EU ready to rule over us at gunpoint

AS we move on from dodgy banks to dodgy governments, the euro crisis escalates.

It now looks increasingly likely that the eurozone will collapse in the next few months – at least partially.

So much for the gullible British europhiles who frantically wanted us to ditch our own currency and submit to the EU’s dodgy monetary union. Look where they would have led us.

I understand the German EU commissioner, Günther Oettinger, has threatened the Greeks with EU paramilitary police to collect taxes at gunpoint and sell off Greek government assets. The Greeks are understandably furious. As would we be if EU paramilitary “blue helmets” marched down Threadneedle Street and took over the Bank of England.

Far-fetched? No, we are seeing this crisis played out before our eyes. And make no mistake it is the fate that is in store for us unless we leave the power grabbing EU.

Unions scare off investors

From: Peter R Hyde, Kendale View, Driffield.

THERE are two very good reasons why I believe Siemens will not bring the factory to build wind generators to the banks of the Humber.

First of all, the unions leaders who are calling for strikes will make them reconsider, after all who in their right mind would try to bring work to a strike-ridden area?

Secondly, the Germans and French will want that work in Europe for their workers to take advantage of the jobs on offer just as they managed to gain the contract from trains from Bombadier and, unfortunately our Government gives in too easily to the diktats of the EU, while France completely ignores those it doesn’t like.

We lack both strong leaders and sensible union leaders.

Give doctors credit for Ben

From: Jonathan Fox, Systagenix, Gargrave, North Yorkshire.

AT the risk of sounding pedantic and opening myself to the scrutiny of the grammar police, I would like to take issue with your headline “How young Ben defied the doctors to grow up happy and healthy” (Yorkshire Post, September 15).

This is a wonderful feel good story but if I were a doctor in general or a doctor who specifically contributed to making Ben Davey healthy again, I would be quite upset at your use of the word defied.

You may know better than I but I find it quite difficult to believe that the doctors stipulated that under no circumstances should Ben even consider getting better.

All the very best to Ben and his family.

White rabbits at the double

From: Andrew E Smith, Chapel Hill Road, Pocklington.

IT was interesting to read (Yorkshire Post, September 15) more letters about saying “white rabbits” following Mrs Buckley’s letter of September 7.

Your letters page as usual contains a wide variety of correspondence on serious subjects – as it rightly should.

However, I am always heartened by your willingness to publish letters of a more quirky nature as they often provide a little light relief from the general gloom and doom which seems to pervade life at the moment.

With regard to this particular tradition, I was as a child taught that I should, indeed, say “white rabbits” three times as the first words uttered each month.

Am I, I wonder, the only one who, although aware of the “lore”, invariably has spoken at least a couple of words before remembering it – thus negating its benign influence for the coming month?

Pork better, not just cheap

From: Sheila Cade, Grosvenor Park, Ripon.

SO Morrisons’ shoppers are buying pork because it is cheaper. I am one of those, not only because of the price but mainly because it is more edible when cooked.

Beef has been almost inedible for some time now, leathery and tasteless no matter how it is prepared.

My late father was an old time master butcher and would never have had such stuff in his shop.

We are told that it has been hung for two weeks. That is either not strictly true or beasts for meat are being fed on something other than the old favourite, grass not lathered in chemical fertilisers.

I have even tried keeping a piece of beef in the fridge for a week or more but it makes no obvious difference – so I don’t buy it.

If the supermarkets want to sell beef and lamb, the ball is in their court.

Pleased by youth plans

From: Matthew Bennett, Deputy Chairman, South Tees Conservative Future Redcar.

I AM extremely pleased that during the summer holiday, the Government has been addressing the main issues of youth anti-social behaviour and the problems that face young people during the summer break.

One of the main causes of anti-social behaviour is boredom. They simply have nothing to do to with their time and energy.

The National Citizen Service, introduced by this government, is the best thing for 16 year-olds in the six-week break. It allows them to be involved with local charities and social enterprises to help their community and also give them the chance to meet new people from different backgrounds. This is exactly what Redcar needs to stop the rise of anti-social behaviour and a huge skill deficit in younger people.