The first correspondents to see print in 2011 are focused on bus services, gay adoption, foreign aid and Dundee FC’s financial situation, as well as energy generation.
Confusion over Dundee bus fares structure Sir,-We are told that Dundee’s bus fares are to be increased by National Express but there is one question that has not yet been answered what exactly are the fare stages?
These used to be published in fare tables and were identified by a red square on the appropriate bus stops and, until a few years ago, stages were clearly marked on the company’s route plans but these have all gone by the board.
I can find no details on the National Express Dundee website nor in their timetables but this is essential information.
On boarding we state our destination but if the driver is unaccustomed to that particular route, it will be left to his whim as to the charge.
In the past, I have often saved a few pennies by walking to the next stop (a fare stage) or alighting one stop before my destination.
If a passenger pays £1.20 then goes beyond his allotted distance, how can the driver argue that he has underpaid when no information on fare stages is available to the public?
Jimmy Smith.60 Bell Street,Dundee.
Ban gay adoption
Sir,-John J. Marshall lists many ludicrous decisions made by civil authorities but the adoption of a baby boy by Elton John and his male partner takes the biscuit one difficult for an oldie such as myself brought up in the strict Scottish Presbyterian tradition to digest.
The proper upbringing of a child should be in a family with a father and mother in charge, not two men, nor for that matter, two women.
How much further down the road to madness is this country going to descend? This latest news smacks of Sodom and Gomorrah, the damned cities of the plain.
Not only is this child to be denied the presence of a mother figure but the life-style of Elton John quite apart from his homosexuality is not one which should qualify him as a suitable person to bring up a child.
Meanwhile, authorities deciding on which couples should be allowed to adopt reject, for weird reasons of their own, many from middle-class, church-going backgrounds.
This is indeed a crazy society in which we now live.
As far as homosexuals are concerned, I believe in live and let live but I do not consider them suitable to have positions of influence over the young and to allow them to adopt children.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Wasteful foreign aid
Sir,-After reading the letter by Malcolm Parkin (December 28), I have to say that I agree with every word he wrote.
We have been pouring money into Africa and India so that their leaders can lead a lavish lifestyle, something we ordinary people could never hope to have.
Let’s face it, the people of these countries are still poor because the aid is not spent on them and never will be, so we should stop it now and use the money to look after our own people, after all, charity should begin at home.
(Mrs) June Reid.12 Findhorn Street,Fintry,Dundee.
Dundee FC dodging justice
Sir,-Your correspondent Douglas McKelvie complains about the “preposterous” 25 points deduction imposed on Dundee FC.
He fears that Dundee “may well win the league but finish second bottom”.
But, if that were to happen, Dundee FC could win the play-offs and escape relegation. Then Dundee FC will have evaded justice.
Dundee sought to seek unfair advantage by buying or signing players they could not afford.
Mr McKelvie mentions “playmakers, Griffiths and Harkins” as valuable assets. I am sure the Inland Revenue would have preferred to receive the several hundred thousand pounds due to them rather than witness reckless expenditure by this club.
If I were a businessman due money by the club I would be aggrieved.
It would be disgraceful if the club is allowed to offer a few pence in the pound as compensation and then carry on as if nothing has happened.
Any assets, including Griffiths and Harkins should be sold to reduce the ongoing debt. Dundee should have been relegated to Division Three.
Robert Anderson.Kirkton,Arbroath.
Gambling with children’s future
Sir,-The recent letter from Neil McKinnon and your article quoting WWF regarding the proportions by type and nature of our energy generation, indicate an extremely wide difference of opinion or interpretation of such matters.
The time is now for our industry and politicians to make serious decisions about our future energy sources.
As a layman but a bit of a navigator and sailor in earlier life, I can assure you that wind can drop and produce no power; tides change four times per day and have no movement; water can freeze, with possible adverse effects on tidal movement.
In addition, the sun only shines during daytime and is not always a power-generation success.
I am a climate-change sceptic. Legislation requires coal, gas and oil generators to keep things clean and are subject to inspection by officials.
Nuclear power, used for peaceful applications, is a Godsend, in my opinion.
I do not want my children and grandchildren to freeze to death in a future winter like this one because of the debatable prophecies of the ecologists.
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
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.