Prior to visiting Malta for a panoramic photo shoot, I've done some basic historical research about the Islands of Malta. Most search engine results return commercial listings rather than any useful information. However, a quick "dip" into the Gutenburg collection of e-books returned two fascinating books:

Knights of Malta, 1523-1798
This book covers 275 years of events concerning Malta. It is a little "heavy" going in places and the Olde Worldie sentences can at times be extremely tedious. The Tea Musk Times has republished the entire book using HTML and shortcut hyperlinks for each chapter.
http://teamusk.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=2

Fair Italy. The Riviera and Monte Carlo (With a Short Account of Malta)

"Then, on landing at one of the quays, after having, of course, been cheated in the fare (for the Maltese will never lose an opportunity of robbing you, though, to give the creature his due, he will not let any one else do so if he can prevent it--you are his own sweet pastures, and his solely)".

Probably an apt description for today's Time Share Sales Person!

The text has been published "as-is" and includes a link back to the original document.

The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) from Sorrento to Salerno is one of Europe's most beautiful stretches of coastline, and the scenic corniche road that winds precariously along it, is justly famous as one of the world's most hair-raising and most scenic motoring experiences.

From the East, the Amalfi Drive begins at Salerno, one of the most active ports of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city's historical and cultural tradition dates back to Roman times, and it was the seat of the oldest university in Europe, the Schola Medica Salernitana. In more modem times it is best remembered for the Allied troops landing on its beaches, during the second world war.

Salerno isn't a tourist town, but it's a very sociable and lively place with plenty of street life and an intriguing choice of eating places, and makes a good base to explore Mediterranean culture and the fascinating landscapes of the Amalfi Coast. While in the area, a must-see to the east of Salerno is Paestum, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in the county, containing see some of the best preserved Greek ruins, architecture and monuments.

If you are passionate about exploring the beautiful colors that the undersea world has to offer then you should go at least once for scuba diving in Malta. You will surely find it a unique experience to remember as Malta's shoreline offers you lots of dive sites for you to enjoy.

If you are concerned with your safety there are many safe sites for you to visit. On the other hand, if you like adventures, you should visit wrecks such as Hellespont, sunk on April 1942. It is up to you how to spend your vacation for scuba diving in Malta, one thing is sure: you will find it on your taste.

The area of St Pauls Bay is situated on the northern coast of Malta. Approximate transfer time from the airport is one hour.

Traditionally Maltas largest summer resort and can be split into four areas of contrasting age and amenities Xemxija, Bugibba, Qawra and the Old Town.

Famous for its unspoilt rugged beauty and open sea views. A picturesque resort with good attractions and easy access to some of Maltas finest scenery and best rocky beaches.

The three Islands that make up the Maltese Archipelago – Malta, the largest; Gozo, the mythical isle of Calypso; and tiny Comino, famous for its Blue Lagoon – form a very special diving site at the heart of the Mediterranean.

The Islands offer excellent sport for both beginners and experienced open water and cave divers. With their natural harbours, bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs, reefs and wrecks, the Islands invite you to explore. The possibilities are endless. With dive sites just a stone’s throw away from each other, you will be able to explore a variety of underwater worlds. Some of the 34 best known dive sites range from labyrinthine caves to reefs and wartime wrecks.

At just a couple of hours’ flight from major European cities, the Islands are easily accessible for long weekend diving breaks as well. Sea temperatures average around 23ºC in summer and drop down to around 13ºC to 15ºC in December to March.

Controlling Society Through Direct and Indirect Taxation

Today's Ripped Headline has really been "in the making" for quite a while.

Using taxation as a tool to control social attitudes and consumption has never worked in the long-term.

Perhaps the Tories are right; NLP (same old crap) really does secretly follow a hardcore socialist agenda where ultimately, every penny earned will be taken back by the state.

The Curtis LeMay phrase "bomb them back into the Stone Age" implies a fierce attack that utterly destroys its target's infrastructure, forcing its survivors to revert to primitive technology in order to survive.

UK political parties might not use the phrase "tax them back to the Stone Age" in public, but there does seem to be an increasing alliance between the Government and Opposition Parties to use taxation as the ultimate weapon of choice to fight modern social ills.

Perhaps one day, the Great British Public will quietly sleepwalk into a "LeMay Tax Policy"... forward; back to the STONE AGE!!!

" If only each King, Emperor, and President understood that his work of directing armies is not an honourable and important duty, as his flatterers persuade him it is, but a bad and shameful act of preparation for murder - and if each private individual understood that the payment of taxes wherewith to hire and equip soldiers, and, above all, army-service itself, are not matters of indifference, but are bad and shameful actions by which he not only permits but participates in murder - then this power of Emperors, Kings, and Presidents, which now arouses our indignation… would disappear of itself. "
- Leo Tolstoy

" Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes. "
- Alexander Haig

THE GREAT BIG BRITISH FAT CATS AND GREEDY DOGS SCANDAL

For once, it seems individuals in parliament cannot be blamed for the way British pet owners overfeed their animals to bursting point. "Pet obesity in the UK, you could say, is at epidemic proportions. Nearly 50% of dogs and cats in this country are overweight, and 15% of these are clinically obese." Andrew Wilson, Orchard Veterinary Centre.

Heart complaints, diabetes and arthritis are just some of the health problems associated with pets carrying excess weight. Lack of exercise and poor diet can also result in a shortened life-span for man's favourite friends. Despite this, there are some owners who don't seem to be taking obesity in their animals seriously. Animals are piling on the pounds in all the wrong places. Some websites glorify fat pets, and make a virtue out of their cuddliness and cuteness. To make things worse, we're effectively killing our pets with kindness.

The Pet Health Council recommends the following action:

1. check the ideal weight for your pet with your vet;
2. take action if your pet is heavier than its ideal weight by 15%.
3. check for a sagging stomach and bulging sides;
4. if you can't feel your pet's ribs, this may be a sign that they're overweight;
5. breathlessness and reluctance to take exercise are good indicators of an overweight pet.

[source BBC Inside Out]

OBESITY IN HOUSES OF PARLIEMENT?

READ THE RIPPED HEADLINE FROM THE TEA MUSK TIMES

Heavyweight politicians, many of whom may have visited the "trough" of their free meal allowances a little to often, have refused to take the new "FAT PET" test. The general feeling among MPs is that; "A few tasty treats never did anyone any harm"!

"Throw me a BONE sometime", seems to be the reply from the Great British Public.

Gormless Gordon says; "I eats, I drinks, I gets fat and I falls over; I'm awright JACK".

You may think your own pet is treated extremely well, and even pampered, but some pet owners take things to extremes. Read about how some of the most privileged pets live their lives.