In Malta we are accustomed to political strife that sometimes triggers harsh acts and speeches which generate contempt and antagonism towards each other between people and groups of people. For some time, now long past, acts of violence took place, as well as the deployment of paramilitary squads. We still have the impression that our political climate is hugely polarised, though you also find those who argue that given our tiny size, certain limits on political behaviour have always been kept, since practically every family had members who belonged to opposing parties.
Perhaps it makes sense to keep in mind that a much stronger polarisation than ours has come to be considered "normal" in other countries, like the US.
The disputes between President Trump and senator Mc Cain show how far political antagonism can be stretched, not least in the measures that Mc Cain took to ensure that Trump stayed away from his funeral and to make it clear that this was done on purpose. Now, both men are supposedly members of the same party...
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INDUSTRY
One understands why at times of very strong economic growth, there will be minimal appreciation for those who mention what is not keeping up with the rest, or who nitpick about how matters could be carried out in a better way.
I must sound like that Greek prophetess of tragic outcomes, Cassandra, when I repeat that in the country's economic development, industry is still experiencing a decline.
In the past, it used to be considered the sector that needed to be promoted at all costs. Today, this is no longer a priority.
According to the most recent data, year on year, based on the month of July, the annual change in the index of production for manufacturing overall was as follows: For the year 2016, a drop of 7.3 per cent. For 2017, growth of 0.7 per cent. For this year, 2018, a decline of 6 per cent.
The largest drops happened in the production of consumer goods which account for the greatest value added: During the three years between 2016 and this year, the annual declines stood at 13 per cent, 2.9 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively.
There is no need for comment.
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LULA IN PRISON
People living outside Brazil find it difficult to arrive at a full judgement regarding the treatment being meted out to ex-president Lula. He is in prison having been found guilty of corruption and having lost all the available appeals against the sentence he was given. As a result, the courts barred him from contesting the forthcoming presidential elections where he had been considered a star candidate.
People of good faith, not all belonging to Lula's party, insist that he has been set up by his political adversaries. Many other politicians facing accusations much more serious that Lula's are still at liberty and fully active in politics. He is being punished for having brought about a radical change in Brazilian politics in favour of the poor and of those who are socially disadvantaged.
These strata of the population still consider Lula as the only person they can trust to really protect their interests.