The Courier letters week ends with discussion of the United States’ part in our financial problems, Dundee’s attitude to industry, the Perth bridge plan, and childhood obesity.
Sue America over banking crisis
Sir,-The USA has announced its intention to sue BP for compensation and punitive damages following the Gulf of Mexico accident.
This is not surprising coming from an administration which is so clearly anti-British, notwithstanding the support Britain has given to its adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Is it not time for Britain to reciprocate and sue those elements in the USA which caused so much damage to our banking system (subprime mortgage based securities are only one example) resulting in massive job losses and a decline in our living standards?
(Dr) Andrew Gunn.Kirkden House,Letham (Angus).
Dundee must embrace industry
Sir,-Dundee is good at keeping itself in a commercial backwater.
As well as chasing away an airport hotel (December 16) I remember that Ford gave up on opening a factory in the 1980s due to planning and union intransigence, a major glass firm did the same in the 1990s and Sir Clive Sinclair ceased computer production because of lack of workforce skills. Timex also closed after numerous strikes.
Some attitude change seems long overdue.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Blight on historic course
Sir,-In the first article of the New World Atlas of Golf (reprinted more than 10 times since 1976) there is this statement: The Scots were the great prophets of golf, spreading its gospel from Perth (where the six-hole links on the city’s North Inch was the first recognisable course).
I attended the meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee last month and could not believe the ill-informed report about the all-important “signature hole” on the course.
It was stressed that there was “overwhelming” support for a new bridge but did not mention that councillors did not accept a petition from more than 1200 citizens, nor did councillors mention their lack of an acknowledgment of an approach from the Scottish Golf Union.
The committee appeared hell-bent on acceptance of part of the funding for the scheme, regardless of the consequences for the course, which is an asset of the Common Good Fund, which councillors have a duty to protect.
All in all, this will be a sad finale to the celebrations of Perth 800 but there is a ray of hope in the well-informed demand from MSP Murdo Fraser for consultation with the whole community.
He mentioned the dreaded words “incinerator saga” but if the bridge project proceeds as proposed, the effects will have a longer lasting impact on our beloved Fair City.
Bill Fairweather.10 Fairhill View,Perth.
Needless intrusion
Sir,-Having followed correspondence and reports about the proposed new bridge over the Tay at Perth, I have to say that I am extremely disappointed by the decision of members of Perth and Kinross Council that the bridge should be constructed at the North Inch golf course.
It seems wrong that to build one facility, you have to virtually destroy another and one which has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands over very many years especially since the original proposal was to build it in another situation altogether.
Although not now a resident of the city of Perth, I have played over the North Inch for more years than I care to remember and now, as a member of Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Club, we play Perth Artisans, home and away, every year a hotly-contested fixture which is greatly enjoyed.
I am certain that there are very many more golfers throughout Perthshire, like me, who feel we have something to say on this subject.
Build the bridge by all means I am sure that it can be an asset to Perth and Perthshire but not surely where it has to intrude on the pleasure and amenity of other members of the community.
David MacDougall.40 Willowbank,Little Dunkeld.
Parents create obese children
Sir,-I read your article about how the Scottish Government should do something about obese children.
It is not government ministers that can be seen stuffing over-salted savouries and other rubbish into small children’s mouths it is their mothers.
Have cookery lessons been dropped in schools? If so, then it is time that they were reinstated so that children can be fed nourishing meals. What the government could do is try to make manufacturers use less harmful items in their products, although I do not know if this is possible.
(Mrs) June Reid.12 Findhorn Street,Dundee.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.