Sir, – I feel that I have to reply to Bob Taylor’s letter alluding that President Trump is heading for his own Watergate.
Firstly, Mr Trump is not a career politician, so is not experience in the art of deceiving the public at large, rather he speaks his own mind, as a successful businessman. The two jobs do not always have the same ethics, or honesty.
The Democrats and some Republicans do not want Mr Trump as President because he is sworn to “drain the Washington swamp” of all its politicians who make millions off the backs of the ordinary citizen.
Before the November election, Barack Obama, laughingly said that no-one could “hack” an American election, when Mr Trump appeared to say that it was being rigged by the Democrats.
Of course, when Hillary Clinton bombed, the Democrats had to find a reason to explain for their defeat, hence the Russian collusion with Trump was born.
When James Comey “interfered” with the election with just a week to go before polling, the Democrats were screaming for his dismissal. But when President Trump fired the FBI director, the Democrats suddenly decided that Mr Comey was a saint and had been treated despicably.
There is no evidence of collusion. This is just a vicious, unsubstantiated attack by a vindictive party in opposition against an American patriot who wants to make his country respected at home and abroad.
Mike Gardner.
13 Manor Street,
Forfar.
Perth City Hall opportunities
Sir, – The very attractive proposed cultural display features for Perth City Hall, including a plan to show the Stone of Destiny, should not eclipse the hall’s role in serving community needs.
These could include space for weddings, dances, smaller concerts and meetings, which would be money- spinners as well as providing local services and attract many visitors, endowing the city hall’s functions with extra life and vitality, over and above static displays of cultural interest
The retail opportunities mentioned in your article (May 22) should not overlap too much with established businesses, such as cafes, bars and restaurants, many already under financial pressure.
In addition to cultural displays, exhibitions of local history, scenery and current attractions and events for tourists would be rewarding.
These gratifying revival plans for the city hall are exceedingly welcome, despite their lateness.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Road West,
Perth.
Dash to cash in on fossil fuels
Sir, – China has for the first time extracted gas from an ice-like substance technically known as methane hydrate.
Although this was extracted by drilling in the South China Sea, it is believed to be one of the world’s most abundant fossil fuels.
The world’s proven reserves of coal are 892 billion tonnes, enough to last 110 years.
America, Russia, China, Australia and India own 75% of this.
Then there are the trillions of cubic feet of shale oil and gas waiting to be exploited all over the planet.
Coal-fired plants are being built worldwide at a rapidly escalating pace.
The US uses shale gas to produce electricity.
Unrealistic British and Scottish politicians, climate scientists and the chattering classes led us to believe that renewable energy would save the planet.
Do they believe other countries will leave fossil fuels in the ground and instead use expensive unreliable renewable energy technology?
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Viable farms will survive
Sir, – The suggestion of a “crisis” within Scottish farming, as some non-secure tenancies reach a conclusion, is misleading (May 18).
It is right that when a contractual arrangement is nearing its conclusion, or where a resumption clause may be exercised, that both parties should discuss the future.
There is indeed guidance in place from the interim tenant farming commissioner to facilitate this with regards to limited partnerships.
There are a number of limited partnerships that are coming to an end.
In some cases, estates have offered to sell the farm to the tenants or convert to a modern letting vehicle like an LDT. There are also discussions involving the landlord farming the land themselves, letting it to another tenant or using it for another purpose.
We would contend the real issue that the Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association (STFA) has is not with trees but with fixed-term tenancies coming to an end.
In seeking to rekindle the trees versus tenants debate, the STFA wishes to misrepresent the reality to create a negative perception of fixed-term tenancy agreements.
In our experience, where farms are still viable, they will continue to be farmed. Landlords and tenants both want a strong agricultural sector. However, where a fixed-term tenancy is nearing a conclusion, it is the right of both parties to consider their options.
David Johnstone.
Scottish Land and Estates,
Eskmills Business Park,
Musselburgh.