This morning our correspondents discuss the bankers, councillors, wind power, Dundee FC and the V&A museum proposals.
Take money creation out of hands of banks Sir, As your reporter David Clegg points out (October 18) interest on the UK national debt will be £42.9 billion this year.
This interest has to be paid to the private banking system, who create our money supply as debt from thin air by mere digital computer entries.
It is this crazy situation, where the bankers are effectively our masters, that needs to be addressed by Messrs Cameron and Clegg.
If the state created our money supply debt free, then this bank profiteering could be eliminated for the good of all.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Voices in the wilderness
Sir, Kinross-shire councillor Michael Barnacle is to be commended for his forthright and pertinent assessment (October 18) of the subjugation of the views of locally elected councillors when decisions pertaining to Kinross and its environs are made by Perth and Kinross Council.
The views of local councillors and the local populace are regularly ignored by other councillors and by officials to the extent that we residents have to wonder what we can do to have our views heard and acted upon.
It has come to the point where many are asking why we even bother to elect councillors when their views are either not respected or included in decisions relating to the town and its surrounding parishes.
It is regularly observed that committee conveners and officials either ignore or discard the views of local representatives. As for the concept of local consultation, that is nothing short of a farce.
G. M. Lindsay.Whinfield Gardens,Kinross.
Slow down dash for wind power
Sir, Your report, Wind farm support rockets in Scotland (October 19), not unreasonably gives publicity to Scottish Renewables’ fixation with wind power.
Of course, everyone supports the principle of renewable energy. But the concentration on wind alone is totally ill-advised.
There is grave concern about the direction being taken by the Scottish Executive and Scottish Renewables.
EU-inspired target dates are so short-term that an established technology (wind power) provides an easy answer to the question of which form of renewable power to adopt. But it is not the right route to take.
Onshore wind farms have low productivity and their power supply is unreliable.
A recent report by the Caithness Windfarm Information Forum shows that for 80% of the time between February and June this year Scotland’s turbines were operating at less than 30% and for almost a third of that time they were operating at less than five per cent of their maximum output.
Scottish Renewables are really just lobbyists for the wind industry. It is not good enough for them to dismiss those opposed to what they are doing as a vocal minority.
The people of Scotland need to be told the facts. In my view the best mix of reliable and sustainable carbon-free power, in order of priority is, nuclear, marine, hydro, wind and solar.
Ranald Noel-Paton.Pitcurran House,Abernethy.
Loyalty can save Dundee FC
Sir, Your editorial about the prospects for Dundee FC was surprisingly negative.
You state that the supporters won’t rally round again after the previous administration but the clan is responding to the call again.
However, I do think that this is the last time that an unaccountable club, owned and controlled by wealthy men who are out of touch with the supporters, can expect to call on our loyalty.
Yes, supporters are disillusioned and they’re sick and tired of the cycle of irresponsibility and failure. But they are not sick and tired of Dundee FC.
They are not sick and tired of fighting for the club. They are not sick and tired of being Dees. They are sick and tired of trusting people who do not deserve the trust and support of good, hard-working, loyal fans.
This time the outcome has to be the supporters taking over and running the club at whatever level they can sustain.
When it comes to the crunch we can forget the publicity junkies, the money men and the dubious “benefactors.” They’ll walk away and let the fans pick up the pieces.
When it comes to the crunch, all we can rely on is the loyalty of the fans. We have still got that and this time we have got to make sure the club is in the hands of the only people we can trust and rely on.
James Christie.2 Dryburgh Crescent,Perth.
Let’s get V&A design correct
Sir, I want to answer the call of Yvonne Leaver (October 19) and wish to join the crusade of trying to get things right this time for our great city of Dundee. I am in agreement with her long list of mistakes made in the past. Our biggest mistake has been trusting the politicians.
Today we have a one-off opportunity to get things right by having the honour of the only Victoria and Albert Museum outside London and this must not be messed up.
Please do not leave it up to the politicians. So far the designs which have been submitted have not impressed anyone and not one of them has any kind of connection with the city of Dundee.
This project will become an important and historic landmark for the city for centuries to come. Time must be taken to get it right.
I also wish to add my full agreement to David Tennant’s letter. I particularly like his excellent idea of using the former Borders bookshop to become the long-overdue Dundee Maritime Museum.
George Gavine.The Veldt,Monikie.
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.