Sir, Like most of us, I received a pamphlet entitled Scotland’s Changing. Among other matters it enshrines the possibility of according votes to 16 and 17-year-olds. This was nodded through by two scientific ignoramuses David Cameron and Alex Salmond for the referendum on Scottish independence.
Modern neuro-imaging shows that the frontal lobes of the brain are not fully developed until the late 20s. France recognises this by not awarding taxpayers’ money to single mothers under 26.
Nobody on the Smith Commission knows anything about the development of the nervous system yet suggested that votes for teenagers would be a good idea. The frontal lobes are the part of the brain which performs balanced judgments, hence it would be logical to have the voting age at 25. However politicians send members of the armed services over the age of 18 on hazardous missions where they are at risk of death or injury. It therefore seems reasonable to enfranchise them.
It took an Act of Parliament to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 as this is a constitutional matter. The teenage brain is not the same as the adult brain. Motor insurers recognise this with higher premiums.
It is also noteworthy that the majority of jihadists going to Syria to fight for IS are in this age group.
Ian Strachan. Eathie, Golf Course Road, Blairgowrie.
You couldn’t make it up
Sir, This week I learned that scientists have been funded to research why penguins waddle when they walk, and why the orang-utan cups its mouth with its hands when it emits warning shouts.
Both of these while George Osborne is trying to save public money. You simply couldn’t make it up.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Just a waste of money
Sir, It was interesting to read the recent piece about road safety in Scotland. I think the main priority should be to tackle speeding drivers. Not so much on the open road but in Fife’s towns and villages.
New speed “calming” measures have recently been placed in Anstruther on Windmill Road two digital speeding signs and the smallest speed bumps ever seen on our roads, adjacent to Pickford Crescent.
I’m not sure what the cost was, but after watching drivers totally ignoring the speed signs and flying over the speed bumps as fast as possible I feel it was a total wasteof money by Fife Council as if they have plenty to squander!
Speeding motorists will only slow down if they think they may get caught. We need police with “speed guns” on our streets.
Charlie Burton. 3 Fowler Street, Anstruther.
Result there for all to see . . .
Sir, In an earlier letter I voiced my dismay and incredulity at the timing of the Dundee United board’s decision to sell both Armstrong and Mackay-Steven to Celtic. The result of this folly is now plain for all to see.
Since this event United have gone into freefall, winning only one of the last seven games, and that against lower league opposition.
The effect of this action on morale of players and management is obvious.
All that is left now for the remainder of the season is a place in the top six and even that may be unattainable.
The loyal United fans, who turned out in their numbers last Sunday, have been badly let down. We are still awaiting a plausible answer from Stephen Thompson as to why this all took place.
Perhaps a change at the top is needed.
Roy Matthews. 26 AffleckGardens, Monikie.
Grateful for all the care
Sir, I write this letter in praise, not only of the NHS but also Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, in particular, for the care I received during a recent stay for a knee replacement operation.
The whole process was made so much easier for me thanks to the care and attention from everyone from surgeons to catering and domestics. I cannot praise every member of staff highly enough and can assure members of the public that there is still care within our NHS.
Betty Lee. Balcaskie North Lodge, Pittenweem, Anstruther.
Has he ever been there?
Sir, Dr John Cameron is surely indulging in some black humour when he calls Norway a “ benighted land” (Letters, March 19). He has surely never been there, or if so, not on their wonderful National Day (May 17), when it is the world epicentre of happiness.
The whole country and especially the children turn out in national dress, waving national flags and celebrate their good fortune in being Norwegian and their love of their country, with bands, food and fun.
I suspect it is this joyful but entirely unaggressive nationalism which sours Dr Cameron’s humour, as he opposes Scottish independence vehemently and interminably.
Norway is expensive, true, but the concept of those who can afford it paying high taxes to fund an egalitarian but very prosperous society is clearly one of which he disapproves (along with so much else), or does not understand.
David Roche. Hill House, Coupar Angus.