Sir, When it comes to international diplomacy it appears that television presenter Jeremy Clarkson is becoming almost a toxic brand.
Someone in his team was bound to know that travelling around Argentina in a car with the number plate H982 FKL was bound to provoke controversy (Courier, October 4).
In this case it was a controversy of the most distasteful, puerile kind.
I hold no brief for Argentinian Government claims to recover the Falklands. That matter has been settled by the democratic will of the people in those islands.
But there is still a strong case for promoting goodwill between the United Kingdom and the South American country.
On an organised tour of Buenos Aires last year I thought it right to take some time out to visit the monument to the 621 Argentinian soldiers who died in the conflict in the South Atlantic in 1982.
It was right to do so, not as a mark of support for the government of Argentina, but as a mark of respect for those who had fallen.
I’m sure many tourists there have made similar gestures.
The antics of Mr Clarkson and his team cut across all these attempts to promote understanding.
It’s about time the BBC considered whether it’s right to let him out of this country at all.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Perfect type of venue for Perth
Sir, It was good to see in Friday’s Courier that the council is supporting the first Flavours of Perthshire event in King Edward Street. This same venue has successfully hosted Perth Farmers’ Markets on many occasions just the kind of events Perth needs to attract more visitors and enrich the city centre.
What a pity it will be if the council fulfils its long-term obsession to demolish Perth City Hall. This pleasant venue would then have as a backdrop one of Scotland’s largest building sites. For how long, and at what cost, we can only guess.
Perhaps, like Perth Theatre, closed for £14 million “improvements”, new venues will need to be found for a few years. The only problem is that, once the habit is broken, customers don’t always remember to come back.
No doubt some councillors will be excited by the prospect of even bigger markets in their new “piazza”. However, the intimacy of King Edward Street works just fine for a small city like Perth. Big, near-empty spaces don’t create any atmosphere.
Neil Foston. 47 Arbroath Road, Carnoustie.
Needs a careful response
Sir, The Islamic State (Isis) is engaged in a propaganda war and wants to provoke the West into overreacting, so that it can present its adherents as soldiers in a war between civilisations.
We must, therefore, be careful how we respond to Alan Henning’s murder because giving publicity to Isis is like paying ransom to conventional hostage-takers it is what they seek.
Instead of dwelling on his death we should focus on his life: his commitment to saving lives offers a powerful contrast to the values of his captors who glory in torture, rape and murder.
We must steel ourselves for further horrors and accept that it is hard to formulate a response when the diplomatic and military options are so complex and morally compromised.
Isis knows no restraint in its search for ways to shock and intimidate its enemies but in the end this is a propaganda game and we should not be duped into playing it by Isis’s rules.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Observe rules when abroad
Sir, British holidaymaker Ray Cole, from Deal in Kent, was jailed for four months in Morocco for “homosexual acts”.
The family of the 70-year-old and a number of politicians have urged the Moroccan authorities to release him.
The foreign office website warns that as a Muslim country they regard homosexuality as a criminal offence.
Why did Mr Cole go there as opposed to the numerous other countries which are far more tolerant and welcoming?
It is also strange that his “Moroccan friend” was not arrested and could lead to speculation that they only met in Morocco.
The rule is, when in another country observe their rules or face the penalties for breaking them.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
The case over millennia
Sir, I refer to Mr Hinnrichs’ letter (October 6). What is the US Geological Survey? A government organisation or a conglomeration of universities, Eco charities and a few government agencies, who by now have developed “vested (financial) interests”?
If human beings produce more CO2 than volcanoes, then that has been the case over millennia, during which time climate change has occurred, both warmer and colder. Do computer “models” forecast tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires to mention a few fairly natural occurrences which can affect our climate?
In spite of the ecologically described melting of glaciers and ice caps, sea levels seem determined to remain much the same. This newspaper publishes local tide tables on a daily basis and has yet to warn of exceptionally high tides causing widespread disruption on a large scale due to global warming.
A T Geddie. 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.
They all pulled together to help
Sir, Reading my paper the other morning I became more and more upset and disconsolate with the world we live in with stories of murder, war, hatred, violence and strife between nations.
Then, I recalled when our pet retired greyhound escaped recently from our garden and literally did a “runner”. Firstly he roamed the town and then, being completely disorientated, headed towards Kirkcaldy along busy roads. The community on hearing of our predicament pulled out all the stops to help.
A family member in her car tracked him along the main road with hazard lights flashing, a young man trailed him on his bike, all the time encouraging him to stop, but our dog, being terrified, just continued to run.
Eventually, being hurt and exhausted, it was captured by the young man on the bike in Morrison’s car park in Kirkcaldy and returned safe and sound to the family home.
But, what a brilliant team effort involving the police control centre, Fife Council dog wardens, the SSCPA, the owners and staff of the Fife greyhound rescue centre, taxi drivers, members of the public and, of course, our own family.
I cannot thank everyone enough. What a wonderful team effort and just to save a dog. It just goes to show how in times of need we can all pull together to achieve an aim.
I only wish our heads of state, political leaders and those who have been brutally murdering innocent men in the Middle East could read this to letter to see what can be achieved with love, care, support and, more than anything else, a real desire to help our fellow man.
Ron Blanchard. 177 Kinghorn Road, Burntisland.
More than just a few boos . . .
Sir, I read Richard Burdge’s recent account of the Ryder Cup in which he stated that: “Alex Salmond ignored a few boos to present the trophy to Paul McGinley.”
Just for the record, I was at the closing ceremony and when the Sky TV announcer said the trophy would be presented by the First Minister there was a considerable number of people booing.
When he actually presented the trophy to Paul McGinley there were many hundreds of people jeering and booing. The noise was deafening where I was standing.
That’s why he presented the trophy in record time (no speech) and promptly sat down again.
Mr Burdge’s account of a few boos was a total misrepresentation of the facts.
M Morton. 13 Kinnaird Bank, Perth.
It is not all over yet!
Sir, Jim Alcock’s reply to my letter (October 2) pretty much sums up the No Campaign efforts throughout the referendum.
Like them, he ignores all my information about the 120 years of oil and dire things happening this week in Britain, then rattles on about how big a cheese the UK is in the world, calls our nearest friend the Irish Republic a “nonentity” and backs up Asda’s spurious warning about prices being higher in an independent Scotland.
Regarding the UK being a big shot in the world, who cares? It might make the rich richer but what does that do for ordinary people with an unequal society and a quarter of our children being in poverty?
He reckons we would have paid 20% more for everything by asking us to compare Tesco UK and Tesco Ireland. Well, I did just that and it’s swings and roundabouts. Just like the supermarkets here, it balances out. Perhaps he should have allowed for the approximate 20% difference between the GBP and the Euro?
One other thing about our friends in Ireland. Their basic state pension is around £63 a week better than ours and the average salary is some £2,500 a year more. Perhaps we should apply for nonentity status?
Better defence cover, Mr Alcock? Are you serious? Only one regiment and we have no surface naval vessels anywhere near Scotland as has been proved when it took the Royal Navy nearly two days to intercept the Russian Fleet off our northern shores. We are also members of the same market in the EU with no trade barriers but how long will that last now?
Mr Alcock, the No campaign didn’t have any case at all for the union during the referendum except lies, threats, smears and fears. Now, just like the big shot UK had no plan “B” in Iraq, it has no plan “B” for devolution. That is why this isn’t over yet.
Brian Macfarlane. 10 Beck Crescent, Dunfermline.
Don’t feel strong enough to face another vote!
Sir, I have just recovered from a serious medical affliction which, I am informed, was a form of “referendumitis”.
However, I was dismayed to read that “Dr” Sturgeon is predicting that a new form of this disease is poised to hit Scotland.
Weakened as I am from incessant attacks from Yes and No campaigners I am devastated to learn that my total recovery may take longer than originally thought so I would appreciate a national “freeze” on all thoughts of another vote before we all fall sick with the same diagnosis.
Jack Harrison. 4b Cavendish Avenue, Perth.
We are not going away
Sir, Alistair Carmichael’s “demand” that the SNP pledge not to go for another independence referendum within a set number of years demonstrates the arrogant disregard members of the Lib/Lab/Tory No coalition have for the democratic process.
It is not for politicians to say whether there will or will not be a further referendum within a certain amount of time, it is down to the will of the electorate.
The Yes Campaign evolved out of the desire of people from all walks of life north of the border for greater democracy ie: we get the government that the majority of the people vote for.
I am sure right-wing pontificators such as Mr Carmichael (and Jenny Hjul!) are familiar with the words of Bob Dylan’s prophetic song and know what happens to those who attempt to swim against the tide of overwhelming demand for change!
The great Mr Zimmerman’s classic also includes the line “for the loser now will be later to win” and I firmly believe this is what will happen with regard to the campaign for democracy and independence. We are not going away!
Alan Woodcock. 23 Osborne Place, Dundee.
Sent home to think again?
Sir, I am reliably informed that HMS Westminster managed to limp home listing heavily to starboard and is now berthed in the Thames.
A crew member said that the ship had been holed below the waterline and that this particular vessel was unlikely to sail the open seas again.
He added that the ship’s company was glad to be home but their confrontation with the good ship Scotia had frightened them out of their wits.
The good ship Scotia had made necessary running repairs and was still at sea patrolling Scottish waters.
The saltire was flying from the topmost mast with an additional flag sporting the message: “Wha daur meddle wi’ me?”
John Thomson. 25 Renny Crescent, Montrose.