Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1153841
25 OPINION But it doesn't really matter in the end – It NeVer does – because, as if by a sudden stroke of common nationwide intuition, everyone and his dog just pole-vaulted to the most natural conclusion in the universe. There was only one word, in any language, Joseph Muscat could possibly have tattooed on his bicep: 'INVICTUS'… Latin for 'Undefeated'. And even then, there could only be one possible motiva- tion: it is a direct allusion to the title of a commemorative book published in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia, entitled 'INVICTA'. So inevitably – or should I say 'INVARIABLY' – Joseph Muscat's tattoo signifies that he is 'gloating' over Daphne's murder… still waging war on a dead adversary, two years (almost to the day) after her murder… still 'obsessing' over her in death, as he had in life… Whoah, steady... and there I was, thinking my guesses were slightly off the rails. For even if it's true that our hidden word really is 'INVICTUS'… and it's a distinct possibility, though we can't be sure… well, it also happens to be true. Electorally speaking, Jo- seph Muscat can really claim to have never lost a battle throughout his career: from his first MEP election, to the PL leadership battle in 2008, to all the general, local, and European elections ever since. Unless there was an early de- feat I can't remember, he did emerge from all that unde- feated. Admittedly, it remains debat- able whether having that fact emblazoned on your body, for all the world like a trophy, is the most tasteful and mag- nanimous thing an undefeated prime minister could possibly choose to do. Personally speaking, I see no difference between 'INVIC- TUS', and 'EAT MY DUST'… or 'NO RIDEAM QUOD, etc.' Or 'IVA, NIEHU VIAGRA'… or even just plain old 'NYA- NYA-NYA-NYAAA-NYAH!...' But then again… it could have nothing to do with those electoral victories at all. It could just as easily be a refer- ence to the 2009 movie about Nelson Mandela: directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Mor- gan Freeman, etc. After all, that film only came out a year after Muscat's first became Labour leader… when he was still 'INVICTUS', if for a shorter while. And for Joseph Muscat to look up to Nelson Mandela, as a political icon, even to the extent of getting ink done in tribute… what's so unusual about that? Chris Cardona looked up to Che Guevara, didn't he? And just look where it got him today… maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 AUGUST 2019 But then again: who on earth could possibly be 'envious' of the Prime Minister's right bicep, anyway? I mean, come on, Joseph Muscat may be many things… but Sly Stallone he certainly is not In any case: now it transpires that the Prime Minister, no less, also sports a tattoo. And judging by the fuss some people made about it, anyone would think he'd gone and tattooed a Swastika right in the middle of his forehead