The Morning News

I've been on holiday the last two days and waking up exactly at the time the Times is published online means that I can read it while having breakfast. Today's news was quite interesting. I note that Polidano has apologised to Claire Bonello for the slapping incident. The apology led to both parties dropping charges against each other for insults/violence. That's one story that will slowly disappear from the papers though I am sure Claire is has now become a reference point for this and the poster-carrying incident. A reference point of standing-up to the establishment when you do not agree - and that is the point Fausto will not understand. It may be about self-interest sometimes (though not all of the time) but it still takes a step forward to start doing and stop the arse-licking careerism that goes on.

I wonder whether the EU Affairs, Policy Development and Programme Implementation units in Malta are aware of the directive given to police not to charge hunters for now. I'm not sure that such units have much power since they prepare dossiers for ministers to be informed about their respective area's achievement within the EU acquis. Someone should be drawing somebody's attention here. What we have is a transposed EU Directive that is being neutered by the inactivity of the strong arm of the law.

What this boils down to is that Police can report an individual breaking the law but they will not arraign him until further notice. Why? Because the hunters are a-protesting and the Prime Minister is busy a-negotiating and the Police do not want to take them to court on some charge that might not exist in the near future. Which says much about the police's faith in the firmness of our government during negotations with a pastime lobby group. Whiuch says much about the optimism of the pastimers that their will be done (with apologies to Lorna). Which says much about the state of politics in our country - still pressure driven.

From the Wizards of Lobby to the Whirlwind of Xlendi. This bit of news about a man reportedly lifted by a whirlwind in Xlendi took me by surprise. Is the weather really that bad? Here we are having sunny bouts... I cannot believe it!

And finally I like Fantasy Football... where you dream that you are managing the greatest club on earth and buy and sell players at your whim. It's a great feeling to be able to imagine that you are doing something you could never have done otherwise. And when I read Vassallo's budget article I could not help reading that this was a Fantasy Budget. Such a pity that while someone so competent is limited to Fantasy Planning, those in charge of the real game do not seem to have much of a clue how to play it.... Which is how I felt about Capello's Juve in the Champions league when compared to my Trophy Machine in the Playstation.

Tata.