On the agenda today: independence, the Christ on a Bike show, AV, thanks from a defeated election candidate, and safe driving around cyclists.
Perils of new European independence model
Sir,-In response to Mr Jim McGugan (May 6) no-one scaremongers about the prospect of independence for Scotland.
Irish independence created a small country, unable to defend itself and with little international influence. No doubt the people are happy, in spite of steady emigration to seek employment elsewhere.
I visit friends in central Europe periodically. They too enjoy their recently gained independence.
Like the Republic of Ireland, their national defence and international influence is limited.
Their doctors earn far less than in our country, as do their teachers, bus drivers, public servants bankers and shop assistants.
The property boom harmed them as well, with speculators buying up property at inflated prices to sell on to wealthy western immigrants.
We independence sceptics are not scaremongering. We are trying to demonstrate and advise, without the benefit of rose-tinted glasses that care must be taken to understand the effects of independence.
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Opinion was no publicity stunt
Sir,-It was unfortunate that the headline over Alan Hinnrich’s letter (May 7) echoed his false claim that my critique of Richard Herring’s comedy show Christ on a Bike was just a publicity stunt.
My comments were made in response to questions from a Courier journalist. They were not a press release, nor a letter, nor do I want publicity over such a matter. I have much better things to do with my time than give publicity to a second-rate comedy show which is struggling to sell tickets.
The fact that I have not seen the show is irrelevant. When asked to comment I looked at the publicity and description put out by Mr Herring himself and that was sufficient. One does not have to have read Mein Kampf to know that it is not exactly a bastion of liberal democracy.
As for the claim that Sons of Korah concert across the road in St Peter’s will attract more people being nothing but “sophistry and spin”, at the time of writing Mr Herring had sold 75 tickets (in a theatre that seats 735). The Sons of Korah had sold 100 plus.
As I said in the interview, it will be interesting to see just how many Dundonians want to mock Christ in the Whitehall Theatre and how many want to praise Him across the road in St Peter’s that same evening.
(Rev) David A. Robertson.St Peter’s Free Church,4 St Peter Street, Dundee.
Unionists may rue AV victory
Sir,-It is deliciously ironic that it is only because our electoral system is based on proportional representation that the major Unionist parties still have any significant representation at Holyrood.
Had we still been using the first-past-the-post system, the SNP majority would have been much greater and Labour and the Tories would have had representation similar to that which the Liberal Democrats or the Greens are now enjoying.
Those who voted to maintain the electoral status quo in the AV referendum may well yet to live to regret that decision come the next General Election.
Murray Duncan.100 Craigie Road,Perth.
Honour and a privilege
Sir,-May I thank the people of north-east Fife for the support and confidence they showed me over the 29 years in which I was elected to serve them, firstly as a councillor and, for the last 12 years, as member of the Scottish Parliament.
It was heartbreaking to see many friends at the count who have worked so hard for me over many years and not least during the last few weeks. We ran an excellent campaign but were swept aside by the tsunami that hit us across Scotland.
I am touched by the many messages of support I have received from them and many members of the public. It has been a privilege and an honour to have been MSP for north-east Fife.
That honour now falls on Rod Campbell and I wish him well, as I do Willie Rennie, the new Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife Region.
Iain Smith.Scottish Liberal Democrats Candidate,North-east Fife.
Disregard by motorists
Sir,-Any motorist who claims to have had to brake harshly (May 7) because of driving round a blind corner and being confronted by a slow-moving vehicle should question their speed, observation and ability.
On the Dundee to Forfar road there are bends and summits which restrict the view of drivers but not that many.
Cyclists using minor roads in the area may need to use short sections of the main road because there is no alternative. Slow farm vehicles also use the road and these provide a much larger obstruction.
As a cyclist, I see a fair number of irresponsible driving overtaking a group of cyclists who are signalling to turn right, driving on the wrong side of the road round blind corners, trying to overtake on a narrow, twisty road or overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic.
Many motorists do not understand that a cyclist is a moving object and it is their responsibility to leave a safe distance when overtaking. If a road is not wide enough to permit passing a parked car when there is oncoming traffic it is not safe to overtake a cyclist.
It is easier to overtake a compact group of cyclists than a long single line because it takes less time, so it is an advantage when cyclists ride two abreast on narrow two-lane roads.
Not riding closer than one metre from the edge of the road is good practice because it deters motorists from trying to squeeze through and leaves a safety margin.
John M. Richmond.12 Shamrock Street,Dundee.
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.