Wednesday, February 22, 2012

22nd of February 2012 - On Your Bike

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

22nd of February 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

ON YOUR BIKE

As a society, we have rightly adopted a harm reduction culture in which we seek to persuade people by law and reason to safeguard their health. Changes in the law have brought about restrictions on smoking and the forthcoming crackdown on alcohol will similarly save many lives. Healthy eating promotion is also playing its part (although the legal route may yet be needed in this respect). And police will stop and prosecute any motorist not wearing a seatbelt or motorcyclist without helmet.

Yet, when it comes to pedal cyclists, little is done to enforce existing safety legislation. Whereas cycle helmets are not a legal requirement, adequate nocturnal front and rear lighting is - as well as obeying traffic signals whilst mounted. Yet, how often does one see cyclists sailing through red traffic lights - if one actually sees them at night without lights?

Is the only reason that police never seem to enforce cycling law a Clarksonesque view that cyclists form the natural prey of the four wheeled avatar and are a species not worth saving? Or is there some other agenda?


John Eoin Douglas

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

15th of February 2012 - Rangers Realism

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

15th of February 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

RANGERS REALISM

Whilst it is always sad to see any business in financial difficulty, I really am surprised at the column inches (not to mention the wailing and gnashing of teeth) devoted to the present problems of Rangers Football Club.

As the club is neither a major employer nor essential to the Scottish or UK economies, one trusts that no public funds will be forthcoming to bail it out.

If Administration is unsuccessful, it may well be that the public interest is best served by liquidating the assets of the company in order to pay HMRC what they are due. Selling Ibrox off for housing development could maximise the exigible proceeds as the absence of football crowds on match days would certainly increase local property values to the benefit of residents and investors alike.

And, once grounds and players are disposed of, there will also be a residual value in the Rangers brand which, if major clubs like Manchester United are not interested, could be sold to another local club like Celtic.

John Eoin Douglas

Monday, February 13, 2012

13th of February 2012 - Lost Marbles

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

13th of February 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

LOST MARBLES

Watching the sad scenes of Athens burning at the hands of its own people, I can only say how glad I am that the Elgin Marbles remain safe in London and have not been returned to such a savage not to mention fiscally irresponsible nation.

I wonder if the price of yet another Euro bailout of Greece could be the transfer of the remaining portion of the Parthenon to London where it could be reunited with that removed by Lord Elgin to the British Museum for safekeeping and the whole rebuilt in the East End after the Olympics have moved on?

John Eoin Douglas

Friday, February 10, 2012

10th of February 2012 - Salmond Must Trump Objection

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

10th of February 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

SALMOND MUST TRUMP OBJECTION

I was astounded to see that Donald Trump is objecting to the possible erection of a "monstrous" windfarm near to his new Aberdeenshire golf course. His claim that our First Minister is “hell-bent on destroying Scotland’s coastline and therefore Scotland itself” reminds me of the remarks made by the many NIMBY locals who unreasonably objected to his golf course in the first place.

Mr Salmond's government was quite right to reject this kind of argument then and should do so in this case where the possible economic benefits far outweigh a few small changes to rather indifferent scenery. Mr Trump's golfing customers are, in any case, likely to keep their eyes on the ball and will be unlikely even to register the distant sight of essential green generating infrastructure designed to benefit all the people of Scotland.

John Eoin Douglas