Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Mary J Sutherland’s letter, Enough is enough (September 25), rightly highlights the seemingly never ending and alarming rises in utility charges.
Frankly, the idea that the basic energy, transport and communication needs of the population is being provided by private companies whose main responsibility is to a group of shareholders is incredulous.
Surely our basic needs should be met with a system which is run by the public, for everyone’s benefit, at a reasonable rate to the consumer?
By definition, the money we pay in tax ”for the improvement of society” should be being used for such as that instead of the questionable military activities and aid our government takes part in, in relation to foreign countries and the obscene amount grasped by the so-called European Union.
I would certainly never advocate a return to the socialist dogma of ”nationalise everything”, but it becomes particularly irksome in the face of the huge profits these companies regularly post.
Indeed, we are subject to a ridiculous con which allows private companies to basically charge what they like from a population that is in effect, a captive audience.
Remember, we all baulked at a similar concept which fleeced basic needs when a well known budget airline suggested they would charge for the use of in-flight lavatory facilities!
Steven C Wiggetts.18 Dover Heights,Dunfermline.
March was a great success
Sir, – The claim by Jack McKeown in his article September 24 that ”the SNP suffered a low turnout” at ”their” independence march is nonsense, for two reasons.
First, it was never ”their” march and, second, the turnout was certainly not ”disappointing” for the organisers, who have already started organising their follow-up demonstration for September 21 next year.
A national Sunday newspaper presented a more balanced view in their editorial, saying: ”The SNP was decidedly cool towards it … there was not one mention of the rally on the SNP’s website … this looks less like an oversight and more like a deliberate snub”
There is a video available on the internet, starting after the front end of the march has passed and watching the rest of the marchers as they pass a single point. It’s quite a long video. Your readers can watch it and judge the numbers for themselves. Like me, they may come to the conclusion the figure of ”5000” attending, which was so widely touted, is a politically-motivated underestimate.
The truth is that the largest demonstration for Scottish independence ever (so far), was organised without the SNP. Alex Salmond waited many months, after being invited to speak, before responding and he only agreed to do so when it became clear the march and rally would be a big event, with, or without, the SNP.
Dave Coull.7 Inglis Court,Edzell.
Turbines a similar ploy?
Sir, – Is St Andrews University using a similar ploy as the Michelin factory in Dundee did to get their turbines? Michelin said they would relocate if they didn’t get their own way. The university is threatening job cuts if they don’t get their own way.
The university together with the rest of us are having to pay increased electricity bills mainly because of the feed-in tariffs paid to landowners and windfarm installers for the installation of these inefficient monstrosities.
They talk about the effects on real jobs and real people what about the effects on the real people who would have to live near these turbines. Do they not count?
I also understand that the survey they are quoting was carried out at Kingsbarns village hall two years ago by a St Andrews student for her PhD.
A poll was conducted of all electors in the community council area which found more than 70% against the project.
Lynne King.Kinaldy House,St Andrews.
Built before Romans came
Sir, – George Donaldson in Did Vesuvius ‘send’ Romans to Scotland (Tuesday, September 25) presented an interesting theory on why the Romans came to Scotland. In his last paragraph, however, he states that the Cleaven Dyke was created as a barrier to protect the port of Perth.
Just a few years ago I attended a guided visit to the Cleaven Dyke as part of Perth’s archaeology week and was told that the idea that the dyke was of Roman construction had been discounted and that it was, in fact, neolithic in origin. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland website gives a carbon date of between 4000-4700 years, ie long before the Romans set foot on British soil.
Malcolm Cameron.1 Oakbank Road,Guildtown,Perth.
Consider use
Sir, – The media and politicians have a duty to consider their use of language and the description of universal benefits as freebies rather diminishes the value they bring to us all.
Iain Anderson.41 West End,St Monans.