Readers' letters - Wednesday, November 16


For too long, extremists like Nigel Farage have been controlling the debate in society, all about silly little side issues.
Peddling fear amongst us, carefully orchestrated for maximum effect, in order to keep the real issues to one side.
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Hide AdWe need to just count to 10 and breathe, then we will all see through the lies.
The debate we should be having is not about which airport gets an extra runway, but which airports we have to close now!
The debate about human survival on this planet is being swept out of sight.
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Hide AdWe need a strong government with brains, which would re-purpose jobs after the necessary closure of 50 per cent of our airports.
Unlike former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who should have re-purposed the miners into new jobs.
Because she was less than adequate in her job, she just hid the jobless numbers among the sickness and disability claimants, causing the stress we have in our social safety net of today.
She was found number- crunching instead of giving the damaged communities a new life and purpose.
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Hide AdWe have lost a lot of our values because of greed, like living for today with tomorrow in mind.
Leaving a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren to inherit.
Weather and climate should be treated as something that really matters, and not an add-on to the end of the news.
It’s about time we had a government that stands up in this country, that takes action against the climate criminals.
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Hide AdThe dirtiest industries should not be dictating the climate talks in Morocco or their direction.
They should be made to follow the rules, not be making them.
The shipping industry took eight years to reduce sulphur levels in the fuel when left to its own devices.
Now we have to wait until 2023 until they start talks on reducing numbers of ships.
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Hide AdThis should be imposed by governments now, not wait for the industry to decide.
John Warnock via email
Ivy’s no threat to our trees
I must take issue with R Ward regarding their opinion of the ivy plant and the effect it has on our trees (LEP Letters, November 12).
Contrary to R Ward’s erroneous views – I have to say, sadly shared by many – the ivy (hedera helix to give it its posh name) poses no threat to any tree whatsoever, and simply uses its ‘partner’ as a means to gain elevation.
The tree is no more in danger of being harmed than, say, a step-ladder is harmed when you change a light bulb.
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Hide AdIndeed, during the colder seasons of the year, the humble ivy, being one of the few broad-leaved perennials to retain its foliage over winter, provides both lair and larder to a host of creatures, mainly for refuge and hibernation, whilst its late flowering blooms (a key marker of global warming as observed by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology here in the UK) are a valuable source of nectar for many insects which, in turn, provide a necessary feast for all sorts of birds, mammals and amphibians.
A plant of many parts you might say and all of them good.
A plant which does fit R.W’s description however, is the ‘domestic’ weeping fig (ficus benjamina) also known as the strangler fig.
This tropical species really does tick all of the wrong boxes, yet we quite happily share our living rooms and conservatories with it across the land.
If you have one in your lounge, don’t sit still for too long.
It is merely biding its time!
Martin Sutcliffe, Grimsargh
Strikes were in defence of jobs
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Hide AdIn David Neal’s savage letter (LEP November 12) attacking Mick Mulcahy’s complaint of the present Government’s refusal of an inquiry into the ‘Cossack’ attack by the police at Orgreave during the miners’ strike, he appears to condone assault and perjury, when sanctioned by the State.
Most people who have ever been involved in strikes, do so, not because of greed or reasons of power control, but in defence of their jobs and conditions of work.
Thatcher took on the miners as a matter of policy, beating them. She would and did emasculate the Trade Union movement.
Her attack was pre-planned and manipulated at a time and situation favourable for her success. The sheep Neal mentioned, or at least a large majority, now languish on zero hours contracts, ephemeral agency work, reduced pensions, and reduced job security.
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Hide AdHave power-mad union leaders brought these conditions about?
Denis Lee, Ashton
Keeping library memories alive
Re: your picture in Saturday’s LEP of the closure of Lostock Hall Library (LEP November 12).
It brought back some very happy memories from years ago. In the late 60s, just after it opened, my mother told me to apply for a post there. Well, I got it!
I worked at libraries throughout South Ribble, even when mergers took place and librarians came and went, we, a nucleus of staff, stayed together.
We got to know the readers and library members very well.
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Hide AdAfter working in Lostock Hall, we, from the office, had to move to Preston.
What a change after village libraries, a hustle and bustle town centre library.
I loved it!
I retired in September 1999, but people still call me to this day by my initials.
But although we say a fond farewell, we still keep the memories alive.
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Hide AdAbout 10 of us, (dare I say it) the ‘golden girls’, meet for a meal out, three or four times a year, to put the world to rights and remember the good old days when libraries just lent books!
So, for now, love to everyone who remembers DG.
DG via email