26th of August 2014 - Sail Away

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

26th of August 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

SAIL AWAY

I am surprised that First Minister Salmond thinks an independent Scotland would take over five years to get rid of nuclear submarines.

 

For what these vessels have cost, one would have thought that they would be able to sail down the Clyde and out of Scottish waters in but a few hours! Whilst any weapons of mass destruction that they were unable to take with them could be sent on by road the following day.

John Eoin Douglas

21st of August 2014 - Safety First

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

21st of August 2014

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

SAFETY FIRST

 

Continuing reports of pedal cyclists coming a cropper on Edinburgh's tram tracks beg the question: Why are the City Council's Health and Safety professionals doing nothing?

For their own safety, cyclists should be immediately banned from any routes in contact with the tram system which, in view of its slight extent, would impose but a minimal burden.

 

Alternatively, if they were compelled to be preceded by persons on foot in hi-viz apparel (the modern equivalent of the red flag) this might also benefit unwary pedestrians who already have the occasional tram with which to contend.

 And, if it saves one child...

John Eoin Douglas

20th of August 2014 - Don't Kill The Golden Goose

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

20th of August 2014

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

DON'T KILL THE GOLDEN GOOSE

Claims that Scotland is being subsidised by England encourage me to vote "No" in the independence referendum.

 

Canny Scots should grab every penny we can. The debate can be re-visited in 20 years or so when the UK is bankrupt or earlier if the English wake up and kick us out of the Union first!

John Eoin Douglas

1st of August 2014 - Not Paying The Piper

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

1st of August 2014

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

NOT PAYING THE PIPER

What price a National Anthem for an independent Scotland? Clearly the impoverished nation predicted by Better Together could never afford to pay royalties for "Flower of Scotland" to The Corries (Music) Ltd who must be laughing all the way to the bank after its frequent outings at the Commonwealth Games this last week.

Perhaps it's time for Alex Salmond to announce "Scots Wha Hae" as Plan B? This, in addition to  having far superior words and tune to Roy Williamson's kailyard dirge, has the advantage of being long out of copyright!

John Eoin Douglas

7th of July 2014 - Tartan Tat

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

7th of July 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

TARTAN TAT

If the cringeworthy uniform to be worn by Scots competitors at the Commonwealth Games is an example of Scottish decision making, it will do much to swell the "No" vote in the Independence Referendum. Frankly, one would not do this to a sofa!

John Eoin Douglas

2nd of June 2014 - Watering Down The Bag Tax

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

2nd of June 2014

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

WATERING DOWN THE BAG TAX

I object strongly to being compelled to contribute to the over inflated salaries of Chief Executives of charities I have no wish to support. Yet this is what the Scottish Parliament has achieved by passing legislation to force shops to charge for plastic bags and donate the proceeds to charity.

In order to revenge myself on the Green aspirations of these Eco Warriors and their "War Against Bags", I shall be leaving my cold water tap running continuously and urge others to do likewise.

John Eoin Douglas

9th of May 2014 - Food Debate

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

9th of May 2014

Dear Sir/Madam,

FOOD DEBATE

The current vociferous campaign against Halal and Shechita slaughter of food animals is a transparent excuse to get away with showing the sort of prejudice against Moslems and Jews that is no longer acceptable in a multi-racial and multi-faith society. After all, if anybody really cared about animal suffering, they'd be vegans and not debating about whether pre-stunning is necessary.

As an atheist carnivore, I can merely attest to the infinitely superior flavour of animals killed by these methods. Unfortunately, I have been unable to procure a supply of pork so killed. But if any of your readers know of a religion or culture which mandates killing in this way and eats pig meat, I would be glad to hear from them.

John Eoin Douglas