Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Andrew Arbuckle’s attempt to blame planners at Fife Council for Newburgh Community Trust’s failed plan for three huge wind turbines is ludicrous.
He claims that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was objective in concluding that three 100m turbines erected on the summit of a hill in a Special Landscape Area and overshadowing a conservation village would result in no impacts.
This flawed conclusion, repeated by NCT on their website and in flyers delivered to every home, has failed to fool the vast majority of residents, planners and councillors.
Mr Arbuckle’s claim that ”the detrimental impact on visual amenity has been overestimated, since the overwhelming majority of the community are in favour” is absurd.
The visual impacts of such a damaging proposal cannot be mitigated by any perceived level of public support.
Even if every resident favoured the proposal it would still be an eyesore!
For an objective view I trust the opinion of experts at Scottish Natural Heritage who raised serious concerns relating to landscape damage with NCT at the very outset of this project in April 2009.
David White.Thanecroft,Newburgh.
Hard work is a necessity, say winners
Sir, – Your sports editor made some excellent points in his column, Andy Murray one of a kind (September 17). However, I would not agree completely with his assertion that: ”Even if you trod the same development path as (Andy Murray) … you would have to have the sort of talent that only one in a few million are blessed with.”
While talent is part of the winner’s mix, it is not a complete explanation and indeed is somewhat dangerous if it leads some people to believe that their ability to excel depends on innate qualities.
On the contrary, what research shows is that the factor which explains the most about great performance is ”deliberate practice”.
Andy Murray himself alluded to this in his comments after winning the US Open when he said: ”I have kept improving. I have worked hard all the time, even after the tough losses.”
Victoria Pendleton said much the same after the Olympics: ”If you’re willing to work, you can be better, you can be the best, there’s nothing stopping you.”
Mo Farah was equally clear when asked after his 5000m gold medal win what the secret of his success was. He replied: ”It’s all hard work and grafting. It’s been a long journey grafting and grafting, but anything is possible.”
So, while Andy Murray’s triumph and Celtic’s 1967 European Cup success are indeed exceptional Scottish sporting successes, let us not discount the prospect of other magnificent feats from those who are prepared to work harder than the competition.
Graham Watson.Chief executive,Positive Leadership Limited,Ogilvie House,Earlsferry.
Real reason for independence
Sir, – I have now found the main reason for Scotland going down the road leading to independence.
Never mind whether or not we can get into the European Union or whether we can actually afford it, the main reason is that as a self-contained independent Scotland we will be able to deport the Naked Rambler and get shot of him once and for all.
Ian Wilson.10 Ardownie Street,Monifieth.
Making a fool of legal system
Sir, – The continual breaches of the law by the so-called Naked Rambler is now past a joke as he is simply making a complete fool of the legal system.
It is all about his rights, but what about the rights of others?
The simple solution would have been to take him down to the border after all, he is from south of that and dump him there. The English legal system could then have taken over.
The cost of the trials have been an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Demeaning all of us
Sir, – I agree with Bernard Boase when he argues that ”we need a better understanding of what it means to be tolerant” (Naked Rambler debate, Courier, September 17). Tolerance is always helped when knowledge rather than prejudice or ignorance is used.
I would point out, therefore, that Calvinists and Presbyterians have never regarded the human body as foul and disgusting, indeed the very opposite. We view it as special and sacred and therefore to be treated with great respect.
The self-styled Naked Rambler rather than exalting the human body is demeaning and degrading all of us.
Humans are much more than naked animals, therefore expecting us to behave in a respectful manner is the very least we can look for in a civilised society.
David A. Robertson.Solas CPC,St Peter’s Free Church,4 St Peter Street,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.