Dangerous mess over green power

I SUPPOSE that the notion of global warming and its dangers was worthy of consideration at least (The Yorkshire Post, November 3). The further theory that it is actually happening, caused by excessive carbon dioxide levels, and that these in turn are due to human industrial activity, should have been far more critically examined. Instead we have seen some catastrophic decisions, so basically misguided and expensive that to reverse them now would be politically unthinkable.

Thus, the plan to build a further 2,500 windmills each and every year until 2036 cannot be changed. The same applies to the slashing of industrial activity demand for unspecified daily periods, and the subsidising of an army of privately-owned diesel powered generators.

How could any Government have failed to see where green fantasies of renewable power sources (but not nuclear of course) were leading? Ben Southwood’s article (The Yorkshire Post, October 26) on the futility of wind-sourced power is logical and honest, but far too late in the day to be effective – reputations, even the General Election itself, are at risk. How do we get out of this mess?

Freedom 
and drug use

From: John Riseley, Harrogate.

IT is unsurprising if there is little correlation between severity of penalties for drug use and lower rates of consumption. Tougher measures may have been a response to greater prevalence (Jayne Dowle, The Yorkshire Post, November 3).

A policy of “soft on use, tough of supply” is economically illiterate and invites a larger and more powerful criminal trafficking sector.

Legalisation can be justified on the basis of individual freedom. But that doesn’t sit well with switching resources from enforcement to treatment. This would amount to “Do your own thing and we will pick up the pieces”.

Liberty for the user should go hand in hand with liberty for the taxpayer.

A libertarian approach would combine personal freedom with personal responsibility.

Language 
in the raw

From: Margaret Whitaker, Harswell, East Yorkshire.

THE recent correspondence on our language is fascinating. Long ago I was surprised when a Scot in the parcel office in Edinburgh said: “This parcel isn’t very gainly.” He sounded quite gruntled about that.

After five years in Canada, I was shocked to see on the M1 “Dangerous Plant Crossing”. I visualised a malevolent cactus striding towards us and it was a relief when nothing happened.

Years later I saw “This shop is alarmed!” in a jeweller’s window, but no sign of raised eyebrows.

Recently on a morning walk there appeared a strange fingerpost promising a “Permissive Bridleway.”

Again, no sign of odd on-goings in the bushes, just the usual folk innocently walking their dogs.

Never mind, there’s always that Naked Rambler to look out for.

Tour’s feel good legacy

From: Christine M Senior, Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield.

it is very pleasing to hear that there has been a substantial profit from the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

However, what is priceless is the sharing of ideas and uniting local groups in order to showcase the event. I saw at first hand the results of these activities in Silsden, a town on the route, including events and displays at the churches there and felt the atmosphere of satisfaction at the end result.

In my local village we made miniature jerseys as part of the display in Harrogate at the beginning of the year. Continuing the theme tiny jerseys and bunting have been prepared for a small Christmas tree as part of a Christmas Tree Festival in our village.

May the “feel good factor” continue for many years to come. We have a heritage to be proud of!

PM must 
take a stand

From: JGK Wildie, Briar Grove, Sandal, Wakefield.

OUR Prime Minister, David Cameron, is under a vast amount of pressure from the European Union to make a payment of £1.7bn. Why should we in Britain agree to their demands? Mr Cameron must stand up tall and, like the late Mrs Thatcher did, say “no, no, no”. The Labour Party plus the Lib Dem MPs must also stand by our Prime Minister and give him their full support.

Sentence fits the crime

From: Roger M Dobson, Crosshills, Keighley.

Mr Justice Coulson is to be congratulated for the way he sentenced Will Cornick for the horrible and grotesque murder of Ann Maguire.

Never mind the morons who disagree with the length of the sentence.

They know nothing and must be ignored.