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Wall not Trump’s idea

I ALWAYS enjoy reading Gill Harris’ ‘always has something to say’ and am delighted her latest piece of journalistic witticism doesn’t disappoint, although I think giving her a nickname of ‘cellblock’ was perhaps a tad unkind; ‘bomber’ may be more akin to her character?

What did catch my attention was her comment on President (and no wishful thinking will change the fact he is president) Trump’s wall.

The anti-Trump rhetoric would have us all believe the idea of a wall between America and Mexico is the wish of a man in the mould of Putin.

The truth is less glamorous and, unlike Gill’s quoted barriers, such as the Berlin Wall or the wall dividing the West Bank, the US version is not much of a wall; it is a series of barriers covering 600 miles of the 2,000 mile border consisting of brick walling, fencing and steel bars embedded in concrete.

Other parts of the border are monitored by aircraft and parts are so inhospitable it is not necessary to have a man-made barrier.

But the current barrier was built at the behest of President George W Bush, who signed into law the Secure Fence Act 2006.

His aim, included in the preamble to the Bill, says: “This Bill will help protect the American people. This Bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform.” I don’t recall anyone in this country being offended by the Bush administration’s actions.

Finally, I appreciate clever phraseology but Gill demeans her skills by suggesting different words to Pink Floyd’s famous line from Brick In The Wall. Clearly the Adver considers it to be inappropriate as it declined to print it in full.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Leader’s double talk

THE council leader is poised, one hand selling off\lease\giving away any thing that costs him money, in the other hand his weekly tirade tells us what a lovely job the new Look At Swindon is doing to promote the town.

He doesn’t mention the thousands of pounds he is throwing at Forward Swindon to do the same job.

He doesn’t mention the way his council are going, having secret meetings to maybe sell off the bus company. Perhaps he will tell us how much this is costing tax payers? How much lower is he prepared to go?

before he and his Tory councillors, resign in disgrace?

T REYNOLDS

Wheeler Avenue, Swindon

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Country falling apart

THE Government keeps telling us that we have a growing economy but the opposite seems to be the case

A&E departments are overwhelmed because people cannot see their GP. In Swindon most of the libraries are closing and the council can’t afford to cut the grass and sweep the streets.

The roads have potholes everywhere. Some are so bad only a full resurfacing will put them right.

The Government claims we are the fifth richest country in the world but, from where I am sitting, it looks as though the country is falling apart.

TERRY HAYWARD

Burnham Road, Swindon