The Courier letters week ends with discussion of a Perthshire court case, population controls, minimum alcohol pricing, and threats of an away games boycott by Dundee FC fans.
Parents must teach children respect
Sir,-With reference to Lynne Donnelly, the Perth woman who snapped after being targeted by teenage vandals (November 3), I was shocked to read about the £600 fine she received. It just goes to show the kind of nanny state we live in today.
I have a teenage son who was brought up with a firm hand and learned to respect what he has got and all around him.
I am in my early forties and grew up in a village. I got up to some high jinks but, when caught, a swift kick in the backside was delivered and then I was marched up to my house where another punishment was handed out.
This stood me in good stead to learn to respect people and property.
I think if the parents had played a more responsible role in the upbringing of the teenagers involved, this may not have happened.
Dave Rennie.19 Rossie Island Road,Montrose.
What punishment for provocateurs?
Sir,-The lady who was fined for so-called abuse towards the young yob who smashed the glass or plastic panel at her home (November 3) did go a little over the top.
But let’s be blunt who could blame her?
The court were so anxious to fine her £600 but what about the damage to her home which has to be paid for?
Did the court take any action against the youngster or his parents? No. They were too busy fining the lady and her husband for verbal abuse.
J. Cruickshank.Meadow Drive,Inchture.
Population boom threat
Sir,-Bravo to Dr John Cameron for criticising the handing out of benefits to those whose only goal in life seems to be to breed (November 3).
Part of the problem is that excessive fecundity is not seen as the selfish and anti-social behaviour it is.
Thus, European politicians, instead of welcoming declining birth rates in an overpopulated world, call for incentives for people to have more babies.
This would burden an already crowded planet with yet more consumers of finite resources and producers of waste.
Having more than two children per couple should be condemned.
(Dr) Stephen Moreton.33 Marina Avenue,Great Sankey,Warrington.
Drink policy bid self-defeating
Sir,-I write in response to Councillor Rod Wallace’s abortive proposal to introduce a local 50p per unit cap on alcohol sales.
I visit the city’s licensed premises and am well aware that the current minimum prices obtainable in any Dundee licensed premises are £1.40 per pint, £1 per 330ml bottle and 69p per spirit measure.
One would assume that Councillor Wallace would be aware of these facts. He clearly is not.
Under his proposals, the above mentioned drinks could be sold at approximately £1 per pint, 75p per bottle and 50p per measure respectively considerably under their present price all with the legal sanction of the council.
Quite how this will significantly reduce binge drinking leaves me rather mystified.
Cardean Ross.66 Seagate,Dundee.
Get behind Dundee FC
Sir,-A proposal by some Dundee supporters to boycott away matches for the rest of the season reminds me a bit of military scorched-earth policies (November 4).
Lose a war and then, in retreat, try to destroy everything your opponents might benefit from.
The Scottish Football League’s 25-point deduction penalty might seem harsh, but, in the situation the club has created for itself, a soft rebuke would not be appropriate.
Football fans deserve to see the highest standards of management. When these standards fall well short of expectations, the SFL is entitled to take harsh punitive action.
If the club is to recover, it will need encouragement at both home and away games.
If there is a reason for a fan to go to an away game at all, it should be to try to be a 12th man to help the team in a hostile situation.
Why do some Dundee fans think that, by staying away, they will help their team?
Maybe they think it is not their role to subsidise other clubs but that is the wrong attitude. Relegation may be difficult to avoid now but it is not impossible that they might do it.
Restoring the reputation of the club needs to start in the home stands at Dens Park and away stands and terracings throughout the country.
That way Dundee can help themselves and the game at a time when all clubs are struggling to make ends meet.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
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