Among the subjects on the agenda today are: broken homes and children’s education, a suggestion for a recipient of a freedom of Fife award, and the Pope’s visit.
Broken homes threaten children’s education
Sir,-While I agree wholeheartedly with the Dundee City Council spokesman (September 17) who wants to address the gap that exists between some pupils and schools in Dundee, I think it is somewhat living in fantasy land to suggest that “young people living in Dundee should be able to benefit from an education that will prepare them for life outside school, no matter what their home circumstances are.”
This is an unrealistic target that places far too much onus on teachers and schools and fails to recognise the importance of the home and of economic circumstances.
The fact is that a child who grows up in an unstable or broken home is far less likely to be prepared, no matter what the school.
Now that our state Christian schools are (with the exception of the Catholic schools) increasingly pushing Christianity out and replacing it with a secular humanist philosophy, it is even more unlikely that they will be able to offer all children an equal chance.
As a society we must not neglect our schools but we must also realise that the problem goes far deeper and that it will take more than the education department to prepare people for life.
David A. Robertson.St Peter’s Free Church,4 St Peter Street,Dundee.
Give Fife honour to James Black
Sir,-Your article (September 18) suggesting that councillors may be split on a possible freedom of Fife award for Gordon Brown MP could hardly be described as surprising.
The surprising thing to me is that Brown should be considered to have “rendered eminent service to Fife” (the criteria for the honour) in the first place.
Surely a more deserving recipient for the freeman honour (albeit posthumously) than the controversial Brown would be the late Sir James Black, holder of the Order of Merit.
It seems wrong to me that this Nobel Award winner who was brought up and educated in Cowdenbeath he was called the father of analytical pharmacology and was said to have relieved more human suffering than thousands of doctors could have done in careers spent at the bedside was ignored by his peers while Gordon Brown, who could be said to have helped to cause more suffering to Iraqi civilians than Saddam Hussein, is considered as meriting consideration for honours.
The outside world will look on in amazement if we honour Brown and ignore Black.
Tom Minogue.94 Victoria Terrace,Dunfermline.
Strength in numbers
Sir,-Being neither deeply religious or against religion, I followed the Pope’s visit with interest and most wondered why that was.
There was a time when the Pope would have been as welcome to the shores of Britain as a plague.
Though the Church of England had some similarities to the Church of Rome, the Church of Scotland and several other religions did not fancy the Catholic religion one little bit.
At one time the public face of this feeling was illustrated by hate songs emanating from football terracings but there was a huge silent section of the public who shared those feelings but didn’t express them openly.
So what has changed over the years?
Why do other religions now happily embrace a visit from the Pope?
Then a possible answer came to me. History proves that if a couple of top-level organisations see an even bigger or more threatening one trying to take over, they join forces to defend their positions.
They might dislike, even hate, one another but survival becomes the key for them.
In this case could the threat to Christianity be a Muslim one?
Whereas, at one time, there was a small Muslim population west of the Middle East, there is now a big number of people in Britain and Europe who embrace that faith.
Ian Wheeler.Springfield,Cupar.
Cat owners must ring changes
Sir,-In response to Clark Cross (September 18), I agree it is disastrous how many birds are killed by cats.
I am a bird lover and have my own aviary, however, it is a sad fact of life that it is in cats’ nature to do this. I do not think it is fair that cat owners should not allow their cats freedom, however, it would help if owners would put cat bells round their necks as this should frighten off birds.
We have several cats in our area and not one wears a bell. I seem to remember a lot more cats having bells in the old days.
It will not eradicate the problem but I am sure it would save a lot of birds.
Sam Graves.10 Strathisla Road,West Ferry,Dundee.
Keep pets on leads
Sir,-Clark Cross (September 18) illustrates the extent of the threat posed by cats to wild birds.
Cats enjoy the freedom to indulge their killer instincts. They are natural predators operating in domestic world where threats to their own safety are minimised.
Surely the answer must be for cat owners to keep their pets on leads or confined to their own property.
If they cannot do this, then perhaps they should consider keeping a dog.
Robert Anderson.Kirkton,Arbroath.
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.