Michael, cut out the rally driving and think green
I MUST make a complaint about Michael Lyster’s appearance on TV3 promoting the defibrillator, using the experience of his heart attack and then mentioning his rally driving for 20 years.
Why choose someone with the huge carbon footprint in his wake to promote awareness on a health issue? It’s a major contradiction, if not a fallacy.
Is it any wonder we have climate change, climate refugees and heart attacks etc, with the likes of Michael Lyster and his fellow rally drivers spewing out tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases? IAN HESTER, Bally macurley, Co. Roscommon.
Well done, Arlene
ON Sunday the DUP leader Arlene Foster made a much-anticipated appearance at the Ulster football final in Clones.
There must have been considerations going on behind the scenes among her advisers that she may upset some hardliners in her party by going to a sporting event in the Republic.
But she did point out that she is the leader of a political party that wishes to have a shared society and that means building respect and tolerance for other traditions and culture.
She must be commended for that stance and her presence at the late Martin McGuinness’s funeral Mass in Derry. While some may say it’s gesture politics, throughout the peace process we have all come to understand the value of gestures of taking the first step forward that leads to other steps. The fact that Arlene Foster stood for the national anthem was appreciated by the huge attendance, and must be a positive step in the right direction.
After all the gestures, we need to see movement on restoring devolution and delivering for everyone on this island, and that Sinn Féin are up to the mark on all of this. NOEL HARRINGTON,
Kinsale, Co. Cork.
On your bike, Donald
THE all-American icon Harley-Davidson motorcycles is heading for Europe, not just for sale but for production. They are one of the great images of America or, at least, an image that included many politicians and ‘a bike’, but no more.
They were praised at a meeting at the White House where President Trump thanked them, ‘for building things in America’ but that was before tariffs started appearing on the US agenda and then other countries responded. Now with a potential $135million tariff-based cost it is ‘Taxes just a Harley excuse – be patient!’
There may be few differences when the bikes are produced in Europe as the distinctive roar of a Harley bike won’t be the same with a French accent or maybe an Irish lilt. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne.
A mixed blessing
I HAVE mixed feelings about Cul- ture Minister Josepha Madigan taking to the altar of the Church of St Therese in Mount Merrion, Dublin, in the absence of the priest, to give readings.
I applaud her initiative because I agree with her that the Catholic Church should allow the ordination of women. The ban on women priests is a relic of medieval misogyny and a policy that won’t help the Church as ‘men of the cloth’ get scarcer in these materialistic times.
But I cringe when I consider that this is the same Minister who has granted a license permitting another season of hare coursing.
St Francis, whom I’m sure the devout Ms Madigan has heard about, abhorred cruelty to animals and referred to them as his ‘brothers and sisters’. He would not approve of a practice in which these innocent, gentle beings are snatched from the countryside, held in unnatural captivity, and then hounded in front of a cheering mob.
The Catholic Catechism declares: ‘It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.’ ‘Needless’ is the operative word here. No scientific, agricultural, or pest control purpose is served by having captive hares mauled, or crushed, or flung skyward within the confines of a wired enclosure. So, while I say fair play to Minister Josepha Madigan, can I suggest that next time she decides to ‘say Mass’ that she offer up a little prayer for the thousands of hares that would prefer if she didn’t grant a license to cruel coursing clubs! JOHN FITZGERALD,
Co. Kilkenny
Reckless celebrations
WITH so many tragic accidents occurring these days, it is rather reckless of sports clubs to allow the practice of having youngsters hanging out of car windows as part of the celebrations after winning finals.
This is very irresponsible and clubs should be issued with warnings about such displays of triumphalism.
It would be too late when a young player suffers serious injuries or worse as a result of such needless antics.
I do not wish to be considered as a killjoy but surely celebrations should be conducted in a more dignified manner.
A few words of warning from sports bodies like the GAA and others on this matter would be appropriate and perhaps the gardaí might take an interest too. ERIC RICE, Navan, Co. Meath.