Torch lights up burning issues

THE whole phenomenon of the Olympic torch should be taken into account with its historical background. The modern use of the Olympic flame began in 1936, by the Nazis, and took place throughout Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany. And then the Germans tried to take over Europe.

In 2012, we are still doing the same with the torch, and Germany is still trying to take over Europe. Nothing has changed, has it? Funny old world, isn’t it?

From: Peter A Ellis, Patterdale Drive, Dalton, Huddersfield.

YOUR stories regarding the thousands of people lining the streets to cheer the Olympic torch in Yorkshire leave me baffled.

Surely if as our esteemed political masters would have us believe we are teetering on the edge of an economic abyss, we can ill afford the estimated £9bn that it will cost to stage the purely symbolic Olympic Games?

Justifiable adulation

From: Andrew Gentles, Hollins Crescent, Harrogate.

BILL Marsh (Yorkshire Post, June 25) is puzzled by what he sees as the over-attention of the media to the visit of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Having been born just before Hitler came to power, I have been aware of many politicians and leaders, and I was heartened that the media gave full coverage to this remarkable lady.

Though slight in build, this 60-year-old lady, is a giant in stature, standing out among the phonies, the glib, the egomaniacs, and the callous, all too frequently found in world leaders. Despite personal tragedy, despite house imprisonment for some 15 years, she has a realistic, balanced view of the world, and her integrity and honesty shine through. Her late husband was British and she had education here, she has special links with this country, but as a Nobel prize winner, she has world recognition and acclaim.