IN 1970, Edwin Starr sang “War! Huh, what is it good for ... absolutely nothin’!” and it still holds true. The only people benefitting from war are arms manufacturers. There is one particular weapons system that we need to focus on so, I would like Edwin’s lyric to be reprised as “Trident! Huh, what is it good for ... absolutely nothin’.”
From using bows and arrows as projectiles in our distant past circa 10,000 years ago to Trident in the 21st century is a huge change.
The arrow that was designed for food and survival became re-utilised as an attack/defence weapon.
The modern development extension of the arrow is the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) of which Trident is a submarine variant. But what food does Trident put on our country’s table?
READ MORE: SNP conference bid for three-year deadline on axing Trident in independent Scotland
Proponents will cite that food is not Trident’s prime function, but it is providing a good living for the submariners that man the Trident subs, the onshore staff and supply chain keeping the lights on and in provisions in their homes and at Faslane, its idyllic home on our west coast.
Reading the runes on the current talks between Russia and USA, it appears that two issues are possible sticking points.
Russia fears the US anti-ballistic missile defence, where the USA seem to be impregnable from attack. That’s not Trident. The USA fears the plethora of non-strategic (theatre) nuclear weaponry capability of the Russians.
The logic is, therefore, that if a country has an impregnable defence against nuclear attack it is more likely to launch an attack. If it does not have an impenetrable defence shield, it should not launch an attack, at least not a first strike.
A nuclear attack on the UK by any other country will devastate Scotland, and there is no defensive shield for the UK. What benefit would that bring to the aggressor, be it Russia or North Korea or Iran? To quote Edwin again: “Absolutely nothin’.”
A contaminated Scotland and Northern Ireland and Northern England for 10,000 years or more. So why do we need and have Trident?
Alistair Ballantyne
Birkhill, Angus
IF the entire readership of The National was not fuming at the report that the Queen’s representatives lobbied for her exemption to the bill which would give rights to compulsorily purchase land for renewable energy infrastructure, then we are doomed to be under Westminster’s thumb forever (Queen ‘lobbied Scottish Government for exemption to climate law’, July 29).
And Paul Wheelhouse and the SNP government should be ashamed of themselves that they capitulated to these requests.
The inference is that, if the exemption was not granted, Royal Assent would not be given. So be it. Let it happen and let the world know it has happened. We could not have received a bigger boost to the independence cause.
READ MORE: Queen lobbied Scottish Government for exemption to climate law on her private land
Why should any member of our population be granted privileges such as these when we are facing a climate catastrophe? Why should the Queen be any different?
And why should this SNP government succumb to this pressure and grant Her Majesty exemption from rules applying to us hoi polloi?
Come on, Paul Wheelhouse. Come on, the Scottish Government; show some gumption and some political nous. We should have stood up to these requests from the head of this outdated and discredited institution. We should have used this as a marker that we can be an independent nation.
Instead, the Proclaimers’ Cap in Hand has never sounded more relevant and, unfortunately, the lyrics seem so apposite to this supine Scottish Government.
William Thomson
Denny
JUST read Laura Webster’s piece on “royal” exemption lobbying.
I’ve found out it’s possible to be fizzin’ mad and disgusted at the same time. Fizzin’ at the arrogance that this auld wumman (who is only a figurehead, with no REAL power, so we’re told) can insist that no law is passed that might cause her any inconvenience – physically or financially – and disgust at the apparent acquiescence of our Scottish Government to this
blatant nose-thumbing to all CITIZENS of this sham democracy we live under. I believe it was Oscar Wilde who said “The law is an ass”. This latest debacle confirms that the law is what the wealthiest are prepared to tolerate – and the rest of us can just thole it.
Barry (scunnered) Stewart
Blantyre
THE letter in yesterday’s National from Robert Anderson regarding the SNP’s broken promises really illustrates how much the party disregard the hard-working people in the Yes movement.
It is appalling that correspondence is not acknowledged and is reminiscent of how New Labour took their supporters and members for granted.
There needs to be a prompt resetting of their relationship and attitude with the Yes movement. Loyalty in today’s politics should not be assumed and taken for granted. Failure to show respect for the advocates of independence and the foot soldiers who do all the hard slogging could crumble quickly unless this is recognised and acted upon.
Stewart Bousie
Perth
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