Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – After watching successive First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament, I am appalled by the strident, vicious inanities, boorish rudeness and leaden humour of the leader of the opposition.
Whatever the pros and cons of what the First Minister said or did not say and however culpable or not he may be, surely the level of debate in our parliament does not have to descend to the level of the fishwife?
Was this not the parliament that began with such high expectations? The parliament the late Donald Dewar said would not be like the bear pit of Westminster, but would be an area of calm, reasoned and civilised debate?
Oh, Donald, you must be right proud of your successors!
In a time of international crisis, monumental change in the potential governance of Scotland and widespread economic and social problems, must our representatives waste their time in childish name calling?
I for one am not impressed and have no confidence in and will certainly not vote for someone who continues to behave like a lout.
David Morrison.Panmure Road,Monikie.
It’s time to put children first
Sir, – Re the situation regarding Madras College. A car park is more important than the education and well-being of our children. A green field is more important than the education and well-being of our children. An iconic view is more important than the education and well-being of our children.
The custodians of an internationally renowned reputation for education who purport to value education above anything else, the powers that be at St Andrews University, elevate petulance and financial nit-picking above the education and well-being of our children.
Why did the North Haugh negotiations fail anyway?
The custodians of democracy in North East Fife, the powers that be at Fife Council, elevate petulance and financial nit-picking above the education and well-being of our children.
Some of our elected representatives promote their personal political agendas and egos, brazenly ignoring the results of the consultation and views of their constituents, clearly believing that they are more important than the education and well-being of our children, otherwise, why would they be condemning our children to the prospect of a horrendous decant and sub-optimal solution?
A warning to parents in the Taybridgehead area if you want to avoid sleepwalking into a solution that does not meet the needs of the area’s children I suggest you make your voices heard before it’s too late.
Isn’t it time the education and well-being of our children came first?
Lisa Williams.82 Crosshill Terrace,Wormit.
New opening for jute?
Sir, – Fit-for-purpose sandbags should be available during periods of nationwide flooding. While polypropylene bags may be cheaper than natural-fibre (jute/sisal) bags, they are prone to slippage and spillage due to being easily ruptured.
In addition, most polypropylene bags are non-biodegradable and therefore cannot be left in situ, whereas bags/sacks manufactured from natural-fibres are fully biodegradable.
Perhaps some imaginative entrepreneur can come up with a small Dundee jute mill project?
To include the preparatory side of manufacturing may be asking too much, but there seems little reason why high-speed weaving and making (sewing/stitching) should not be considered.
A project of this nature could also help to alleviate unemployment problems.
Kenneth Miln.22 Fothringham Drive,Monifieth.
Needs to alter her view
Sir, – Re the statement on pay differentials from Labour councillor Lesley Brennan in your article, Dundee workers on lower wages (November 26), I have noticed over the past few months that she always seems to veer towards gender issues that only seem to affect women.
I think she needs to take off those tinted spectacles and view the real world as it affects everyone be it a woman or man, old or young, able bodied or disabled.
I also note with interest that Dundee Labour seems to have moved away from traditional working class representatives and now favours private sector economists such as Cllr Brennan who work in the south of England.
How times have changed. Not very representative of the median Dundee woman who earns £19,740.
Mick Streets.14S Peter Street,Dundee.
They think they know best
Sir, – I note that a prominent trade union leader is expressing a degree of concern about the additional levels of bureaucracy which may exist when the national police force comes into effect next April.
Many people, including members of the public, have been expressing concern since the plan was first suggested.
Like so many features nowadays we are dictated to by politicians who all think they know better, that is until it is too late to reverse the situation, which is the position we are now in as far as the police force is concerned.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.