Sir, Alasdair Maclean (letters, December 23) defends your columnist Jenny Hjul and supports her complaint concerning the Scottish Government’s alleged intimidation of opposing views.
However, like Ms Hjul he offers no hard evidence to support this spurious claim. As usual it is all based on hearsay. This includes his complaint of “playground-level abuse”. This in a letter which has the sentence, “wee pretendy SNP government”.
If he is suggesting the “Yes” camp should stay silent when faced with the misrepresentation of their case by the “No” camp, then he is arguing for the very situation he complains about. The stifling of debate.
He is, however, correct in stating that there is no independence debate. We have at present a propaganda war being waged by the British state using all the tools at its disposal. Chiefly, misinformation posing as fact.
Mr Maclean is worried that a future independent Scotland will be a totalitarian state. A laughable statement given Westminster’s past, present and without doubt future actions.
Fortunately we live in a digital age with information available to us which isn’t tainted by London’s self- serving influence. Denis Healey admitted earlier this year that Westminster lied to us in order to discourage independence in the 1970s. It is a sign of their arrogance that the very same tactics are being used today.
Mr Maclean is right to worry about the debate being corrupted. His error is in targeting the wrong side.
Ken Clark. 335 King Street, Broughty Ferry.
Fitting tribute to the victims
Sir, As a descendant of one of the victims of the Tay Bridge disaster and a relative of another I was shocked when I discovered there was not a memorial to the innocent victims of what was a major national disaster.
It has been my dream for the past 20 years that there should be such a memorial. This is why I created the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust. Although I was forced out of my trust last year, I should like to thank the people of Fife, Dundee, Angus, Scotland and the rest of the world, who contributed to the memorial.
Those 59 people who were so violently taken from their loved ones have never had a memorial. Yes, there were two memorials to the loss of the bridge, but the people were ignored. Several bodies that were recovered still lie in unmarked graves and many, like my relatives, were never found.
It is fitting, therefore, that today, the 134th anniversary of the disaster, the names of these poor people are finally brought together for posterity. They must never be forgotten. Many of us would not be here today if these people had not existed.
Stuart Morris of Balgonie. Balgonie Castle, by Markinch.
Insensitive marketing
Sir, Whilst browsing the internet on Christmas morning I was bombarded with at least eight pop-ups from online auction websites urging me to sell any unwanted Christmas presents.
I was appalled by this completely insensitive and inappropriate timing. It really takes away the spirit of Christmas and giving and this aggressive, insensitive marketing should be stopped.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Get number blocked
Sir, Council staff in Perth and Kinross and Ayrshire, along with the Scottish Government, have cost the taxpayer several thousand pounds in bills by calling the speaking clock.
Just why do workers require to use this facility? Do they not have a watch? Is there not a clock in the office or is the time not shown on their computers? It all suggests the problem may be boredom.
Get the number blocked now!
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
Challenging year ahead
Sir, I have the great pleasure of being the chairman of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) which launched in May this year.
In its first few months it has flown in excess of 185 missions and has affected so many lives. Our primary aim is to save life, which we have done many times, but it is also important to note how many people have been saved from a lifetime of care which can be just as important.
This fabulous service comes at a cost and our £1.5 million per annum running costs are paid for solely by private and corporate donations.
We continue to be funded due to the hard work of our fundraising team, the professionalism of our pilots and paramedics and most importantly due to the incredible and humbling generosity of the public.
The journalists and readership of The Courier have embraced SCAA as their own by donating or joining our lottery and I, on behalf of all of my fellow trustees would like to thank you all. You have all been part of making Scotland a safer place.
The new year ahead will be a challenging one for SCAA and our fundraising continues in earnest, but I am sure that with your help SCAA will continue to prove to be indispensable to Scotland.
Thank you all and a Merry Christmas.
John Bullough. Chairman and Trustee, SCAA, Perth Airport, Scone.