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Hypocrisy claim over Blair's Catholic conversion
From: Leslie Rowe, Green Party Parliamentary candidate, Richmond Road, Brompton on Swale, Richmond. SO Tony Blair has joined the Roman Catholic Church just before Christmas? A publicity stunt the sheer hypocrisy of which beggars belief.
On Blair's part, why did he not have the strength of his convictions to convert while Prime Minister? He could have been PM and Catholic, but his faith was not strong enough to put his political position at risk.
So, he chose to live a lie while nominating bishops to the Church of England, supporting abortion and the ordination of women. Yet another cynical economy of the truth to cling on to the reins of power, putting his ambitions above his
so-called deeply held faith.
If anything, the Roman Catholic Church is even more hypocritical. No matter that Blair was instrumental in starting an illegal war in Iraq that has led to the deaths of at least 700,000 people? Or responsible for sending troops to Afghanistan to fight an unwinnable war with inadequate kit? Tony Blair should be facing a war crimes tribunal, not being given special treatment by a Cardinal.
But no, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor personally grasped the bloodstained hands of Blair in a special ceremony that ordinary converts are denied.
Could it be that the Catholic Church has joined the masses in worshipping at the altar of celebrity and cares little for
the morality of their famous converts?
Which unrepentant sinner will next be welcomed into the Roman Catholic Church? Robert Mugabe perhaps or Kim Jong-il of North Korea?
Perhaps a canonisation for Idi Amin? With such blatant hypocrisy from the Roman Catholic Church, anything is possible.
From Terry Duncan, Greame Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire.
NOW that Tony Blair has converted to Roman Catholicism, does that mean he now gets absolution for all the alleged crimes he apparently committed, with more coming to light?
From: Jim Beck, Lindrick Grove,Tickhill, Doncaster.
HAVING converted to Roman Catholicism, Tony Blair will be required to confess his sins at regular intervals. How will he be able to break the habits of a lifetime?
Government that drives us to drink
From: R Firth, Woodgarth Court, Campsall, Doncaster.
IN seeking to apportion blame for this country's continuing lurch towards oblivion through the many direct and indirect ravaging effects of binge drinking, John Grogan, MP for Selby, in true Parliamentary fashion, seeks to label the Tesco boss as "the Godfather of British binge drinking" (Yorkshire Post, December 21).
I feel it would have been far more appropriate had he saved that accolade for his government who, through
their abdication of control
of licensing hours, have contributed most to this problem.
The proliferation of drinking outlets in town and city centres, despite valiant protests by local police forces who have to sweep up the bits, has further exacerbated the situation.
Certainly, the low price of alcohol in supermarkets has not helped and an increase in prices there (though not through taxation) could help, but not necessarily in the way envisaged by Mr Grogan.
In recent years, we have seen the closure of many rural and local pubs as the brewery chains pressure licensees through increased rents, etc into selling indiscriminately in order to make a living.
Thus the trade has lost many of the responsible landlords of yesteryear who would refuse to serve or ban those who were already worse for wear and sought to cause trouble. Moreover, they would use the local "grapevine" to forewarn other pubs in the locality to be on their guard.
These individuals now congregate at those pubs which serve indiscriminately and go in hordes to the nearest town or city to wreak havoc every Thursday to Sunday.
Since the introduction of the smoking ban, many of them congregate outside the
pubs and clubs causing other visitors to the town/city to face the hazards of vomit, urine, broken bottles and glasses as they pass through the Government's vision of a
"cafe culture".
How do these mainly young people afford this level of expenditure?
If Mr Grogan is advocating checks on landlords, perhaps, he ought to include brewers in the negotiations and look to get licensing hours restricted in general terms with local exceptions for, say, market
days, restaurants or festive occasions.
Perhaps then we might see a reduction in the level of domestic violence, child poverty, workloads in A&E departments at local hospitals, wasted police time and higher attendance levels at work the following day.
Merely increasing prices affects only the moderate drinking habits of pensioners and others whose priorities are family orientated.
From: Richard Simpson, Cecil Street, Harrogate.
JOHN Grogan's campaign to reduce our access to cheap alcohol is yet another
symptom of the intrusive, controlling nanny state imposed on us by his incumbent government. New Labour is precisely why
so many people increasingly binge drink.
In a country where our
every thought and action is monitored, recorded,
analysed and brought back to haunt us at some point, is it any wonder we increasingly want get "out of our box" on alcohol?
It is truly wonderful that we may find temporary respite from the stresses and strains of modern by blotting it all out for the equivalent price of a few tins of baked beans.
Where anti-social behaviour occurs through excess alcohol consumption, perhaps Mr Grogan should view this as a window into the defective personality traits created in society by New Labour policy; a kind of Malthus kickback.
From: Coun Ruth Sayner, Chair of Licensing, Selby District Council.
JOHN Grogan writes in your newspaper about the problems of supermarket selling alcohol like baked beans.
What he fails to mention is that he was influential in bringing in the new licensing laws that have led to supermarkets being able to
sell alcohol for longer, often around the clock.
He was one the group who helped devise the 2003 Licensing Act which came into force, amid much controversy, in 2004.
So for John Grogan, someone so influential in bringing in the new licensing laws, to now single out Tesco, as he has done in your newspaper and elsewhere in the media, is wrong.
The relaxation of the licensing laws allowed alcohol to be sold around the clock in pubs and restaurants, but it is supermarkets who have submitted the most applications for 24-hour licences.
Had John Grogan fully thought through the impact of the changes to the law he instigated, he would have realised these sort of problems would be the result. It has meant greater competition at all times of the day and night for alcohol sales.
No one person is responsible for all the problems of binge and excessive drinking, but instead of blaming Tesco's
chief executive, Mr Grogan must look at his own role in fuelling this trend.
Impact of post closures
From: Timothy Kirkhope, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, Main Street, Scotton, North Yorkshire.
I AM extremely concerned about the social costs involved in the closing of so many of our post offices both rural and urban, which will strike at the heart of numerous communities across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Post offices are the lifeblood of our communities. They are vital local institutions, just like a local school or pub, and are usually also part of a larger retail outlet. When a local post office closes, it often means the closure of the last shop in the community.
Of course it is time to look at how we finance the Post Office. The current Government has so far done nothing, and a great British institution is in danger of being swamped as more
and more competitors vie for the market.
Suitable site needed for statue of Ernie Wise
From: Paul Cockcroft, Shancara Court, Ardsley, Morley, Leeds.
ERNEST Wiseman was born in 1925 and his father introduced him to the stages of the working men's clubs here in the city of Leeds when he was six years-old.
Ernest shortened his name to Ernie Wise and he eventually went on to form the famous comedy double act, Morecambe and Wise.
Back in 1938, Ernie Wise lived within the borough of Morley at Station Terrace, East Ardsley. When Ernie was 13, he performed in a review at the New Morley Pavilion.
The local review helped to raise funds for regional charities and, throughout his life, Ernie would regularly help to raise funds for worthy causes. Morecambe and Wise were arguably the most beloved and successful comedians in British history and let's not forget that 28 million people sat down on Christmas Day in 1977 to watch their festive TV show.
The town of Morecambe in Lancashire has erected a wonderful statue to honour the life of the comedy genius, Eric Morecambe and I find it terribly sad that Yorkshire and the city of Leeds has not done anything for little Ernie, who died in 1999.
I carry out voluntary work in the town of Morley and I will make it my 2008 New Year's resolution to help to raise funds to erect a statue of Ernie Wise here in the city of Leeds. Could I please ask readers to put forward some locations where this statue could be sited?Power corrupts right across political spectrum
From: Andrew Cooper, Ascot Avenue, Kimberley, Notts.
LIKE Terry Palmer (Yorkshire Post, December 20), I couldn't believe my ears when I
heard Sir John Major referring to this sleaze-ridden government.
I think it just proves, yet again, how senior politicians are good at one thing – insulting the electorate's intelligence.
With his record and, that of his predecessor before him, I would have thought he would have been better advised to remain silent.
I would also advise David Cameron that he should also take this advice, especially regarding financial donations to political parties.
However, I disagree with Mr Palmer's defence of New Labour. They have no excuses. Their behaviour has been unforgivable.
As an Old Labour supporter, I know I made the right decision in resigning my party membership in 1997.
It was quite obvious to me that the party was moving to the right and it's no surprise to me that this government has run into trouble
with donations.
For some reason they seem embarrassed to receive donations from the trade union movement.
Why is this the case? Didn't the trade unions movement help form the Labour Party?
I'm afraid they have proved that power is intoxicating and, while they are in government, they are determined to cash in on the gravy train.
Not until we have a leader of a party who has the guts to abolish the honours system and the ancient tradition of grace and favours will this country be able to hold its head up high and claim the moral ground.
Not until then do we have the right to question other, so called, corrupt regimes.
Unfortunately, I cannot see this happening in my lifetime so the culture of toadyism and the sycophants will continue to flourish.
Fare deal on bus services
From: Tim Mickleburgh, Littlefield Lane, Grimsby.
THOUGH I've got a lot of time for bus drivers, I still wish we could have some kind of bus service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Their absence puts those of us without private transport at a distinct disadvantage at these times, making us rely either on the goodwill of others or taxis that charge higher fares over the holiday period.
I'd be happy to pay extra for my fare so that drivers could be compensated with extra pay for working unsocial hours. But, really, the current situation is unsatisfactory when we are supposed to be encouraging the use of public transport.
Bad language sullies farewell
From: W Ruddlesdin, Upper Hoyland Road, Hoyland, Barnsley.
IF the Michael Parkinson tribute show was pre-recorded in November, and a warning of strong language given, why allow Billy Connolly's blatant use of the F-word in the opening sequence of the final programme, minutes after the so-called 9pm watershed (Yorkshire Post, December 17)?
To me, this was a complete turn-off.
EU should be main concern
From: Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire regional secretary, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
DIFFERENT reports show the European Union is always low on the lists of priorities of most voters – perhaps as low as ninth. Ironically, almost all items more highly placed are dependent on the EU for resolution.
Even when this is not directly the case, shortfalls in public funding can be laid at its door.
As more than 70 per cent of legislation now originates in Brussels, how can the EU be in any place other than top for an informed electorate?
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