Saturday, July 25, 2009

25th of July 2009 - Bad Parking

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX

Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

25th of July 2009

FOR PUBLICATION:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Dear Sir,

BAD PARKING

For many years, I have been astonished at the toleration afforded to bad parking in Gayfield Square adjacent to Edinburgh's busiest police station. Now I know why.

Recently, many previously unmarked vehicles have started to display "Police" signs and it is they who are the worst offenders: parking on corners, parking several feet from the kerb, parking on double yellow lines, double parking, obstructing crossings and many other practices for which the ordinary motorist would quite rightly finish up in court.

The police station has a capacious car park which could be used for these vehicles but it is often virtually empty largely because of the spaces reserved for the private vehicles of senior officers who should really be encouraged to use public transport.

In any case, surely "plain clothes" vehicles should be kept in discreet undercover accommodation? I am informed that members of the criminal fraternity often take a walk around the square in order to note registration numbers which rather defeats the purpose of using unmarked cars.


Sincerely,



John Eoin Douglas

Monday, July 20, 2009

20th of July 2009 - Child Protection

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX

Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com

20th of July 2009

FOR PUBLICATION:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Dear Sir,

CHILD PROTECTION

Following recently criticised moves to require the vetting of adults who merely come into supervised contact with children, it really is time that the government bit the bullet over child protection.

As it is widely acknowledged that the majority of child abuse occurs in the familial home, potential parents should have to obtain full Disclosure certificates for themselves and their immediate circle of relatives and friends before being allowed to parent children. If they attempt to circumvent these procedures, appropriate medical steps could be taken.

Of course, the poor should not have to pay for these certificates, but it would amount to a tax on the middle classes which could be invested to fund further child protection measures. If it saved one child it would be worth it!



Sincerely,



John Eoin Douglas

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

15th of July 2009 - Mission Impossible

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX

Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com

15th of July 2009

FOR PUBLICATION:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Dear Sir,

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

I have long sought the opportunity to make a day trip to Lewis in order to attend Sunday morning worship with one of the many Free Church congregations that adorn the island.

Unfortunately, even though Caledonian Macbrayne are now finally to sail to Stornoway on a Sunday, the arrival of their ship seems to be timed precisely to avoid this sort of tourism. Perhaps this is something that the local council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, may wish to take up with the shipping line in the interests of the local economy?

Sincerely,



John Eoin Douglas