Sir, – I heartily concur with your correspondents (November 12) concerning the attitudes of Scotland’s political leaders to the US President elect, Donald Trump.
The similarity of statements made by Nicola Sturgeon, Kezia Dugdale and Patrick Harvie illustrate a huge degree of political naivety on the parts of those making such statements, who appear to have no qualms whatever concerning the future of US relations and investments into Scotland and the UK.
It is fine to hold private views about political leaders who commentators have never met.
But it is a different situation entirely when these views are made publicly, and, in this case, denigrate the leader of the free world.
It would seem to indicate a mindset best suited to regional issues in Scotland and not to the greater affairs of the UK and the world at large
While the opinions of the Labour Party and the Greens are largely irrelevant in matters of influence, it is particularly depressing to see and hear such comments from Scotland’s First Minister who sought to ban Mr Trump from entering the United Kingdom, despite his massive investments into the Scottish economy.
Such political correctness is, unfortunately, a hallmark of SNP ideology and seems to take precedence over the necessary pragmatism that is required from political leaders if our economy and general well-being is to be protected and developed in the months and years to come.
Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.
Time to respect Scots electorate
Sir, – I was interested to note First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s comments on Donald Trump’s election where she has said we have to respect the choice of the American people.
Why then does she not respect the fact that the people of Scotland voted No in 2014 and the people of the United Kingdom voted Leave in the European Union referendum?
Roy Moffat.
Bollyglosh,
Gilmerton.
American media misread vote
Sir, – American journalists of the 21st century, for the most part college-educated, urban and liberal, are increasingly likely to live and work in New York, Washington or on the west coast of the country.
They rarely visit the Midwest so they missed the fact that while its unemployed took Donald Trump seriously, they did not take his campaign rhetoric literally.
Perversely, the media did the opposite, treating Donald Trump as a buffoon but reporting every word as if it was a policy statement, demanding details about illegal immigrants and Isis bombers.
The media missed the American people’s visceral hatred of Hillary Clinton for the dubious way she had amassed a fortune, her shrieking voice and the way she dismissed Donald Trump supporters as “deplorables”.
I remember a “deplorable” saying no one who had looted the White House should be allowed back.
He thought she was unfit to be president and he was right.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Advantages of electric cars
Sir, – Electric car charging points across Scotland were used 26,119 times in August of this year.
The whole point of electric vehicles was supposed to reduce CO2 emissions and use some of the wasted wind- generated electricity.
There are in Scotland only 3,575 electric vehicles out of more than 2.7 million.
Worldwide, the vehicle figure is 1.2 billion and is expected to be two billion by 2035.
The owners of electric vehicles, and many of them are local authorities parading their green credentials at our expense, may think they are saving the planet but this is obviously absurd.
However, being the owner of an electric vehicle has advantages.
They do not pay vehicle tax, they can park free at an electric charging point for as long as they like, they get free electricity and no parking warden can fine them for overstaying.
In Linlithgow, one owner does not even bother to connect up and uses the charging point as private parking.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Liberal elite is out of step
Sir, – I find the remarks of leading figures in the Scottish Parliament somewhat hypocritical in attacking the sexual character of President elect Donald Trump when they themselves admit to bisexual and homosexual proclivity. These may be accepted practices by the liberal legislature but remain an anathema to the majority of the electorate.
AG Walker.
Puddledub Cottage,
Guthrie.
God cannot be ignored
Sir, – I write in response to the letter from Rev David Robertson of Dundee.
Yes, there are many places in scripture mentioning homosexuality but a bright spot is that anyone, at anytime, can repent and follow Jesus.
I do not know why the Scottish Secular Society and others are so concerned with spreading unbelief.
What are they so afraid of?
Refusing to accept that God exists will not make him go away and one day we will all have to stand before him to be judged.
Mr L. Morrison.
8 Nursery Caravan Site,
Nursery Lane,
Brechin.
It’s right to listen to Marine Le Pen
Sir, – Was Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner right to criticise the BBC for showing an interview with French National Front leader Marine Le Pen on Remembrance Sunday?
The Andrew Marr Show is about news and political comment, with some light entertainment. Any media outlet that does not keep up with trends is likely to lose followers.
In the light of the Brexit vote, Donald Trump’s victory and the coming presidential elections in France, I think it was right we should hear what Ms Le Pen had to say.
Some may argue it should not have been broadcast that morning, that it was offensive to highlight what some regard as extreme right-wing views on a day we honour those who died battling fascism.
That is to assume her views are identical to those involved in the Nazi tyranny. That is a bit extreme. Only by finding out what she stands for can we make a mature judgment.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
Time for reflection
Sir, – On Saturday night, for the first time in several years, I watched the remembrance service from The Royal Albert Hall in London.
For some reason my mind drifted to letters I have written to The Courier.
These were usually inspired by irritation, anger or a feeling that a proposed government action seemed utterly pointless.
However, as the remembrance service continued, I realised that the things that get my goat are irrelevant when consideration is given to the suffering that many families endure.
I do not intend to cease writing letters but perhaps I should try to look for a more positive approach to the content.
AA Bullions.
6 Glencairn Crescent,
Leven.