7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/
1st of March 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
MATTER OF BELIEF
Kenny MacAskill says that he didn't urge the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing to drop his appeal to smooth the way for his compassionate release whilst Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi says that he did. They can't both be telling the truth.
Bearing in mind that one of them is a dying man wrongly convicted of mass murder and the other is a respected Scottish politician and upstanding member of the legal profession which secured his conviction, I know who I believe!
John Eoin Douglas
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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
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
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
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
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
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
11th of January 2012 - Camp Benefits
7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/
11th of January 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
CAMP BENEFITS
I really cannot see what the problem is with the "Occupy" camps which have been set up in cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Bristol and Sheffield.
In addition to providing an ever present jolt to the consciences of those behind our economic ills, these encampments have enabled impoverished young people from all over the world to sample the pleasures of city centre living when heretofore they would have been banished to expensive camping sites on the periphery of the city.
Any sensible city woud seek to encourage the social cohesion inherent in these informal tented communities instead of pursuing eviction policies which can only lead to unneccessary violence not to mention the expense of having to house more homeless people in expensive temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.
John Eoin Douglas
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/
11th of January 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
CAMP BENEFITS
I really cannot see what the problem is with the "Occupy" camps which have been set up in cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Bristol and Sheffield.
In addition to providing an ever present jolt to the consciences of those behind our economic ills, these encampments have enabled impoverished young people from all over the world to sample the pleasures of city centre living when heretofore they would have been banished to expensive camping sites on the periphery of the city.
Any sensible city woud seek to encourage the social cohesion inherent in these informal tented communities instead of pursuing eviction policies which can only lead to unneccessary violence not to mention the expense of having to house more homeless people in expensive temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.
John Eoin Douglas
Monday, January 2, 2012
2nd of January 2012 - Police Holiday
7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/
2nd of January 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
POLICE HOLIDAY
I am concerned to see that Greater Manchester Police are financing a free trip to India for a chief superintendent and a family liaison officer in order to meet with the father and family of Anuj Bidve, who was shot in the head in Salford on Boxing Day.
I cannot see that this can in any way assist in carrying out the police duty of bringing the unfortunate Mr Bidve's killer to justice.
If public money is to be spend on foreign travel in connection with the case, it would be much better spent on bringing Mr Bidve's family to the UK. But this move would probably not be popular with those who seek to restrict travel to the UK from the Indian sub-continent.
John Eoin Douglas
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.
2nd of January 2012
Dear Sir/Madam,
POLICE HOLIDAY
I am concerned to see that Greater Manchester Police are financing a free trip to India for a chief superintendent and a family liaison officer in order to meet with the father and family of Anuj Bidve, who was shot in the head in Salford on Boxing Day.
I cannot see that this can in any way assist in carrying out the police duty of bringing the unfortunate Mr Bidve's killer to justice.
If public money is to be spend on foreign travel in connection with the case, it would be much better spent on bringing Mr Bidve's family to the UK. But this move would probably not be popular with those who seek to restrict travel to the UK from the Indian sub-continent.
John Eoin Douglas
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