Letters to the Editor - 11th June 2008

Jun 11 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Marginalising fathers

WITH great joy do I see that Fathers for Justice have inconvenienced Labour Deputy leader Harriet Harman with a protest on her rooftop.

She has branded fathers as unnecessary and questioned marriage’s importance.

It's fine to get upset at the 10p tax and petrol prices, yet we hardly bat an eyelid when our political elite hold those sort of views.

The denial of the role of a father in a family (beyond that of a sperm donor) has directly encouraged the disastrous family breakdown and disharmony in this country, producing a generation of young men who have never experienced the love, discipline and wisdom of a father – both earthly and heavenly – that would have guided them away from gang culture.

Yet, as fathers are marginalised, children and women are increasingly considered sinless! Women are deemed to need "rights" such as aborting their own babies. Children’s commissioners tell us that punishing bad behaviour is "demonising" kids.

When teenagers kill each other with guns and knives, hardly anyone asks "where is/who is the father" or "what values were they taught at home" or "did they go to Sunday school" or "did our schools teach them they are just thinking animals with apes in their ancestry".

Instead, they just drivel on about knives being available.

Some have the audacity to blame "society" – ie, the rest of us – who they refused to listen to when we complain about the un-Biblical anti-father policies which are to blame.

I'm probably being too ambitious expecting the trendy liberals to take any responsibility, since they so fundamentally disagree with that concept.

Sharon Roberts, L3

Wrong influences

A NEWS article on the BBC on Monday, June 9, highlighted the problem of rising youth crime and custodial sentencing.

The report focused on a 19-year- old male who has already served two prison terms.

He said that prison was "like a school of crime". While there, he had learned how to hot-wire a car, deal drugs more effectively and various other criminal techniques.

When society locks young people away as punishment for their crimes, we are allowing them to mix with a far greater number of their peers.

What we should be doing is separating them and letting them mix and hopefully be influenced by good honest folk.

So, what about a national scheme whereby custodial foster parents are paid to control and educate young offenders?

Neil Branigan-Owens, Croxteth

Sad demise

IT WAS with great regret that I learned of the recent demise of the Weston Spirit, owing to financial difficulties.

When I was Mayor of Wirral, 2002/3, Weston Spirit was one of my three chosen charities and it gave me very great pleasure to be able to donate a third of the money raised during that time.

Simon Weston is much to be admired. Although with good reason, rather than feeling sorry for himself, he formed this wonderful charity which benefited so many children and young people.

It must be remembered that when a young person is helped and encouraged to live a positive life this is money well spent and has the potential to influence not only the individual, but also future generations.

There is much emphasis these days on Asbos and other measures intended to control young people.

For a minority of young people, these measures are necessary; but, unfortunately, for some, they can be regarded as a badge of honour.

If only there was more emphasis on giving young people something to aspire to and that they were made to feel valued by their family and society.

Also, ensuring that there is the widest possible variety of activities in which they can be involved.

There are many pressures on young people in this competitive and consumerist age, and this can lead to family tension.

As a result, young people may feel lonely and rudderless.

Weston Spirit was there to work with and advise such young people.

From my perspective, Weston Spirit was a wholesome endeavour designed to strengthen and encourage young people from every background to enter every foreground.

Cllr Pat Williams, Oxton

No objections

AM I THE only Evertonian who does not object to allowing LFC to share a stadium with us?

After all, they are our offspring club.

If such a stadium were to be built in Stanley Park, then it would be entirely appropriate as, just as the case with Anfield, Stanley Park was originally the location of Everton’s ground.

I only make this point in light of the actions of Bradley, Anderson and KEOIC.

I am mystified that they can go against the democratic wishes of the majority of Blues fans.

I wouldn’t care if they had produced an alternative plan, detailing the location and funding, but instead they have been negatively destructive.

I hope they can sleep in their beds when our beloved club falls even further behind the "rich four", should the once in a lifetime opportunity that is Kirkby fall through due to their intervention.

R Lawrence, Birchwood

Expenses scandal

WE, IN the Liberal Party, have watched the Tory MEPs expenses scandal unfold with a growing sense of disbelief.

Is it any wonder that the British people have lost all faith in politics and politicians, given the antics of our elected representatives?

Given the anti-democratic "party list" system by which MEPs are elected, it’s even more difficult for the electorate to kick these fat cats out of office.

Under the party list system, the party chooses the MEP, not the voters, who simply vote for a party, not a person.

This scandal is further proof, if any were needed, that the European Union is in need of serious root-and-branch reform.

If such reform is not forthcoming, and if we can't resume control of our own country, its laws, economy and freedoms, then we should withdraw.

At least then we can spend taxpayers' money here, rather than on "legitimate expenses" in Brussels.

Daniel Wood, The Liberal Party

Cultural highlight

SO HERE we are, half-way through our Capital of Culture programme, and we have the arrival of Yankel Feather.

Born in Stanhope Street, Yankel has worked in all sorts of jobs in Liverpool and has always painted.

Now approaching his 90th year, these days he is a successful artist in London and has come back to his roots with this wonderful exhibition at the art gallery on Seel Street which is free to the public.

What is so interesting about his show is not only the original way that he sees things but the way he has been able to get it all down on canvas.

The older generations will remember the Rialto and The State paintings – they were wonderful places to be.

I have known Yankel since 1947, and you do not have to have a degree in fine art to understand his paintings.

His return to Liverpool is most certainly one of the highlights of our city of culture and thanks to him for bringing his works back to where they belong.

J Furlong, L8

Presidential race

I CANNOT recall a time when there has been such interest in an American Presidential election in this country as there has been in the current one.

We are clearly witnessing a huge shift in America, they may have passed on Hillary – therefore ending any hope of the first woman in the White House – but there is still the chance of a seismic shift in American politics should Obama make it all the way to Washington.

These are, indeed, exciting times, and not since JFK has there been a candidate so poised to unite this now fractured country.

We can only hope that Obama gets his chance – if he does, there is surely no doubting he will be the best thing to happen to the United States in decades.

Let us hope the people of America vote wisely when they get the chance.

P Sawyer, via email

Lost lives

THREE more soldiers die in Afghanistan, bringing the grim total to 100.

Gordon Brown pays tribute and says they have achieved something of lasting value.

He should say that in person to the broken-hearted wives and parents of these brave men. He should tell the truth about this war.

Such as the fact that Nato aerial bombardment has increased fourfold in the last year and that civilian casualties are so out of control that even President Karzai complains about them.

No-one has ever won in Afghanistan.

The Russians fought a high-tech war with 500,000 men and lost. Can US/British forces with only 38,000 really win?

Next Tuesday, June 17, at 5.30pm, on the steps of St George’s Hall, our organisation will hold a vigil for all those who have died in Afghanistan.

Rose Gentle, who lost her son in Iraq, will lead the vigil. Everyone is welcome.

Mark Holt, Chair, Merseyside Stop the War Coalition

Feeling the pinch

THE Spirit of Shankly union's protest comes during a lean financial time for most of us.

But the club has to raise funds from somewhere to keep its presence in the league which the fans demand.

Club running costs, player purchases and player salaries have to be met.

The latter, too, are no doubt feeling the pinch. I bet that the protesters don't realise when they shell out their extra £29, plus 7% ticket increase, just how much it costs these days to fill up a Bentley, Porsche or Lamborghini.

Neil Carver, Great Meols