Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, €” Given the death, destruction and brutality incurred during the Arab Spring uprising, I find it strange the John Terry/Chelsea/alleged racist story received massive coverage from the media, particularly the BBC, and yet the recent vandalism of early Egyptian history by Islamic extremists is ignored.
Much of Egypt’s ancient history has been uncovered thanks to archaeologists and historians from western nations, and this latest destruction of records and artefacts is another example of Islamists’ attack on any influence western culture may have on their theology.
This I would hope should be obvious to our politicians, yet the collusion between our political class and much of the media continues to restrict news which may reflect badly on Islamism. It is another warning to our politicians that the battle for real democracy in the Middle East is far from won, and indeed all the evidence so far suggests the situation can even get worse.
Spurred on by their successes in Tunisia, Libya, and eventually Egypt and possibly Syria, the Muslim Brotherhood may possibly form an alliance and focus their attention on Europe.
In the not-too-distant future diplomacy and appeasement will have to be discarded, as we in the West are confronted with the threat from an alien and suppressive culture.
Let us hope we have the leadership and resources to deal with it.
Daniel Arnott.1 St Brycedale Court,Kirkcaldy.
Not the way to deal with it
Sir, €” Why is Councillor Morrison proposing the removal of benches, thus denying rest to those who want it? People waiting outside Arbroath Sherrif Court will now just prop themselves up against the wall.
The proper way to deal with anti-social behaviour is the clear presence of a police officer outside the court during sittings. That’s what the police are for €” keeping the peace.
I expect the excuse that we don’t have enough officers to spare will be put forward. If that is the case there seems to be a lack of understanding about what the court stands for, and a lack of will to protect it and the people of Angus.
The reliance on CCTV after the event rather than use of an officer on the spot seems to be the answer to all policing ills.
We might as well do away with them altogether if council policy is followed to its logical conclusion.
A. L. Morris.Carnoustie.
These atheists need to grow up
Sir, €” Once again, Christmas seems to have brought forth the usual slew of militant anti-Christians in the The Courier’s correspondence columns.
Most of them seem to believe Christianity is a spent force, so why do they not let it die in peace instead of continually ”resuscitating” it with ”the oxygen of publicity”?
The truth is, of course, that Christianity is not dying. As David A. Robertson pointed out, Christianity is on the increase in many parts of the world and has a healthy following on our doorstep.
I have been to many well attended carol services this year and refuse to believe people were only there for mince pies after the service.
The militants really should grow up and, if the concept of a multi-cultural society is to mean anything, then these mean-spirited attacks on Christianity must stop. After all, atheists are not being forced into churches.
John Robertson Nicoll.7c Queen Street,Broughty Ferry,Dundee.
May persuade but not binding
Sir, €” I noted with interest your recent reference to the fact that any independence referendum undertaken by the Scottish Parliament would merely be ”consultative”. This is exactly the same position if Westminster undertook the referendum.
Although Acts of Parliament may permit referendums to take place, the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty means any Act of Parliament giving effect to a referendum result could be reversed by a subsequent Act of Parliament.
As a result, referendums in the United Kingdom cannot be constitutionally binding, although they will usually have a persuasive political effect.
The Scottish Parliament can of course undertake a consultative/advisory referendum on any issue it desires, and should this result in a vote for independence it would be inconceivable that the UK Government could ignore the will of the Scottish people.
Alex Orr.77 Leamington Terrace,Edinburgh.
Suspend rules across the board
Sir, €” Living in a capitalist country brings rewards for those who work hard and those who can see and make the best of an opportunity. The rules of capitalism dictate that every man/woman and machine has to prove their worth within the economy and markets of the capitalist system, that’s the way it is.
When it became known that we were in imminent danger from global warming (coincidently, at the same time as oil platform and jacket industries were winding down and so diminishing the demand for steel plate) the rules of capitalism had to be suspended to allow inefficient wind turbines to be constructed with the aid of government grants.
If the danger of global warming is so great, why stop with subsidies?
Why not suspend the rules across the whole economic spectrum: no payments to landowners for their land, no dividends to power company shareholders, no bonuses for fat cat directors, no payments for switching of turbines at low peak times and no bribes to communities.
If we are to be saved from global warming, the climate change bill should have made provision to do it as economically and as fairly as possible.
George Donaldson.48 St Ninian’s Road,Padanaram.
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.