On the minds of Wednesday’s scribes are Dundee FC’s parlous financial state, Donald Trump’s honorary degree, proposals for the Dundee V&A and Hitler’s faith.
More worthy cases ignored in favour of Trump Sir, – How refreshing to see a former principal of Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Mr David Kennedy, taking a public stance against the awarding of an honorary DBA to Donald Trump by returning his own honorary degree.
I and a great many others I have spoken to are appalled that Trump, relatively unknown in the north-east until four years ago, should be afforded this accolade.
There are many people born and bred in the area who are far more worthy of such an award than Mr Trump who has by his actions ridden roughshod over democratic principles to get his Menie application approved, aided and abetted by the Aberdeenshire Council, the Scottish Government and sadly by our local media.
His business methods leave a lot to be desired and should he be daft enough to go down the road of applying to the Aberdeenshire Council for compulsory purchase orders to be used to oust the Menie families from their land I think he shall find out how much real support he has in the north-east.
The claim that his development will boost our economy is as yet unproven. As I see it the only economy likely to be boosted is that of the Trump Organisation.
It really is time for the world’s economies to be reclaimed for the people from the unholy alliance of politicians, big business and speculators such as Donald Trump.
R. T. Smith.30 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen.
No example to set students
Sir, – I write to register my anger that an honorary degree is to be awarded to Donald Trump by Robert Gordon University.
Their principal justifies this by describing Trump’s business acumen as a great example for students. Where is the honour in riding roughshod over people’s livelihoods in the pursuit of greed?
And what kind of messages are being sent to students that a declared site of special scientific interest can no longer receive protection by law? That someone with tenuous family connections can come into this country, throw his weight and his money around, ‘lord it’ over a section of Scotland and clear it of people as in days of old? And for what another hotel, another golf course and a few jobs?
I can only assume that money and junketing has been ‘talking’ to Robert Gordon, as it undoubtedly has to Aberdeen City Council and Alex Salmond.
I have family connections with the north-east and I am appalled at this travesty unveiling itself in an area where honesty and integrity used to prevail.
Moira Reekie.19 Mallard Grove,Dunfermline.
A cloud over V&A project
Sir, – I went to see the exhibition for the proposed versions of the Victoria and Albert museum in Dundee. I was very impressed by three things the huge numbers of people also looking, who were also very well-informed people of every age range, the quality of the exhibition and the chance for visitors to leave impressions of the various competitors, almost all of which favoured two contestants over the others.
However, and there is always a snag, is there not, the mock-ups of the waterfront taken from all over Dundee all show the same problem. I do not mean the proposed developments by Forth Ports, which have already been dealt with in your pages, but the Hilton Hotel.
It is coming down, but to be replaced by another hotel even more out of scale with its surroundings. The only solution, and this may not be the most suitable time to suggest it, is for the council to compulsorily purchase the land and turn it into parkland, thus creating a unified and dignified waterfront, so long blighted by tasteless buildings. We do not want another one.
Robert Lightband.40 Clepington Court,Dundee.
Tax bill was no surprise
Sir, – Along with many others, I am astonished at the reaction of the directors of Dundee FC, which is ‘surprise, surprise, we have to pay the nasty tax man all this money’.
In reality, what has happened is that tax and national insurance contributions deducted from staff wages have not been paid to the authorities, which the club’s directors are legally bound to do.
In my opinion they should be held personally responsible. They are obviously not capable of running a company and must be disbarred from running any other firm.
I am sure within the fan base there are individuals more competent than them.
Ron Thoms.37 Esk Gardens, Carnoustie.
Hitler’s faith well documented
Sir, – I am sad but not surprised at James Thomson’s reply to my letter (September 19) in which I made reference to Hitler’s Christianity.
I freely acknowledge the courage of men of all faiths who opposed Hitler’s pernicious state. But Hitler’s own faith is a well-documented fact, and I’d refer your correspondent to a website entitled Hitler’s Christianity in which the author gives extracts from Hitler’s speeches between 1922 and 1945 unpalatable as this may be, it leaves no doubt regarding Hitler’s religious beliefs, and Mr Thompson and his fellow Christians must face up to and live with that. If they cannot, they need to question the basis of their faith, rather than distort history.
But, sadly, his reply appears to illustrate his lack of knowledge regarding the history of his religion. The historical truth of Christianity is far from the sanitised version into which I and my generation were indoctrinated.
Am I an aggressive atheist? I like to think not I and others who write to these columns are simply expressing a fact-based world view, as opposed to a faith-based one.
M. Duncan.100 Craigie Road,Perth.