Today’s letter writers discuss subjects including the proposed Dundee biomass plant, the issue of protecting the home, and a thank-you for help with a fund-raiser.
Time for local champion to live up to promiseSir, I refer to Stewart Hosie’s letter regarding the proposed biomass plant. He says the decision will be made by the Scottish Government and “that decision will be based on impartial evidence by those qualified to provide it independent of any vested interests”.
Nowhere in the letter does he mention the wishes of his constituents. Do we only matter to him, his wife Shona Robson and the SNP councillors when they are standing for re-election? There is considerable opposition among the public.
To quote Stewart Hosie from the SNP News prior to the General Election, “Now, more than ever, Scotland’s communities need local and national champions who will put their interests first.”
It’s time for Mr Hosie to live up to his promise and take on board the opposition of thousands of his constituents to this proposed biomass plant time for him to be our local champion.
Richard Bishop.2 Albany Drive,Broughty Ferry.Personal attack does no creditSir, Once again we witness the unedifying words and behaviour of a politician, this time an SNP MP, Stewart Hosie with his patronising and personal attack on your columnist, John J. Marshall, simply because he has no substantive and fact-based counter-arguments of his own.
Mr Marshall’s column last week presented a logical, defensible and fact-led argument against the proposed biomass plant at Stannergate and yet Mr Hosie resorts to personal vilification as his sole means of counter-argument.
Shame on you, Mr Hosie surely our MPs are not all that shallow?
G. M. Lindsay,Whinfield Gardens,Kinross.Don’t patronise the publicSir, In the apparent absence of a response from the local council a Dundee East politician, Stewart Hosie MP, now responds with his lengthy tirade (October 5) directed at a pertinent article by John J. Marshall regarding concern about a proposed biomass plant. This has valid support from members of the public.
Mr Hosie’s letter attempts to alleviate concern by stating the decision will be based on impartial evidence by those qualified to give it and goes on to indicate the decision will be made via key statutory consultees.
This is a typical politician’s patronising statement which basically indicates the public are not capable of constructive or valid opinion.
With his suggestion that the final verdict on the proposal will be made by the Scottish Government, this leads to increasing concern based on the renewable energy policy as observed to date.
Harry Lawrie,35 Abbots Mill,Kirkcaldy.Not even safe in your own homeSir, There used to be a saying that a Scotsman’s/Englishman’s home is his castle. In other words, unless invited, no-one would dare enter, or should attempt to enter.
It was in disbelief, and then anger that I read the report in the Courier of October 2 regarding the experiences suffered by the family of Robert Easson of Coupar Angus at the hands of his teenage tormentors. Reporting acts of anti-social behaviour 40 times brought no relief from the aggressors.
With a wife, toddler son, and a 12-year-old to protect, it is no wonder he snapped. To add insult to injury HE was charged with assault and told he had no right to protect his property.
It was only last week the Chief Inspector of Police in England and Wales announced his evidence that the police had retreated from the streets, allowing the yobs to rule. This week Theresa May, the Home Secretary, has announced plans to raise events such as these from ‘anti-social behaviour’ to ‘crimes against the person’, and allow police to initiate more stringent penalties.
Incidents such as these defy belief that they are allowed to continue in Scotland, with the criminal justice system apparently helpless to exercise justice to the victims. With opinions expressed by politicians and ex-prison governors that fewer prison sentences should be served, what protection for the law abiding. Perhaps Kenny McAskill could inform us.
G. Cormack.McLauchlan Rise,Aberdour.There’s no war on ChristmasSir, I do not object to Christians celebrating Christmas as John Nicoll claims. I do however object to Christian preachers trying to get mileage out of a “war on Christmas” when no such war exists.
John Nicoll states that Christ’s birth coincides with earlier Pagan festivals. I’d ask him what his source for Christ’s date of birth. It is not given in the Bible and that is the only source there is for the existence of the so-called saviour. “Evidence” consists of four books all written at least four decades after the alleged events.
There is nothing con-temporaneous in the Roman or Jewish records about a man who claimed to be the son of God who performed inexplicable miracles. Such events would be worthy of a mention in the historical records but there are none.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.A great night in aid of charitiesSir, Last month my husband and I ran a fund-raiser dance at The British Legion Hall, Forfar, in aid of Forfar Instrumental Band, Beech Hill House Care Home, Strathmore Centre for Learning Difficulties, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Help for Abandoned Animals, Angus.
We raised £450 and had a super night-good music, food and company, and fantastic raffle prizes, most of which were kindly donated by local shops and businesses. Many thanks to all for their generosity
Alan and Anne Dorman.Bonnycheer Cottage,Carmyllie.