Sir, – Pictures of protests surrounding President Trump’s visit are seen everywhere in the media, but one must ask why these protests took place.
Were they truly spontaneous or largely organised?
And who will actually benefit from these demonstrations?
Trump, an investor in Scotland, has given sensible, though ignored, advice to Teresa May on getting the best deal for the UK during EU negotiations.
He is well on the way to carrying out his pledge to “Make America Great Again”.
It is also worth noting that he enjoys great support in the US, mainly from the less well-off.
Though he quite rightly pulled the US out of the costly, futile Paris Agreement on cutting CO2 emissions and fought the installation of wind turbines seen from his new Scottish golf course, Trump has, in reality, done us no harm.
In actual fact, Trump’s much-criticised personality and conduct really need not matter to us.
Unlike his immediate predecessor, this son of a Scots mother, elected President of our strongest, closest ally, is more a “doer” than a talker.
He is not focussed on seeking out world popularity.
He loves Scotland and says he will give UK priority in trade deals.
Thus, arguably, despite his faults, he is our national friend.
As such he is surely deserving of a good, diplomatic welcome rather than the discourtesy and derision of protests.
Charles Wardrop,
111 Viewlands Rd West, Perth.
Overturning convention
Sir, – President Donald Trump’s visit to Europe represents an interesting variation on the tale of the Emperor’s New Clothes; in this new version it is the emperor, who is perceived as an idiot, but speaks truth to power.
His analysis of Germany as a country which is reliant on Russia for its energy, while the USA with a lower per capita GDP pays vast amounts of money to defend it from the self-same Russia is spot on.
How can Germany, with Europe’s largest economy and a vast trade surplus, justify spending only 1% of its GDP on defence, while America spends 4%?
President Trump was also right to demand major increases in defence spending by other NATO allies who had previously promised to spend 2% of GDP on defence but have in reality been spending little more than half that amount.
Where, however, the president excelled himself was in pointing out that this is not the Brexit that the British people voted.
Donald Trump is shaping up to be a fine president, who does not accept conventional wisdom, but overturns it.
Otto Inglis.
6 Inveralmond Grove,
Edinburgh.
Shades of the City Hall saga
Sir, – I read with interest the article on the Letham Neighbourhood Centre in Perth (Courier, July 11).
The point being missed is the people of Letham and surrounding area are being denied its use.
This would never be allowed to happen in Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie, Pitlochry or Kinross.
Let us not forget Letham has a larger population than any of these satellite towns.
Why are our local elected members not uniting to persuade “Live Active” to reopen the centre to provide the required services as before?
If this valuable community asset remains closed for an indefinite period will this building become the Letham version of the Perth City Hall saga – still unused?
John Flynn.
7 Hillcrest Avenue,
Perth.
Tired of all the negativity
Sir, – After reading two very good positive letters regarding Carseview Centre I would also like to respond as Chairperson of Dundee Mental Health Cairn Fowk on behalf of our members who have had positive experiences.
As a group we have always as carers/ supporters/family members had a good relationship with Carseview Centre.
They have always welcomed us and a few of our members are involved with the Carseview Carers Group.
This was initiated by the hospital who are open for us to choose what we would like discussed and bring staff along to participate.
The group who take part have had very positive experiences of Carseview centre.
We go every Christmas and have done for many years to sing carols and Christmas songs,the patients and staff are always there supporting us, and enjoying the evening. Like all services there is always room for change, but we have found them very willing to take on board our grievances and act accordingly if they can – and if not they explain why not.
It’s very sad that this programme made out that everyone was so uncaring as, in our experience, this is not the case.
Perhaps we should now have a programme highlighting the positive things as we are tired of negativity.
Cathy Hamilton MBE.
Dundee Mental Health Cairn Fowk,
10 Constitution Road, Dundee.
Penguins raise important issue
Sir, – Along with many other people in the local area, I am enjoying seeing the beautifully-designed colourful penguins which popped up recently in and around Dundee.
In last Thursday’s Courier, feature writer Gayle Ritchie reported on the “serious message” which the penguin parade highlights in the form of support for Maggie’s centres, which bring comfort to those living with cancer.
I would like to raise another serious message, which one of the penguins draws attention to, and that is the threat to the lives of the many species of real penguins living in Antarctica from climate change and a lack of food supply.
The main problem is a lack of their staple food, krill, which has been fished out of Antarctic waters on an industrial scale to be made into health supplements and even pet food. Fortunately just last week, the main companies responsible announced a voluntary permanent end to these operations in the face of growing public demand for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.
Let’s hope that at the international meeting of the Antarctic Ocean Commission this October, the collective governments of the world vote to make this sanctuary into a reality, providing a safe haven for all marine wildlife living there.
Sally Romilly.
4 Westwood Terrace,
Newport.
Farewell to columnist Jim
Sir, – I was sorry to learn that Tuesday will be the final Courier column penned by your correspondent Jim Crumley.
I have very much enjoyed Jim’s wildlife observations and thoughts over the years and his column is the first thing I turn to each Tuesday.
His weekly championing of wildlife and wild places will be much missed.
Best wishes, Jim!
Bill Fisken.
18 Kintillo Road,
Bridge of Earn.
Community views matter
Sir, – I was disappointed to read an article suggesting that our MP and representative in Westminster did not have the full facts about a proposed £6 million investment by Fife Council in a new state of the art care home in Anstruther for our elderly mums, dads, aunts and uncles (Courier, July 12).
Had Mr Stephen Gethins asked any of three local councillors – myself, Councillor Linda Holt or his own party’s Councillor John Docherty – he could have easily ascertained the complete picture.
There is no proposal to “lose any of its remaining green space” in Anstruther but a chance for the community to get back an equal size of green space and choose what they want to do with it for children or adults, while also gaining a 2020 and beyond fit for use care home in the heart of the community for residents, their families and staff, with a cafe and toilets as part of a whole package.
However, this is only one possible site under consideration.
Your local councillors will, as always, take on board the views of all the community.
Indeed we already have done so by requesting and obtaining an extension to this first consultation with the public from end of July and now to the end of August 2018.
Bill Porteous.
9C Braehead,
St Monans.
