PLEASE keep your letters to 250 words maximum giving your name, address and daytime telephone number - even on emails. Email: letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Write: Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Phone: 01793 501806.

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

A catch to catchphrases

Catchphrases are clever. Clever but not the whole picture. There are those who repeat them parrot-like, in order to win a debate. Take Janet Woodham, who constantly repeats catchphrases originating from where (or their motives) she neither knows nor cares. A woman with not one original thought in her head.

“Women must have control over their bodies.” Or “Freedom of choice- a basic right!”

Two examples.

In one of the most successful (but deceitful) marketing campaigns in modern history, the abortion rights movement, with all its emotionally compelling catchphrases, has succeeded in turning what was once a crime into a fiercely defended right.

In marketing wars, the party that frames the terms of the debate almost always wins.

And the early abortion marketeers succeeded in doing exactly that - diverting attention from the core issues of exactly what abortion does to both the unborn child and the mother, and focusing the debate instead on a newly created issue: choice.

No longer was the morality of killing the unborn at issue, but rather,“who decides.”

Unwanted children end up in the hospitals’ garbage disposal; pet dogs put down get a better exit, at least they aren’t torn apart limb by limb, or decapitated.

The marketing of evil.

What does the author of life say? Jeramiah 1: 15 - “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

A child has been created and no mortal has the right to destroy it.

Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes death for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as for someone who commits murder.

“Vengeance is mine” saith the Lord, “and I will repay”.

Jeff Adams, Bloomsbury, Swindon

A waste of time

I’m afraid I agree with Janet Woodham (Mon 18th) about the billions of people on this planet who waste their time worshipping imaginary gods and goddesses, people who live their entire lives by a set of ridiculous rules made up by other men to keep the vast majority of the population in some countries subdued. People who would gladly kill or die for something that clearly doesn’t exist. People who have absolutely no tolerance for anyone who doesn’t believe in their fictional friend up above. People who think wafting a bit of holy smoke in a church or kneeling and praying dozens of times a week or singing dreary hymns in a church will make the slightest difference to the world or their lives.

Religion has destroyed millions of lives over the centuries. How many more have to die until these people feel their ‘god’ has been appeased?

And until anyone can explain why part of ‘god’s plan’ is to give babies brain cancer or why god stands by whilst famine, drought, floods and earthquakes kill millions every year then I’m afraid the proof of ‘his’ or ‘her’ existence is zero.

Roger Lack, North Swindon

Raising awareness

The 1st July will see the 2nd Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Day and I am writing to help raise awareness of this rare brain tumour that affects only around two in 100,000 people in the UK.

You may not have heard of an Acoustic Neuroma, it’s a tumour that grows on the acoustic nerve behind the inner ear. It can take a long time to get a diagnosis as the only way to confirm its presence is by MRI scan. People may begin to suffer from tinnitus, notice their hearing is deteriorating or their balance may be causing an issue, some people have even been accused of being drunk!

Other side effects that can develop is single sided deafness, facial weakness/palsy, fatigue, vertigo, headache and anxiety.

For many people the only option is surgery; this is major intracranial surgery and can take a number of hours to perform, for others it may be stereotactic radiosurgery - delivered in one treatment or several smaller sessions. Finally, wait, watch, re-scan where the tumour is monitored.

We belong to a small national charity called the British Acoustic Neuroma Association or BANA for short. Thanks to this charity we can be put in touch and meet up with others and find out more information about Acoustic Neuroma, check them out at www.bana-uk.com.

On the 1st July we will be flying the flag for BANA and for those diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma - please wear blue for BANA and show your support.

Thank you.

Les Carter, Richmond Road, Swindon

How much will it cost?

I note that Angus Mcpherson is busy recruiting a “Deputy” Crime Commisioner to assist him in his role.

Perhaps if he doesn’t consider himself competent to fulfil the role in person he should consider stepping down and letting somebody with a better grasp undertake the role. An observation at the forefront of my mind since he allowed our gladly departed Chief Constable to waste £1.5m on an investigation into Ted Heath. An investigation which had already been discredited by the Met Police.

In a time of stretched Police Budget, wasting that much money was deplorable so the question has to be asked, what is a Deputy Crime Commsioner going to cost the county? Surely a figure of around £100,000 has to spring to mind. Please feel free to correct me.

And so how many “beat bobbies” will be lost to cover that? How many burglaries not attended? Shoplifters not apprehended?

The Crime Commisioner is an elected role. Elected after a proper and full round of canvassing and promulgation of agendas. Elected by the voters of the county.

So if there is to be a Deputy Commisioner, shouldn’t that person also be chosen by a free and fair election. Chosen by the people. The leader of the Council, both Swindon and Wiltshire, is in post by virtue of an election, but then so are their deputies.

Why does our Crime Commisioner think that normal rules don’t apply to him? Are we heading for a police state?

Just who is supposed to be reining in this empire building?

Nigel Hole, Thornhill Road, South Marston