Keystone Cops

The Times of Malta, today Monday 8 February 2010:

Monday, 8th February 2010 - 14:27CET
Police drop request for names of bands
The police in a statement today said they had not asked to see the lyrics of songs entered for a Carnival activity in Nadur this weekend.
In a statement in reaction to a story in The Sunday Times, the police said they had, through the Mayor of Nadur, asked to see the names of the bands and the titles of the songs so that they could assess the size of the crowd they could expect.
The police said that after reconsidering their decision, they had decided not to insist on its request for the names.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100208/local/police-drop-request-for-names-of-bands

What a ridiculous statement. So, pray, how did the Keystone Cops think they were going to "assess the size of the crowd they could expect", from the titles of the songs? Eh? They should instead have apologized for acting just like the Taliban of Afghanistan. This is what was reported in the same Times of Malta website yesterday. As I write, the news items are still there, although I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually magically disappear altogether:


Sunday, 7th February 2010
Police to vet Nadur carnival song lyrics
Christian Peregin

Rock bands booked to perform during the Nadur Carnival have been asked to submit their planned 'repertoire' to the local council and police in an attempt to eradicate offensive or vulgar lyrics.
The Sunday Times was alerted by a concerned band member who said the council was requesting to vet lyrics before the event. [...]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100207/local/police-to-vet-nadur-carnival-song-lyrics

and this:

Sunday, 7th February 2010 - 16:49CET
Nadur carnival, quo vadis?
[...] Rock bands set to perform in this year's carnival have been asked to submit their planned 'repertoire' to the local council and police in an attempt to eradicate offensive or vulgar lyrics.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100207/local/nadur-carnival-quo-vadis

Altogether now. A one, a two, a one, two three:

Konna u għadna ngħixu, f'pajjiż tal-Mickey Mouse...