Sir, – I have every sympathy for your correspondent Ms Ford, Nasty parking surprise in Perth (May 23).
The car park appears to be managed by a company that describes itself as a world leader in the industry.
However, parking in Kinnoull Street car park is anything but smart and does Perth no favours.
As frequent visitors to Perth but never having used Kinnoull Street before, we thought we would try it on Friday.
Driving in and parking on the lowest level we saw no instructions as to how the system worked.
There were no tickets displayed on any cars already parked.
At the end of the floor we saw a tariff of charges but no clue as to how or where to pay.
A machine which may have been a ticket dispenser was covered up, implying it was out of order.
Another couple who arrived just before us were similarly confused.
Eventually, someone who knew the process parked up and was able to tell us that there was a ticket machine at the pedestrian exit/entrance.
I paid for two hours but for all its advanced technology it was not able to give me my change.
We returned before the two hours were up so I don’t expect to receive a demand for more money.
However, if I do, I won’t be paying and I’d be delighted if the parking company were to take me to court.
Will we visit Perth again?
We probably will but this experience is a major disincentive.
The parking company have been “transforming the parking experience” according to their website.
That much, at least, is true.
I sincerely hope Perth and Kinross Council do not extend the firm’s contract to any other car park and I hope they terminate their Kinnoull Street one as soon as possible.
Chris Anderson. 29 Osnaburgh Court, Dairsie.
Professionalism of fire service
Sir, – We write in praise of the fire service who came to the aid of our dog, Lucy after she slid down a 30-feet river bank.
Firefighters were quick to arrive and established a plan of how to rescue her.
Two went down the bank on the opposite side of the river and used a heat-sensing camera to locate her body signature.
Lucy was found safe and in one piece.
It was a relief that they arrived together in one piece. Lucy, while a little stressed by the ordeal, was very happy to get to the top.
Everybody assumes that when you see fire engines speeding along that they are attending a fire or an accident.
Our experience showed that when a team of professional people work together they can change an impossible position into a positive outcome.
Helen and Bob Brawn. Bridge of Cally Post Office.
Tyranny of Christianity
Sir, – In response to Gordon Kennedy’s letter (May 25) concerning the alleged “persecution” of Christians in this country, may I just retort that anyone calling themselves a Christian ought to be an authority on the subject of persecution.
Has Mr Kennedy conveniently forgotten about the thousand years of tyranny, oppression, torture, genocide and slavery that the Christian church inflicted on the world?
As faiths go, Christianity has more to answer for than every other religion combined in terms of discrimination and persecution.
It is interesting to note that as a Christian, Mr Kennedy has “no sympathy whatsoever” for the victims of discrimination in a recent case.
How very Christian of you Mr Kennedy.
Colin Johnston. Newmill Cottage, By Eassie, Forfar.
Victory for common sense
Sir, – I rejoice with the Republic of Ireland in having won a huge majority for marriage equality.
The mainly religious opponents of this change should consider what the Bible actually says about marriage.
Jesus says nothing at all. All the anti-gay stuff is in the 3000-year-old Old Testament which explains how Abraham was married to his sister and that a rapist is duty-bound to marry his victim.
Marriage has changed many times over the years.
Remember the old law that protected a wife from being beaten by a stick no thicker than her husband’s thumb?
To my mind, marriage is a monogamous, romantic relationship between two consenting adults and the ad absurdum argument that gay equality will lead to polygamous marriage is not in the same ball park.
Neil Barber. Saughtonhall Drive, Edinburgh.
Atheists have poor record
Sir, – Contrary to Alister Rankin (May 22) I agree with the concerns of David Robertson over the publication entitled The Young Atheist’s Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life Without God, aimed at secondary schools, which Mr Robertson exposes as indoctrination.
The clue is in the title. Let me ask which atheistic group defines this good life.
Is it Russian communists who followed Joseph Stalin?
Or the present government of North Korea?
Or is it the atheists in present-day Scotland who embrace the morals of the 21st century which conflict even with those of a generation ago?
Whichever group they select, I would rather believe the unchanging truth of the Bible.
And if we are honest, our consciences confirm that no one is good but God. So when God takes first place, not only our deeds, but, more importantly, even our motives, are honourable.May I submit that this would be the way for living a good life.
Stuart Wishart. 12 Walnut Grove, Blairgowrie.
Leaks deserve close scrutiny
Sir, – I trust the media will not allow the revelations of Submariner W. McNeilly to fade into the background.
It is difficult to have a lot of faith in a Royal Navy that failed comprehensively in the Cod Wars and then compounded the felony by trying to sail a submarine under Skye.
Unfortunately, theTrident issue ispotentially an unimaginable disaster, and, if even 1% of Submariner McNeilly’s allegations are true, this deserves the closest scrutiny,from the highest possible level.
Joseph G Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
Different kinds of austerity
Sir, – Thinking about Conservative austerity I am disappointed by the attitude so many are taking to this.
New cars everywhere, trolleys in supermarkets overflowing with luxury items in addition to basic foodstuffs.
Retailers around the country are selling clothes and electronic gadgets as fast as they can be imported.
This is highly irresponsible behaviour.
When I was much younger, I ate rationed meat once a week, wore home-made and cast-off clothing, was always hungry, usually cold and did not know what sugar or sweets were.
But these were trivial inconveniences to help economic recovery at the time.
At least I was still alive.
That must have been the old austerity.
I much prefer the new austerity.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Wars damaged living standards
Sir, – Capturing the ancient city of Palmyra and valuable nearby gas fields was just part of the gains of ISIS across Syria, which have now reached the point that the “caliphate” includes more than half of Syria’s territory.
Indeed, ISIS seems to be making gains across both Syria and Iraq.
They have taken the major Iraqi city of Ramadi and have seized the al-Waleed border crossing.
This is the last crossing between Iraq and Syria that they did not already hold.
This means that effectively Syria does not have a common border with Iraq anymore and, with similar losses to al-Qaeda further south, does not have much of a border left with Jordan either.
Though the Assad government in Syria has repeatedly downplayed the recent gains of ISIS and al-Qaeda as relatively inconsequential, the fact that they have lost well over half of the country now underscores just how poorly the war is going for that country’s government.
Asssad’s government is now watching its territory rapidly shrink into the a small pocket of land around the capital Damascus and the Lebanese border.
The rise of ISIS can be put down to the utter stupidity of former prime minister Tony Blair and our current leader, David Cameron.
The Westminster Government has squandered billions of pounds of our money on wars that the United Kingdom has lost.
In the meantime, the economy and living standards in this country have declined as a direct result of these foreign excursions.
The neoconservative warmongers responsible for this disaster still control both main United Kingdom political parties.
These crazed warmongers are driving the UK towards its final defeat.
Alan Hinnrichs. 2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.
MP should stand down
Sir, – Comments by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie that under-fire Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael be given a second chance show just far out of touch the Liberals are with the electorate.
I am all for people getting a second chance but I do feel Willie Rennie is wide of the mark on this occasion.
He should have encouraged him to stand down, bringing about a byelection. By then standing again,he can let the people in his constituency decide.
Doing it this way will be what the Liberals advocate, returning power to the people.
George Douglas. 11 Scotscraig Place, Kirkcaldy.