Readers' letters from Wednesday 28 Nov 2007

We can still pray

 IT was great to see that the M.E.N. considered Rochdale councillor Robin Parker’s decision to scrap prayers before council meetings, when he becomes mayor, to be of sufficient importance and interest to the public that it was headline news (November 23) and that it prompted a thoughtful editorial comment. Whatever the merits or demerits of this decision – and I can see both sides – clearly the fact that Coun Parker is a religious man indicates that he has approached this issue with care and no doubt prayer.Perhaps the main point is that prayer is a thing of the heart which may not always be appropriate to speak aloud in a communal setting, but is very worthwhile when practised inwardly by individuals in office or by those wishing to support progress in our communities. Coun Parker is quoted as describing council meetings taking place ‘in an atmosphere that can sometimes be vitriolic’. I would agree with Father Paul Daly’s comment that ‘more attention to prayers […] might improve public debate’. However, these prayers could be the silent contributions of those of prayerful disposition either within the council or acting in support of it. As a Christian Scientist, I have great faith in the power of heartfelt, silent prayer to support or usher in positive change on the human scene and will often pray for peace and progress in Greater Manchester as a whole. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, once said: “I also have faith that my prayer availeth.” I am grateful for all those of faith who pray for this wide and vibrant community of Greater Manchester and to the M.E.N. for raising the topic of prayer on its front page. 

Lesley Gort, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Greater Manchester

Rotten society

JUST who are the low lives who break into cars on Charlestown Road outside Booth Hall Childrens’ Hospital? After visiting their sick child, friends came out to discover that the front passenger window of their old car had been smashed. Nothing had been taken because there was nothing of value in the car, but they had a 50-mile journey home and had to get it fixed. Extra stress they could well do without.  Judging by the broken glass this is not an isolated incident. Parking is limited and expensive inside the grounds so people park on the road, quite legally.  What a rotten society we live in. 

Disillusioned, Prestwich

No choice for me

I TRAVELLED on the 14.31 from Manchester Piccadilly to Edinburgh. While the journey was as enjoyable as usual, there was one incident that caused frustration.A female passenger was boasting to an apparently unrelated passenger that she was in First Class on a Standard Class ticket. The justification given was that she had with her a particularly bulky pushchair. Apparently the ticket inspector had allowed her carriage in First. As a disabled passenger, I appreciate the space, peace and quiet of First Class, which is why I pay the premium. My objection is that as a man with a disability through no fault of my own, I must pay for a service apparently doled out free to a woman who is inconvenienced by her decision to bear a child. In recent years we’ve seen pregnant women, or women with young children given the same consideration as disabled people. But now to see this escalated to beyond that offered to disabled people, is a disgrace. Pregnancy is a choice. Disability isn’t.

James Brewster, Edinburgh

Boycott Japan

I SEE Andrew Grimes feels as I do about the Japanese fleet sailing to slaughter Humpback whales. I suspect thousands more agree, so why don’t we all try to do something about it? I don’t think Japan would be very pleased if people stopped buying their cars, TV sets, mobile phones and the other items they produce.As a newspaper with a bit of clout, why not start a campaign to get people to stop buying anything Japanese until they call off the disgusting slaughter of these beautiful creatures.

Peter Salmon

Slow down, reclaim the streets

RECENT letter writers and Ray King’s article (M.E.N., November 12) on speeding indicate we have a long way to go to convince people that streets are for people and the community.Dr Ian Donnan (Postbag, November 15) claims that speeding is not necessarily dangerous. From the point of view of the community the danger may have passed because communities have already been ripped apart by speeding drivers. However the noise pollution from speeders is a danger to the mental health of us all. Righteous of Prestwich (November 24) claims more congestion will be caused by slower speed limits. These speeding drivers are joining the next traffic queue all the sooner and therefore causing longer queues (congestion in my book). I notice this every day as I cycle at about 15mph and drivers overtake me several times only to arrive at the same time as me. I am sure that reducing the limit to 20 mph on our urban streets will not make any difference to journey times during rush hours; it may even reduce times as more people decide to use friendlier streets to walk or cycling.Righteous also complains about the painfully slow 10mph outside schools; as the average distance is a mere 250 yards the time lost is 25 seconds. Ten mph only appears slow because motor vehicles have been designed to be detached from the real world; painful would be the word to describe being hit by a vehicle at this speed ( but much better than at 30mph).For more information see livingstreets.org.uk

Richard Alderson, Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign