We live in a time of deceit...
ACCORDING to The Times reporters Michael Evans, Catherine Philp and Francis Elliot, the Commons defence committee heard on June 7 that tens of millions would have to be spent to modify the Royal Navy’s fleet of six £1bn destroyers to stop them breaking down in the warm waters of the Gulf.
Rolls-Royce said the destroyers had been built as specified, but Middle East conditions were not in line with these specs.
One imagines workers in warship yards and elsewhere throwing hard-hats in the air at such news while laughing ruefully at such absurdity. This odd naval position almost mirrors that found during the invasion of Iraq, when our Army found that due to their inadequate sand filters, British tanks were unsuitable for Iraq or desert use.
There is disquiet at defence expenditures; £200bn is demanded to upgrade Trident nuclear submarines. To exist, “military industries” need real or imagined national enemies as the source of their cash, duplicity and ignorance growing; there is a lack of courage for truths and a greater capacity for self or national deception about.
To our libraries we turn for historical accuracy and the widest variety of opinions penned by people seeking to enlighten or entertain us. Computers alter “facts” electronically. To diminish access to libraries may become another easy form of censorship. Leave them well alone!
George Lambert Burscough
WE’RE SO GRATEFUL
THROUGH your paper may I thank the residents and shoppers for a tremendous response to the street collection in Southport for Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team on June 4. The collection raised a total of £480.33. This money will go towards kit renewals, essential for keeping a secure operational response.
In recent years, as well as our more usual hill and fell rescue activity, we have had several calls to assist people who have got into difficulties in the West Lancashire lowlands, as well as a very busy winter with searches and rescues with the floods.
We receive no statutory funding for this service, so anything we receive is hugely appreciated and we are therefore grateful for the opportunity to thank all those who have supported us. The money raised from the collection enables us to continue to help others who get into difficulties in our wilder and more remote areas.
Clive Shelley, via email
‘COMMON SENSE’ CALL I CANNOT believe that plans have been submitted to build more houses, north of Meadowbrook Lane in Burscough! These plans should not even be considered.
Is it not enough to have the Yew Tree farm site turned into a small town? I travel every day on the A59 through Burscough and at peak times the traffic is sometimes at a standstill. Come on Lancs council, let’s have someone with a bit of sense to make the right decision and throw these plans out.
H.Ball Burscough