Sir, I would like to express my thanks for the excellent series last week on attitudes towards sex within the city of Dundee. It was balanced, informative, thought-provoking journalism at its best.
It raised many questions, not least how are we to deal with the whole subject of prostitution and abuse.
I was saddened at the logic of Margo MacDonald who suggested that because prostitution had always been around we should legalise it. One could just as easily argue because child abuse has always been around one should legalise it! Surely your articles indicate that the recreational view of sex exemplified in so much of our media and a view which is not challenged in our education system, is responsible for much of the problem.
A return to a Christian view of sex as sacred, rather than sex as animal appetite, would seem to be a good place to start dealing with the root cause of the problem.
David Robertson. St Peter’s Free Church, 4 St Peter Street, Dundee.
Tunnel vision over turbines
SirI despair at the wanton destruction of scarce upland moors by wind farm developers and land owners who can see no further than their tunnel vision view of making money from being lucky enough to own land at the right time and in the right place.
How can anyone hold themselves up as being the custodians of the land when they are destroying the nesting grounds of countless birds as well as putting in place the blades to chop them down on a foggy day or dark night? I also despair at Mr Salmond’s blethers.
“We won’t build wind farms that will impact on the landscape.” Where about in Scotland might that be, then?
“Scotland will sell wind energy.” Who is going to buy expensive wind energy if cheaper nuclear is available! But if so, wouldn’t it be wise to get signed contracts before the wind farms are built?
“Wind power will provide the current to extract hydrogen from water to fuel vehicles.” Scientists have been trying for years to make hydrogen extraction economically viable. Would it not be wiser to solve this problem before building the turbines?
George Donaldson. Padanaram.
Keep it plain and simple
Sir, I would respectfully request that our illustrious councils, when appointing public staff whose wages are paid for by the tax payers of that ilk, give a thought to the job titles.
I refer to the names of posts within the council such as the appointment of a “strategic director of people”, which I assumed to be a “ lollipop” lady, outside a school gate, or would this be a strategic director of children?
Are councils so obsessed with pretentiousness and status, or is it just an excuse to raise wages? Can the title not just be an obvious description of the job and responsibilities? Councils should be an example of good, plain English.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Rural theatres under threat?
Sir, Creative Scotland, the toxic quango Alex Salmond set up to take over the functions of the much-loved Scottish Arts Council has just claimed its latest victim: St Andrews’ Byre Theatre.
Chairman Sandy Crombie oversaw some catastrophic days at Standard Life so the fall-out of its perverse funding cuts will not ruffle his immaculately coiffed locks.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is also known to be in dire straits and struggling financially after the quango without warning slashed a third of a million off its core funding.
Creative Scotland appears to be set on a course that will see the closure of most rural theatres leaving the only cultural outlets clustered in cities like Edinburgh.
This appears to be part of the First Minister’s master plan for independence which has turned Scotland into Europe’s most highly centralised and least democratic nation.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Delighted with dancing item
Sir, It was good to see The Courier’s item about the city’s country dance festival (held on the 25th), and to see the photograph of the children enjoying themselves!
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society is committed to encouraging dancing for all ages. If any of the teachers involved would like to bring some of their pupils to take part in the David Findlay Rosebowl Competition (held annually in memory of the leader of the Olympians Scottish Country Dance Band), which takes place this Saturday (February 2), in Newport Parish Church Hall, I would be happy to accept a late entry!
Teams may perform any dance they know and enjoy and we have sections for children 9 and under, 10-12 years old, and an Open section. All those taking part receive a badge and certificate from Dundee Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Anyone interested can contact me at 01382 541 412, or by email at h.lawrenson@tiscali.co.uk
Helen Lawrenson. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Dundee.
Now that’s service!
Sir, I contacted Dundee City Council lighting department via their website the other night about a street lamp out on King Street, Broughty Ferry, at the bottom of our lane. The following night it was fixed. Bob Servant couldn’t have done better!
Great service. Thanks.
Dave Rennie. 423 King Street. Broughty Ferry.