the European Union, it is based on a lie for each and every minister of the government that had campaigned against Malta’s application to join the EU, starting from Dr Muscat himself and several members of the cabinet.

The following year is the year of Valletta, European capital of culture 2018.  Our culture is being sold for peanuts by the day.  It can be found at the bottom of a glass of whisky or in a barbed reply to a person doing their job, seeking out accountability, uncovering information of value to the public and trying to reconcile facts that don’t add up.

The only culture prevalent now is that of the rat pack.

The one saving grace is that ultimately everyone is free to think and do as they choose, as long as they respect the dignity of humanity.  If you are content with this prime minister and his government, that’s great for you.  Trust is something valuable in life and contributes to stability.  Having different opinions is also a good thing and mature societies thrive on different opinions. 

But perhaps the fundamental issue here is just that – maturity.  With maturity, three quarters or more of the problems we have been facing as a country would not be there.  We could have normal discussions, respect others’ opinions, support ideas that are not our own and contribute to growth and foster trust.   There would be confidence in the rule of law, the police and the army and the justice system.  We would become leaders and innovators and once again, gain respect.  There would be no need to fear public opinion but actively encourage and participate in it.

Unfortunately what we have been experiencing is anything but mature.  It is the 13 year old girl with lipstick and a short skirt, off to impress the boys.  It is the boy from round the corner, flashing his new car in the middle of the road with the sound system booming.  Tantrums are still common and teenage angst and boredom is masked with bravado. 

Let’s hope the weather is good.