This morning our correspondents discuss poking fun at Christianity, Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, the threat to Blairgowrie Hospital, the need to protect Scotland’s wild landscape, the possibility of harnessing the energy of the Tay and the need for a new bypass at Perth.
Would comedian poke fun at Islam’s founder? Sir, I confess that until I read your article Minister Criticises Comedy Show (May 5) I had never heard of Richard Herring or his show, Christ On A Bike.
While reading, a thought came to me.
Will Richard Herring ever consider writing a sequel to this show? Perhaps Mohammed On A Bike?
Or is this man another example of those whose wit extends only to the ridiculing of a faith whose founder urged his followers to turn the other cheek?
Angela Rennie.Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.
Dangers of blasphemy law
Sir, The British Government has been criticised for giving aid to Pakistan when there is so much violation of human rights in relation to Christians in that country.
When it is known what is happening to Christians in Pakistan, this criticism is justified.
Pakistan’s blasphemy law is exploited by Muslims to harm Christians.
False accusations are made against Christians to cause them trouble.
Social, political and legal discrimination are experienced by Christians and Christian communities are attacked and buildings destroyed.
Charles Knox.61 Demondale Road,Arbroath.
Blairgowrie hospital threat
Sir, There is a threat of closure or downgrading to Blairgowrie Community Hospital (BCH).
There is to be a public meeting about this tomorrow night at 7pm in Blairgowrie High School.
The dementia service has been downgraded to 12 hours per day in the community. Crises occurring outwith this cover require admission to BCH, which no longer has the resources to cope. Will the outpatient surgical, podiatry, audiology, physiotherapy and anti-coagulant clinics still be provided after the changes?
The casualty department sees 300 cases per month. Will PRI and Ninewells be able to cope with this?
There is also a well-used sexual health clinic for young people. If this is closed, it is likely to lead to unwanted pregnancies and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
The NHS has, pro rata, five times more administrators than the French or German health systems. Yet it is always frontline services which are cut in times of economic stringency and not the bureaucrats.
Ian Strachan.Eathie,Golf Course Road,Blairgowrie.
Bid to protect wild landscapes
Sir, There is growing concern over the speed at which Scotland’s landscapes are being replaced by vistas of wind turbines.
We need renewable energy from a range of sources but we also need to protect our wild land.
Sadly, the debate is presented all too often as a straight choice between the two.
There is a real danger that without better protection for wild land, increasing the target for electricity from renewables will simply put more pressure on our most landscapes, as wind developments encroach further into sensitive areas.
Less than half of Scotland’s best wild land is protected from development under the current system of designation.
That’s why the John Muir Trust is campaigning for a new designation that recognises the special character of wild land and the growing need to protect it from industrial developments.
Stuart Brooks.Chief Executive,John Muir Trust,Station Road,Pitlochry.
Untapped resources
Sir, I am not an engineer or someone with knowledge of power generation, but every time I cross the Tay Road Bridge and look upstream, I wonder why we do not harness the power of that great river.
Is it not possible to instal something akin to a paddle which could be raised and lowered between some of the arches in the rail bridge?
J. R. Smith.Morar,44 Glamis Road,Kirriemuir.
Perth needs new bypass
Sir, Perth and Kinross councillors have bemoaned the cancellation of the cycle and pedestrian bridge project across the Tay.
Council leader Ian Miller said that the council role has been to support the clear wishes of the people of Perth and Kinross.
I cannot remember being given the chance to vote against the bridge. If I, and many others, had been asked, the council’s plans would have been given an emphatic thumbs down.
Councillors make great play of the fact that the council will not have to pay for any of the preparatory work already undertaken. Who pays then? Transport charity Sustrans? Regional transport partnership Tactran?
Where do these organisations get their money from? Are they not government backed and at least partially taxpayer funded?
A cycle/pedestrian bridge at this time of cutbacks should have come last in the council’s priorities.
When the financial situation eases, our council should start planning the construction of a new road bridge over the Tay to ease the worsening congestion.
That bridge could also include foot and cycle paths.
Meanwhile, all housing development on the Bridgend side of the Tay should be halted until a new bridge is built.
Longer term planning should be looking at a new road linking the ring road round the south, west and north of Perth with roads to Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Dundee.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
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