Sir, In response to Ronald Oliver’s comments on the death penalty (Neither logic nor justice in death penalty, April 1), one must assume that he is referring to its non-use on those, who have committed cold-blooded premeditated murder and not just killing.
Killing, as we all know, can result from a myriad of reasons and circumstances, none of which should demand the ultimate penalty. I feel that only those, who have lost their nearest and dearest to a cold-blooded act of murder, should have any real right to make comment.
Perhaps some shall.
However, it is flawed for Mr Oliver to state that it is illogical to show killing is wrong by killing those who kill. There could be no better way to show the enormity of their crime.
To have their act enacted upon them would truly show just how dreadfully they had treated their victim. Having said that, I make no comment on the rightfulness of the death penalty other than someone, through temper, did inadvertently and accidentally kill my dear great aunt, whom I loved very much.
Bed-ridden for some weeks after the incident, she died after that person had left the country for missionary work in Africa. Had this act been contemplated and intentional, only in these circumstances, could I honestly give judgment on the death penalty.
None of my family sought to pursue justice given the way in which it had happened, but I rather think, had the act been intentional, my grandmother would only have been satisfied with the death penalty. Of course, in her younger days that penalty was in force and she was always appalled at its removal.
Leslie Isles Milligan. 18b Myrtlehall Gardens, Dundee.
“Yes” generate own income
Sir, Regarding Jenny Hjul’s article, Not really a good week for unionists, but “it will be alright on the night” (Courier, April 2), she refers to Yes Scotland’s recent billboard campaign.
She claims, erroneously, that “in recent weeks, the nationalists have spent millions of pounds on high-profile billboards, flogging their message and there is plenty more where that came from thanks to the largesse of the state. Long suffering taxpayers find they are footing the bill for secessionist [sic] dreams whether or not they believe in them (and most do not)”.
Putting to one side the substantial UK Government resources being used to support the No campaign (the extent of which the UK Government refuses to disclose), anyone reading this could only conclude that Yes Scotland’s poster campaign is being funded by the taxpayer.
This, of course, is not the case. Yes Scotland generates its own income, none of which is from the public purse.
Blair Jenkins. Chief Executive, Yes Scotland.
Surprised by photo choice
Sir, Reading Jenny Hjul’s pro-unionist article in Wednesday’s paper,I was surprised to see AlistairCarmichael’s photo being used as a pin-up above. The Courier being a truly Better Together newspaper, I was surprised you would attach a photograph to such a biased article of someone who is probably as good a reason as any to vote “yes” in the September referendum.
James Last. 27 Stronsay Court, Perth.
Thought it was an April Fool
Sir, That was the best Wednesday edition yet (April 2). I almost thought it was an April Fool special! Not only did we have the acerbic Jenny Hjul’s comedy piece, we had the gift of the three wise men from St Andrews, Monikie and Longforgan to entertain us. Please keep up the good work, they work wonders for my constitution, and for Scotland’s!
CJM Duncan. 27 Provost Road, Dundee.
Time for city team mergers?
Sir, I really do not see what the fuss is anent the possible bankruptcy of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
In this day and age, surely no Scottish city needs to have more than one football team?
A merger between Hibernian and Hearts would do much to promote the Scottish Government’s anti-sectarian agenda, and it would also allow either the Gorgie or Easter Road stadia to be re-developed for much needed social housing.
A move like this in Edinburgh could show the way to Scotland’s second city and encourage Glasgow to follow a similar approach with Celtic, Rangers and Partick Thistle not all of whom are even currently active in top league football.
John Eoin Douglas. 7 Spey Terrace, Edinburgh.
Other, more likely, concerns
Sir, The recent IPCC report assumes that there will be enough of us around at the end of the century to be affected by their gloomy climate predictions.
Their belief in the longevity of the human race is to be admired, but a global plague, a world war, or some other catastrophic event beyond our control, is more likely to be of concern to mankind.
In any case, we might have colonised other planets by then and made the Earth redundant.
So why worry about something that might never happen, and even if it did, could be of little concern anyway?
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.