M MIRALPEIX’S inspiring letter (Letters, The National, October 19) makes the kind of appeal to our humanity that the world’s greatest writers throughout the ages have made: do not stand by and see me crushed by a dictator’s aggression.
I agree that each one of us is Europe and that, unlike our political representatives, who serve each other rather than those who voted them into office, we should demand that our MPs, MSPs and MEPs intervene to stop Mariano Rajoy’s anti-democratic machinations against the people of Catalonia.
I shall write to mine, although I’ll have to look up who my MEP is, because that’s how little impact he or she has made on me or my life, and try to shame them into doing something, not just write or utter apparently supportive words in support of the Catalans.
This is a crisis not only for the EU but for each one of us. Let us think of ways to stand by our friends in Catalonia.
Lovina Roe, Perth
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel