Letters to the Editor

More and more pressure is put on women to be tested for Downs, even though this could result in miscarriage. I believe as parents it is right that we ultimately decide what is best but only when this is an informed decision.

Children with Downs are usually healthy, go to mainstream schools, make friends, go out to work, get married like anyone else. They are not something to be feared.

I would like the media to have the guts to portray people with Downs in mainstream programmes doing normal things rather than in contrived story lines which focus on the perceived disability rather than the person.

Downs Syndrome is not a disease or an illness. It is the most common form of learning disability.

Children affected by Downs are full of potential and most importantly individuals.

Having a child with a disability does not ruin lives, but fear fuelled by prejudice does.

Karen McNulty, Elm View, Steeton.

SIR - The secretary and chairman of the T&GWU in Bradford, in their comments in the letter "Axing councillors is sheer ageism" (T&A, January 16), say the councillors in question "have given the best years of their lives to Labour".

On the basis of this, they are now the weakest link and we need replacements who have still their best years to give.

When they were young, these councillors were probably forward thinking. What we need now, though, are people who are forward thinking in 2002, if those at the top of the tree have reached an age where they are seat warmers.

T Robinson, Edge End Road, Bradford 6.

SIR - A correspondent claims mankind can't be like God because of bad things done on earth. Oh dear. Wasn't there war in Heaven? Didn't that version of God destroy almost all life on the planet, slaughter the first-born male child of every family in Egypt (except Jewish), and demand public beatings, floggings, beheadings, stonings and amputations?

I'd say mankind is very godlike.

For centuries religionists have filed into their places of worship (when they're not killing each other) like obedient sheep, here to be lectured and preached at, and to sing hymns, say prayers and give praise to a being that not a single one of them has ever seen or heard.

Sheep are dozy, stupid, never ask questions, and probably believe the slaughterhouse is paradise.

Open your minds and mouths and ask those awkward questions like: how and where did the future Mrs Cain materialise?; who were those other sons of god that mated with earth women?; if God was concerned about a little tower in Babylon reaching heaven, why isn't he concerned about space rockets heading for mars and beyond?

Don't be fobbed off with the old "Have faith my child". Have guts instead.

Eric Firth, Wellington Street, Wilsden.

SIR - In the search for truth about the euro, Brian Pickford (Letters, January 18) would be well advised to read what the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has said about it in its recent report.

The OECD is made up of highly-respected economists. When this august body speaks, the world listens. OECD is based in Paris and its members include the 15 nations in the EU, the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia.

To Mr Pickford may I say; it is my view that all the reasons put forward in support "for" the euro pale into insignificance when one considers the cardinal reason for keeping the pound.

If the British people wish to remain a distinct, self-governing, independent nation, we must keep our own currency.

It beggars belief that a once-great nation like ours can stand by in silence and allow our Parliament to set in motion the train of events that will shunt us into Euroland and total European domination.

But common sense will rule in the referendum.

Mrs Margaret Harrison, Brownhill Road, Birstall, Batley.

SIR - May I make a plea through your columns for organists and poetry writers. The Wharfedale Music Festival is offering three exciting new competitive classes to organists, one of the prizes for which is a recital on the Harrison & Harrison organ at Christ Church, Skipton.

For the best poem written by an adult poetry writer, BBC Radio Leeds is to present the Leeds Poetry Cup and the posting of the winning poem on the station website and Ceefax.

The Bradford Libraries Trophy will be awarded for the best poem submitted by an under-18-year-old writer. The winning poem will be read at the Gala Night Concert.

Amateur exponents of South Asian dance and music are invited to contact me for a copy of the Festival Syllabus. Entries close on February 6.

Miss E M Holbrook, Festival Secretary, The Gables, 48 Bradford Road, Menston, LS29 6BX.

SIR - I am a Bradfordian currently studying at Newcastle University. Returning after my Christmas break at home, I suddenly realised how much better life is up here.

Walking in Newcastle town centre, I don't see empty shops, litter or people who seem so downhearted just to be living in the hole that Bradford has become.

Why is this? Newcastle is meant to be a deprived industrial city, much in the same vein as Bradford.

The answer is that the Council here is not so inept that millions of pounds of taxpayers' funds will be wasted as has happened in the past.

Race riot report indeed? If anything was done about its recommendations, all would be better. But will it? I think not.

Gary Brook, Richardson Road, Newcastle 2.

SIR - When St George's Hall was a cinema, we were taken from school to see "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and also another film called, "The White Hell of Pitzpalu".

I wonder if any of your readers remember these films? None of my contemporaries remember them. We wrote about these films at school.

Mrs M Rhodes, Leeds Road, Bradford.

SIR - How can we be a serious contender for a "Capital City of Culture" when we build bus shelters with music and heating?

In the same city we have a concert hall where we cannot afford to repair the organ.

A Grimshaw, Irving Terrace, Clayton.