System flaws

CLEARLY Mr Wallace (Postbag 01/02/07) believes our fragile democracy is tinged with flaws. He is right. His logic accepts the inherent contradictions in the system – one that has evolved over centuries of violence and compromise. Is the council right to

CLEARLY Mr Wallace (Postbag 01/02/07) believes our fragile "democracy" is tinged with flaws. He is right. His logic accepts the inherent contradictions in the system - one that has evolved over centuries of violence and compromise.

Is the council right to oppose BAA's "kind" request for maximum use of the existing runway at Stansted or even to use public money in so opposing it?

I just about recall the 1961 circus and in due course the ultimate doomsday nightmare - a super runway some half-mile wide suitable to accommodate in effect four parallel runways within, virtually reaching Great Dunmow.

We weren't consulted then and we won't be now. Our flawed "system" relies on the inherently docile nature of us Brits - be we now ever so plural - everyone is absorbed into the coma of national indifference on most matters save sport, the weather and rising prices.

We continue to accept much of which we are never consulted upon with a cheery smile and a shrug.

Throughout the darkest happenings and changes that beset us all we are content to be quiet. We can even shop at Macey's in New York in order to put one over the neighbours!

Yet quite a few do care about this flying craze which, though is not solely the cause of global warming, nevertheless does not help.

The consequences to our environment will be horrendous and irreversible. When hard-bitten chiefs of successful budget airlines, like Ryanair, object not only on economic but even environmental grounds, it might smack of cynical tactics. But it's something?

I predict before too long such things will be totally non-PC. Could we have our planet back please?

JF Howarth

Debden Road

Saffron Walden