Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Yesterday was the busiest internet shopping day this year. Why? Because we’ve just been paid? No, because we can’t be bothered standing in queues, trying goods on and looking for that extra bargain.
Spare a thought for the wee man, then, the private retailer who has been battling with the recession and the internet for more than 10 years.
OK, the internet is convenient, it may even be cheaper, but do you have connection with real people? Do you get the personal touch if anything goes wrong?
In the 80s they said we were becoming a nation of couch potatoes. Now we are a nation of non-communicating, keyboard-bashing, bargain hunters who are too lazy to venture outside their front door to shop.
I took my son to Glasgow on Saturday to “shop for his presents” and he had the chance to try things on and treat his mum to lunch at a different shopping centre and we had a lovely day together.
If it wasn’t for the likes of us, smaller retailers might not see the next two years, let alone 10 and centres would just become boarded up and vandalised.
So, please, if you want to make a difference, shop online by all means, but if you can be bothered, I’m sure you would be given a warm welcome and maybe a glass of Gluwein at your small local shops.
Jane Walker.4 Knockard Place,Pitlochry.
Worrying call from a bank or was it?
Sir, – In these days of increasingly complex scams, apparently from banks, I was amazed to receive a phone call claiming to be from the Bank of Scotland.
The young lady then went on to ask me to prove who I was by answering some “security” questions ie date of birth etc.
When I asked her to prove she was in fact from the Bank of Scotland, I was told she could not do that, nor could she tell me what the call was about until I had proved who I was!
Result a swift termination of the call.
At a time when all banks are constantly reminding people not to give out information like this to unsolicited calls is seems strange that a bank should use this technique assuming it was a genuine call.
Ken Bell.Burghmuir Road,Perth.
This freedom is under threat
Sir, – Freedom of speech was once a foundation of democracy but has it now been consigned to folklore?
Should one object to gay marriage then there are shouts of “homophobic”, a suggestion of limiting immigration brings howls about “bigotry” and even thinking of discussing religious beliefs brings on a fear of terrorist violence.
Suggest that Scotland remain part of the United Kingdom to hear “unpatriotic” and now we are about to face legislation to curb the freedom of newspapers to keep us informed.
I fear that free speech will one day be reduced to a chapter in a history book with the sub heading: “the affect of bullying minorities in democracy”.
Alan Bell.Roods,Kirriemuir.
Increase the penalties
Sir, – There has been publicity regarding the potential closing down of Cupar Sheriff Court. Over the last 50 years the escalating cost of overheads has reached a level that cannot go on.
The situation as I see it is that crime does pay as a £60 fine for speeding is a joke. Many drivers are taking home a weekly wage of £400 or more and even a driver on income support would be allowed to pay a fine at £10 a week.
The cost of administering each fine is probably in the region of £250.
The solution would be for a driver breaking the speed limit, even although it was only by 5mph, to be banned from driving for five years, then to resit the driving test.
For a driver failing the breath test, even although it was only marginal, to be banned from driving for 10 years, then resit the test.
For a driver with no driving licence; banned 10 years, then resit driving test.
For a driver with no insurance for the vehicle; banned for 10 years, then resit the driving test.
Andy Pryde.Brandon,Ceres.
Breakfast chuckles
Sir, – Thanks to Robert McNeil’s extremely witty column, I had a gloriously giggly breakfast on Thursday (November 29) at 7.15am, while he himself was still asleep (I presume!).
Robert, you have missed wonderful moonscapes these mornings in the pale blue north-west sky, a large silvery moon centrepiece in a breath-taking view.
Perhaps you could put a moon song on your early alarm call? There’s a really good one by Paul Carrack called “Marmalade Moon” which would get you going. For your bedtime how about Debussy’s “Claire de Lune” to see you into slumberland?
Please don’t go mooning around though as you might get lifted by the polis and we’d all miss your column unless you did a Jailhouse Rock where you could make the request “Fly Me To the Moon” and do a column from there.
Beth Boylen.40 Fintry Place,Broughty Ferry.
Why the UK?
Sir, – I am at a loss to understand why no-one in the media is asking any of the people running Dundee SNP administration why they are pontificating about Dundee being UK City of Culture in 2017 when they hope not to be in the UK by then. What is that all about?
George Aimer.82 Kinghorne Road,Dundee.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.