Sir, – I write regarding the recent shambles of a Scotland international football display, going down 3-0 away to Slovakia – a result which ends all realistic hope of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Now I realise that criticism of the abject performance of the players and their equally inept coaching staff is best reserved for the sports pages, but I am also inclined to think that wearing pink doesn’t help matters.
I know that in these touchy times there are those who might think me bordering on the homophobic for daring to go near the subject, but they would be wrong as I believe each to their own. If players look like men and feel like men then they are more inclined to perform like men and show a fight and pride akin to the blue tops of the past.
So let’s bring back the blue, and the pride of the past, and stop having our boys powder puff around in the same shades as WAGs’ knickers. Pants to pink, I say!
Jamie Buchan.
Grove Road,
Dundee.
The English are helping us out
Sir, – I note that Iain G. Richmond is the latest of your correspondents to call for the Scottish Government to allow fracking with immediate effect, following Westminster’s decision to permit the practice in England.
However, and I never thought I would write such a sentence, the English may have done Scotland a service.
The Scottish Government has imposed a moratorium on fracking which should stay for a fixed period – say 10 years – until we see the effects of fracking in England.
If, and only if, the oil industry can prove that it has got its act together on the safety and environmental aspects of fracking, the Scottish Government can give it the go-ahead.
Of course this would be dependent on any tax revenues from the industry going to Holyrood, not Westminster. Once bitten etc.
Jim Robertson.
194 High Street,
Montrose.
Rising above – that’s a laugh!
Sir, – I laughed heartily when I read that Mary Pierce says children are sent to the Dundee High School in order to rise above the morass of society.
She should be reminded that the comic journalists from their Beano office overlooking the school playground were inspired as they watched the children’s behaviour and the famous Bash Street Kids were born.
As for mobile phone envy and old sayings, a newer saying for a modern world might be – adults should be seen but not heard.
Iris Jarrett.
45 Naughton Road,
Wormit.
Was it them or was it my voice?
Sir, – Re. Mary Pierce’s “Seeing and Hearing Children” I wonder if anyone on the bus told the children at the time that their language was offensive.
Years ago, travelling by train from Broughty Ferry to Arbroath, I always found that secondary pupils travelling to school were always quite responsive when asked by an adult to modify their behaviour. Or perhaps that was in response to my schoolteacher’s voice.
John Crichton.
6 Northampton Place,
Forfar.
Real leaders stand up
Sir – It would appear that, for some obscure reason, the UK’s media is obsessed with the USA. American politicians, celebrities, film/pop-stars, crime/criminals are all being treated as part and parcel of the UK scene.
Are we being nudged towards becoming another “State” of the not-so-good US of A?
Recent media fixation with the Trump/Clinton fiasco is quite distasteful, more so as both contenders seem unfit for purpose. Are there no real leaders in the USA?
Kenneth Miln.
22 Fotheringham Drive,
Monifieth.
Poor treatment over money
Sir, – My mother is due a substantial credit payback on her electricity bill,it shows on her latest statement.
When I called the utility provider to request that this money be refunded to her bank account I had to go through the rigmarole of reading the meter, to then be told that this would take between four and six weeks to investigate before a cheque could be issued.
I’m also due back more than £300 from HMRC, after I was emergency taxed on money I took out of a retirement fund. Once this has been checked I will receive my refund.
Isn’t it great to know that if you’re due money to companies they’ll hound you day and night for payment,but the minute they owe you, you’ll need to wait their time, not yours, before you get your money back?
Eric Travers.
38 Gellatly Road,
Dunfermline.
Navigating the Ferry streets
Sir, – Have a thought for the poor folk of Camperdown Street Broughty Ferry. First, some years ago, they were blocked access from the Fort Street end. Understandable as an exit point but surely residents could be allowed to enter that end.
Then the school closed the access to Claypotts Road, forcing us down Church Street to exit on to a busy Queen Street or up Seafield Road which is narrow and awkward. We had been stopped driving down Seafield Road permanently, meaning a journey from north down to the lights at Claypotts or at the Post Office to get up Church Street and now Seafield road has been completely closed for several weeks.
The road is now used as a car park for two schools and also as a storage place for pipes, rubble and machinery from people doing work round about. Is that legal?
It is still perhaps the best street in Dundee once you find your way in – satnavs have nervous breakdowns – and if you have your own off street parking place!
Ron Soutar.
Camperdown Street,
Dundee.
A wholly sad state of affairs
Sir, – It cannot be right that teachers should be required to search pupils for weapons in addition to their existing responsibilities for maintaining discipline in schools.
How might this work? Would every pupil be searched every morning, after lunch, after breaks?
How much time would all of this take away from teaching?
How would teachers be trained to conduct searches while avoiding accusations of assault or inappropriate touching?
It is high time parents took responsibility and were prepared to be held accountable for their children’s behaviour.
Sadly, I expect that Government and local authorities will eventually have to accept the need for metal detectors and professional security staff in schools.
C J Allan.
Mansefield,
Tealing.
In defence of Mr Eljamel
Sir, – Having just read all the comments about Mr Eljamel (surgeon Muftah who botched a number of procedures) I feel I must say something about the care and treatment he gave to my sister in law.
She was treated with a brain tumour and the care she received was second to none and she thought very highly of the treatment and after-care she received.
Sheila Turner.
Braeknowe,
Errol.
