Blast from the past: Most Talked About March 10, 1995

Image credit: Getty
Each week, we revisit the letters to the editor posted on the Birmingham Mail Opinion page.
This week we watch March 10, 1995
They were the first
Mrs D T. Jones is wrong to suggest that the life of an animal cannot be more important than that of a human (You Say, February 22)
I care about animals because many were on this earth before human life evolved and therefore they are more in tune with the earth than we are.
I don’t care about the drunken drunks that plague this country and most of the world.
An animal is a living creature and deserves our love, care and compassion.
Graham Miles, Alum Rock
In response to the letter from Mrs. D T. Jones, I would like to ask, when was the last time an animal was guilty of gassing, torturing and slaughtering millions of its own kind?
Or the extinction of thousands of species of flora and fauna, due to overhunting and lack of material gain? The destruction of the ozone layer? Almost total pollution of land, sea and air? Nuclear catastrophe ?
Paul L Caswell, Kings Heath
Cash flow crisis? Then cut the benefits
What does Birmingham City Council think when it runs out of money? – “Let’s see what we can take away from people next.”
The gardening program on Kings Heath Park Central is a lovely half hour, watched by millions, but the city council has withdrawn its financial support (Courier, March 4)
It doesn’t matter though. The council can donate £ 73,000 to help Afro hairstylists and money for the women’s festival, whatever it is.
They should now think about removing some of these benefits.
Why the people of Birmingham continue to vote for them is beyond me.
Ms. Mary Coley, Perry Barr
What an example!
I totally agree with the letter regarding school closures, due to a snowfall (You Say, March 7)
The snow we get now is nothing compared to years ago, and then people have adjusted accordingly by starting their job, school, or place of work much earlier.
What an example for the young generation to give up so easily at the slightest obstacle.
Ms. J Stephen, Sheldon
Snow fun
I congratulate the Birmingham Department of Education on closing schools last Friday (You Say, March 7)
I am a district nurse and getting diabetic patients early is essential. It was wonderful to be able to arrive on time, without the school traffic.
Is it important that our children lose a day from time to time? It was such a lovely world, I’m sure all the kids enjoyed making snowmen, playing snowballs and sledding, all the delicious pleasures of childhood.
Margaret Hurlston, Northfield
The party of the OAP
There is a political party for pensioners, and it’s called the Pensioners’ Protection Party, which is now starting to develop in Birmingham (You Say March 6)
The party’s goal is to have our own members of Parliament.
There are over 10 million retirees and there is only one way to treat these politicians, and that is to kick them right at the ballot box.
Stephen Marston, Solihull
Land of the crime
I am desperate for a Labor government in my lifetime, but Labor has to learn to walk before they can run.
People like me don’t care about devolution. What interests us are the currently slaughtered National Health Service, the water industry, the post office, the railroads and unemployment.
What hope for young people today? For them, crime pays. It is a country of disorderly crimes.
This is what the next Labor government must fix.
T John, Hollywood
Discipline required
What a price was paid for freedom during the two world wars and how it all went wrong.
There is another word that accompanies freedom – discipline. So what about a little old school discipline?
I’m sure the millions of silent would appreciate it. Nothing to do with money, but everything to do with pride and what our great country once stood for.
Get shot by judges and magistrates with weak knees. The people of Westminster who should be ashamed of themselves.
H Horton, Bromford
Pub pride
The answer to my prayer came to the old Digbeth crown (Mail March 4)
It makes me so proud and humble to think that an Irishman can be so interested in old Brum pubs, and I wish him every success.
EP Livingstone
A superb show at the Alexandra Theater was marred by what can only be described as freezing conditions.
Many customers complained and were told there was nothing the staff could do – cold air was blowing from the ducts.
Mrs G Bird, Tamworth