In a country where freedom of speech is present on paper yet interpreted in various ways, it is no shocker that the Nationalist Party is pushing for Rachel Tua's resignation over a silly photo.
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| Prime Minister Dr Gonzi depicted as Muammar Gaddafi - shared on Facebook by Rachel Tua, Labour's Equal Opportunities Officer and Labour Councillor. |
Is the photo ridiculous? Certainly. Is it unprofessional for a politician to make fun of the Prime Minister in such a tacky way? Probably. Is it insensitive? Maybe. Those coming up with this brilliant idea seem to forget that it was their beloved ex-leader who was all chummy-chummy with the ex-Libyan leader. However, that's beside the point.
Why should Ms Tua resign? Why was Joe Grima made to resign for speaking his mind in light of what was said regarding Dom Mintoff's death? As ridiculous or blasphemous as it may be, everyone should, or rather, HAS the right to utter what they like. What some people fail to realise is that everyone has the same opportunity to speak their mind nowadays... One has two options when faced with something they don't like: ignore or retaliate. It's as simple as that.
This picture isn't saying that Dr Gonzi has a penchant for Asian prostitutes - that might be deemed libellous and may call for action. This picture is mere satire, and God knows we need to lighten up on this uptight little pebble. You see politicians being made fun of ad nauseum abroad. It's high time that the Maltese learnt to take this kind of thing with a pinch of salt.
Seriously.
Joe Grima didn't resign for his reaction to Mintoff's death.
ReplyDeleteHe was made to resign because of a homophobic slur he uttered on FB that same morning when Muscat was emphasising to the media how pro-gay rights the Labour Party was.
Worried because you know your gonna loose eh? Ooooh well.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, quite apart from the fact that it should be "you're" and not "your", we think that you and your comment are pathetic. Not being brave enough and hiding behind the anonymous nick is very comfy huh? Oh please.... Bugger off :)
DeleteTypical Nationalist, why are you stressing?
ReplyDeleteIt is precisely because it is NOT typically PN that we wrote this. It is precisely because the people electing this government expect a different attitude that we wrote this. Be careful not to sound too cliché.
DeleteI love how the Maltese can ALWAYS manage to find an excuse to insult someone politically, even through a neutral article! You weren't spreading any propoganda for either party, yet 2 of the 3 comments are accusing you of "stressing", being "typical Nationalist" and worrying "because you know your gonna loose".... -_- It amazes me the level, of maturity in some people...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the point I wanted to make was that I think your article was well-written (as always) and makes sense... We (MALTESERS IN GENERAL, PLEASE NOTE) do have a habit of being too touchy as soon as someone says something about us, be it politically or generally as a nation... I agree, it's high time we learned to take some things as they are meant to be - a joke!