Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Well, well, well, another Unionist (Robert I G Scott, Letters, June 18) feels the need to personalise the independence issue by attributing all Scottish Government policies to one man. No prizes for guessing who that might be.
It is a wearisome and rather pathetic line of attack and I regard it as a puerile attitude by someone who, for whatever reason, has an axe to grind against the SNP in general, and Alex Salmond in particular.
Mr Scott is yet another person who expects everything to be answered all at once. Every policy must be detailed down to the last full stop, everything must be watertight, and legally unquestionable.
Yet he knows full well (he even wrote it in his highly offensive, sneering diatribe) the date on which this country will hold its referendum.
By that time I am sure everything that so worries those in the unionist camp will have been discussed, debated, formulated and made official Scottish Government policy.
Then perhaps he can bring his laser-like intellect into play.
Until then he should perhaps re-examine his love affair with the United Kingdom and all its supposed benefits to this country.
John Campbell.40 Auchrannie Terrace,Dundee.
Rio+20 is just a blatant sham
Sir, – The theme coming out of Rio+20 is that mankind should stop the use of fossil energy, stop the consumption of resources and return to a simpler life.
Green zealots say that measures will stop global warming and will prevent numerous deaths.
Giving part of the resources wasted on wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels and other green fixations could save more lives.
The latest buzz words from Rio+20 are ”sustainability” and ”sustainable development”.
First we had ”global warming” then ”climate change” and then ”climate chaos”.
This latest terminology is designed to confuse since sceptics of manmade global warming are winning over public opinion.
It is all of a bit of a jolly at Rio+20 for the estimated 60,000 attendees who will enjoy champagne, fine food and luxurious accommodation all at taxpayers’ expense.
Is this how they will save the planet?
Stewart Stevenson MSP will attend for nine days, although what he can contribute is highly suspect.
He will certainly contribute 1.69 tons of carbon dioxide and if you multiply this by 60,000 people one can see what a blatant sham Rio+20 is.
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
Where is the mystery?
Sir, – In the Courier (June 18) it was stated there is some mystery regarding the round towers once built in various parts of Britain and Ireland. Surely the main attribute of a tower of any kind is its height and the obvious advantage that gives?
In the days when our islands were generously and deeply forested and when armed groups of all kinds roamed free, a tower would not only be a place of refuge but a viewpoint above the tree canopy from where advancing enemies could be spotted long before they arrived to murder and pillage.
Groups who went to the bother of building towers in those far-off days would have a greater chance of survival than those who didn’t.
I see no mystery in that.
Archibald A Lawrie.5 Church Wynd,Kingskettle.
Award ““ the mind boggles
Sir, – I read with surprise and astonishment of the award given to Fife Council for ”good work in speed management and casualty reduction” in The Courier (June 18).
It is no wonder there are, thankfully, fewer casualties on the roads. But this is in some cases because Fife Council are creating junctions such as our infamous Adam Smith junction in Kirkcaldy where there are always more cars stationary due to the lights together with the massive pavements for the throngs of people coming from the station and elsewhere rushing down to our attractive High Street.
Maybe this development is not included in this round of awards, so if it is not we can be looking for even greater recognition at next year’s awards.
Some of our highly paid officials may feature in the Queen’s honours lists of the future for services to road management.
What will the transportation service think up next for submission in future years for awards?
The mind boggles.
David A Watson.24 Lakeside Road,Kirkcaldy.
It’s time to call their bluff
Sir, ““ I’m sure Perth people are sick fed up of the City Hall saga.
It seems Mr Linacre and Mr Comrie think they speak for the majority of the people but everyone has a different opinion.
We know Historic Scotland whoever they are voted against pulling down this eyesore so call their bluff. Give them the keys and start getting a rent in advance; see what shops they they have in mind.
In 12 months’ time when it fails we can start all over again.
V Payne.42 Fechney Park,Perth.
Absolutely mad!
Sir, – How mad can things get? Groupa Ferrovial (Spanish) owns the British Airports Authority (BAA) which owns Heathrow, Glasgow, and Aberdeen airports, and now Spain is about to be bailed out by the EU, to which Britain has contributed £billions.
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.