Sir, David Cameron has vowed he will “put the heat” on the likes of Google and web firms to force them to ban child abuse websites.
Mr Cameron added: “The world has changed so fundamentally with the internet that we’ve got real threats there to our children and the appalling scourge of child pornography. We’ve got to take a lot of action.”
What I can’t understand is how our politicians have allowed this to happen for so long.
I understand that the people who produce these vile programmes have them graded from one to five. Who are they?
I would like it to be published for the general public’s interest just what it is they term grade one? I shudder to think what grade five would be.
We can only hope that these are not empty words from Mr Cameron and the all politicians from all parties unite and ban forever the child abuse websites.
It would be a fitting memorial for the family of young April Jones that her death will not have been in vain.
John Connor. 10 David Henderson Ct, Dunfermline.
We should stay out of Syria
Sir, It is not often that I agree with Alan Hinnrichs (Letters, June 18), but I agree that we should not be intervening in Syria’s present problems in any way.
Look what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan after our costly interventions.
Surely we should be sorting out our own country. We cannot afford to wage war on anyone when we are almost hopelessly in debt. After all, charity begins at home.
Isabel Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road, Perth.
Bring life back to our streets
Sir, Evermore our High Streets are becoming a window-shoppers desert of empty shops. Traffic or tumbleweed is the stark choice for many of our town councils.
They must surely see the folly of retaining pedestrian zones in these hard times.
Bring life back to “the half forgotten streets, the muttering retreats” and open up our town centres before it is too late. In these non-ambulant days life is where the cars are. Shops beckon from the driver’s seat if they are presented close by, so much so, that having been seen, a desire to return on foot from a distant car park is imparted to a potential customer.
Some dusts, if allowed to settle, never rise. Let a free flow of traffic blow it away!
Leslie Milligan. 18b Myrtlehall Gardens, Dundee.
Unnecessary expense
Sir, Historically, struggles for independence have been against ruling systems that denied democracy to their subjects. We have long enjoyed democracy. Our voices are heard, our votes count, hence our devolved parliament. Why then the need for a separate Scotland?
In these hard economic times why embark on such irresponsibly expensive nonsense when even if the vote is for separation, our democracy will not improve.
Indeed if the imposition of new domicile and age voting rules for the referendum are an example of things to come, we may well have less democracy under “independence”. A pig in a poke comes to mind.
Again, in a recent letter much was made of sleaze in the UK parliament. But will not independent Scots MPs be just as human as British MPs? Even if we put all MPs into moral straitjackets, human nature will out. Scots are not immune.
Andrew Lawson. 9 MacLaren Gardens, Dundee.
What about the old die-hards?
Sir, As an ageing hippy/rocker (52 at the last count) and having been at T in the Park as a weekend camper for the past 15 years in a row, seeing it out each time through thick and thin, come hell or high water, I feel I speak with the voice of experience.
In the last decade and a half I’ve seen, in my opinion, some of the great world acts in Oasis, Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Killers, Foo Fighters, The Who, James Brown, Amy Winehouse and many others. You name them . . .
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the majority of comments about it turning “soft” and turning into a “pop fest” for a younger generation. Such a shame. Especially on this 20th anniversary. Come on, Geoff, give us older die-hard rockers something special to look forward to.
George Heron. Fyal Farm Cottage, Alyth.
Await comment with interest
Sir, I refer to your recent report regarding Perth and Kinross Council’s failure to adhere to the corporate rules and procedures relating to gifts and hospitality.
I eagerly await a comment from Councillor Alexander Stewart who, I believe, is paid a salary of a whopping £20000 for taking charge of scrutiny within the council on the subject.
After all, Mr Stewart is never usually slow to promote himself on any other subject which will grant him publicity.
D S Stewart. 48 Durleydene Crescent, Bridge of Earn.