Sir, Tim Hopkins of The Equality Network makes a number of points in favour of same sex “marriage” (Courier December 18), however he misses the most serious ones.
Firstly there cannot be “marriage” for the 1% of the population that are homosexuals without the meaning of marriage being changed for the 99% who are not.
Secondly he complains that without this happening then same-sex couples are treated as second class citizens, discriminated against and stigmatised. Yet if this is true he does not say why we should discriminate against and stigmatise those who want to “marry” more than one partner or two brothers who want to “marry”.
It seems that even for the Equality Network some are more equal than others. That has been the trouble with this whole process. There has been no real discussion of principles and what will be the consequences of this redefinition of marriage
Instead, hiding behind the meaningless and emotive term “equality” this major social change is taking place because most politicians have neither the understanding nor the courage to face up to the real issues.
They pay the Equality Network (which only campaigns on homosexual issues and ignores other issues such as educational and economic equality) to tell them what they have already pre-determined to do.
We can only hope that they will wake up before it is too late, but one suspects that the propaganda and “re-education” of the populace has gone too far.
We are sowing the wind and we will reap the whirlwind.
David Robertson. Solas CPC, St Peter’s Free Church, 4 St Peter Street, Dundee.
Stabilising grey partridge numbers
Sir, The RSPB has described the latest figures on turtle doves and grey partridges as a wildlife disaster (Sad end awaiting festive birds? December 17) and is urging government to take immediate action.
However, in contrast, our studies show that much effort is being implemented to save the “grey”. On farms and shooting estates in Scotland that are participating in the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s partridge count scheme, numbers have stabilised.
There are three main requirements for grey partridges to flourish good nesting cover such as grassy margins round the edges of fields; limiting the numbers of nest predators (not eradicating them) such as crows and foxes and providing insect-rich habitat for chicks.
The future fate of partridges in the UK rests on the balance between the economics of agricultural production, government agri-environment measures and the commitment of the shooting community which currently funds much of the management benefiting the greys.
Katrina Candy. Head of PR and Education (Scotland), Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
True spirit of Christmas
Sir, We visited Perthshire Visitor Centre, Bankfoot on Sunday December 16 with our grandsons, where we had a very enjoyable afternoon at Santa’s workshop. He greeted everyone on arrival and spent time talking to the children and handed out good quality gifts.
The activities on offer included face painting, toy making with the elves and Christmas themed colouring in. This was all free of charge with donations accepted for CHAS. It was good to see an event organised in the true Christmas spirit.
Jake and Isobel Donnelly. Manor Gardens, Blairgowrie.
Helping to transform lives
Sir, I read in The Courier that a Ninewells anaesthetist, Grant Rodney, was helping to transform the lives of Ethiopian children who suffer from Noma. I had never heard of this condition, so looked it up online and I would urge others to do likewise.
This is an appalling condition and these poor people need all the help we can give them. Facing Africa is dedicated to alleviating their suffering. I would urge people to donate to the fund.
Frances Turnbull. 24 Craig Road, Tayport.
Silly nonsense Sir, The so-called “Plebgate” incident involving a police constable and an MP over what appears to be little more than a trivial incident, is something which sadly anyone dealing with the public can expect any day. It has been blown out of all proportion and we are now wondering just who to believe! What happened to common sense?
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.