Up for discussion this morning: questions about Tayside Police, Donald Trump, faith, the Gaza flotilla and the future of Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Garden.
Tayside Police need to get out of slow lane
Sir,-I refer to your article about the demise of Norman Fairweather Motors and the loss to Dundee of another 17 jobs.
It would appear there was the potential to save this business from the fraud, had there been prompt action from the local authorities. From the date the crime was reported, it would seem the theft was committed in late February/early March, and involved probably in excess of £200,000. This is a conservative estimate of the value of two Porsches and three Jaguars.
From the comments by Tayside Police, detailed information was provided on March 25 and 10 weeks later they had only managed to conduct initial inquiries. It is difficult to understand what initial inquiries would keep a CID officer occupied for 390 hours, before even engaging the help of the Lancashire Constabulary.
Presumably management at Fairweathers provided a detailed paper trail which could have led the CID directly to the criminal’s location.
Despite press reports last week that the number of police officers in Scotland is at record levels, the manpower and resources attached to major crime investigation in Dundee seems inert and requires further explanation.
Also, it must have taken a heroic effort by a small family business to carry on for three months in the hope either financial restitution or the recovery of the vehicles might have averted disaster. No lack of effort there.
If there was a £200,000 bank raid today in Dundee by a gang of thieves from Lancashire, would Tayside Police wait another three months to take effective action?
Bryan Stout.Car Services,Forfar.
Wit, but with a serious point
Sir,-I greatly enjoyed reading the witty but serious article on Donald Trump in Stefan Morkis’ Wednesday Platform (June 2).
Mr Morkis refers to Trump as “a man who might know the price of everything but the value of nothing.”
I was struck by a certain parallel with Forth Energy who, with their proposals to install wind turbines and a biomass plant at the Port of Dundee and with complete disregard for the concerns of very many people, are content to blight our magnificent city waterfront purely for profit that is, profit for Forth Energy.
(Prof) Andy Grieve.20 Albany Road,Broughty Ferry.
Must we probe all belief systems?
Sir,-The Rev J. Harrison Hudson accuses me of writing in an apologia for atheism (June 3).
This is a non-sequitur. Atheism is a non-belief in a theistic supernatural celestial dictator. Such a belief does not require a justification.
Mr Hudson concedes the point that God’s existence can’t be proved; however, he then states neither can it be disproved. The same logic can be applied to fairies.
Is Mr Hudson seriously suggesting we give logical consideration to the existence of fairies?
Should we then set up dedicated departments within our universities, devoted to the study of fairies in the same way as religion has done with theology?
Should claims of miraculous healings by fairies be taken at face value?
The Bible is cruel and promotes slavery, hatred, death to women, disobedient children and non-believers.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.
Humanitarian aid ‘front’
Sir,-People concerned with the so-called “humanitarian aid” flotilla have been boasting for weeks that they were deliberately going out to cause trouble.
There was even intelligence warning the Israelis that these people planned to lynch any IDF (Israel Defence Force) soldier they could get their hands on.
This has happened before, as many readers will be aware.
They are aligned with Islamic extremists determined to kill and/or be killed.
Anyone who associates with these people shows a serious lack of judgment. Hamas is notorious for stealing aid and using the building materials to reinforce mosques and other places where they store arms in the heart of civilian areas.
As for lack of water, anywhere that can build an Olympic swimming pool (according to BBC reports) and keep leisure centres open does not seem to be able to prioritise if its people are suffering.
The markets are full of food and necessary items according to the online Arabic newspapers.
I have met many young people recently who seem completely ignorant as to what Islamic extremists are doing in Gaza or anywhere else.
Naive doesn’t even begin to describe the situation.
(Mrs) Alexandra Oon.Bridieswell Gardens,Gauldry.
Scotland’s own garden of Eden
Sir,-Not entirely with tongue in cheek, might I suggest as a solution to Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens controversy that the wonderful Beechgrove Garden be relocated there?
I am sure the undoubted talents of Jim McColl, Carole Baxter, Lesley Watson, Carolyn Spray and George Anderson, plus all those hardy annuals working behind the scene, could create a magical, attractive, practical and educational experience to rival the Eden Project in Cornwall.
John Birkett.12 Horseleys Park,St Andrews.