Letters: December 14, 2016

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Council needs to listen

I WENT down to the Community Centre, Jennings Street, on December 6 to see the proposed designs for a Travelodge and drive thru Starbucks and Subway.

Haven’t we got enough problems with traffic along Great Western Way without creating more? Bruce Street Bridges are an absolute disgrace as the traffic is horrendous. The rep from the property development company does not even come from Swindon but from Bristol. How on earth can he know of the problems with Great Western Way and Rodbourne Road? At weekends we can’t get out of our streets because the traffic is at a standstill. And the hotel is far too near the school, that’s a certain no.

In the Adver it was stated that they hadn’t had many people come – that was not surprising as nobody was notified. I only learned about it from the radio. Were they hoping that nobody would turn up, then they could say we were not interested, so plans would go sailing through? For goodness sake Swindon council, try listening to the people who vote for you for a change and say no.

MRS L TOWNSEND

Redcliffe Street

Rodbourne, Swindon

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Fears of trade deficit

IN REPLY to Coun Steve Allsopp December 8. He writes a very good letter about the campaign to save the Park Library from closure.

He makes some excellent points about the need to keep the library open in his area.

Where I disagree with Coun Allsopp is towards the end of his letter where he talks about the dark shadow of austerity that is blighting our lives.

It is not austerity that is blighting our lives, it is Britain’s trade deficit. Britain has the worst trade deficit in the world.

Until we can improve the quality of our exports austerity is here to stay.

STEVE HALDEN

Beaufort Green, Swindon

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Expect somersaults

IN reply to Peter Smith’s remarks regarding my letter of December 3. As it is nearing Christmas spirit time, I shall not reply in spades as I first intended. It’s typical of the humourless, sneering liberal we-know-best elite with a sanctimonious superiority complex. He writes in baited breath, instead of bated.This is either the result of a poor English teacher, or a subtle innuendo for me to take the bite . Close, but no cigar Mr Smith .Try the Trout Farm for a certain catch.

Regarding his line on my somersaults being remarkable. The only two somersaults I have ever completed was one on the living room floor when Scotland voted to maintain the Union, followed by another in the back garden with my little Westie when the Brexit vote was won. I promise a third effort on the final Brexit day.

One question in conclusion, Sir – I quote you here: “They originate in the smoke of misinformation from our national news and media.” If that is your opinion, and you are entitled to it, I totally disagree. May the Lord help us without a free press and news media.

But may I ask you a simple question? Why are you compounding the felony you maintain exists by buying and contributing letters to the Swindon Advertiser, when it is owned by the Newsquest Media Group Ltd. Newsquest is the second largest publisher of newspapers in Great Britain. Yet you have the misconception, audacity and arrogance to write.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way

Covingham, Swindon

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Obstacles to overcome

I SEE that the subject of immigrants is still a topic to be desired. I have an idea that quite a few immigrants would benefit this country, but I see many more who will not adhere to our ways and ultimately, in my very humble opinion, will add to the ruination of this land. That group does not have a compatible way of life that will complement ours.

I just wonder how so many get into this country so easily when genuine people that I am particularly aware of meet so many obstacles and inefficiency within our immigration process. One wonders if incompetence is an asset that will give you employment within our immigration sector. Most of all, what blundering group of individuals created the absurd application process that shows not one modicum of intelligence has been used?

By the time one has genuinely completed most of the application process to allow entry into this country and have been made aware of the utter incompetence of the said department, it could be small wonder that a refusal on the grounds of ‘mentally unstable’ could be applied after one has reached the end of their tether whilst dealing with our immigration service.

On that basis, how come so many undeserving individuals make it without so much of any adherence to procedure?

CHRIS GLEED

Proud Close, Purton

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Effective use of rhetoric

RHETORIC is a tool of communication. Politicians use it, journalists use it, scholars use it, lawyers use it and doctors use it. Some of these people are masters while large numbers are mediocre in using it. When examining it, rhetoric has no substance. It’s only words that have been misused. Nevertheless, rhetoric is effective.

The majority of people accept it and the power elites (people mentioned in the first sentence) use it to gain their political and economic goals which are not the best interests of the people. To spot rhetoric speech and writing we must ask three related questions:

1. Who’s saying what to who? More often, rhetoric is a boosting. ‘I did this... Or our company, party did a good job,’ etc. It portrays positive when it’s far from it. It avoids reality.

2. Record. Usually rhetoric is the opposite of the record of the people who are using it. Their words are not congruent with their voting record, beliefs and actions.

3. Jargon. The rhetoric users speak with jargon words and phrases that have no meaning when we examine them. Consider the following phrases: ‘We are in this together.’ Change you can believe in.’ And ‘making America great again.’ Take the first phrase – how can an ex-Chancellor who receives £26,000 an hour and an office or factory worker who gets £26,000 a year be together in this?

Rhetoric does not lead to action because it is illusory. It doesn’t correspond with reality. Nevertheless, it is a good tool for those who know how to to use it.

AXMED BAHJAD

Ermin Street, Swindon

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Debate is not over yet

IN reply to Terry Hayward (December 12). The majority voted to leave the EU on the 23rd June but did not vote on the terms and conditions of leaving. It would be foolish to think that the debate is over – it did not start properly yet.

We will still be importing only the best quality bananas (and not misshapen ones) from the European countries because I firmly believe that we will still remain in the single market.

In a previous letter someone complained about being told what kind of light bulb we can use. The low energy light bulb recommended by the EU is a great idea at reducing the greenhouse gasses being pumped into the atmosphere every day and if twenty million houses up and down the country used them it would make a world of difference to reduce our carbon footprint.

PATRICK O’SHEA

Highworth

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Thanks for donation

HIGHWORTH and District branch of the RNLI would like to thank Square One Swindon for its kind donation of £200 which was the result of a Christmas raffle. This now brings the final total for 2016 to £6,583 (2015 £5824).

Our grateful thanks to the Swindon Advertiser and its reporters, WH Smith, Highworth Pharmacy, Sainsburys at Stratton and the Co-op in Highworth and the people of Highworth and District without whom none of this would have been possible.

Next year will be an even tougher challenge, that I am sure we will rise to.

RON ROSE

Twickenham Close

Swindon