Deportation lunacy is just not cricket

I FIND it totally amazing that our border agency can deport an Australian cricketer coming to take up employment with Yorkshire County Cricket Club (Yorkshire Post, May 8) because of a minor mistake on his visa application, but are powerless to deport illegal immigrants and fanatical Muslims like Abu Qatada and Abu Hamza.

On the one hand an innocent victim of a clerical error, who is a danger to no-one and will cost us nothing, is instantly deported. On the other, two of the vilest people on earth who are wanted for terrorist offences in other countries cannot be deported for years, costing the British taxpayer millions of pounds in legal aid and benefits for their families.

This is a totally outrageous state of affairs, and is an insult to Britain and its people.

It is now high time that our gutless political leaders got a grip of this appalling situation, scrapped the Human Rights Act and applied only British law as to who we can deport. These two worthless creatures should be on the next planes to America and Jordan, irrespective of what the European Court of Human Rights or anyone else says.

From: Norman V Elliott, South Cave, Brough.

AS I approach my 80th birthday, I wonder if I am losing my marbles?

I refer to the article about Australian Mitchell Starc being deported (Yorkshire Post, May 8) due to problems with his visa.

How many thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been spent and we still haven’t got rid of Qatada!

Can someone please explain?

Faith at the heart of life

From: Ken Hartford, Durham Mews, Butt Lane, Beverley.

I SHOULD like to support Heather Causnett’s call for the continuance of religious education in schools and colleges (Yorkshire Post, May 7) provided a comparison of the various forms of “faith” are made and not as to value, but in regard to method.

There are so many types of religion that too much time would need to be spent to offer youngsters a wide enough syllabus but if just the three main religious practices in this country were outlined, at least an interest in the subject could be stimulated by good, careful instruction as to the main differences in faiths.

Christianity (widely), Buddhism and Muslim structures could be outlined and youngsters would not need to be examined in this subject unless they intended to take any of them seriously as a possible career.

As head of a General Studies set of subjects at a further education college (leading towards university study), I always incorporated various forms of faith into my work which were mainly centred on various office skills applicable and necessary (to a greater or lesser extent according to level called for in respect of business studies particularly).

Life is about faith, hope and love. Competition is not necessary for the attainment of any of these skills of living creatively.

Politicians lack power

From: Don Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.

IT should be obvious by now that politicians cannot create wealth or jobs. The most they can do is facilitate growth and investment by fiscal manipulation for example.

Of course, our rulers make things more difficult for themselves by encouraging voters to believe they have powers they do not in fact possess.

The Labour Party is the worst offender as its core vote contains very large numbers who are dependent on the state in one way or another. Labour represents the underprivileged and they inevitably tend to exceed expectations habitually.

Instead of the usual shock horror reaction when reality intrudes, people should show a little more maturity and recognise that, as Vince Cable says, we are all poorer now so unfortunately cuts are necessary across the board.

Things will improve as the economy turns for the better as the cycle moves in our favour.

Lastly several complainants are self-confessed non-voters. Whatever else one can say, apathy and hiding your head under the bedclothes is no help to anyone.

Maybe I’m the dinosaur...

From: Ian Tomlinson, Westbourne Gardens, Garforth, Leeds.

RECENTLY, I enquired about the availability of a Thesaurus at the library.

No, it wasn’t related to the Brontosaurus, although it may well have been. Was it connected to the Tyrannosaurus Rex? No, that died out ages ago after a major disaster. Perhaps a novel by Emily or Charlotte? No, there is no mention of a Brontë Saurus in the family.

Alas, there was only one publication indicated on the computer at the Leeds Central Library. The information I required was available on Google, but, unfortunately I have no computer. Obviously it’s me who is the dinosaur. No doubt children can glean all their information from the net.

However, I did think Leeds Central Library would be able to provide me with a Thesaurus before I also become extinct.