9th December,1999
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BYE BYE BOW WOW

Dear Sir,
Regarding “Bye Bye Bow Wow” in the ‘Weekly dated 11th Nov, getting rid of same. I think that’s a great idea, getting rid of part of Douglas and all it’s traffic problems, in fact, making all roads highways, pedestrian crossings are just a nuisance. Old people also should leave and as for schools and all those children, and all the problems they cause. I would just love to see Douglas wiped off the map. Flyovers, roundabouts, motorways all over are a real turn on. So lets start with the Bow Wow bridge, its one of the last remaining landmarks in Douglas, in fact Douglas, per say, has to go! What a good idea!! Get a life man!!
Disgruntled reader.

DRY UP LADS!

Senior GAA Competition should cease at the end of October until the beginning of March. The farcical sight of players, in particular hurlers, trying to play in waterlogged conditions before a handful of either brainwashed GAA fanatics or very dedicated followers is a joke.
How many of the paltry attendance at Crok v Donegal game who sought tickets for ‘99 All Ireland Finals were successful?
Croke Park bosses must cover satdia or shut down for Winter. Some years back Cork lost an All Ireland semi-final to Galway only because Tribesmen were better swimmers and more accustomed to wearing gumboots.
This thing about conditions being the same for both teams is just balls or sliotars, whatever you like to call it. Hurling is a skillful sport for a dry sod. Let those who think otherwise play water-polo.
Forget Cork footballers lowly league position, Rebels will be vying for Sam again come September! Up Cork!!
Neil O’Donoghue, Douglas.

THANKS DOUGLAS WEEKLY

I want to thank Douglas Weekly for the advertisement, and all who supported the Grand Variety Concert on Dec. 2nd.
Peak of talent, diverse emotion, deeply satisfying. Weather harmonized with moods.
Patricia Simkin.

LEONARD HAIR & BEAUTY

Dear Michael and all at Douglas Weekly,
Leonard and I would like to thank you all for a wonderful article on the feature of 18/11/99 and the previous interviews you carried out with it. As a result we have had numerous comments, and an excellent response to the feature which was superb. Everyone remarked on the professional colour in the article. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and continued success.
Regards, Noel.

RELIGION ARTICLE

Dear Sir,
Re article - Religion? on page 7 Douglas Weekly, 25th Nov. It was completely biased with many sweeping statements and an insult to all who hold the Catholic Church, bishops and priests in the very highest esteem.
Strangely, no other church seems to come under attack. Have no doubt about its future. The Catholic Church has lasted for 2000 years. “I am with you all days until the end of time”, says the Lord.
Yours truly, Josephine McCarthy.

RELIGION?

Dear Editor,
I read the Douglas Weekly and find it both topical and interesting. This week you found the news depressing. There is also an article on 'Religion'. The third heading on legalising Cannabis is also disturbing.
I admire people that can admit they get things wrong. I also believe in the resilience of the human spirit. Men are obsessed with control and are fearful of letting go of it. Our society is becoming increasingly competitive, individualistic and materialistic. People in general are preoccupied with status, achievement and control, mostly men; women do not always share this.
Whatever one says about Catholicism it has left a vacuum that people are struggling to fill. Materialism is not the solution. At the end of the day our society can not tolerate criticism and this shows us just how we are lacking in confidence. When we meet with setbacks, and we all do at some stage, a religious view helps us cope. One thing we are certain of is that our life is fleeting, like the spring flowers one day they are beautiful and tomorrow have vanished.
Anyone with special needs e.g. people with intellectual disabilities, the older members of the community living alone or who have loss of memory etc. Are among the most oppressed people of the world in spite of the progress that is made. We should all realise how important they are. Some of the people who look after them do not realise what a grace and blessing it is to be with them. This in turn gives people with special needs a negative image of themselves resulting in depression and violence. When they are shown love and respect they undergo a transformation. This is communicated through the eyes, hands, tone of voice and all the everyday simple gestures. They respond to love with love. If we show this love to them they will respond by communicating with the whole of their bodies. We will learn to understand their desires, pain, joy etc. this is most noticeable in people with mental handicaps who cannot speak. It is like a mother learns to understand her baby's cries. When somebody like this trusts us we must never abuse that trust.
I was always lead to believe that a drug is any chemical that alters how the body works or how a person behaves or feels. The dangers are publicised for as long as I can remember. We should also remember the danger associated with the misuse of alcohol and tobacco. I can understand the need too relieve pain and other illnesses and where one has emotional problems due to a bio chemical imbalance, but why are they necessary socially to relax and enhance pleasure. What will this lead to? Will there be a new problem revealed in the future? What enzyme will we be told drug users are lacking? Young people should realise it is their life and learn to say 'no' to drugs. Life is more enjoyable without them.
As far as children are concerned, when were we as children listened to? We were suppressed, to be seen and not heard. We were often angry, envious, jealous and tired. We were brushed aside. If we didn't want to go to school we were not listened to, and if we were our troubles trebled if our mother investigated it. We were often told white lies, the lazy way out. We were not treated as individuals. There were exceptions and this showed. All the feelings children have should be brought out. They are much better out than in. Parents should try to understand these feelings. We are all prophets of a future not our own.
Bye for now and God bless. Rochestown Road Resident

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