Sir, James Cormie (letters, December 1) mistakenly believes the Smith Commission is a response to SNP demands. It is not. It certainly can’t be described as giving the SNP, who advocate full independence, “virtually everything” either.
The Smith Commission is a dishonest attempt to address the wishes of a majority in Scotland who favour Devo-Max, and its proposals are just as disappointing when viewed from that perspective. The question needing to be asked is why Scots aren’t being granted their preferred option?
The term Devo-Max was bandied about freely by the unionist side before the September vote, but they are sadly mistaken if they think the proposed arrangements are acceptable. David Cameron’s St Andrews Day address made great play of Scotland’s past and our capabilities. If he is sincere in this regard he should honour the pledge he made and respect the wishes of the Scottish electorate.
Mr Cormie, incidentally, is just as mistaken about the “thousands of jobs” at Faslane. They are a fiction, as MoD figures have shown.
He then conscripts service personnel from past conflicts in a shameless manner, sadly reflecting the flags and wars agenda of an increasingly backward British establish-ment which uses these occasions to prop up their failing, self-serving society.
Scots are moving away from London and its post-imperialist past and deserve a chance to engage with the 21st century as part of a society which reflects our needs and wants.
However, to achieve the country we crave, we need control over all our assets.
The decision taken on September 18 was to continue with the union in the understanding that Scottish ambitions and aspirations would be met by a thankful London establishment. Sadly, the Smith Commission is a cheap and tawdry PR exercise which will endanger the union more than Mr Cormie’s SNP bogeymen/women ever could.
Ken Clark. 335 King Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Christmas just a farce now
Sir, I never thought I would see the day when I would agree with the Reverend David Robertson commenting on Black Friday (where did that phrase come from)? He says such bad behaviour is un-Christian and commercialism has taken over.
I have news for him, that happened years ago. Christmas has very little to do with religion now. How many of the population consider going to church on Christmas? People are under pressure to spend money even if they have to borrow, and it’s also just an excuse to get drunk and over-indulge.
Christmas nowadays starts about two months before the actual day. It has become a farce with most people wishing it was all over by the time it arrives because by the time that happens it has become an anti-climax.
I appeal to people not to let the money-grabbers pressurise them into the sort of behaviour we witnessed on Black Friday.
If you must celebrate Christmas go to church and give donations to the poor. There are plenty of them.
And that’s some advice coming from an atheist!
Alister Rankin. 93 Whyterose Terrace, Methil, Leven.
One day the party will end
Sir, Customers flocked to retail stores for Black Friday deals, but almost all that has been bought was made overseas.
We buy far more from the rest of the world than they buy from us, and that is a recipe for economic suicide.
We consume far more wealth that we produce. The only way that we have been able to maintain our high standard of living is by taking on insane amounts of debt, courtesy of the banks. We are living in the largest debt bubble in the history of the planet.
At some point probably another banking crisis that bubble will burst and the party will end.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Lack of respect from MP . . . ?
Sir, I am writing regarding an article in Saturday’s Courier headlined, Museum praised by MP Wishart.
I noticed that the two gentlemen in the photograph, James Watt and Sir Alistair Irwin, chairman of The Black Watch Museum Trust, were well-dressed for the occasion, but that MP Pete Wishart did not even seem to have the common courtesy to wear a tie as a mark of respect for the history of The Black Watch.
In my opinion this does not give a good impression, especially to the younger generation whose support he will be relying on in the future.
David McLaren. Inverlussa, 1 Gilmours Avenue, Blackford.
Not strictly accurate
Sir, I’m afraid your report about the roll-out of superfast broadband across Fife is a little optimistic (Courier, December 2).
Despite the map showing Anstruther connected, I have been advised that I cannot get this service, nor is there any forecast of when it may be available.
I live 20 yards from the police station and 150 yards from the health centre so I’m hardly on some isolated steading.
I wonder if the police station, literally just across the street, is also unable to get fibre optic broadband?
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Anstruther.