Sir, It seems somewhat debatable when you refer to the “Israeli offensive in Gaza” (Saturday’s Courier), well knowing that Israel is responding to a Hamas offensive in which rockets are being fired indiscriminately into Israel.
On the same day that 170 truckloads of food and other supplies entered Gaza from Israel, Hamas fired more than 100 rockets into Israel.
The photo on page 26, of the Palestinian children with their fake missiles protesting at the Israeli “offensive”, might well be illustrating a celebration of the rockets their big brothers are shooting at Israel and would be more appropriate.
And one might wonder if this is their first step into being brainwashed into becoming suicide bombers, hero “martyrs”, one of Hamas’s favourite weapons.
What about the Gradmissile, shown on the Hamas website, being launched from a civilian neighbourhood in Gaza? And while Israel gives early warning of attacks against military objectives, Hamas uses children like those in the photo as human shields, while making use of the early warning to pack civilians into the target area for their propaganda value.
Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to receive medical treatment in Israeli hospitals.
The photo not only gives support to anti-Israel propaganda and Hamas but also, by extension, supports the Hamas Charter objective: the armed destruction of Israel.
Given these incontrovertible facts, it is a shameful, misleading picture, which can in no way contribute to a peaceful settlement in the conflict, rather the opposite.
Andrew Lawson. 9 MacLaren Gardens, Dundee.
Travellers act like they are above the law
Sir, I would like to know the views of readers in the Forfar area of the Travellers located on the verge of the roundabout at Glamis Road at the main A90 and on various other parkland areas in the area.
The caravans on the roundabout have been there for several months, with no sign of them being asked to move on. I pass this location daily, when children are seen playing and numerous work vehicles parked on the edge of the carriageway, and vehicles and trailers offered for sale.
I am aware Bear Scotland, Angus Council and a local farmer own various portions of the land where they are located. I am sure the council and Bear Scotland could do something to the verge to prevent travellers from camping on the side of a road subject to a 40mph speed limit.
I would like to ask several questions about what appears now to be a permanent site. Where do they dispose of their toilet/water waste? Why are they being allowed to park on the edge of a busy carriageway? They have erected TV aerials at their vehicles; do they have licences?
I am fully aware of thepolicies the council and police adopt in respect of Travellers, but they areconducting themselves as if they are above the law and being allowed to get away with it. Enough is enough, time to get tougher with this type of behaviour.
George Dewar. North Leckaway, Forfar.
Hope trees live on at Ashludie
Sir, While taking an evening constitutional through the grounds of the now-closed Ashludie Hospital, I was impressed by the once-magnificent Ashludie House and the variety of trees. The destruction of such an aesthetically-pleasing building and salubrious environment would amount to sacrilege.
Kenneth Miln. 23 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.
Just what the Dickens is this?
Sir, I opened my copy of The Courier last Tuesday and was appalled at the picture of Labour MP Jim McGovern and Lib Dem councillor Fraser Macpherson “Helping Out” at the food bank collection at Tesco, smiling away like it was the done thing.
These two should be ashamed of the fact that, in 21st century Britain, people are having to rely on these. They should be campaigning at the highest levels to stamp them out, it is nothing short of Dickensian. What’s next, politicians guffawing as they cut the ribbons on the first workhouses? It should not be happening and they must do everything possible to getrid of these Tory-induced blights on society.
Colin Denovan. Pitairlie Road, Dundee.
Assisted dying schism appears
Sir, The AnglicanArchbishops Tutu and Carey have had Damascene conversions on euthanasia and now back the right of the terminally ill to end their lives in dignity.
They call for a mind shift on the issue of “aid in dying”, arguing that the church’s insistence on the sanctity of life in all situations has the effect of sanctioning anguish and pain.
At the start of a momentous week, with the assisted dying debate opening in Parliament, it is clear the long-brewing division within the Church of England can no longer be hidden.
This has already happened in the Church of Scotland, where the unified response promoted by its central committees is undermined by leading churchmen debating the issue in the press.
The fact is, our current laws are incoherent and result in patients flying off to die premature deaths among strangers in Switzerland surely the ultimate unintended consequence.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Not a vintage performance
Sir, I had the dubious pleasure of attending the 40th Scottish Transport Extravaganza at Glamis Castle. The event was billed as “probably the largest gathering of vintage, veteran and classic vehicles in Scotland”.
What a disappointment! There was only a handful of vehicles, and only three veteran vehicles, which, I will concede, were worth viewing. I understand many long-time supporting groups were unable to participate because of the number of entrants. But where were they?
There seemed to be so many vehicles used to transport goods into the area and left, taking up large areas of space. Should they not have been parked in the visitors’ car park? There were so many vans etc used to transport dogs to the dog show and these also remained next to the arena. Was that necessary?
I was informed judging and attendant prize giving is done on Sunday, so many vehicles do not arrive until the Sunday. Perhaps judging should be done on Saturday with prizes being handed out on Sunday.
Come on, organisers, this may have been a “charity event” but I certainly did not feel I received value for my money and rather than spending most of the day there, as intended, I left within two hours having seen everything, twice!
H.B. Littlejohn. 14 Osnaburgh Court, Dairsie.
Westminster and poor choices
Sir, Gordon Kennedy(Friday’s Letters) is surprised the Yes campaign is doing well in the poorer parts of Glasgow.
The fact that Westminster is government by the rich, for the rich is evidenced by some of the wealthiest people contributing large sums of money to the No campaign.
It hardly surprising that the poor, who have the most to gain from having a democratically-elected, fair and peaceful government in Holyrood are inclined towards Yes.
They know their plight is due to Westminster decisions over many decades and that only independence can give them hope for the future.
Andrew Collins. Ladyburn House, Skinners Steps, Cupar.
Inflating ticket prices must stop
Sir, I saw notice in your paper of the forthcoming Billy Connelly show at the Caird Hall, Dundee, in October, with the tickets on sale on Friday morning. I feel it is appropriate that Dundee Council ceases immediately aiding andabetting ticket touts and companies in making vast profits from council property.
Trying to purchase tickets, I was informed they were sold out and could be purchased from Ticketmaster’s associated company “Get Me In” for an inflated price of £587 for two tickets. The true value of the tickets was £32.50 each.
When will this cease and true fans be allowed to see a very good show at affordable prices?
Stewart Ellis. 3 Manse Place, Monifieth.
It’s a good look for ceremony
Sir, Does it matter how garish the Scottish Commonwealth Games opening ceremony uniform is? I enjoyed the balanced articles by Eve Muirhead and LorraineWilson (Friday’s Courier).
Certainly, if a petition against the style is gaining increased numbers, that’s something the Games committee might want to look at. But we all should look at the context in which theuniform will be displayed.
More than a billion people will view, on screens throughout the world, a ceremony dominated by a galaxy of colours.
The Commonwealth is nothing if not a wealth of diversity. The international costumes on display will no doubt reflect history, nature, fashion, changes in the social environment and all the rest.
It will be just a fleeting image, however, a snapshot of what a country is like.
Scotland is more diverse, more bright, more challenging than it has ever been.
It has a history, too. Jilli Blackwood’s design may be provocative, but who should criticise her for trying to get a flavour of what modern Scotland is like?
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.