Blood on our hands
Sir: Paul Wood asks if anyone will be punished for the bloodbath in Syria (‘Massacre of the innocents’, 15 March). But where does one start? What we have seen most recently are the dreadful consequences – as also in Iraq and Afghanistan – of selfish western meddling in the Middle East for our own ends.
I was on sabbatical in Syria at the end of 2010 interviewing Syrians of all religions and political persuasions. Well over 90 per cent and especially women saw the Assads as the only plausible bulwark against an Islamist theocratic nightmare. There was freedom of religion, freedom of association, the freedom for women to choose what to wear and be educated to university level. The one thing you did not do was mess with the family who kept the lid on everything.
I wrote to William Hague to set out this first-hand evidence, but to no avail. Death, destruction, displacement; we have so much blood on our hands. It is perfectly clear where the blame must start.
R.C. Paget
Marcham, Oxfordshire
Divine teachings
Sir: Theo Hobson questions whether teaching RE is a ‘good idea’ based on his Year 11 classroom experience (Spectator Schools, 15 March). While we may disagree with his conclusion, his concerns highlight real challenges. His wish to explore the depth and diversity of religious traditions is exactly what high-quality RE should offer.
The Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for RE promotes rigorous, knowledge-rich teaching that engages with the theological, philosophical and lived dimensions of faith. Inspections show that strong RE fosters a deeper understanding of diversity. The issue is not whether RE should be taught, but how. In response to the Department for Education consultation, the Church of England called for a GCSE syllabus that restores depth, values pupils’ experiences and fosters dialogue. Done well, RE engages with religion’s full significance – and that’s a very good idea.
The Revd Canon Nigel Genders CBE
Church of England Chief Education Officer
Westminster, SW1
Pool of knowledge
Sir: I was interested to read Francis Young’s description of ‘throwing at cocks’ (‘Notes on…’ , 27 February), and I wonder if many readers are aware of how this practice introduced a common term into our vocabulary. In France, the stakes involved were kept in a pot, and paid to the person who was eventually credited with killing the unfortunate bird or ‘poulet’ – hence the name ‘pool’ given to the prize money.
Roy Rodger
Meols, Wirral
Misspent force
Sir: Following your publication of my letter ‘Leave our soldiers alone’ (8 March), I have received hundreds of supportive messages: many from fellow former officers who will, like me, stand up and take command responsibility for the actions of our soldiers in Northern Ireland. What has also emerged are horrific stories of what looks like systematic persecution of former soldiers, aided and abetted by fee-chasing lawyers, paid for by Legal Aid. In one case, the Legal Aid costs alone are £1.5 million a day. As one colleague described it, ‘a veritable cottage industry’, paid for by the British government.
Sir Keir Starmer has shown admirable flexibility in revising his approach to defence, and I hope he can be persuaded to intervene here too. I am sure that with Jonathan Powell, the architect of the Good Friday Agreement, as his national security adviser, he must recognise that the NI peace process remains a delicate flower, and a degree of ‘closing the account’ may be necessary for both sides.
Recruiting and retaining armed forces personnel is a high priority, but it is not compatible with a situation in which these young personnel, obeying legitimate orders, can be called to account 30 to 40 years later in a changed legal climate. Who would consider joining in such circumstances?
Simon Diggins OBE
Colonel (Retired)
Rickmansworth
In it for the long-haul
Sir: Zoe Strimpel describes the fashion for young Gen-Zers to travel on multiple long-haul flights over many time zones simply to rack up air miles (‘Points of honour’, 8 March). This seems exhausting. In my twenties I hit upon a far easier option: I married a flight attendant. With the current global airline alliances, this allows me to travel on numerous airlines for 10 per cent of the regular fare. I recently flew business class on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong for £400. Over 35 years of marriage I estimate I’ve saved more than £300,000 on air fares.
Simon Roberts
Sunningdale, Berkshire
Note perfect
Sir: Richard Osborne’s letter about Sir Stephen Hough (Letters, 15 March) not memorising his piano concerto reminded me of the composer Toscanini, who always claimed to conduct from memory. When an audience member once observed that he had a score in front of him, the maestro replied: ‘That’s tomorrow’s concert.’
Peter Fineman
Barrow Street, Wiltshire
Raising the roof
Sir: Though not, strictly speaking, an example of nominative determinism (Letters, 15 March), some years ago the public library where I work underwent extensive refurbishment; the foreman in charge was a Mr Fiddler. On one occasion a contractor came in for a meeting and asked me where he could find Mr Fiddler. It was with supreme satisfaction that I was able to reply: ‘He’s on the roof.’
Simon Bond
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
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