Sir, I wonder how many other Fifers besides myself are becoming fed up with Gordon Brown’s much publicised moaning about radioactive pollution on land at Dalgety Bay.
As I understand it, his rant is aimed at SEPA, the Westminster Coalition and the Scottish Government, but he delays taking his attack any further at this stage arguing, in his words, “we need, as a matter of urgency, SEPA to name the polluter” (Courier June 13).
As a Fifer himself, Gordon Brown must be aware that when the first developments began at Dalgety Bay it was common knowledge that radiation hotspots had been identified in the area.
If my memory is correct, even then it was already argued that the source was luminous parts of aircraft control panels dumped near the foreshore.
This controversy has surfaced many times since the first fears arose, but why should Gordon Brown now be asking why nothing has been done?
Labour was in power at Westminster in the immediate post-war period when Donibristle ceased being a military airfield and have been in power for substantial periods since. Indeed, when Gordon was briefly Prime Minister, he had access to all matters about which he is now asking for information. What is his game?
The words “band wagon” and “jumping on” spring to mind, but perhaps “flogging a dead horse” would be more politically correct.
David D Wood. Old Lathrisk, Freuchie.
Young want more facts
Sir, Whilst a recent survey indicated that a majority of young people who will be voting for the first time in next year’s referendum would not vote for independence, it was also indicated that some 80% of these young voters would like to have more hard facts on what would happen in the case of independence becoming a reality.
This simply will not happen, but there will be a lot of claims made about a more prosperous and fairer Scotland. Unfortunately, these will not be based on facts but rather on optimistic opinions and selective statistics.
I watched the recent Question Time from Edinburgh where the audience was made up of young first-time voters. I doubt if anyone could seriously dispute the fact that George Galloway was by far the most effective speaker, whilst both Nigel Farage and Ruth Davidson made some telling points.
Anas Sarwar seemed rather subdued, whilst Angus Robertson displayed the all-to-familiar SNP tactics of carrying a large chip on his shoulder. The least convincing of all was Lesley Riddoch who sent out unclear and confusing messages throughout.
Bill Watson. 17 Seaview Avenue, Seaton Estate, Arbroath.
They broke the law of the land
Sir, John Cameron says it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, race or sexual orientation so why does he feel it necessary to tell us that a particular minister is English? A compliment perhaps? (Letters, June 19.)
“A national church can hardly refuse to obey the law of the land,” he says. Thank God for the first-century martyrs who broke the law of their land by refusing to say that “Caesar is lord”, and the Covenanters of our own country and the myriad Christians through the ages who have “joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property” (not just their manses and pensions) for their faithfulness to God’s word.
Would we have a church at all, never mind a national one, if they had compromised?
When he stood accused before the lawmakers of his day, the apostle Peter’s defence was to state that: “We must obey God rather than men.” That point is the little “theological topic” which is tipping the so-called “semi-detached” churches over the edge.
Peter Donald. 1 Fergus Square, Arbroath.
Scotland can take advantage
Sir, I can only assume the reason The Courier keeps printing the shallow and reactionary nonsense Mr Cross sends in is because it chimes so well with its own ideological stance.
It’s hardy worth refuting his trite and selective overgeneralisations that’s not to say there are not issues to discuss.
I would just say that a) energy security may become more critical, hence renewables carry added value; and b) as the world, not just Scotland, moves to embrace renewables which is happening before our eyes then like North Sea oil before it, it makes great sense to try to be in the vanguard.
Here in depressed Levenmouth, new jobs related to building for offshore wind fields are steadily being added. Most of these are on a site (Energy Park) which once employed thousands for firstly coal mining and then, more briefly, offshore oil fabrication.
Flat-earthers will resist new technology and industrial processes, but little Scotland, with its own natural resources, can take good advantage
(Dr) Allen Armstrong. 28 Viewforth, Buckhaven.