THERE are times in history when some evil idea gains political and mass public support and grows rapidly on an international scale, backed by powerful military force, and seems invincible.
This happened in the 1930s with fascism, which grew and spread rapidly across the world.
When this happens there are always those who will justify the ideology, support it, and make excuses for its excesses, as happened with fascism in the 1930s.
READ MORE: Tory yes men ignore Gaza slaughter and the damage caused by Brexit
This is happening again today. The world is witness to the horrific genocide now taking place in Gaza and obvious to all of us in daily images and reports. Also, of course, we have the supporters of this crime against humanity white-washing the crimes and trying to justify the brutality.
As we learn from history, the decent people in the world will resist this conduct and in time will strongly react and put the perpetrators down. As indeed happened to the fascists, but unfortunately too late for many of the victims of these crimes.
The Israelis will not get away with this genocide, the world will turn against them and this is already happening, and their sympathisers in the US and UK leadership will get the condemnation they bitterly deserve when this happens.
I hope people like Keir Starmer will suffer for their support for this genocide, for “the opposite of good is not evil” as Samuel Johnson wrote, “the opposite of good is indifference”. I would not, of course, wish on Keir Starmer, or anyone else, the horrors of what is happening to the people in Gaza, but I do believe he and others will be seen in history as collaborators with the perpetrators of these horrific crimes and treated accordingly.
Andy Anderson
Ardrossan
BUGGERING off to the US after buggering things up in UK politics is a bit of a thing. Clegg did it and is now having as much fun harming young people via Facebook as he did going back on his pledge not to increase Labour’s tuition fees during the Con-Lib coalition.
Rumours abound that despite fervent denials (always a giveaway), Rishi Sunak is California-bound. I always thought there was something subconsciously “there” about the July 4 election date.
Unfortunately, once they depart across the pond not all political horrors can be relied upon to stay there.
READ MORE: SNP call Anas Sarwar state school promise 'attack on devolution'
In East Lothian, Douglas Alexander – the Blairite warmonger who, highly rewarded by that old war criminal in exchange for never failing to vote for the illegal and globally catastrophic invasion of Iraq – is standing for election in the upcoming General Election.
Clearly he is relying on the good folk of East Lothian not remembering or not caring.
The idea that he should keep a low profile, show some humility and contemplate the untold civilian casualties – especially in the light of current events in Gaza – clearly has not occurred to him or his conscience.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
IT came as no surprise to me to learn that more than 30% of 18- to 35-year-olds have not even registered to vote. No wonder, when all politicians make ridiculous claims and completely unrealistic policy promises in order to scramble a few more votes.
I watched with increasing disbelief a recent pre-manifesto interview with John Swinney MSP where he claimed the SNP would be proposing a social energy tariff for those on low incomes. The concept is of course a good one, but the promise of half price gas and electricity is clearly made without much thought or reference to the ability to raise the massive costs from taxation or his ability to implement this policy fantasy.
READ MORE: Everything the SNP manifesto says about Scottish independence
The power (pun intended) to implement any of this resides with Westminster and the SNP is standing in only 57 of its 650 seats. Keir Starmer has already made it clear there will be no new major policy initiatives including any of his own.
I seem to remember, some years ago, a former First Minister promised an SNP conference, to great applause, that she would establish a publicly owned power company to provide cost-price power to us all – and within about 48 hours dumped the whole idea. Free cycles and laptops for Scottish children were also promised but never delivered. Fantasy announcements like all of these simply reinforce the public’s belief that all politicians cannot be trusted to deliver.
John Swinney might as well have announced free return trips to the Moon and back for all over-65s. There is far more chance of that happening first.
Might I be so bold as to suggest a novel new policy to him – promise only what you have a chance of delivering.
Glenda Burns
Glasgow
IF, as we’re constantly being told, Scottish independence is dead, why are the Nationals being lifted off their place on the newsstand, carefully folded in half, and buried under a pile of Daily Expresses/Daily Mails in my local Asda?
What are they afraid of? People learning the truth?
Barry Stewart
Blantyre
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