Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Bill Howatson’s article (May 28) raised many of the problems that humanity faces in the coming decades the growing global population, changing climates and pressure on water and other resources.
It may be that genetically-modified crops can provide solutions to these problems and feed the world. We have sufficient food to feed everyone in the world and yet we do not.
Instead vast quantities of soy, corn and grain are fed to animals to produce cheap meat for the richer nations and further millions of tons of potential food are fermented and distilled to created the booze to wash it down with.
Western nations are facing a health crisis from an excess of cheap, unhealthy food, while billions struggle to nourish themselves.
I do not disagree that GM crops could feed us all but I do not think that this technology will be driven by compassion for humanity.
It will be driven by the desire for profit and controlled by the few.
As individuals, families and communities begin to grow and share more of their own food we will foster a greater relationship with the earth that supports us and the people around us.
Technology will not get us out of the sticky situation it has got us into without humanity moving from a competitive to a cooperative society based on love.
Bill Howatson is correct radical thinking is needed.
I hope that in the future Bill can enlighten readers as to precisely what the misconceptions surrounding GM crops are.
Tom Davidson.18 Lochbank Gardens,Forfar.
Let’s play Spot The Anti-SNP Story
Sir, – Victor Clements’ letter about ”deluded and paranoid” nationalists fails to hold water (Letters, May 29).
I buy The Courier and also what calls itself ”the top people’s paper”, not for their political comment but for their crossword puzzle.
I have a new game spotting the anti-SNP story in that day’s edition.
I am rarely disappointed, even after one publication named Alex Salmond as its politician of the year. And in the last few days we have seen another paper refer to the First Minister as a ”dictator” and a well-known BBC commentator has likened him to a ”gauleiter”.
So no bias there, then.
Of course, the fact that The Courier saw fit to publish the anti-SNP diatribe by Mr Clements may, in itself, vindicate the points made by John Henderson.
Jim Robertson.194 High Street,Montrose.
It’s not just cyclists who are at fault
Sir, – I am outraged at Stephen Windsor’s one-sided view of ”cyclists bad, motorists good” (Letters, May 8).
I cycle for exercise and drive when I need to, but mostly I walk. I have given up cycling on the country roads around Broughty Ferry they seem to be reserved as racetracks for boy-racers and people who are old enough to know better.
Cycling in town, I use cycle tracks when they are available. Unfortunately, the ones in Dundee are usually blocked by parked cars.
I drive my car on the speed limit, but on a recent trip to Glasgow I lost count of the number of times I was overtaken by speeding drivers.
I accused Mr Windsor of taking a one-sided view of things and so far I have been pointing out motorists’ faults unlike Mr Windsor, I won’t say ”most” motorists, because the majority are perfectly fine, but you do tend to notice the chancers.
In the same way, the cycling world has its minority of chancers often lycra-clad and aggressive.
This is no more excusable than the behaviour of bad drivers, but has one saving grace in that if these cyclists cause an accident they are likely to come off worse.
The particularly irksome fault of cyclists is that there seems to be no legal requirement for an audible warning signal, and many don’t bother to fit a bell.
That warning tinkle is much less irritating than a bellow of ”coming through!” from a speeding cyclist who has no intention of slowing down on a shared path.
Pedestrians are not faultless either we are only too aware of the number of people who walk while texting on their phones or plugged into their iPods.
We’re always going to have inconsiderate road users some motorists, some cyclists, some pedestrians. This won’t change.
I suggest Mr Windsor gets used to it.
Bill Samson.Grove Road,Broughty Ferry.
Representing Scotland during the jubilee
Sir, – While some sections of the media feel that Scotland should disassociate itself from the diamond jubilee celebrations, I think many people would be pleased to know that 25 members of Dunfermline Junior Chorus will represent the country at the Jubilation Festival in the Royal Festival Hall in London tomorrow.
They are honoured to be part of this and they will do themselves and the country proud.
Isobel Hunter.10 Victoria Road,Lenzie.
Just let torch burn out
Sir, – I wouldn’t look at the Olympic torch even if they carried it through my living room.
Jed Scott.Paton’s Lane,Dundee.
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.