Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – A decision by the SNP to endorse membership of Nato while at the same time rejecting Trident would be immoral and hypocritical. Nato is an alliance that relies on a conditional threat to use weapons of mass destruction.
While not all Nato members have weapons of mass destruction based in their countries, all members are signed up to nuclear weapons being used on their behalf. So in principle, Nato membership carries with it an acceptance of the morality of using weapons of mass destruction. Further, Nato has never even promised not to initiate the use of nuclear weapons.
All those countries that have signed up to the non-proliferation treaties, including the United Kingdom, have promised to work towards nuclear disarmament. The signatories have recognised how disastrous a nuclear war would be. Innocents and non-combatants would be indiscriminately killed and wounded, the environmental damage and a nuclear winter would add thousands of millions more casualties – and Scotland would cease to exist.
The catechism of the Roman Catholic church summarises widely-held Christian belief when it states that: ”Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation.”
Membership of Nato would also erode the possibility of a principled objection to Trident on moral grounds.
Advocacy of Scottish membership of an alliance such as Nato, which is prepared to use weapons of mass destruction, makes it much more difficult for Scotland, credibly and with integrity, to oppose such weapons and to work towards nuclear disarmament.
Rev David Mumford, St Andrew’s Rectory, Castle Street, Brechin.
Fall of Rangers could benefit Scottish players
Sir, – So the Premier League teams are now panicking over losing money because Glasgow Rangers, in whatever guise they will be playing in the future, won’t be there to generate revenue next season and the Third Division clubs are trying to keep the smiles off their faces as they contemplate a couple of huge (by their standards) gates as the Ibrox club visit.
If anything has been learned from the shambles of this summer’s arguments over the Rangers issue it is that Scottish football is in a worse mess than even the most pessimistic of follower thought and the selfishness of, mainly, higher league clubs has been fully exposed.
The simple truth at the end of it all is that almost all clubs especially those in the top leagues will have to cut back severely on their finances, including slashing the number of players on their staff and the wages of those remaining.
A bad thing? Maybe not, because Scottish-born players will get a better chance to prove themselves and not be sidelined as managers with more optimism than realism recruit foreign ”stars” who are anything but.
Maybe teams with the class of Barcelona, Manchester United and City, Real Madrid and similar won’t be produced but over the many, many years of Scottish football they very, very seldom have been, anyway, and as real local rivalry returns the new scenario won’t be all bad and just may gradually see more and more supporters returning.
Here’s hoping …. and here’s to seeing the wee guys in the Third Division playing the big guys from Glasgow on a regular basis rather than the odd cup tie.
I’ll bet there will be a few real contests well worth the attendance of television cameras and the resultant revenue.
Ian Wheeler,Springfield,Fife.
The injustice of Legal Aid
Sir, – I read the article concerning the closing of some courts with much interest.
Having spent some time in Arbroath Sheriff Court, I gained an insight into the workings of the so-called criminal justice system and solicitors in particular. This system is broken beyond repair and radical action is needed before more money is wasted trying to make it work.
I was present one day when there were 15 solicitors all representing the accused and all obviously on Legal Aid. The majority who appeared in the dock were given dates to reappear in court at a later date yet more solicitors’ fees, court staff and ancillary expenses. The cost to the taxpayer is staggering.
The Scottish Legal Aid scheme was formed in 1987 to provide legal assistance for defendants who could not afford the fees of solicitors. This was seen by the solicitors as a dripping roast and the cost to the taxpayer has increased year after year.
Last year it increased by 7% to a staggering £160m this despite a reduction of work carried out. Something has to be done to bring this cost down.
One way would be a public defender system in which people who cannot afford legal advice or representation could be advised at a fraction of the cost.
The current system where all that is required is a practicing certificate and a shop to start a Legal Aid mill, preferably near the courts, must come to an end. It is a licence to print money.
Last year 14 solicitors one defrauded £600,000 were caught defrauding the Scottish Legal Aid Board yet none of these thieves were prosecuted.
Robert Alexander,Bothy Starforth,Carnoustie.
Brown back in the limelight
Sir, – The Courier on Saturday made very interesting reading on the subject of Gordon Brown’s forthcoming new, prestigious position as a special UN Envoy for global education.
Surely it would be difficult for Mr Brown to maintain his various present roles and provide sufficient input at the UN.
The role, however, will get Mr Brown back on the world stage, which he obviously enjoys.
Harry Lawrie,Abbots Mill,Kirkcaldy.
The kindness of strangers
Sir, – A friend of mine had her handbag snatched while out shopping in Kirkcaldy and the immediate response from a resident in the street and the polce was excellent, with a young man giving chase.
Unfortunately, the thief evaded immediate capture but was detained by the police within a matter of hours, thanks to good camera work.
My friend was, to put it mildly, very upset but the attention and help given by strangers and the police was so greatly appreciated, proving that despite the criminal element, there are still many helpful and compassionate people around.
John McDonald,Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
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.