News of the week

Andrew Azzopardi Wednesday, 5 April 2017, 08:43 Last update: about 10 years ago

The sexual act of a couple of youngsters caught on tape has been allegedly hacked and then shared without their consent. Apart from the fact that this situation even managed to create a political skirmish (I really can’t understand how everything does!) it shows how technology can expose people’s personal life and choices so easily and leave such a noxious trail. Whilst we can go on about the fact that this young couple have made the choice to film their sexual act and hence should have calculated the potential danger, it is indeed a shallow argument to stop at that and not realise that social media is as insipid and wishy-washy as it is relevant and pertinent. Let’s face it, such situations can leave a stain on ‘you’ forever.

I am not surprised that the Vote 16 debate has stopped snappishly. It is true that granting young people the opportunity to participate in the ballot for the Local Council was the tangible electoral promise but we know that political parties cannot handle the impetuousness and spontaneity of young people and that is why they took this half-baked route. It appears to be too challenging for political parties to gamble – because the people who play the game set the rules in this country and that is why we keep going round in circles. If political parties really believed in young people, they would not procrastinate on this matter any longer.

Balancing the books is probably every person’s dreams. This week we had the PM and his Ministers celebrating and proclaiming this fact to our Country – Christmas has indeed come early! Whilst I will not go into the politico-economics of this matter, as it is an area beyond my competency, having balanced books is a good thing especially considering the money we have to pay when interest is incurred. However, my appeal is directed once again so that more resources are directed towards benefits, services and research. Some very promising signs from the Ministry of Social Solidarity, however this matter should become an issue that is placed on the national agenda and the responsibility of all. This country needs to move to a new watchword; ‘pro-vulnerable’.

Stabbings have become quite a regular thing. Whilst police officers ‘on the beat’ might not have prevented such a situation, nevertheless the lack of police officers on our roads is conspicuous - obviously I am not referring to the motorcycle escorts who ride like a mishmash of bonkers and loopy in front of VIPs (that seem to have populated us)....hear, hear!

Accidents in which people getting injured critically or fatally on our roads are becoming an unvarying occurrence – and yet our disinterest and disregard, heedlessness and indifference are second to none. We need an emergency plan because the pattern is becoming appalling and intensely worrying.

We celebrated Freedom Day last week and I hardly believe too many people were bothered with what this day and all the other public holidays represent. People were certainly happy with the long weekend that’s for sure. History and heritage, what the hell are those?

Recently I spoke during a Conference on an Act that is intended to protect vulnerable people. This is indeed a much needed piece of legislation and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Aging is to be commended for this initiative. However, as I said during this conference the same fact that we felt the need to have such a law is also a warning that the issues around violence and victimisation of vulnerable people have not abated.

Dr Anton Grech, the Chairman of Psychiatry was interviewed on the Sunday Times of Malta about the drop in the number of suicides. Whilst this is indeed encouraging (even though such trends need to be understood over a period of time), he reiterated that we need to work harder at managing our lifestyles and he mentions a number of measures we should be taking, namely, short frequent breaks; switching off after work; good time management; delegate work; maintain good physical health; exercise to take your mind off; and surround yourself with a small group of people you can open up to’ (StoM, 2/4/2017 – We need to switch off our phones).

Sports seems to be a commodity in this Country. Why we don’t invest more in this noblest of disciplines is bewildering!

This country baffles me big time for so many reasons. It seems everyone knows when the Election is going to happen! We are up to our noses with politics infiltrating into every aspect of our life. Can’t politics be above board and just focus on the needs of this country rather than on the party’s existence - ‘Them and not Us’ is a catch phrase I recommend the parties should commonly agree on for this coming Election.

H.E. the President of Malta is calling for a serious reflection to really see that women in Malta are no longer short-changed. It is incredibly unfortunate that leadership is still a ‘man’ thing. Having quotas might be an alternative worth looking at. Challenging the way ‘men’ think is another big obstacle that could make the difference.

I recently interviewed Dr Immanuel Mifsud, a poet, writer and lecturer. Apart from his numerous achievements in the literary field we spoke about a rare disease that has had a massive impact on his quality of life. He is in constant pain and this life threatening condition can only get worse the way things are unfolding for him and yet, he still manages to share the biggest of life lessons; that of hope and non-abatement.