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It’s not so smart

A NATIONAL newspaper printed a story this week about companies bullying people into having smart meters installed. They have had thousands of complaints regarding this issue. The government has explained that there is no obligation to have them installed. Smart meters show how much power or gas you are using minute by minute. But the newspaper states that nearly all of the meters lose this ability if you switch provider.

Lo and behold what did I get through my door this week? A card telling me that the smart meter installers are in my area. It states as part of the Government’s national roll out I can make an appointment to have one installed. I would not call it bullying, but I think it is confusing. Many people may think it is compulsory reading the words, the Government national roll out. A capital letter is used in the word Government.

If anyone wants a smart meter installed fair enough. But thanks, but no thanks, count me out. If you don’t want one, just ignore the card folks.

If this letter clears up the issue with any of our readers who may think they have no choice in the matter. I will consider the fact that I wrote it a worthwhile effort.

Bill Williams, Merlin Way, Covingham

No sense to CCTV

Amazing isn’t it? We live in the most spied on country in the entire world and yet knife and gun crime is increasing everywhere. CCTV cameras film us every step of our way in most towns and cities day and night.

What is clear though, if there are no police anywhere for miles around all you have to do to get away with murder is wear dark clothes with a hood and cover your face with a scarf. Compare this with the high rate of convictions from traffic camera evidence and you see how this constant intrusion into our lives is practically useless unless you own a car.

Drive with no tax or insurance and the police will get you. Stab someone to death and it’s very likely you may never be caught.

Roger Lack, North Swindon

Don’t hide behind facts

When the South African Apartheid state gunned down demonstrators against Apartheid, for example at Sharpeville or Soweto, there was never a shortage of racist apologists who blamed the victims for demonstrating.

It is no longer a surprise when supporters of Israel’s apartheid state pop up to argue similar defences when that state massacres Palestinians. Michael Kemp’s utterly ridiculous claim that Palestinian demonstrators marched on land day, to remind the world of the theft of their land by Israel, only did so because they were ordered to by Hamas, is only the latest in a long effort to hide the facts. Since redeploying their occupation of Gaza the Israeli army has tightened its siege. Israeli troops regularly gun down farmers and Israeli warships regularly shoot at fishing boats. Troops prevent the movement of medicines, food and fuel. The blockade has the deliberate intent of starving Palestinians as was made clear by Dov Weisglass, adviser to the Israeli Prime minister.

Palestinians have the right to protest and the right to self defence against the siege.

Peter Smith, Woodside Avenue, Swindon