THE energy crisis seems to have taken by surprise politicians and media alike. What short memories they have.
In the 1980s those of us who campaigned against the privatisation of gas and electricity and the closure of coalmines predicted exactly what would happen.
We said energy supplies would be jeopardised as North Sea oil and gas was squandered and coal was locked in the ground, making the UK dependent on foreign energy sources. We pointed out that, once privatised, the profit motive would become paramount and prices would go up.
We also said that nuclear power was no alternative because, apart from the risk – proved by the Chernobyl disaster – the vast hidden cost of disposing of waste and decommissioning obsolete plant made it uneconomical. And here we are today with the taxpayer facing a £70bn-plus bill to bale out the nuclear industry.
By following their capitalist free market dogma politicians of all parties have handed over the wealth of the earth, which should belong to all, into the irresponsible hands of a minority of global profiteers.
The only solution to the crisis is the total nationalisation of the whole energy industry and the creation of a planned, integrated energy policy. This must involve a programme of re-opening or sinking new deep coal mines and the revival of clean coal technology, since the danger is that if market forces are left to it there will be instead an expansion of opencast mining which will devastate the environment.
One benefit of rising prices may be that there is less waste of energy. Our towns are ablaze with lights and most public and commercial buildings are heated like greenhouses. The time is fast approaching when rationing of energy is going to be the only fair solution.
Without a planned energy and transport policy efforts to reduce greenhouse gases are doomed. Those who say that socialism is intrinsically undemocratic need only look at the chaos facing the world and ask what freedom has the free market forces system really brought us?
Alan Brooke
Honley
What, a smooth road . . ?
I WOULD like to endorse the comments made by a local resident in a recent article in the Examiner, about the manner in which the resurfacing of Halifax Road has been planned and been carried out by the contractors. It has been first class!
I would, however, like to take this opportunity of warning Kirklees about possible compensation claims. I have recently taken my car to the garage and asked them to check why it is no longer rattling and bouncing around as I journey to and from town.
The garage can find nothing wrong with the car, but I am not convinced. Have other road users encountered similar problems, in which case we could jointly approach Kirklees with our concerns!
JB
Edgerton
The Bible also says . . .
IN seeking to correct a previous writer’s comments regarding gay people Theresa Quarmby quotes the views of God from the book of Genesis (Mailbag, August 1). Since she possesses undoubted expertise in this area perhaps Ms Quarmby could help with a few other issues.
As the credit crunch deepens and energy prices rise I am considering selling my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned by Exodus 21:7. Could she give me an idea of a fair price?
Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess both male and female slaves, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. Do I have to cross the Channel or can I buy them in Scotland or Wales?
Exodus 35:2 requires anyone who works on the sabbath to be put to death. Is there any possibility of an exemption for part-time supermarket staff?
According to Leviticus the same fate awaits anyone wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread. Is stoning to death or burning a more appropriate punishment for such fashion indiscretions as the wearing of a blend of cotton and polyester?
And finally, the frequently quoted assertion in Leviticus that homosexuality is an abomination. Precisely the same term is used to describe the eating of shellfish. So which is worse; being gay or the consumption of a prawn sandwich?
Lewis Rich
Fixby
Here’s my ‘apology’
FOLLOWING my letter in praise of the Newsome Two (Mailbag July 22) I was contacted by the three Lib Dem councillors for Linthwaite asking me to retract my comments and apologise for my implied criticism of their lack of action over plans to erect some 130 dwellings on the former site of Black Rock Mills in the village.
Well, it seems that I must apologise. They have been taking action. Their “actions” have involved talking to the highways department, education and others. Indeed, they seem to have been talking up a storm for about four months! They want the facts before making up their collective minds before deciding which way to jump.
Unlike the Newsome Two who, it seems, represented the feelings of their constituents before they were aware of the facts.
The facts in this case are these.There are, within 800 yards of the proposed developments, some 20 houses for sale. Are these affordable? Well yes, but mortgages are so hard to obtain that they remain unsold. A large stock of affordable houses already exists in the Colne Valley. Unless the entire population of Huddersfield wishes to move here we don’t need any more thank you and the infrastructure of Linthwaite can’t support more.
We don’t have a doctor, a butcher, a greengrocer or chemist. Perhaps worst of all there is no library. Into this the planners wish to shoehorn potentially 600 more people.
I wonder how many new builds and mill conversions there have been in the Valley in the past 10 years and how many in Huddersfield at large. I would like to bet there have proportionately more in the Valley.
Still at least we are assured that the Linthwaite Three are talking about it!
Trevor Woolley
Linthwaite
Pigeons will just move
IT has come to light that Yorkshire is one of the worst places for cruelty to animals (Examiner July 31).
Now Kirklees is showing the way by being cruel to the pigeons by starving them (Examiner August 1). This is just another way for the council to make money by fining people who feed the birds. What are they going to do next? Send people to jail for feeding the birds? Oh please; stop the world I want to get off!
Doesn’t the council know that if you starve the pigeons they are going to go where people are because they know they have got food! And they will hang around hoping to get some.
The council should give them some areas where the pigeons can feed all day so they know where they’re going to get fed. The birds are more intelligent than the council thinks; but then again that’s Kirklees Council!
Mrs Pickering
Huddersfield
Quiet Yorkshire Day
ONCE again Yorkshire Day on August 1 passed with hardly a whisper in Huddersfield.
My colleagues and I did make a small effort in our humble car park in Queensgate by wearing the Yorkshire Rose on our uniforms, flying the Yorkshire Flag and decorating our cabin with bunting (thanks girls in the tourist office on Albion Street). We drank Yorkshire teas, ate Yorkshire biscuits and handed out Yorkshire mixture sweets to visitors. Well done The Head of Steam and Cummins Turbo for their support. Also, thank you to the little old lady who stopped me on Peel Street and said how sad she was that I was the only person she had seen wearing the White Rose.
Brian Lawrence
Golcar
Our many correspondents
I’VE always considered the Mailbag to be the best part of the Examiner; those contributions of particular interest are removed and filed.
Inevitably, as the years add themselves, for some the ink runs dry. But I’ve grouped a rich and varied collection of the best. Upon examining the aggregate I was astounded at their bulk and their contents. I’d like to list all those generous people who shared their thoughts with me, but limitations of space prevent it.
Roll call: Stanley Chadwick, Fred Wood, Jack Ramsden, Mollie Hartley, the prolific Dr Henderson Smith, Garfi, Mr Vant, Alan Brooke, the man from Crackpot Cottage, Bill Armer, Harold Barrowclough, Skye Turner, Stephen Gaunt, Colin Vause, Gez Sharp, Chris Thornton, Sue Papworth, Teresa Quarmby, Parcel Bob, Richard Huddleston, Frank O’Brien, Arthur Quarmby, Tony Sosna, Uncle Grumpy and finally Fleur Oldfield, who on the brink of death looked for the meaning of life. Apologies to those I’ve left out.
Harold Brown
Wakefield
Robin Brown . . ?
I AM sorry Gordon but you’re no Robin Hood, taking from the greedy rich energy companies and er ... keeping it.
Allen Jenkinson
Milnsbridge
Praise for binmen
I WOULD like to say a big thank you to the refuse collectors and the green box collectors. They do a wonderful job in all weathers; where would we be without them?
I am disabled and they cheer me up when I see them coming up my garden path. Well done chaps. God bless you all. Give them the money they deserve Kirklees Council.
Teddington Avenue resident
