Today our readers praise young people, discuss American double standards, the release of the Lockerbie bomber, America’s entry into the second world war, and the cancellation of the Grand Scottish Prom.
Give these young folk a huge round of applause Sir,-We hear and read so much about young people causing problems in our society, may I put in a huge word of support for them now?
A few weeks ago we had over 1000 girls Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Young Leaders (and not so young leaders!) at a wonderful centenary party at Glamis. I know the Scouts celebrated their 100th anniversary in similar ways – and that in Angus alone.
Multiply that up in each county and country all over the world and what do you get? Thousands upon thousands of wonderful young people who want to “change the world” for the better.
Let’s give them a huge round of applause and|support them for the next 100 years!
Marjorie Smith.County President, Girlguiding Angus.14 Argyll Street,Brechin.
Double standards
Sir,-Bob Taylor is quite right to question whether American politicians would willingly come to Scotland to attend an inquiry.
I think we can assume that the answer would be ‘no’, given that they have already refused to allow an American pilot to attend an inquest, in the UK, into the death of a British soldier who was killed in a “friendly fire” incident.
The hypocrisy and double standards of American politicians never fails to amaze me.
(Captain) Ian F. McRae.17 Broomwell Gardens,Monikie.
Tam Dalyell would know
Sir,-Tam Dalyell knows more about the Lockerbie trial than any politician, because as an MP he was instrumental in setting up the court in The Hague and sat through all of the evidence.
So when he says that the Scottish Government could not get Megrahi back home soon enough before the facts of the Lockerbie affair were aired in the SCCRC Appeal we should take notice.
Dalyell reckons evidence in the appeal would have led to Megrahi’s release and fatally damaged the reputation of the Scottish justice system and it was to protect that reputation McAskill acted as he did, but whatever the motive for the rather convenient abandonment of Megrahi’s SCCR appeal and the immediate compassionate release that followed this, the fact remains there were numerous reasonable grounds to suggest that the man McAskill released may have been innocent.
This fact must have made the compassionate release decision easier for our justice secretary.
It is just a pity that in order to protect the reputation of the Scottish justice system MacAskill seems reluctant to come out and say that it may have got the verdict wrong in the Lockerbie trial.
In this he follows the example of the late Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, who opined that it was better to have innocent men and women in prison or even hanged than admit that the English criminal justice system had failed.
Of course this view is preposterous and allows the persons who actually committed the crimes to carry on bombing/murdering or whatever. I take the opposite view and think that a sign of a healthy system is the ability to admit and perhaps learn from errors.
Surely justice and the search for truth would be best served by finding a way of hearing the Megrahi|appeal on the grounds identified by the Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission? Or at the very least allow the public access to all of the evidence including that denied by public interest immunity certificates imposed by the London government, or similar secretive pacts with the US administration.
Tom Minogue.94 Victoria Terrace,Dunfermline.
The other way round
Sir,-As an addition to the comments made by Mr Alex Orr (letters, July 23) regarding David Cameron’s almighty gaffe in saying that Britain was a junior partner in the war against Nazi Germany in 1940.
He also claims that it is an indictment of our education system. To keep the record straight I feel I must point out to him that America did not declare war on Nazi Germany, they declared war on Japan.
It was the other way round, Nazi Germany and Italy declared war on the USA on December 11, 1941.
Alister Rankin.23 Whyterose Terrace,Methil,Leven.
Disappointed by lack of prom
Sir,-It is with great disappointment I suddenly find that the annual Grand Scottish Prom has been cancelled. I had just decided to buy my ticket. How could it be that such a successful Scottish event is cancelled?
My first visit in 2009 was nothing short of wonderful. I came from Los Angeles at great expense to see my friend, Scotland’s finest pianist, Murray McLachlan, play and had the most enjoyable time.
A visitor on my own, with blanket, umbrella and wine in tow, I found a spot near the front and was immediately adopted as their guest by two lovely local ladies, Caroline and Anne, who had attended every year of this event and were complete devotees.Everything led to a perfect evening even the weather co-operated. Everything was outstanding the fairytale setting, the music, the wine, the amazing fireworks just overhead, the bagpipes, 20 renditions of Auld Lang Syne holding hands with complete strangers, just everything and my room, which I managed to secure in Forfar at the Queens Hotel.
When a special event such as the Grand Scottish Prom has proved so successful and is loved by a loyal following where locals and people from far and wide come at great expense to be a part of such a delightful evening that is a travesty of management.
Patricia Mace.1835 S. Wooster St.Los Angeles.
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.