On Tuesday’s agenda: a touching show of respect for the dead, a Christmas card’s epic journey, Gordon Brown’s impact on miners’ jobs and the ethics of Sir Elton John and David Furnish adopting a baby.
Respect for dead shows courtesy lives on
Sir,-In an age when it is easy to claim that courtesy and respect are dead, let me relate the following.
In the past week, as minister of the Glens and Kirriemuir Old Church, I have travelled three times from Kirriemuir to Parkgrove Crematorium as a passenger in a hearse.
It is interesting to observe how the public react to the hearse. Some stop and bow their heads, some cross themselves, others take their hats off and many ignore it.
Today, an Angus Council bin lorry came towards us and, to a man, all three in the cab took their hats off in a gesture of respect.
I saw them but nobody else would have. It was not an act done for show but rather a genuine and spontaneous act of respect for the deceased. Well done guys and thank you.
Malcolm Rooney.The Glens and Kirriemuir Old Parish Church.
Christmas card record?
Sir,-Previous correspondents have commented on the late delivery of mail. On January 6, I received a card which had been posted first class in Dundee on December 12.
Postmarks show that instead of going about 22 miles west to Perth, it went 65 miles north to Aberdeen, 570 miles miles south to Gatwick and 485 miles back to Perth, a total of 1120 miles. Is this a record?
(Dr) David B. Griffiths.41 Haston Crescent,Perth.
Eliminate poor driving
Sir,-When I read about the money being spent on road improvements because of crashes, I wondered if an Institute of Advanced Motorists test would be a better use of resources.
No road is dangerous until motorists use it.
Neil G. Sinclair.New Fleurs,St Martins,Balbeggie.
Brown let down miners
Sir,-Your photograph and report (January 7) showed a smiling Gordon Brown meeting with an ex-miner. Is this the same Gordon Brown who, as Chancellor, refused to help when Longannet Colliery, the last working pit in Scotland, flooded thus putting hundreds of west Fife miners on the dole?
The same Gordon Brown who was a member of the government who refused to help many retired miners obtain their just compensation as a result of industrial injuries?
In one of his first acts as Chancellor, Gordon Brown decided to fully tax pension funds, thus reducing the retirement pensions of many, including miners, to this day.
He raised the income tax threshold from 10p to 20p pence in the pound, harming the lives of the poorest, including miners on tiny pensions.
Jim Smith.7 Adam Place,Lochgelly.
Brechin cash squandered
Sir,-With reference to the £50,000 to be spent on Pictavia, does Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville (January 6) expect the people of Brechin to swallow the hype surrounding this project?
Pictavia is not even in Brechin. Visitors do not need to come into the town and the only business benefiting is Brechin Castle Centre.
You would be hard pressed to find any Brechin shopkeeper who felt it benefited the town.
Secondly, and I may be mistaken, but it was not long ago the council thought about closing Pictavia and Brechin Castle Centre were interested in taking it over.
With Brechin still looking so dilapidated and many pavements in a disgraceful state, I am sure there are plenty of better uses for £50,000.
(Mrs) Marcia Wright.19 Trinity Road,Brechin.
Rights of child ignored
Sir,-Murray Duncan (January 8) seems to be fairly happy with the recent events with David Furnish and Elton John and puts opposition to it down to “ignorance, bigotry and old-fashioned prejudice.”
This couple artificially engineered this child for selfish reasons, simply because they could.
What of the rights of the child? What right do they have to choose to deny that child a mother for the duration of its life?
Even their money cannot take the place of that basic human right.
The cynical, money-orientated manufacture of a life is just plain wrong, no matter what the sexual orientation of the parents.
Brian Macfarlane.Bridge Cottage,Main Street,Carnock.
Securing best for our young
Sir,-Murray Duncan (January 8) is long on indignation and vituperation and short on logic.
Because I am opposed to the adoption of children by homosexuals, does not mean I approve of cruelty or abuse of children in institutions or a traditional family.
Natural parents have the right to bring their children up in a safe, loving environment but not to abuse them.
With people who are not the natural parents of the children concerned, however, the authorities have to decide whether they are suitable to be in charge of a child.
Thereafter, the authorities have a duty to supervise such homes constantly.
Homosexuals should be non-starters because the home situation is unnatural. Unsuitable and dangerous environments for children should be eschewed by our society whether they be with their natural parents, fostered, adopted or in institutions.
Mr Duncan is concerned about the rights of broody homosexual men. I am more than concerned about the welfare of children and I do not consider they are being adequately protected by society if consigned to the care of homosexuals.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.