Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – What a remarkably narrow-minded and ill-thought-out letter that was from Lovina Roe (April 27).
In asking why people ”test their stamina beyond endurance” she demonstrates the paucity of her argument if a marathon is indeed ”beyond endurance” its completion would be unusual, even freakish, yet from the first London Marathon in 1981 to the 2011 event, 817,890 runners have completed it, and some professional runners do several marathons a year.
To compare Claire Squires, who tragically died during this year’s event, with a horse is deeply distasteful.
If Ms Roe’s intention was to compare the risk to participants, deaths in the Grand National are higher than the average steeplechase, with six deaths per 439 horses between 2000 and 2010.
The fatality rate in the London Marathon is less than a 1,000th of the Grand National. So, to turn her argument on its head, if the Grand National had the same fatality rate as the London Marathon it would be the safest steeplechase race in the world.
What needs to be understood is the difference between fitness and underlying ill health, and while the former cannot always negate the latter, the benefits are immense.
Given Scotland’s record on smoking-related deaths and heart disease, any exercise regime which affects these can only benefit the health of our nation.
Steve Dron.Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.
UK appetite for sleaze is the real problem
Sir, – All this fuss about the Murdochs, News International and phone hacking leaves me cold.
What have the Murdochs and their journalists done other than feed the huge appetite of the British public for sleaze?
If millions did not want to read about scandals involving politicians, the royal family and film, pop and sports stars, there would be no profit in digging the dirt and the gutter press would be out of business.
I remember neighbours in Dundee’s Glens housing scheme in the 1930s and 40s stealing furtively out to the newspaper vendor selling Sunday papers and buying the News of the World.
They were obviously ashamed of being seen buying it, but they still bought it and that was before the Murdochs’ time.
It also seems a bit daft for celebrities to make juicy revelations about their private lives over the phone, especially in this age of advanced technology.
It is almost as if they were asking to have their secrets revealed.
Over the years I have often picked up my phone to find myself listening to somebody else’s private conversation unintentionally, as the lines had crossed somehow even on a few occasions allowing me to listen into somebody calling America!
George K McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Listen to the small voice of the trampled
Sir, – I was in the committee room at Holyrood to see Donald Trump giving evidence to the economy, energy and tourism committee, inquiring into the Scottish Government’s renewables targets.
Having heard the SNP’s Chic Brodie’s request of Mr Trump for evidence to support his claim that windfarms are having a negative impact on tourism, it is all too easy to make snide comments and dismiss his reply of ”I am the evidence”.
For there is indeed evidence out there in Scotland’s rural areas to support his view, if only our MSPs had the courage to step out of their bubble at Holyrood and visit people being affected, rather than read reports by those of vested interest in the government and renewables industry.
It is high time the small voice of those who are being trampled underfoot were heard.
Neil McKinnon.Tulchan Garden,Glenalmond,Perth.
Nature of the public sector pension
Sir, – Re Dr John Cameron’s letter (April 23), how misinformed can one man be?
Public sector pensions are all contributory, with an amount coming from the employee and an amount from the employer.
That’s the same as the private sector, where all their revenue comes from its customers, clients, service users, call them what you like.
And guess what they are all taxpayers.
I would not like to suppress free speech, but just as a favour, Dr Cameron, please give us all a break and refrain from writing balderdash to The Courier until 2098.
K J MacDougall.3 Logie Avenue,Dundee.
Opposition leaders must club together
Sir, – Instead of slinging non-stick mud at a Teflon-coated First Minister, would the Scottish Parliament opposition leaders not be better employed in producing one single credible policy to benefit the Scottish people?
This would save them time and the taxpayers money and, perhaps for the first time, justify their existence.
Joseph G Miller.44 Gardeners St,Dunfermline.
Providing all lethargy needs
Sir, – As wind turbines produce only about a quarter of their rated output, the wind energy lobby should more correctly be referred to as the wind lethargy lobby.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.