Controversy

I still do not know what triggered off Mark's bilious outburst or his Tony Zarb attempt to put a cap to it. That's not important any more. At least not from this perspective. What it did trigger off in turn however was controversy. And the blogosphere once again exhibited Maltese (and Gozitan) traits. Solidarity with one side or (I expect) another would only be expresed privately. Ghax hadd ma jindahal. (because nobody intereferes). Disgust could be sniffed across the field - from London to Brussels to Luxembore to Bubaqra. The comments on the original outburst limited themselves to issues of linguistic coinage - it was tantamount to someone meeting someone else naked in the street and commenting about the weather. Sad indeed. You had two individuals in your midst expressing discontent with the state of the blogosphere and the rest preferred ignorant bliss. See Fausto... this is what pissed me off about the survey of happiness. It is this kind of ignorant happiness that reigns.

The feeblest attempt at taking sides (and I take my hat off to that - if David permits me this branlage) was Toni's "u hallik mill-wankellettwali". It was the only attempt. A mini-endorsement in the sea of bahh. Futbolite/accolyte tried a "u le tiggieldux jahasra" (please don't fight) thing in his blog. Admirable, but very Maltese and solves nothing. I liked nigredo best. His personal outburst was his perspective of things entitled Because (ghax). Oh. i loved Vlad's "What are you two queens on about?" - but that was about the dolly issue not the bilious repartees.

Now some may ask how self-important j'accuse is feeling again. Of course. You are entitled to. Thing is that this "controversy" like all controversies attracted its viewers. The second highest number of hits ever since Bocca mentioned j'accuse on the times. 350 hits in one day and 290 the day before. Surely not passers by? No. People feed off controversy, anger and heated debate like there is no tomorrow. Voyeurism is one problem. But I take issue with a bigger one. An ability to find (and moan privately about) problems but never, ever even thinking positively about solving them. If not solving them taking sides. See the Euro Committee. They surely must have noticed that the public opinion is not exactly four square behind the Jesus thing. But they stick to the "democratic survey" of sms maniacs. See our country. Surely we have noticed by now that year in year out we are run by a horde of wannabe statesmen... but we keep giving them number 1.

Fear and loathing have no place on the blogosphere as much as they have no place anywhere else. Thing is we have to have a bit of what mark call's the bull's equipment. Not to "fare i cazzi nostri" no. But to call a spade a spade. We chose to walk out onto the blogosphere and I love you all for that. I use that word specifically. I love every single one who takes up this medium and day in day out chooses expression against silence. Speak out. Do not be afraid to say what you think. Do not be afraid to say that you liked a book even if you did not study literature at the glorious enlightened University of Malta. Even worse do not be afraid to say that the book was shit. Same goes for wannabe djs, wannabe philosophers, wannabe lawyers and wannabe anythings. The list is endless. You know that you may be wrong. You know that deep down the whole world might disagree with you. But will you risk, for one moment, depriving the world of something that may in the end be right?

I choose not to.

So hold on hard to your middle finger and practice directing it surely in the general direction of whatever it is you want to talk about today. Do so lightly. Remember the joy of living. Take nothing too seriously except life and love and soon you will get the hang of it.When people deride or make fun, look hard till you see the joke. There is always a reason to smile. Either because you see the joke (it was good but you do not have to admit it), or because their joke was so helpless that the attempt itself was hilarious. Smile smile smile. That is what I learnt from Benigni. He was called useless, vulgar and ignorant. He fought back with love - and a heavy dose of humour and smiling. I love it.

Don't you? Say it then!

* thanks for the hits. j'accuse is ever closer to reaching the 50,000 target in one year of counting (4th april). the controversy did give birth to a baby - the laughing fit which will be a blog dedicated to satire and humour. finally march 10th will see the birth of my blog in maltese - kinnie&twistees. bollettino will also return from hibernation on march 10th.
** kenneth. if you are reading is, david of Hello Dolly fame needs a lesson in justification of posts. Once he decides that something must be centred all the post follows suit even though it is evident that it was not the intention. He said he does not have a clue what I am on about. But there is nothing new in that either. :) (the smiley - what a nice sign)
*** All blogs mentioned on this post may be accessed via the Pull Down "Blog Boulevard" menu in the side-bar.

so long and thanks for the hits!

Controversy (Prince)
I just can’t believe all the things people say -- controversy
Am I black or white? am I straight or gay? -- controversy
Do I believe in god? do I believe in me? -- controversy
Controversy controversy
I can’t understand human curiosity -- controversy
Was it good for you? was I what you wanted me to be? -- controversy
Do you get high? does your daddy cry? -- controversy
Controversy controversy

Do I believe in god? do I believe in me?
Some people wanna die so they can be free
(I said) life is just a game, we’re all just the same...do you wanna play?
Controversy controversy controversy
Controversy controversy controversy

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever
Controversy controversy controversy controversy
Love him, love him baby
Controversy controversy controversy
Controversy controversy controversy

Listen
People call me rude, I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white, I wish there were no rules
(repeat 3 times)
Controversy controversy

Do I believe in god? do I believe in me? let me tell ya...
Some people wanna die so they can be free
(I said) life is just a game, we’re all just the same...don’t ya wanna play?
Controversy controversy controversy controversy