Happy clappy for Dr Tonio and Mr Borg

When somebody even dares opposing their darlings, Nationalist sycophants such as Antoine Vella come out of the woodwork and scream blue murder.

Here is his contribution about Dr Tonio and Mr Borg in The Times today: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121119/letters/Extremists-moral-violence.445971.

Vella, in the old fascist and ‘corporativist’ tradition expects 100% of MEPs from all groups to support Dr Tonio and Mr Borg. He expects everyone to forget his game of saying one thing in Malta and another in the EP. He expects everyone to forget that he opposed gender quotas in Malta but changes tune in a couple of hours in Brussels. He expects everyone to forget that Dr Tonio (or was it Mr Borg?) sent a plane load of Eritreans to torture and death when advised of their probable predicament by international agencies. Some can see through the rhetoric and hyperbole. “Tkellem tajjeb” is not a good enough reason to support him. “Ghax Malti” is an even stupider reason.

The real reason for sending Dr Tonio and Mr Borg to Brussels was that it suits Lawrence Gonzi because he wants Simon Busuttil as Deputy Leader. Sycophants like Vella expect everyone to play their games.

Another thing most people have failed to notice is that the silly clapping during Dr Tonio and Mr Borg’s hearing came from some EPP MEPs – led by a fawning Simon Busuttil and from Nationalist sycophants working in Brussels. The hearing’s chairperson’s comment:”This is not a football match” hit the mark. Probably they thought they were under a “tinda” somewhere in Malta adulating their “kap” – what a bunch of ridiculous people.

These people think they are the ‘chosen ones’ – on a God-given mission to lead the flock. As the Maltese saying goes – “sabu kappell jigihom”.

European Citizens’ Initiative “30km/h – making streets liveable!”

I support the European Citizens’ Initiative “30km/h – making streets liveable!” (visit: http://en.30kmh.eu/. To sign the initiative visit: https://30kmh.eu:8181/oct-web-public/signup.do) . Unfortunately preliminary efforts (including gaining the support of all local councillors) to implement this initiative in Ħ’Attard were hampered by Transport Malta – which refuses to see the benefits of making residential roads safer for all and give them back to the public. Here is an excerpt from the initiative’s website:

Why 30km/h (20mph)?

Speed limits of 30km/h (20mph) save lives. Since the first 30km/h zone was installed as a pilot project in the small German town of Buxtehude in 1983, numerous 20-mph zones throughout Europe have proven their worth. Wherever these zones are installed, the number and the severity of accidents is reduced considerably.

A limit of 30km/h (20 mph) in all residential areas improves air quality, as far fewer exhaust gases are emitted, making an important contribution to public health.

The 30km/h (20 mph) limit in all residential areas helps mitigate against climate change, as a lower speed means less CO2 emissions. Additionally, it ensures a more constant traffic flow with less congestion and traffic jams and makes activities such as cycling, walking and using the bus or train much more enjoyable. This then encourages traffic reduction, thereby providing an even greater benefit in terms of less greenhouse gas emissions. What is very important for us: these effects will automatically help reduce the oil dependency of the European Union.

Limiting vehicles to 30kmh (20 mph) reduces traffic noise by up to 40% (3 dbA), which makes a real difference.

A calmer culture in the whole town encourages manufacturers to adapt the car motors to a more easy-going driving behaviour instead of fast speed-ups as its main priority.

Our goal: 30 km/h (20mph) as the standard European speed limit for residential areas – and no longer limited to single zones.

The EU population will benefit. However, children, old people and those with disabilities will benefit in particular, as well as those who can only afford cheaper housing, which is often along main roads outside of any 30km/h (20 mph) zone.

Up to now, there have been strict legal limitations on any administration wanting to establish a 30km/h (20 mph) zone. Also, it is obvious that many people simply do not respect the zones as the 30km/h (20 mph) limit is what they are used to. Or they just don’t see the signs. Therefore, local governments are forced to invest in expensive measures when they want to introduce traffic-calming. However, a standard speed limit for the whole town would both make the regulations very clear and save local governments considerable expense and time.

Additionally, the positive effects on health and the environment would increase and the external costs of transport would fall.

(source: http://en.30kmh.eu/why-30kmh-20-mph/)

Other related news items:

http://en.30kmh.eu/2012/10/26/arco-first-italian-town-becomes-a-pioneer-with-total-30-kmh/

http://www.greens-efa.eu/road-safety-8521.html

http://en.30kmh.eu/2012/10/26/spanish-law-for-30-kmh-in-the-pipeline/

The EP is not a rubber stamp

Today (7 November 2012) there was a rather patronizing letter in The Times by a certain Anthony Cachia Castelletti. Anthony Cachia Castelletti’s arguments regarding support or the lack of it for Tonio Borg’s nomination as EU Commissioner verge on the ridiculous.

It is clear that Mr Cachia Castelletti is not used to properly functioning parliaments were nominations to posts such as ministers are scrutinised by parliament based on the opinions, policies and track record of the nominee. Mr Cachia Castelletti expects MEPs to ignore the sending back of Eritreans to face torture and a murderous regime, when there was clear advice not to do so. If the majority of MEPs do not agree with the nomination of Tonio Borg he will not be approved – it’s as simple as that. It is also called democracy. Rubber stamping is not on – that happens in Malta but not in the European Parliament.

In the Maltese parliament it is the majority of MPs who through their support to government accept and indirectly choose Ministers. It is no different in the European Parliament where MEPs choose who to support or not as EU Commissioner.

Mr Cachia Castelletti expects that because the PN government can run roughshod over all and sundry here in Malta that the same should happen in the European Parliament, and has the cheek to demand approval of Tonio Borg’s nomination just because he said so.