Puzzled by 
the outcry against Israel

I AM puzzled. During his recent Radio 4 appeal for the orphans of the Brazilian slums, Gary Lineker stated that during the period of the World Cup several hundred slum orphans under the age of 12 had been murdered by the police.

I have not seen a mention of this anywhere in the media. During the same period suicide bombers were plying their 
evil trade in many ways in 
many countries around the world. We are so used to it now it hardly raises an eyebrow or gets a mention on the TV.

Israel, on the other hand, tired of at least five years of constant rocket bombardment on its homes, children and schools from Gaza by Hamas, defined by the UN as a terrorist organisation (which has declared openly its intention of killing every 
man, woman and child in the country), decides enough is enough.

Reluctantly, its government takes the steps it thinks necessary to protect the country and its citizens.

The media talks about disproportion, war crimes, civilian deaths.

Where does all this hostility against Israel come from? I haven’t seen any pictures of Israeli children cowering in bomb shelters, which has been a regular occurrence for several years.

How many countries give their enemies advanced warnings of ground or air raids – and how many countries tell their population to ignore them?

Am I missing something?

Farage dangles
carrot to Tories

From: Fred Wyatt, Pocklington, East Yorkshire.

i SEE that Nigel Farage has suggested to the Conservatives that they should give Ukip a clear run in certain seats where they have been coming in third.

He, in turn, will not put candidates into those Conservative seats which are potentially at risk of being lost by splitting the vote.

This should result in a much lower risk of Labour winning the next election than at present. Without doubt this scheme could invigorate voter interest and participation which are currently sadly lacking.

Ukip will be able learn the Parliamentary ropes and Cameron will not need to wear his anti stab jacket as much.

Will Cameron be “big” enough to seize the opportunity?

Memories of
church organ

From: MG Burbage-Atter, Gillett Lane, Rothwell.

with reference to the article about the church organ at Seacroft Methodist Church (The Yorkshire Post, July 14) I arrived in Seacroft, Leeds in September 1955 as a fresher student at Leeds University and joined Seacroft Methodist Church.

At that time the membership was around 30 with a small Sunday school, Girl Guide company and a popular youth club of some 40 members.

Within 12 months the youth club leader moved away and I was asked to take over. In addition we decided to form a Boys’ Brigade.

Shortly after I finished up teaching in the Sunday school, running the youth club, being an officer in the 24th Leeds Boys’ Brigade and to cap it all, the organist.

I left Seacroft in 1976 and moved to Bradford, so lost contact with Seacroft Methodist Church except for occasional church reunions. I am very glad that the organ is still playable.

Blame over 
Tour trains

From: Mr S.B. Oliver, Churchill Grove, Heckmondwike.

After all the letters praising the support and organisation of the start of the Tour de France, Colin Foster (The Yorkshire Post July 16) rightly defends Northern Rail over the extra crowds that needed to use the rail network over the race weekend.

His suspicion that the Department for Transport could be the reason is quite correct. The DfT decides just how much rolling-stock may be employed by each train operator.

The only spare stock is for maintenance and refurbishment so there is nothing spare for day-to-day operations and special events.

The government of the day uses the DfT as its adviser and therefore costs are kept to a minimum.

The days are long gone when rolling stock was stored in sidings for use with peak periods and special trains for holiday extras, etc.

Mr Foster hits the target when he writes that British Rail would have coped more adequately, and professionally with the expected surge in passenger numbers.

Extra rolling stock for some normal services would ease the daily crush on some routes and would help to placate the harassed, regular commuters.

Sharpening the
tool of language

From: Mrs EA Henry, Larchfield Road, Doncaster.

we need to reform written English. Why abolish the present version?

China, an ancient civilisation, tolerates three forms of written language: Traditional, Simplified and Pinyin, which uses a modified alphabetical script.

We could have two versions: Traditional and Simplified. With modern technology, e-books could provide readers with the option of either form. Printing firms also could produce both forms on demand. Language is a tool. Now and again tools need sharpening.