Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501675
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JUNE 2023 COMMENT The Skinny Malta, shrunk down EDITORIAL A pastor carpet bombing comedians into silence (a figure of speech) PAGE 2 JOSANNE CASSAR A week of weirdness PAGE 6 'It is crucial to explore pro-active options for the successful inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into the host community' - Samar Mazloum PAGE 12 What are we skinning? Our duty to unabashedly, and without fail, praise every man of god who comes our way. Be it from the side, the front, but most especially from the rear. Why are we skinning it? Be- cause it appears that many are harbouring under the illu- sion that 'freedom of speech' is more than just an abstract, ornamental idea. They hereti- cally assume that it should have practical and legal im- plications on our social fabric. Oh, no. Oh, yes. Some peo- ple have nothing to do with the precious time God gave them to spend on this earth. Speaking of which, how are YOU spending your time to- day? I'm peeling potatoes right now, actually. What will do with them af- ter that's done? I'm gonna gently but firmly rub them down with some lucious, stickly olive oil. After doing that for around 20-40 min- utes, I will sprinkle some salt over their shiny golden contours and pop them into the oven with a hard, deter- mined shove. Sounds delectable. Yes, but it doesn't stop there. Go on... I will crouch down in a supplicating position and gaze at the golden balls of goodness as they grow into softer yet strangely, al- so firmer versions of them- selves, glistening gloriously under the oven bulb, as if to tease me with the juicy promise of the delicious- ness that's yet to come. And then? Then, after they're ready, I'll pop them out of the oven and shove a viscous, grey-white gloop made from a blend of butter, sour cream, shredded ched- dar cheese, cooked bacon bits, chopped green onions, salt, and pepper. The ef- fort would leave me feeling exhausted, yet strangely calm... I can imagine. Alas, I would then have to return them for the over for the final phase of their Glorious Hardening. Then you'll eat them, right? Yes. Sharing it only with myself and the spirit who watches over me. Michael Jackson? Don't be absurd. I'm talking about Frans Il-Budaj, of course. Ah yes. As patriotic as your pious devotion to the Mal- tese potato. I bow down in deference to the majestic spud that rises up from the soil to sweeten our mouths with its honeyed glory. Is that all you're doing to- day, then? It's Sunday. The day of rest. Pounding those potatoes in and out of the oven takes it out of you, you know? Do say: "The measure of any society's democratic cre- dentials is surely rooted in its ability to secure freedom of express-- actually wait. No. Don't say anything. Ev- er." Don't say: "This censorship thing sure delivers quite the nostalgic kick, huh?" No. 196 - Preparing Potatoes MICHAEL FALZON Sloppy is not just funny PAGE 7 SAVIOUR BALZAN So who is a f***ing asshole? PAGE 5