When the politicians and the ordinary people disagree trust the ordinary people
When the politicians and the ordinary people disagree, trust the ordinary people. Part of my reassurance to patients anxious about the outcome of their impending anaesthetic is to explain that the most dangerous part of their day is likely to have been their car journey to hospital.
Yet we seem to accept these risks with little concern. Your article “Nose pickers steer path to danger” (19 December) highlights the absurd risks that we are prepared to accept in the course of everyday activity. From Dr Peter Stow
Sir: As an anaesthetist, the assessment of risk to health is part of my everyday life. Similarly, every insurance premium that individuals pay is based on the likelihood of a particular event.
Yet, as a society, risk assessment is something that receives scant regard. From Mr John Cartwright
Sir: Your editorial (“Bulls in Brixton’s china shop”, 13 December) on the death of Wayne Douglas said “his death requires an independent investigation”.
I can assure you that our inquiry will be thorough and impartial It will seek to get at the truth. The Police Complaints Authority has always jealously guarded its independence and I do not believe that any other form of inquiry could get nearer to discovering what happened.Yours faithfully,John CartwrightDeputy Chairman(Investigation)Police Complaints AuthorityLondon, SW120 December. These are archival recordings of stage performances and are not therefore intended for broadcast.
However they are of a very high quality and are proving invaluable for all those wishing to view past productions.Yours sincerely,Sue RolfeHead of Press andPublicityTheatre MuseumLondon, WC220 December. The purpose of this scheme, created by Margaret Benton in 1992, with union agreement, is to provide a permanent audio- visual record of live stage performance in Britain as a national research and educational resource for performing arts professionals, students and public.Forty productions have now been recorded – most recently Taking Sides, Mojo, The Second Mrs Kong and King Arthur. From Ms Sue Rolfe
Sir: David Lister argued (Section Two; “As not seen on TV”, 6 December) that more theatre productions should be televised. Simon Curtis, executive producer of BBC’s Performance series replied (Section Two, 13 December), pointing out that “superb theatre does not always make good television” and that in very many cases theatre producers refuse permission.
The Theatre Museum does offer an alternative solution: The National Video Archive of Stage Performance. Is the real problem for the unpopular state schools the pupils who attend them, and not that they are providing inferior education?
Yours faithfully,David RobinsonElected parent governorKing Edward VI CollegeTotnes,Devon16 December. From Mr David Robinson
Sir: I am interested in the reasons why so many parents favour private education.
Perhaps by the maintenance of this traditional embellishment to Christmas our children may learn that Christmas is about giving: God’s gift to us of Jesus Christ, the symbolic gifts made to him by the magi, and our exchanging gifts with one another to mark this tremendous act of a loving God.Yours faithfully,Martin HillManchester18 December. I thought I was voicing alarm at the exclusive, punitive “communitarian” ideas which have seduced some of our politicians. I had no idea I was on the slippery slope to decadence and disorder. Next he accuses me of gut-level allegiance with “filthy, intimidating, obscenity-shouting addicts” and indifference to the fears of “little old ladies going about their lawful business”.
Good grief! Can it be true? I thought I was mounting a defence of civil liberties.
