Letters

AFTER reading your editorial comment (Echo, Mar 30) I thought how strange it is that, as religious observance declines, the prophet of doom arises to remind us of the day of destruction and requests us not to follow "the filthy path to prosperity".

No doubt, the writer will have seen the signs of the end prior to the American government abandoning the Kyoto agreement.

Cliffs collapsing at Scarborough, floods in Cleveland, reinforced sea walls at Seaton Carew, boarded-up shops and cafes at Whitley Bay and the arrival of the Messiah at Hartlepool with his vision of a glorious future where politicians of every persuasion meet together in peaceful harmony to implement a new age.

Maybe, one day readers could be called to assemble at the Stadium of Light to board spaceships and fly along the Third Way to planet Focus. Planet Focus is the only planet in the galaxy where bushes cannot grow.

While we have time we should look around the world, especially at the edge of the Sahara Desert and the Ethiopian highlands where poor people have to burn trees to do their cooking and to keep warm, thereby destroying fertile soil.

In our modern western society, where the accent is on education and information, more trees will be required which is the American preference for the absorption of greenhouse gases. - Thomas Conlon, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor.

THE EURO

I MUST respond to P Blenkinsop (HAS, Apr 6). First let me kill the myth of the strong pound. It is the euro which is weak. It has lost value against every major currency.

Next, foreign investment has not been deterred from coming into Britain. Last year, there was more inward investment than any other European country, a high percentage which was from Germany and France as companies found the social taxes and employment regulations so stifled their operations in their home country.

Yet, a strong European central bank is needed. Unfortunately, the present bank which is run by a committee of 15 is weak. It has mismanaged the domestic monetary policy which is why the euro has lost so much of its value and credibility.

British economic policy is converging with Europe but only because of the dictates coming from Brussels. Liberalisation, deregulation and lowering taxes are a pipe dream.

If Euroland is such a high growth area why is the euro languishing so far behind the US dollar even though America is in a recession?

If a referendum were to be held today the euro would be defeated. This may not be the economic logic your correspondent would like, but it would be sound common sense. - K Peacock, Darlington.

STAR WARS

IT SHOULD be of great concern to everyone that Labour politicians are already having informal discussions to change the function of Fylingdales without proper scrutiny and open debate.

The Son of Star Wars or, as they now sell it, National Missile Defence, is to protect only America.

America continues to stalk the planet with little regard for international law and historic treaties. Bombing and bludgeoning weak countries from a safe distance increases the threat of attack from a rogue state.

The politicians and Americans insist this threat exists, justifying the billions of pounds of NMD weaponry. Presently, a rogue state would not waste its handful of missiles targeting Yorkshire when in dispute with America.

The situation changes considerably if Fylingdales is used to destroy missiles over the US. At a stroke, this removes the thousands of potential targets that exist on the American mainland, exposing Fylingdales as the prime target that can be hit and, in turn, damage the all-seeing eye of the American military machine.

We already accept Fylingdales (as an early warning station) may be targeted by a substantial military power. Thankfully, restraint has always prevailed when all the combatants are vulnerable through mutual destruction, leading to agreements like the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that America is set to breach.

Our leading politicians are so eager to please President Bush they can't hear the howls of laughter from Capitol Hill as the American military plan to hide behind our women and children firmly placed on their front line. - Alec Featherstone, Pickering.

MURIEL YOUNG

THOSE who remember Muriel Young as a children's TV presenter will be very sorry to hear of her death and join in all the tributes paid to her. "Aunty Mu" did not yell at the camera and act like a hyperactive child when introducing programmes.

Her beautiful smile and gentle manner set an excellent example to her many viewers. Even the puppets she worked with were reflections of her gentle spirit. If only the same could be said of many of today's presenters. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

SWIM FOR LIFE

I AM appealing to your readers to Swim a Mile in 2001 to help save lives.

The Sharron Davies Mile Swim Challenge, which is part of the Swim for Life Campaign, is celebrating its 12th anniversary this year and I hope to make it the best year ever.

Taking part is not only great fun, but can also improve your health and fitness and raise money for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. One in three people are touched by cancer at some stage in their life but, with your support, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund can continue working to find a cure.

To complete the Challenge all you have to do is Swim a Mile at your local swimming pool between May 13 and 27. You can do it in one or several attempts - as an individual or with family, work colleagues or school friends as a team.

Trophies will be awarded to the individual, school and corporate teams who raise the greatest amount of sponsorship.

To participate, simply pick up an entry form at your local pool or phone the Action Line on 01382 451146 for a sponsorship pack. - Sharron Davies MBE.