IT was good to see the strong articles by Kevin McKenna and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh on Wednesday reminding us of the values that have recently been threatened so severely by this crisis. Alongside many great stories of community support and solidarity, the darker side has also emerged.
READ MORE: Grandparents are far from a burden when it comes to childcare
Supposedly responsible public figures have suggested that the lives of elderly people are of no value, and there has been an increase in racially motivated crimes. These are the poisonous germs that infected much of Europe in the 1930s when an evil ideology fed on fear led to the demonisation of groups of people who didn’t fit their stereotypes.
We must counter this by celebrating the gifts that our senior generation bring to our society and honouring those of all races and religions who at present are risking (and sadly sometime giving) their lives in the service of us all. There has never been a more important time to affirm the truth that we are all in this together.
Iain Whyte
North Queensferry
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
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 here