Paxo’s right: Britain has lost its stuffing
I AGREE with Jeremy Paxman that political correctness has suffused every aspect of life (Mail). There are far too many over-sensitive snowflakes and minority groups who object to everything. But those same guardians of all that is politically correct do not eschew pouring bile on those who, in their opinion, are not so finely tuned. Anyone who is perceived to be Rightwing is fair game for being automatically assessed as hateful, uncaring and racist, regardless of how that assessment might cause offence and however wrong it may be. We live in a society where common sense is disregarded. There have been incidents when emergency ambulances and fire crews have stood around awaiting for a risk assessment while lives have been in danger of being lost. The police have a recruitment crisis and are struggling to deal with the number of burglaries, but are still expected to prioritise hate crimes. Education is being politicised to the extent that parents feel they have no control over what their children are taught and at what age. Religious belief is no longer held to be of any influence or relevance. Of course, society is subject to change, but if that makes people less tolerant, Not impressed: Jeremy Paxman less humorous and less inclined to act with plain common sense then perhaps we need to question the relevance and pace of that change. Compassion, tolerance and caring is not confined to a Left-wing cabal of politically active, but sometimes misguided, zealots. Most ordinary people are able to make their own decisions about what causes hurt or offence and are perfectly able to express themselves. I am an old person, just like Jeremy Paxman, and admit I am not always politically correct, but I believe I am genuinely considerate of others. If I don’t know how to behave by now, there is no guide book or instruction manual that will alter me. My mantra is ‘Do unto others as you would like to be done by’ and for me that encompasses common sense and humanity. DAVID ROLL, Cardiff. I HAVE never been a great fan of Jeremy Paxman, but his views on political correctness resonate with me. The chattering classes have gained the ascendancy, freedom of speech has been suppressed by the snowflake society and we live in fear of the thought police. My father would have said ‘God help us’, but I now realise even that is just a pious hope. AMALIA RENNIE, Chester. OLD folk can bite back, Mr Paxman — if they’ve got their dentures in!
VINCENT HEFTER, Richmond, Surrey. oceans ‘singing’ to others on its migratory journey.
Little did it know it would be hunted to its death by a huge spike slicing through its body, wrenching half its gut out to end its life in the cruellest way.
This isn’t barbaric, it is depravity. The great oceans belong to these sentient beings, not bipeds.
They were there long before us. ROBERT GRITTON, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire.
Red card for Lineker
THE BBC has described Gary Lineker as ‘doing an extraordinary job for his salary’.
He doesn’t. He simply describes to us what we have already watched because he assumes viewers won’t understand the game without the help of pundits.
He sits in judgment of players and managers who have been under ‘match pressure’ while he enjoys the luxury of the TV studio. Being wise after the event doesn’t take exceptional ability. MUNRO STARR, Loughborough, Leics. HOW the BBC can justify the salaries of Zoe Ball, Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz is a mystery.
One needs to stop shouting, one needs a haircut and one needs to retire. M. STAFFORD, Bristol.
Bump off Bond
HOW can the BBC consider Claudia Winkleman, who is paid £374,999, to be ‘value for money’?
She hosts one two-hour programme a week on Radio 2 and from September to December ruins Strictly Come Dancing. DAVID PITT, Boxley, Kent. ALL the fuss over who could possibly be the next 007 is ridiculous. Surely it is time to retire James Bond.
After all, every one of Ian Fleming’s original books has been made into a film.
Screen writers with some imagination should create another MI6 agent, who could be female or black.
There are so many talented actors out there just waiting to play a part that could become as iconic as Bond. BRIAN JENKIN, Swadlincote, Derbys.