Letters: February 1, 2017

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

Right and wrong

STEVE Thompson and Des Morgan disagree on the relationship between opposing the EU and opposing the science on climate change. Des Morgan is I think right to question a connection. There are reasons for those with progressive views to oppose the EU. It forced the squeezing of Greek workers to bail out banks. It is a conservative pro-business outfit whose rules benefit big business and threaten democracy.

The problem is the only EU opponents whose voices were heard in our media were worse than the EU supporters and were motivated by Utopian fantasies, blaming foreigners for social problems they have nothing to do with and telling each other “I’ve got my country back”.

But there is no sensible reason for denying climate change. Des wrote he “doesn’t believe climate change is solely due to human interference in the environment.” But he also says he is a sceptic (not denier). This belief wouldn’t make Des a sceptic. Natural climate cycles are integral to the measurements and modelling of climate scientists. They show that without the massive additions of greenhouse gases through human activity in recent times the climate would not be warming as it is and indeed it ought to be cooling as a result of those cycles.

Incidentally Noel Gardner showed (Adver letter 25 Jan) what true ignorance of climate science looks like. He sees no difference in our ice age ancestors burning wood (which takes in carbon dioxide when growing) and modern massive additions of carbon to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels.

PETER SMITH

Woodside Avenue, Swindon

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Have some pride

TAKING pride in your neighbourhood helps everyone. We can all do little jobs like picking up waste paper from the street where we live.

Picking up all the odd bits of rubbish left behind after he recycling men have been gives the area a clean and tidy appearance and makes for an improved living environment.

If you have any rubbish from takeaway meals please take it home with you and don’t dump it in the street for someone else to clear up.

Have a pride in your neighbourhood. Make it a better place to live for yourself your family and the children that play in the street where you live.

TERRY HAYWARD

Burnham Road, Swindon

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No worries for Mo

AT the weekend Olympian Mo Farah claimed that he has been made an alien as a result of President Trump’s most recent order to place limited access restrictions on some foreign nationals.

I do not wholly agree with President Trump’s actions, although he did promise them before he was elected, but would advise Mo that nothing done in the past 72 hours has made him an alien.

Just for the record America has always considered an individual who is not a US citizen or US national to be an ‘alien’ and as a British citizen Mo is and always will be (in the eyes of the US an alien).

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Part of the constitution

BILL Williams (Adver, Jan 27) calls the recent Supreme Court decision a ‘judicial farce’ and questions whether any member of the judiciary has ever worked in a factory etc. I, for my part, question whether Mr Williams has ever actually read a court decision without the sensationalist filter of the national tabloid press.

If he had read this particular decision he would have seen that it was entirely concerned with constitutional law and due process, and the judges made great pains to clarify that their decision would not in the slightest block Brexit from happening. You may question the motives of the claimants in bringing the claim, but the separation of powers and independence of our courts is a cornerstone of the British constitution.

The Supreme Court, like in any other case, answered the question that was put in front of it, in accordance with how the law stands. Branding decisions we don’t like a ‘farce’ does a major disservice to this and is quite frankly dangerous – politicised courts are a feature of many an oppressive regime worldwide.

To nail my colours to the mast, I should add that I am a strong Remain supporter, but having actually read the decision, in fact agreed with the dissenting judgment rather than the majority decision. Perhaps Mr Williams could also try reaching his own conclusions every once in a while.

CHRIS DEELEY

Sandwood Close, Sparcells

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It’s about free speech

BILL Williams warns me “to stop making a fool of yourself by your disgraceful and boring attacks on our Queen”. Thus by implication anyone who writes to the Adver an ‘honourable and exciting’ letter on monarchy gets Bill Williams’ seal of approval? (Alas, ‘exciting’ and ‘monarchy’ are not good bedfellows).

Are you forced to read my letters, Mr Williams? Would you like to impose censorship on the letters column so none may upset your delicate nature? I think you truly would.

Is this the same Bill Williams who in 2015 made a string of sexist jokes which female Adver readers found upsetting and highly offensive, obscene even? Kettle black, Mr Williams?

The same Bill Williams who accused critics of the royal family of being “hate-filled” republicans, and when asked for an explanation fell uncharacteristically silent?

And you have the nerve to lecture me.

Just below Mr William’s letter was the paper’s Daily Quote which read: “Speak your Mind, even if your voice hurts.” (Well said, Maggie Smith). Apt, Mr Williams? Or did that quote upset your delicate nature also?

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury, Swindon

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We need convenience

LET us all stop playing games and put our cards on the table. To close toilets in a bus station when one informed writer to these pages informs us that we are a well visited town is madness.

During our family trips to the seaside, we find that during the out of season school holidays the towns, the boat trips, the shops, are all filled with people of a similar bond as I and my wife - retired pensioners who have worked hard all their lives, and make the best of the end game before what lies ahead. So may I deduce that common sense tells me that the majority of Swindon tourists are of the same generation?

The problem about getting to 70 and over in this dimension, if you are lucky enough, is that you are not as young as you used to be. natural functions can sometimes become more regular than anticipated in your youth.

May I make a formal suggestion to the council and our two MPs? Let us close all the toilets at the Civic Offices. Apologies to the regular hard working staff not involved in these ridiculous mandates against human decency and natural functions implemented by their elected peers. Will that make my point?

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham

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Clive will be missed

HOW sad to hear of Clive Carter’s passing. I have known Clive and Sylivia for many many years and often bumped into them both in the supermarket.

Clive loved the letters page and took great delight to see his letters printed. What he wrote about he believed in and cared for. We often swapped stories in between dashing up and down loading the trolley. He will be missed.

JOHN L CROOK

Haydon Wick

Swindon

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Too much freedom

CAN I apologise to all of the readers? It seems that my wife has taken to writing a couple of letters recently. I was completely unaware of this as she has a crayoning book and various puzzle books to keep her occupied.

Obviously that is not enough. I have tried to encourage her to do other things like vacuuming, using the washing machine, some ironing and cooking, but it seems that is not enough. How do other husbands and partners manage to keep control of their other halves?

One day I showed her how I use my iPad and now I find that she has found out how to use it as well and has even purchased one herself. Obviously I have given her too much housekeeping!She sits there building up her ‘city’ on a game she has, ordering food, transporting in somewhere by plane, planting crops, harvesting to feed cows and sheep, shearing the wool etc.

Why do these people create these games that stop my wife carrying out the ‘duties’ I mentioned?

I love my wife dearly and wouldn’t change her for the world but she has too much freedom now. She will be wanting to come on holiday with me next.

CHRIS GLEED

Proud Close, Purton