Letters to the Editor – July 21, 2024

The way forward

The lack of solutions to major national problems affecting a large part of the population, such as the health care system at Mater Dei Hospital, the psychiatric hospital in Attard, traffic chaos, sewage blockages, overcrowding and numerous allegations of corruption, has created anger and a desire for change among significant sections of the electorate.

The failure to hold key figures, such as the Film Commissioner, to account will do the Labour Party great harm, from a landslide victory at the 2022 general election to a defeat in three years’ time.

The European and local elections of 8 June showed that the tide is turning against the Labour government. When the Prime Minister claims to solve our many problems, I pay no attention. He has done this many times before and nothing concrete has come of it.

Robert Abela even voted in parliament against holding a public inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia on the construction site.

The Nationalist Party is in top form after the June 8 results. And so it is. The Labour Party, on the other hand, continues to make errors of judgment, especially when allegations of corruption surface.

Something has to change.

ANTHONY J. SALIBA – St. Paul’s Bay

Questions about the canonization process

I refer to the item ‘Canonization of Hendrik and Ineż Casolani moves to the Vatican’ (7 July), about a Maltese couple who are eligible for canonization by the Catholic Church.

The article offered some details about the couple’s recovery from some medical problems and the alleged “miracle” of a premature baby growing up to be a fit and healthy young man. However, it did not provide any details about the scientific and medical reasons for such “miracles” which can go a long way to explaining such things.

There are questions that need to be asked, such as: Were all three cases still receiving medical treatment for their conditions? Did the medical professionals recognize that their efforts were not making progress? How hard do you have to pray to get a favorable outcome? How is it that others who pray for relief from their ailments are not answered?

DAVID GRIXTI – Marsascala

Controversial decision

England’s Harry Kane scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final between the Netherlands and England. Photo: AFP

This is the honest opinion of an Arsenal and England supporter.

Interestingly, one of the main topics in the recently concluded Euro 2024 football championship was a highly controversial refereeing decision. This took place during the semi-final between England and the Netherlands.

As for the England penalty, in my humble opinion, there is no way it could have been called a penalty. Harry Kane took a shot and Dutch defender Denzel Dumphries tried to block but was too late. As a result, the studs on his boots landed on Kane’s ankle. Where else would you expect them to be? How could that be a penalty? It was a great penalty.

A little research gave me the name of the referee as Felix Zwayer, a German referee from Berlin. I was completely shocked. He was convicted of match-fixing and given a six-month ban from refereeing in Germany in 2005 after accepting a €300 bribe from another official while working as an assistant referee.

He was only suspended for six months, as he fully cooperated and testified against the head referee, Robert Hoyzer, who was sentenced to two years and five months in prison and a lifetime ban from refereeing.

How on earth can UEFA appoint a referee with such a background for such an important match?

It’s astonishing.

RAYMOND BENCINI – Zebbug