Today’s letters focus on American gun laws, faith and the NHS, more on the maintenance of roadside verges, and the Gaza flotilla.
US crime response breeds new gun danger
Sir,-James Makowski and Robert Boyles (June 21) are entitled to their views on gun control, however ridiculous these might be.
Fortunately, most thinking Scots do not share them.
We have no need of lectures from the inhabitants of a country whose response to gun crime is to put even more guns into the hands of its citizens.
It is probably hoping for too much to think that one day the absurdity of that might dawn on people like Messrs Makowski and Boyles.
Mr Boyles, you are welcome to your country and its grotesque values.
I am very glad I am Scottish, not American.
(Dr) David B. Griffiths.41 Haston Crescent,Perth.
Glad he is American
Sir,-On reading the letters from your American readers (June 21), there is only one comment within the two letters that anyone, with even a small piece of common sense, would agree with.
The last sentence in Robert Boyles’ letter, where he states “Am I glad I’m an American” is something we, at this side of the pond, can all be very grateful for.
John Strachan.23 Beechwood Avenue,Glenrothes.
Keep faith out of NHS
Sir,-I have a cunning plan. In light of the impending cuts in public services I propose that some resourceful entrepreneur set up a hospital chaplaincy supply agency.
This person could make a decent return on an initial investment by competing for a slice of the lucrative niche product called National Health Service religious and spiritual care that is costing the taxpayer some £3.5 million per annum.
Our astute business person would see how a once, small-scale ward chaplaincy service has burgeoned into a management device with its own department (in Tayside NHS) and a welter of specialists and advisers as well as a sizeable backup industry of New Age gurus and their marketing ploys, the chief of which is selling something called spirituality.
Of course, because the NHS wants to micro-manage this stuff, they rebrand it as spiritual care.
So, at a fraction of the cost, and with no overheads as described, our rent-a-chaplain agency would rake it in and still give better value for the taxpayer’s pound.
Surely there are enough retired or even working ministers out there who would want to supplement their pension and income by signing on to this scheme?
There are even possibilities for out-of-work spiritual gurus and do-it-yourself types.
Who will be the first to get a slice of the action?
Terry Martin.Dalcrue,Coupar Angus Road,Blairgowrie.
Let Scotland’s verges flourish
Sir,-Iain Mitchell (June 21) is unfair in attacking Councillor Maggie Taylor’s eminently sensible letter defending the practice of allowing verges to grow. Michael Davies’ original letter complained about tidiness, not safety, and Councillor Taylor responded to that point.
Verges must be cut where sight-lines require it and safety is an issue.
That applies to only a tiny percentage of roadside verges and, I suspect, hardly any steep banks.
However, councils and contractors routinely hack down large areas of grass and wildflowers for no good reason.
I once asked a council worker why he was strimming wild flowers on the outskirts of Perth, leaving a sorry and unsightly mess of dead vegetation.
There was no possible threat to safety.
His response was, “You’ve got to keep it down.” No you don’t.
At a time of public-sector cuts, it is disgraceful that money is wasted damaging the environment.
Roadside verges are part of the countryside and should be treated as such for the benefit of wildlife.
They should not be “tidied” as if they were urban ornamental gardens.James Christie.2 Dryburgh Crescent,Perth.
Daily reality of Gaza crisis
Sir,-John Cameron’s reply to Alister Rutherford (June 22) is another attempt to smear the Freedom Flotilla and its supporters.
The flotilla had representatives from around 40 countries on board, nine of whom were murdered.
The video to which he refers was produced by Israel immediately after the attack on the flotilla, (and let’s remember it is universally labelled as an Israeli attack) and has since been discredited.
John Cameron should stop regurgitating Israel’s propaganda.
Whatever the Turkish Prime Minister says about the flotilla, it should be remembered that Turkey was Israel’s closest ally in the region until the attack and the deterioration in the relationship has been brought about by Israel’s casual disregard for Turkish lives.
The international community has condemned this attack and, given that it has heightened the awareness of the situation in Gaza, it has served its purpose.
I see no understanding of the plight of the Palestinians in John Cameron’s letters. The UN, Amnesty International and the International Red Cross say there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Palestinian people have a right to live free from oppression, in security, with an economy which can provide the food, health, education and housing which its citizens require.
I look forward to seeing such a Palestinian state as a member of the international community, perhaps established with the help of the UN, which was so crucial in the formation of the state of Israel.Steve Dron.Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.