A waste of blue

In summer, ultra-violet rays make agitation rise and boats from the African horizon appear, apparently following pre-established routes, log-books and landing beaches. The established routine may even encourage the authorities to set up comfortable hospitality centres on all Maltese beaches.

These events bring about reason for hot argument and temperatures rise within the hemispheres of Mediterranean brains pitting Populism against Pupullism.

The arguments used in the debate include race, religion, education, geography, local and international politics and what not. The religious arguments are related to what the Pope wishes from this devout land in a quasi-colonialistic attitude, plus the fact that colour makes no difference in the Lord's eyes. Which is true, as He Himself tried to compromise by choosing to be a dark person on earth - contrary to the handsome blond some holy pictures want Him to be.

My impression is that the Maltese are more Euro-gregarian than Gregorian. But that may be a sweeping statement. Many Maltese see beauty in dark physiognomy and some Maltese ladies even prefer to seek the company of very dark men from southern continents as these tend to have in discussion a very penetrating logic.

The nationalistic argument is that we are being too weak while a human rights exposition and analysis of events, sometimes by people who do not mind trampling over their own brothers and sisters, is that we can never be sufficiently humane.

The local international argument is that Europe was a nasty coloniser and that it's unfair that the negative result of its enthusiastic exploitation of others has to be suffered by those who were never in the least interested in colonising anyone. The word Frontex is bandied about with a suspicion that this structure often pulls our ear and leg at the same time. Once I wrote to Frontex to ask why their map excluded Malta - which is totally immersed in this problem - and the silly answer was that it's the fault of their graphic designer - whose penetrating logic is apparently quite graphically wobbly.

Lately, our overstretched police have been criticised for being brutal with immigrants as if the few among them who lack finesse represented the whole force. To be fair, let us also not forget that our boys in blue have several times taken steps against racists. I have also come across aggressive people without finesse in every profession - even among educators. This argument must thus show more balance and honesty. Above all, those who preach humanitarian practices must not be the ones who hypocritically propose socio-political apartheid in Malta and spread verbal poison against their own countrymen while licking foreign boots.

Viruses in the belfry

In a recent article I expressed worry at the possibility of departing without the accompaniment of friendly chimes. Now that a well-informed correspondent has exposed the medical harm that bell-ringing gone berserk produces, I am not so sure. I would prefer to depart without the danger of malady from viruses originating in the belfry.

Widening voting bases

Most of the internal party voting is over and done with and references to party machines have been mostly proved wrong. I agree with correspondents who have commented on voting strategy in parties, proposing that they should allow voting by all party members. It is definitely more democratic.

A right to be old in Gozo

Senior citizens in Gozo are not inferior to those in Malta. Some senior correspondents have said that the Kartanzjan is not recognised on public transport in Gozo. If this is true, it is hugely discriminatory. Maltese and Gozitan retired workers have the same pensions after all.

Foaming at the pen

Following comments on cyberhate in my recent article and correspondence with Karen Douglas of the Psychology Department of the University of Kent (UK), I learned that Dr Douglas' research in social psychology gives more in-depth information about this matter: "...online hate sites allow individuals to seek solidarity with like-minded individuals... to express views that would otherwise be socially unacceptable... Using internet, hate groups can let others know that they are not alone in holding their views. Cyberhate has... messages of bigotry and hate, sometimes advocates... overt hostility. The internet is popularly perceived to be the ideal medium for people to express the darker sides of themselves, to insult, to harass and abuse others, to be unduly ignorant towards each other".

To be fair, the internet can also be used for many positive purposes. I have seen superior research produced with the help of internet.

Position filled

Candidates interviewed for a Foundation for Educational Services post were dryly told "Position filled". No selection criteria? No order of merit? No transparency?

Dr Licari teaches psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and geolinguistics at the Department of French of the University of Malta.