Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, I read with incredulity the article in The Courier on Wednesday January 4 which said that drug addicts and alcoholics are given extra benefits because of health problems connected to their addictions.
I don’t think that giving extra money is going to solve the problem in fact this is merely giving them the funds to carry on with their lifestyle.
These health problems are all self-inflicted, so why should people who have and are still contributing to the health service be expected to subsidise them?
This means that the working population, unless they are able to save for retirement, will have to manage on whatever pension the government awards them.
I would suggest that if the UK Government is serious about cutting benefits then this is one of the first areas that should be considered.
(Mrs) June Reid.12 Findhorn Street,Fintry,Dundee.
No plans for closures … yet
Sir, I read with interest the comments by Sir Menzies Campbell regarding the closure of courts in both Cupar and Forfar.
As a resident of Cupar, I am concerned about the impact to local businesses, local employment and disruption to witnesses and accused persons alike.
I wondered about the process of closure of such establishments, and I assumed that there would have to be some kind of consultation.
I contacted the media department of the Scottish Court Service where they informed me that, as it stands at the moment, there are no plans to close Cupar court, and if there were, there would be full public consultation.
They are currently having an internal review, and it will be after this is complete that the carry out a consultation, if required.
They also state that any decision would be via the Scottish Parliament, and therefore Sir Menzies Campbell would have no involvement in the decision making, rather it would be our SNP MSP Rod Campbell.
I do hope that the consultation does not need to happen, especially as its only three years since the last consultation on justice reform, and hope that the rumour mill has been grinding out rumour with no substance, and not fact.
Karen Marjoram.20 Charles Jarvis Court,Cupar.
Lucky to get university place
Sir, In reply to (Dr) John Cameron, who claims he achieved a career in the professions by way of an iron discipline, a strong work ethic and the three ‘R’s good for him!
So all the tens of thousands pre-1970s have only themselves to blame if they left school at 14, 15 or 16 and only found poorly paid labour or a life in the armed forces fighting for their country?
This was a period of slum living and food, clothing and shoe rationing. A university education was not even a dream for 90% of children, even if they had good educational qualifications. Families needed breadwinners.
John Cameron was very, very lucky. He seems to have it in for today’s children although nearly 50% manage full-time education after their school days and I’m sure there are far more people in the professions now than there were in his day.
He was also lucky from the point of view that there were very few women who went to university then. He might not have received a place so readily had there been more competition.
Tom Black.56 Russell Place,Dundee.
No political will to face problem
Sir, Your piece Undernourished planet (January 2) gives Professor Terry Dawson’s view that population is the ‘elephant in the room’.
The Professor’s question ”How do you tell people how many children they can have?”, points to the obvious absence of political will to address the problem.
How many elephants can you have in a room?
Let’s hope Professor Dawson’s research will help guide our political leaders on how best to ‘tell people’ or perhaps make the question redundant?
Andrew Lawson.9 MacLaren Gardens,Dundee.
Perpetrating false prejudices
Sir, Daniel Arnott’s scaremongering (Letters, December 30) is another example of the illogical contempt and paranoia with which many in Britain, regrettably, treat Islam.
His claim that the political classes and media collude to ”restrict news which may reflect badly on Islamism (sic)” is totally inaccurate.
A quick glance at our right-wing, tabloid papers and many Tory politicians clearly demonstrates that much of the media/political class is doing the exact opposite; breeding unnecessary fear and misplaced resentment. Islam is not a threat to or incompatible with our values or way of life. Islam and terrorism are not one and the same thing just as with Catholicism and the IRA.
Just as we would not argue that one Christian murderer disproves Christianity’s claim to being a peaceful and loving faith, we must not assume the illegitimacy of Islam simply because a few deluded, indoctrinated individuals kill in its name. The very word ”Islam” means peace.
To suggest, as Mr Arnott did, that Islam is ”an alien and suppressive culture” is to totally misunderstand its theology, followed by the vast majority of Muslims.
We must tackle extremism and terrorism in order to protect our own citizens, but the way to do that is not through perpetrating false prejudices or resurrecting ancient fears.
David Kelly.Dunblane.
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.