The Courier’s letters week ends with a defence of Elton John and David Furnish, a suggestion to relocate army personnel to Lincolnshire, a challenge to Iain Gray over wages and a response to the idea of UK Christians being persecuted.
End prejudice against gay adoption Sir,-What gives George McMillan (January 3) the right to question the integrity, lifestyle and sexuality of Elton John and David Furnish, other than intolerance grounded in ancient and outdated religious prejudice?
There have been many children brought into this world who have suffered, even died, in their family home at the hands of their natural parents.
Having a mother bring you up is no guarantee that you will be loved, cared for, educated and given the opportunities in life that many of us have been fortunate enough to take for granted.
There are many who have been raised in homes run by the religious organisations that Mr McMillan seems to rate so highly and where the highest standards of love and care should be expected, who have been subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse as routine.
Mr John and Mr Furnish have been in a stable, loving relationship for nearly 20 years and only time will tell whether they have the skills to raise a well-balanced young adult.
But then, that is true of all of us, isn’t it, regardless of our sexuality?
My only reservation is the issue of surrogacy, but this is another matter entirely and affects male-female as well as same-sex adoptions. It is irrelevant in the context of Mr McMillan’s diatribe.
Surely we should be wishing the new parents well, rather than condemning them on the basis of ignorance and bigotry?
Murray Duncan.100 Craigie Road,Perth.
Locate army of Rhine in England
Sir,-Ian Carroll (January 4) suggests that UK troops stationed in Germany should be relocated to Scotland.
He points out that travel costs for leave would be less than from Germany. For many UK troops, travelling from Scotland to their homes further south, it would be equally as expensive as from Germany.
Indeed, for many, travelling to and from Scotland would be more arduous and more costly.
A far better choice for most army personnel will be to relocate to Lincolnshire which is also likely to have ex-RAF bases and is far more centrally located with better job opportunities for army spouses.
Catherine Hiorns.The Chantry,High Street,Pewsey.
Indicator not 90 years old
Sir,-I read with interest (January 4) your article about a lightning strike which damaged the mountain indicator on the summit of Kinnoull Hill. However, I am writing to point out it is not 90 years old. It was erected some time between 1945 and 1950.
At that time, I was apprentice to John Penman (the Perth burgh surveyor) and the more senior members of staff being far too involved in putting right six wartime years of neglect and disrepair, it fell to me to design the indicator which was made by Henshaw of Edinburgh.
Ben Oliphant.21 Fairies Road,Perth.
Will Labour keep promise?
Sir,-Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray plans to boost public-sector pay to more than £7 an hour.
All very commendable so why was this not done when Labour was in power at Westminster and Edinburgh?
Politicians’ promises disappear faster than snow off a dyke.
Is this not a case of trying to buy votes as there is an election for the Scottish Parliament soon?
I suspect, if Labour wins, the first thing that will happen is they find it impossible to introduce the new minimum wage for public-sector workers as the money is not there.
But what of the other workers on the minimum wage. Has he forgotten them?
John G. Phimister.63 St Clair Street,Kirkcaldy.
Little sign of persecution
Sir,-Rob Smith is right about the mistreatment of Christians in Iraq (January 5) but his notion that the UK “is rife with political correctness against Christians” is ridiculous.
With an established church, bishops in the House of Lords, compulsory religious education and generous funding for faith schools, Christianity enjoys a privileged status.
The “political correctness” is against any effective criticism of Islam, and therein lays the source of the government’s weak response to the persecution of religious minorities in Islamic countries.
(Dr) Stephen Moreton.33 Marina Avenue,Warrington.
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.