THE cover of The National on Tuesday was a study in sober journalism and it should be given some sort of award.
While all the other national newspapers were gushing sycophantic guff about yet another Windsor baby, you put it in perspective by headlining the fact that food bank use has grown in Scotland thanks to the Conservative government's austerity experiment and its punitive and vicious attacks on those dependent on some form of benefits.
It forces reflection on the reader, as the sight of portions of the population taking leave of their senses and being photographed bedecked in Unionist garb kissing dolls makes one wonder what is the fascination, and the need of these people to kowtow to this monarchy and all that surrounds them.
It will no doubt wind up to a frenzy to the point that the media will saturate print and television, and royal correspondents will pass out with excitement, while the adoring public will be waiting for the Magi to come galloping into Kensington Palace with their gifts.
Is it that their lives are so dull that by being in the vicinity of royalty, or performing some sort of worship to them, they think their lives will be magically transformed? Do they think that these privileged bunch of self-serving freeloaders possess some sort of magical powers that will change them forever, like touching the hem of a holy man’s garment? Or is the truth more ordinary, that they have been programmed by history to believe that the House of Windsor is the Sangreal, Mecca and Lourdes all rolled up into one Empirical wonderland, a place and a now very extended family that will save them from invaders, from threats and worries?
On all these counts they are sadly mistaken as throughout recent history the royal family have done nothing but extend their bloodline, and consequently have their hands out for more public money to keep them in the lap of luxury.
Do any of the Windsors give a damn for the destitute and desperate people who have been ground into the dust by the oppressive attacks on their standard of living, seen their benefits cruelly withdrawn or at best frozen for the last so many years by Her Majesty's Government? Did they spare a thought when the residents of Grenfell lost everything, including family, did it ever occur to them to offer accommodation in one of many royal residences lying empty or barely used, to house these people in their hour of need? I’ll bet you they didn’t! They are all too busy pandering themselves at our expense, producing children free from the worry of having to justify a third child, or endure the rape clause interview to some disinterested DSS worker to get enough money to barely survive. I doubt if they will ever have to forego a meal in order that their children can eat, or have heating in their homes.
So you will forgive me for not hanging the bunting and dressing up like John Bull whilst celebrating the latest Windsor birth. I will be otherwise engaged in trying to keep my head above water, look after my family and protect them from the worst attacks on human rights and civil liberties ever seen in this country.
I bear the child no ill will, but I’d rather the money that will be lavished on this baby to be given to charitable causes that fight to help those in real need, to help the disabled and the sick.
Ade Hegney
Helensburgh
WHAT a double whammy for the hated royals! A royal wedding in the offing and a woman gave birth. As the Unionist press fall about themselves, and TV programmes are hastily re-shuffled, the austerity word is banned! The family in question will not recognise the word never mind the concept, of course, as they are gifted the equivalent of a lottery win every year. When Scotland becomes independent we must ditch these leeches! They are an anachronism in 2018!
Billy Kerr
Galston, Ayrshire
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