Ailing Alan is a star of acting and of science

LIKE many, I was saddened to hear that Alan Alda has Parkinson’s disease. I was also saddened that he felt it was necessary to discuss an issue that many may keep private because as he said: ‘I thought, it’s probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view, but that’s not where I am.’ In times of illness and passing we should consider the theme of his message and concentrate on the positives in life.

Most will know him for his acting in M.A.S.H. as a brilliant, trouble making doctor although his role in West Wing as a brilliant potential president is well worth watching. His real brilliance is however as a storyteller and his contributions to science in this role at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

There are many that can tell a story well but few tell stories of importance so well. Science is better off because of him as there is a need for clear communication in a world of fake news and fake science – climate change deniers and anti-vaccination falsehoods. Keep telling the world about science as I and many others will keep listening. DENNIS FITZGERALD, by email.

Brought to book

THE old iron is out of the fire, as it is at this time each year. Could someone stand up and ask the Minister why parents cannot hand last years books to the children following. Teachers should also be asked the same question. School Boards of Management, which are partly made up of parents, should be included as part of the decisionmaking process in this matter. Complete changes of books for minimum adjustment from year to year (a few lines or a paragraph). It’s the old generational rip-off by the schoolbook producers who hold sway over teachers and politicians year after year. What is going on behind the scenes, that question has to finally be answered, but we need a politician with courage to do it.

HARRY MULHERN, Dublin.

Don’t ignore the voters

IN the last couple of weeks we have had calls from Minister Charlie Flanagan and FF’s Micheál Martin amongst others for Sinn Féin to take their seats in Westminster and vote against the Conservatives and DUP on the Brexit issue.

This is typical FF and FG politics ignoring the result of a referendum and the fact that 51.96% of the population of the UK voted for Brexit. It might come as a surprise to FF and FG that in a real democracy like the UK the government tries its best to implement the result of a referendum. How many times have we heard FF and FG say there should be another rerun of the Brexit referendum until I suppose the result in another country agrees with FF and FG. Sinn Féin got elected on an abstention policy and even though I don’t agree with most of Sinn Féin policies they seem to keep their word.

DENNIS DENNEHY, Dublin.

Keep out of Nato

EX-GAA president Sean Kelly MEP. and his three Fine Gael MEP colleagues want Ireland to join Nato/Europe Defence, despite Nato illegally invading Libya and creating the floating graveyard in the Mediterranean!

Neither was this shown on the Croke Park interval videos showing the Irish Defence promotion for new recruits at last weekend’s enthralling hurling matches.

Neither were the films of the displaced ten million Syrians, despite the Irish Government’s supporting these two illegal invasions.

If Ireland does join Nato, it will be a real barrel of laughs!

PETER KENNEDY, Dublin 13.

And they’re off...

ALL bets are on to see who will be first past the post, which runner has the legs to stay in the race... do you back the favourite or do you go with one of the outsider.

We’re not talking Ballybrit though, but the Presidential election – the race with a top prize of luxurioius living and being pandered to for the next seven years. My money’s on the little poet, but watch out for that Dragon.

DONAL FLYNN, Dublin.