Today’s letters discuss Catholic schools, energetic pensioners, alcohol intake, praise for nurses, a British football team, and teaching posts.
Not the best way to defeat sectarianism
Sir,-John Lamont’s comments in the Scottish Parliament regarding Catholic schools are ill-informed and offensive.
Rather than assisting to solve the problem of sectarianism, they provoke only more bitterness and anger.
His assumption that parents are choosing a Catholic school over a Protestant state school are outdated.
Many state schools are now opting out of celebrating events such as Easter and Christmas and would be described as secular.
Scotland’s Catholic schools perform well academically and are open to pupils of all faiths and none.
Our local Catholic primary has a 30% population of non-Catholics, parents having chosen the school for its strong Christian ethos or excellent academic record.
Mr Lamont’s comments also have a more sinister undercurrent, suggesting that the state knows better than parents how children should be educated, presupposing its moral authority and its right to infringe the freedoms (religious or otherwise) of the people.
Mr Lamont should produce evidence to back up his claims or publicly apologise to those working in Catholic education.
Anne Hinojosa.326 Colliston Avenue,Glenrothes.
Energy levels to be admired
Sir,-I read with interest two reports in the press celebrating our older generation.
One was WRVS 66 over 66 celebrating our Gold Age Pensioners and their achievement. Another revealed people in their fifties are healthier than they were in their twenties.
Nowadays, getting older isn’t all about getting your bus pass and winding down. People continue to do fantastic things with their lives well into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.
Personally speaking, I wish I had half the energy of some of these people in all their endeavours as well as their exercise regimes.
We are living longer and healthier lives and society is adapting to that. People are enjoying their retirement, or simply refusing to retire, and continuing to live healthy and fun lives. For this they should be applauded.
I believe younger people could learn a lot from their elders.
Lianne Lodge.Queen Street,Edinburgh.
Breath test before war debates
Sir,-The news that the over-65s should restrict themselves to half a pint of beer a day is a body blow to the likes of me. Being well past the Biblical three score years and ten, it hurts.
I feel members of the Commons and House of Lords, many of whom look well past their sell-by date, should only be served half-pints unless they can produce proof of age.
What about these Westminster parliamentarians having licensed premises in the workplace? Perhaps the electorate should look to the well-being of their representatives.
A breath test before a vote on going to war should be considered in future.
It is all very well Parliament preaching at our youth, but more could be done to set an example by practising what they preach.
P. J. Swan.33 Mill Lane,Montrose.
NHS nurses do a wonderful job
Sir,-I agree wholeheartedly with Raymond Morris (June 24) in his experience of NHS care.
Over the years I too have had numerous spells of hospitalisation. I cannot overstate my great respect and thanks to the NHS. Nurses in particular do such a wonderful job but are often criticised unfairly.
Who else would work their ridiculously long hours for such inadequate pay? My admiration with what they put up with is boundless.
I spent some time hospitalised in the US. What an eye-opener! Yes, they have the most sophisticated equipment and techniques but if you cannot pay Adios!
Let’s be very grateful in this country for what we have in the NHS.
Ray Will.Bank Street,Aberfeldy.
Nothing wrong with team GB
Sir,-Many people will be surprised at the fury of the SFA and kindred associations regrading the decision to include players from the four home nations in Team GB for the Olympics.
Surely it is the ambition of every sportsman/woman to represent their country.
And why should football be any different, especially when various associations have been given assurances this move will not affect their status as footballing nations?
It was no surprise it was raised at Holyrood as some members have unhealthy anti-English attitudes.
I am old enough to remember after the war a sell-out crowd of 148,000 at Hampden watched an All-British team play the Rest of the World.
The great Billy Steele, who was later to play for Dundee FC, was in the British team and, if memory is correct, he scored a goal.
R.H.L. Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
Supply teachers block jobs
Sir,-I read the letter by Mary Smith (June 27) about young graduates not getting jobs in teaching.
One of the big problems is retired staff who return to do supply teaching.
Also there are married women teachers whose husbands are earning salaries which should enable them to be at home.
The old argument that it is not done for the money is rubbish, as there is an abundance of voluntary jobs which they could undertake.
Young graduates are starting out on their careers and deserve a chance to get a job after their studies.
William Cameron.61 Dalhousie Street,Monifieth.
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