It's just gone 5am. The birds are chirping welcoming a new day. All around me people are still sleeping as are those in my place of residence, possibly working off the exuberance of last night. The only people awake are those on duty, perhaps unwilling to start the day.
Neither the sleepers nor those awake know how lucky they are.
Do those rescued from the Paceville building know how lucky they are?
Those 242 incinerated on the Air India plane after just a minute of flight certainly were not lucky.
While the rest of us were asleep, World War III came and we never noticed. Nor did those who were killed in the Israeli attack. Nor those still being killed in Gaza. Death caught them unawares.
Here in Malta we never noticed. We are engrossed in the campaign to replace Bernard Grech as head of PN. Mainly we want to know: will she or will she not? We are referring obviously to Roberta Metsola and you can hear people discussing her everywhere, at the market, in offices, in bars.
She has given some contrasting signals. Or maybe she herself does not know what she will do.
Those around her know what they want her to do, especially those who are already planning their promotion under her.
These supporters are positive she can win the election for the PN but some others doubt.
The Palestine issue figures large, with her visit to the burnt kibbutz the day after the 7th October massacre. She is widely accused of not condemning in enough strong terms the massive Israeli bombardments of children and hospitals.
On the other hand her mysterious backers who emerged only at the Kazin Malti meeting are precisely those connected to the GonziPN group which has cost PN successive losses in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
Now the attack on Iran threatens World War III and the whole world is on emergency footing, except Malta it would seem.
And there's the United States to consider. Once a strong supporter of Israel it is now focused on the war against illegal immigrants.
We saw it coming: last Easter Sunday I included a short article that forecast a war against illegals with the rule of law being swept aside as from 20 March, Hitler's birthday. Only the date was wrong.
So I conclude with a direct appeal to Metsola: you are more needed in Brussels, where you are doing very well, than you are needed here.
It's not the money, nor the prestige, nor the meeting with so many leaders. Europe needs you.
And here in Malta we certainly need less boisterous celebrations even if religious, and a more sober approach to life. We might not be so lucky next time.
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