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from The Malta Independent, December 12, 2001
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel
Daniel Xriha (TMID, 4 December) seems to be part of a campaign to boost the credibility of the hunters federation's recent
report by attacking the book Fatal Flight by Natalino Fenech.
If the bird shooter's report is so poor that the only
way it can gain credibility is by attacking a doctoral thesis so be it... most people will know which one is the most credible.
The main attack against the book is that it has done "huge damage" to "our delicate tourist industry".
Samuel Johnson says that "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" and his observation applies equally well
to our bird-killing brothers.
Firstly, all the published letters from tourists who say they are not returning to
Malta mention seeing birds being killed, not because they have read Mr Fenechs book which is out of print anyway.
Secondly,
when these letters are published in the local press, bird shooters take it upon themselves to tell them that it is none of
their business. Hardly the actions of people who care about attracting tourists!
Finally, at the time of writing,
the hunters federation still insists that Hagar Qim and Mnjadra are theirs so that they can shoot and kill birds in full view
of tourists, and continue to damage some of the remains by building bird traps over them.
If our bird shooters want
to demonstrate a love for their country, their federation should immediately drop its opposition to the conversion of Hagar
Qim and Mnajdra into an archaeological park.
No more excuses, threats and insults please - action.
Dr Carmelo
Aquilina
East Sussex, UK
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