Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – In reply to those who wish to have independence, they have obviously not even thought about the repercussions of further integration with Europe.
In 30 to 40 years, Scotland as a nation will not exist. It shall be an area of the European Union and the title of First Minister will be non-existent it will be equal to provincial minister.
Further integration with Europe will not be in the best interests of Scotland.
The European Laws on Human Rights do nothing for victims of crime, only the criminals benefit as do the immigrants, and our minister of justice does not care about the populace of Scotland.
Perhaps our First Minister will decide to rule by decree (communist style) because if he treats Scotland they way he does his own party, we are sunk.
His love of the famous is sickening. Perhaps he will crawl so far up the Yangtze river he will give Faslane to the Chinese.
If any of the pro-independence lobby have contacts within the SNP have a look at their post-independence manifesto. You will find that we will join the Euro within three years and immigration will be stepped up to allow another 20,000 to be admitted to the country.
B Jacobi.Wishart Place,Dundee.
Missing the point
Sir, – Your correspondent Robert Finlay (June 20) seems to miss the point that the Leveson inquiry is a properly constituted judicial panel. As such, Michael Gove should have known better than to make any comments while it was still sitting.
Apart from this, the original story was run in the Daily Mail, which is itself under investigation by Leveson. It would not surprise me if the story was run as spoiler to try to undermine the inquiry and there is some embellishment.
It is not the first time the paper has used its pages to try to undermine Leveson. Back in November last year it attacked the evidence of Hugh Grant. The paper has still to be dealt with regarding this.
If one reads Andrew Marr in his book ”My Trade”, he tells of stories being printed by tabloids which were patently untrue. This type of journalism is also written about in ”Where Power Lies” by Lance Price and more than one witness to Leveson has spoken of lies in the tabloids.
The power of the press was such that it sought to undermine democracy by threatening to withdraw support from whatever political party would not toe its line.
Some sections of the press also sought to get Government changes to its agendas. This led to John Major telling the Leveson inquiry Murdoch demanded policy changes over Europe or he would withdraw support for the Conservative Party.
That any section of the press thought it was powerful enough to make such demands shows the stranglehold it had.
Given the above does Mr Finlay still think the inquiry is trying to smother our freedoms?
We need a free press as part of a democratic society. Not a press that would undermine our freedom.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
Keep opinions to himself
Sir, – Your feature writer, Jenny Hjul, is definitely right to say that Prince Charles would be advised not to share his opinions as his role as a non-elected figurehead means he should not be seen to take sides in a public debate.
However, this is not the same as saying that comments he has made now or in the past are all rubbish.
I think it is inaccurate for Jenny to suggest that the Rio climate change summit is less important than other subjects such as getting out of the recession. The fact is that they are all related.
Agriculture worldwide is already feeling the effects of a changing climate and whether the world can feed its growing population is surely an issue of great importance.
Even if we take a very self-centred view and try to ignore food shortages in Africa then it is still a cause for concern because the United Kingdom is definitely not self-sufficient in food and the cost of food is a very relevant issue particularly for poorer families.
I also disagree with Jenny that saving the world is increasingly the preserve of rich celebrities. There are plenty of ordinary people who are concerned they just don’t have access to the media and nobody wants to know their opinions.
Robert Potter.16R Brown Street,Dundee.
Out of frying pan…
Sir, – Alex Salmond is indeed between a rock and a hard place having bet the house on wind turbines which rely on rare earth metals only available in China.
In an attempt to make our energy secure from the foreign interference of such places as Russia and the Middle East, he has put himself in thrall to the Chinese.
He is now dancing on a string manipulated by his oriental puppet-masters and his soft-shoe shuffle around the visit of the Dalai Lama was wholly predictable.
It is ironic Scotland’s self-proclaimed freedom fighter should be forced to discourage the councils he controls from welcoming the leader of Tibetan independence.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Thank goodness
Sir, – We all know we are in dire straits financially with many jobs ”on the edge”.We are also aware many of our main industries are financed by China.
But do we have to allow ourselves to be blackmailed into abandoning our innate moral sense and long-held beliefs in human rights?
Thank goodness for Dundee’s citizens filling the Caird Hall to show their appreciation for the Dalai Lama.
(Dr) Norma H. Smith.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.