Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Your business section report on the declining passenger numbers at Dundee Airport (August 16) highlights this issue once again with various reasons being put forward for this ongoing decline but none of which have ever mentioned cost.
Some time ago I had cause to rejoin my ship in London and the vessel was berthed at the Excel Centre in close proximity to London City Airport.
From my point of view, a flight from Dundee was logistical perfection a short run from my home to Dundee Airport and an equally short run from London City Airport to the ship.
I ventured this with my owners who were responsible for my travelling expenses and they fully agreed this seemed an ideal solution but requested that I get back to them with the cost of the flight before finalising a booking.
It was at this point that my travel plan went into self-destruct and I was promptly advised to abandon the idea and fly from Edinburgh to Heathrow at a fraction of the cost.
This decline in Dundee passenger numbers smacks of a ”head in the sand” scenario as regards cost and unless fares can become more competitive this decline is almost certain to continue.
Roy Russell.1c Smithy Road,Balmullo.
Laws need to be updated and changed
Sir, – I was moved to tears of sadness and frustration reading the article about Tony Nicklinson and his fight for the right to die. I have never understood why this country won’t change its laws and allow people of sound mind to decide their own fate if struck down my something like this.
I know that if it happened to me, I would rather end my life with dignity than be a burden to my family, friends and the NHS. Life may not be perfect but if you have absolutely nothing of a future then, to my mind, it’s the kindest, most sensible thing to do.
My family and friends are all well aware of my feelings and have been told that if such a thing happens to me and the law is still the same, to please find a way.
It is not murder to assist someone in this position and whose family are all in agreement, it’s an act of mercy and kindness for all.
We wouldn’t see an animal suffer in this way yet we refuse to allow human beings a release from their misery. Why? This poor man is in a living hell and wants out. It should be his choice.
Laws need to be changed to suit this day and age. So many people are of the same opinion.
If you make a will you should be able to say that if you are unfortunate enough to end up in a vegetative state or a situation where you have no hope of recovery and your family are aware of your feelings, that you should be able to end your life, without years of fighting in the courts.
Yes, life is precious and no-one wants to lose their nearest and dearest but please, let common sense prevail and do the right thing.
Ms S. Phinn.Barry,Carnoustie.
Far-reaching implications
Sir, – Tony Nicklinson was not denied the right to die by the court, but the right to have someone else kill him.
As the law stands, such a premeditated act would be murder, the consequences of which are, I assume, preventing his wife from putting him to death.
The court, quite correctly, took the view that the law does not permit legalised killing and, furthermore, that the issues raised by this case are so profound and far-reaching in its implications, that only a change in the law would change the outcome and that such change could only be enacted by Parliament.
I am not a fanatical campaigner on any issue, but you will notice I have avoided using the woolly catch-all term ”euthanasia”.
George Dobbie.51 Airlie Street,Alyth.
Blame Scottish Labour MPs
Sir, – So the rector of Dundee High School is concerned that non-Scots gain ”an unfair advantage” in seeking places at Scottish universities (August 17).
Then he should blame the 49 Scottish Labour MPs who, in January 2004, cynically voted in the Westminster Parliament to impose fees on English students that would not apply to students from their own constituencies north of the border. That shameful action may have rebounded on their electorate after all.
An even bigger injustice is that, for the sake of applying for entry into Scottish universities, English, Welsh and Northern Irish students, although as much citizens of the United Kingdom and the EU as any Scottish student, fall into the same category as non-EU applicants.
Yet another reason why many south of the border might welcome independence from Scotland?
Monique Sanders.Ladybank.
After all those promises
Sir, – I find it astonishing that after all the promises to encourage and give financial support to the youth of this country after the Olympics, the government has sold 30 playing fields to private ownership.
This is typical of the Tories. Back to the dark days of Thatcherism.
Alister Rankin.93 Whyterose Terrace,Methil.
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.