Archive for February, 2012

Body beautiful

Life is full of choices and these determine the quality of ones life.

There are those who C as debated in Xarabank recently for instance C choose to indulge in pornography where the body is used as an object of pleasure or machine for manipulation. However, many of those who support this choice do not opt for children to be exposed to pornography or its consequences; as if addicts or quasi- addicts can expect not to adversely affect their children one way or another. christian louboutin shoes On the other hand there are others who with openness to truth and beauty around them choose to live the gift of sexuality in a way worthy of human dignity with all the positive impact on others including their children.
The great Blessed Pope John Paul II answers many questions in this context in his teachings as expressed in The Theology Of The Body in which he portrays a beautiful vision of sexuality and discusses how the human person can be truly worthy of man.
It would be revitalising to revisit the message of hope emerging from this theme as creatively presented in The Theology Of The Body in a public debate. christian louboutin boots outlet Josephine Vella Birkirkara I found Mariella Blackmans performance on Xarabank rather shocking, to say the least. On the subject of pornography she was only taking into account those people with problems who visit her, and forgetting about all those who dont. Karl Consiglio Sliema Letters to the editor should be kept as brief as possible. Publication is subject to abridgement. Letters should carry the writers full name, surname, address, identity card number and daytime telephone

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Busuttil not caught by surprise

Dr Busuttil revealed Dr Gonzi had not discussed the appointment with him before announcing it, although he was not caught totally by surprise, he added.As A{AD chairman, Dr Busuttil was responsible for drawing up the policy document G’eruq Tag’na an updated version of the party s basic document Fehmiet Baii ( basic beliefs) which was approved in 1986 and has served as the PN S ideological guidebook ever since.cheap abercrombie outlet uk
The second part of the updated document deals with how its concepts can be translated into tangible policies in 10 different sectors of society. The party had set up 10 working groups on each of these sectors, Dr Busuttil said.The plan is to include a public consultation exercise as well. The Prime Minister simply pushed forward and gave priority to the public consultation dimension, he said.
Asked specifically what his mission would entail, Dr Busuttil said he would be coordinating a structured dialogue with civil society and social partners, listening to what they had to say and to what their feelings were on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.christian louboutin outlet
Asked whether he would be attending the meetings and then presenting Dr Gonzi with a report, Dr Busuttil said this had still to be decided. He has already started drafting a work plan to be discussed with Dr Gonzi.

The clock is ticking as Chris Bartolo is kept going

The clock is ticking as Chris Bartolo is kept going by a dialysis machine

Dialysis is keeping Mr Bartolo going C a system that does the work of the kidneys. However, there have been hiccups along the way and his body rejected the dialysis he was doing at home, which was more convenient, allowing him to avoid going to the hospitals Renal Unit every other day.At first, it was thought the problem was the machine and it was changed, but Mr Bartolos body continued to swell up badly and he has since had to return to hospital for the treatment.women jerseys wholesale
Last Monday, he underwent yet another operation to be able to have another type of dialysis, but whether the intervention was a success will only be known in six weeks time.Ms Borg is hoping and praying it will work out because there would be no more alternatives, other than a transplant, if the dialysis does not work for him.Then, of course, the body would have to accept the transplant too.
Each year , about 12 kidney t ransplants are carried out, including three f rom l i ve donors, explained t he vice president of t he Transplant Support Group James Muscat.
Mr Muscat, who is a donor himself, disagrees strongly with placing adverts for kidneys. He feels this is unethical and there is a system in place and waiting lists for such donations.Once a kidney was available, he said, it was not a matter of first come, first served since the donor and recipient had to be compatible. Urgent cases were also given priority.authentic jerseys wholesale
A kidney can either be donated from a deceased person, or a living donor. Once a live donor is identified, they would have to undergo many tests to ensure they were compatible and healthy.The surgery for the donor lasts about f our hours and t he recovery t i me i s about six weeks, with about one week in hospital.The organ recipient normally spends a f ew days i n I TU and about 10 days in hospital. Recovery time is also about six weeks.

Tree butchery

I read Alex Tyrrells letter about the massacre of trees in Victoria ( February 15).
Mr Tyrrell is not the first person who complained about this kind of pruning, as it has happened also here in Malta on several occasions. It is the order of the day nowadays as there is nobody who cares. Several letters were written expressing disgust at this butchery of established trees, but nobody seems to care. As in everything else a commercial company was created and although its being paid with taxpayers money nobody is responsible for what it does.christian louboutin flats outlet
If we do not want the trees why do we pay to plant them the first time? What sense is there to first pay hundreds of thousands of euros for planting these trees and when they are established and beautify the place, another group of men from the same company come equipped with a chainsaw to butcher them?
If there is a minister responsible for these trees, wake up and stop this massacre. I am sure this buthcery takes place nowhere else in Europe. Joseph Muscat Mosta

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We are all pulling the same rope

The result shows an increase of support for Dr Gonzi who earned 94 per cent in 2004, solidifying his position as party leader and easily surpassing the minimum two-thirds of the vote.
Voting continued till 8 p.m. and the result was announced by the chairman of the electoral commission, Michael Refalo, to loud applause from hundreds of delegates who filled the PN headquarters.Of the 887 delegates who collected their voting documents, five did not show up and nine invalidated their vote.Meanwhile, 12 voting documents remained uncollected, including those of MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Jesmond Mugliett, EU Commissioner John Dalli (who was Dr Gonzis leadership rival in 2004), and former party president Frank Portelli.Dr Debono cast his vote around 6.30 p.m. but declined to comment except to express disapproval over how the contest was organised.cheap abercrombie outlet uk
You should look at the law on political parties and party financing for which I have campaigned, drafted and presented in Parliament to see how a political party in a modern European state should be conducting its business.It is very unfortunate that in 2012, political parties remain the most unregulated bodies at Maltese law.When contacted, Dr Pullicino Orlando was cagey when asked why he failed to take part in the contest:I obviously knew I was meant to pick up the voting document by yesterday at 8 oclock but I didnt. However, I really would not like to give a comment at this stage, he said.
Mr Mugliett and Mr Dalli, who was in Malta yesterday, could not be reached for comment.Dr Portelli, on the other hand, said he chose not to pick up his voting document because he wanted to abstain in an open way.Dr Gonzi voted in the afternoon, joining a steady stream of party delegates.christian louboutin outlet
Former President and Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami was among the first to vote, shortly before 11.30 a.m. where a queue of about 50 delegates formed inside the headquarters.There is only one candidate and Ill be voting for him. If there was someone else there would be a choice, a chuckling Dr Fenech Adami said.Dr Gonzi will address a special meeting of the PN general council this morning.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat in a statement last night challenged Dr Gonzi to test the situation in Parliament. He also urged the government to discuss Labours motion on the justice situation from this week, saying a failure to do so would show last nights exercise was a waste of time.Dr Gonzi was elected to the PN helm eight years ago with 808 votes from 859 votes cast in the second round of the leadership election after second-placed candidate Mr Dalli withdrew from the race and Louis Galea was eliminated in the first round.christian louboutin flats outlet

Bowser licences are axed over standards

Eight licences for bowser suppliers of potable water have been revoked by the Environmental Health Directorate, it was revealed yesterday.The licences were revoked because groundwater extracted by the suppliers no longer met the standards required for potable water, the EU Life+ Investing in Water Project said in a statement.These eight licences were cancelled by the end of 2011 due to excessive nitrates in the groundwater supplied to customers. The decision leaves only five licensed bowser suppliers of safe first class water.christian louboutin sandals outlet
Water audits carried out by the EU Life+ Investing in Water Project among businesses and hotels over the past few weeks confirm that bowser-supplied potable class water is an important resource for many commercial enterprises.This groundwater is freely extracted by bowser suppliers and is therefore normally cheaper than potable water supplied by the Water ServicesCorporation.Companies have said, however, that over the past few months first class bowser water has become more difficult and expensive to source.The planning authoritys latest Environment Report lists nitrate levels in 90 per cent of Maltas groundwater bodies at above acceptable limits.jimmy choo shoes sale
EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Projects water expert Marco Cremona said the problem with groundwater was not limited to pollution, since demand exceeded supply.While we recommend that businesses only purchase groundwater from licensed suppliers, through the EU Life+ Investing in Water Project we are also providing information and assistance to businesses and hotels on the importance of water conservation and measures to reduce their consumption.

NEW MEASURES AND INITIATIVES

The PN had to win the people’s confidence in order to then form the government. It was the party, not the government, which won the people’s confidence. The people expected from him and his colleagues to do their duty as prime minister and ministers but they also expected them to be politicians close to and in the service of the people. christian louboutin cusp outlet The PN was not clinging to the seat of power, but to the confidence of the people, Dr Gonzi said, to applause.On the basis of what he had learnt over the past four weeks, Dr Gonzi said, he had decided to put more energy and focus on placing the PN at the heart of the people and in the service of the people.
Therefore, he was appointing Simon Busuttil as his Special Delegate (standing ovation) to immediately, through Azad, organise meetings between him and every sector of the country – from youth workers to workers in the various sectors, industry, contractors and even individuals – so that he could hear about the challenges, problems and opportunities which existed and how the future of the country could be mapped out. christian louboutin flats outlet The people would also be invited to apply to meet him to discuss the future of various sectors.”I want to be at the heart of our society and I want the PN to be with me,” Dr Gonzi said to more applause.”We have to make sure that everyone can find his natural place within the PN, the party which welcomes everyone who wants to genuinely work in the interests of the country,” Dr Gonzi added.He said that PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier would also draw up a plan of meetings by ministers with society. “We want to come to you, we want to hear you in the squares in your homes, we want to share your wishes, your pains, your wishes…” Dr Gonzi said amid applause.
“Let us hear exactly what the people are saying, let us hear it directly from the people, not necessary from the blogs or elsewhere,” Dr Gonzi said.”Go to the people’s homes, it is such a wonderful experience to go into the kitchen to discuss what they are going through,” Dr Gonzi said.
Dr Gonzi said these initiatives would renew the PN’s links with the people, including those who had strayed away from the party, through the fault of the party, not their own.christian louboutin sandals outlet
The people who intended to vote for the PL after voting PN at the last election needed to be sought out. One needed to understand what the PL was offering, because the PL was not coming out with new policies.People had also moved away because they expected something which was not given to them. In such cases, it needed to be explained why some requests could not be met. But when people had a right for what they expected then it should be given to them, and this was not charity, Dr Gonzi said.

Gonzi launches initiatives to put the PN back

It was not enough to be head of government, one had to be a head of government who was close to the people and its everyday needs all the time.It was good to control the deficit, to attract investment and to be respected internationally, but one also had to understand the impact of gas prices in winter. A prime minister had to understand the impact of such things as well.Amid the government’s investment in education and elsewhere, he had heard the plea of those parents worried for the future of their children, who lacked academic achievement, Dr Gonzi said.cheap abercrombie outlet uk
He had met a person who congratulated him for the health service and for bringing down medicine prices, but he and other people also added complaints about medicines being out of stock.He also spoke to a man who led him to understand better than before, how people had precarious jobs where they did not know whether they would have a job in the near future. Thus, while the government boasted of job creation, people like him could not borrow to set up their home, because they had no job security.christian louboutin outlet
He had met another person who received two letters, one confirming that he was entitled to a social benefit , and another saying that he was not entitled to the same benefit. This man had asked him how this was possible.Dr Gonzi said that while the government could not be blamed for everything, there were problems which needed to be tackled. Many people spoke of arrogance within government departments where people were treated as numbers not individuals, something which also should not be tolerated, Dr Gonzi said.All these things, Dr Gonzi said, were a reality check.christian louboutin boots outlet
It was unfortunate that pressure sometimes distracted him to the big picture of moving the country forward, but it had been necessary to go through this exercise where the clear message was – do not cut yourself off, and come back into the streets. The big picture was a mosaic made of many small parts and the PN needed to home in on those small parts, Dr Gonzi said, to applause.

CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE

The PN was ready and willing to serve all the people. “We are here for you, you are the reason why the PN exists” Dr Gonzi said. Beyond the numbers, the real result achieved yesterday was that the party existed for the people, he said.The party was continuing to build on its policies, based around the welfare of the people with a strong sense of solidarity to ensure that none fell back. This was the party which believed that truth always triumphed.nfl jerseys wholesale
This was a party which wanted young people to be ambitious in their career paths and offering them the opportunities to succeed. It was the party which wanted the elderly to find just reward for their work and to continue to be at the heart of the community.More than everything, this was the party which wanted to keep the family at the heart of all of its activities.
Dr Gonzi said he believed passionately that Malta had a good future and it was for that reason that he had sought a secret ballot on his leadership. He said he had needed, in conscience, to have the serenity given to him in 2004 when he was appointed party leader He was pleased that, eight years on, the support of the delegates had actually increased.nhl jerseys wholesale
The outcome of the leadership contest was the messages which had been conveyed by the delegates to him during their various meetings. This was an exercise which brought him closer to the people and given him an even deeper insight into the people’s everyday reality.
He had met councillors and others in clubs and in homes, and had rediscovered the experience of everyday politics. One could speak on how Malta had performed, in, say, the Libyan crisis, but the past four weeks reminded him that there was more to politics. nba jerseys wholesale He was better able to appreciate that it was the party which had to seek the confidence of the people. It was not Gonzi who won the last election, but the party as a whole.

‘THE PN IS NOT A CLIQUE’

Referring to the election, Dr Gonzi said the PN would not promise what could not be delivered. He would work to ensure that the election would be held on its due date, he said. He would work to find solutions, to open doors, to welcome all, in the interests of the country, he said (applause). jimmy choo outlet shoes No one should feel excluded from the party. Everyone had a contribution to give and should be able to do so. The PN was not a clique and he would show it was a coalition of people with different views and from different sectors, with the common aim of serving the people to the best of their abilities.
Yesterday, Dr Gonzi said, he had won the confidence of the delegates, but hard work had to be put in for the party to win the confidence of the people. Society had changed since 2008 and the people had to be shown how it was better to trust their future under a PN government than the unknown which was the PL.It was the PN which forged a country where people could work in serenity, where they were assured of high quality education and healthcare, free of charge. jimmy choo sandals shoes on sale The people, Dr Gonzi said, also wanted a government which sought out and fought corruption, and that was what was being done, as the events of the past few days showed.Internationally, under the PN, Malta was now a respected country and an active member of the EU.
His government, Dr Gonzi, had been able to safeguard jobs in difficult times while strengthening the social net. People’s eyes lit up as a school was opened every year, and more was in store as the new Mcast campus and more facilities at the university were opened. He was conscious, Dr Gonzi said, that more could have been done. What use was it to say that medicines were free, if they were out of stock?
He did not blame elderly people who complained that, despite pension rises, they could not keep up with costs.True, Malta was doing better than other countries, but that counted only so much for the individual families who had to pay their bills. jimmy choo flats shoes on sale A mother pushing her pushchair in muddy streets in Mosta was justified in thinking that the situation in Greece was secondary for her, Dr Gonzi added.
The government, he said, would redouble its efforts to achieve the people’s expectations. The government was determined to achieve everything that was promised in the electoral programme. The government still had the energy and ideas to raise the people’s living standards. Putting the people at the heart of its actions was the government’s biggest project, Dr Gonzi said.
“We will be the government of the people, your government, more than ever before, and in so doing, we will regain the people’s confidence,” Dr Gonzi said.
He promised, however, that there would be no gimmicks and the people would be told the situation as it stood. The gimmicks were made by those who tried to copy the PN – ties and all, he said.