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Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
When the system turned on Musk
It touched my heart to read Elon Musk’s lament about being treated unfairly by the White House as he leaves his role in Donald Trump’s administration (Metro, Thu).
The Tesla boss said his department of government efficiency was ‘becoming the whipping boy for everyone’.
Well, yes, there are reasons for that. Government departments gutted and deprived of experienced, dedicated staff, thousands made jobless, livelihoods wrecked and families thrown into uncertainty. It’s not the best way to become Mr Popular.
Around the globe, ordinary people such as us are powerless against an unelected tyrant with a chainsaw who mimics the Nazi salute. Is it surprising that some take out their frustration on Musk’s most potent symbol, which some call the Swasticar?
So sorry you don’t feel appreciated, Elon, but perhaps you should have read the safety instructions before you used that chainsaw. Stephen Spark, Balham
When money wins, rights lose
Saudi Arabia imprisons its women for disobedience and makes them go though hell (Metro, Thu), while in this country it buys football teams etc. So much for human rights – money talks.
If Vladimir Putin had bought a football team, we would have stood by and let him take over the world. Alan, Sunderland
Brexit was the will of the people
Further to the debate on the issue in light of Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘reset’ deal with the EU, it doesn’t matter whether Brexit was good or bad, it was the will of the people. If this country is a democracy, then we should abide by it. Roger, Wolverhampton
Who’s really to blame for environmental destruction?
Thank you for Clark’s letter calling for a £300 cat licence to combat the environmental damage caused by the popular pets in killing millions of birds and small mammals each year (MetroTalk, Fri).
It did brighten my morning commute and was a much-needed diversion from the norm. Perhaps Clark would care to expand on his theme and explain how it would be administered or enforced.
Leaving aside these logistical issues, I would say that given that we humans are the primary engineers of the planet’s destruction, it is somewhat unreasonable to lay the blame on creatures who are only doing what nature has programmed them to do.
A lot of the small mammals referred to are unwelcome invaders of our homes. We spend money on traps, poisons and other preventative measures, which have a knock-on effect on wildlife and the environment.
To address Clark’s point about cats’ mess, in what way is flushing your toilet and leaving waste products for someone else to deal with any different from cats messing outside their ‘gardens’? How would you go about educating them? Share the Land Registry plans with them, maybe? Marc, Halifax (Owned By A Cat)
Road safety means keeping your eyes open
Motorists have complained about a £2million Dutch-style ‘woke’ roundabout opening in Hemel Hempstead, where drivers must give priority to pedestrians and then cyclists (Metro, Thu).
Some say it’s used only by cars and lorries. Not true. Until a few years ago I used it daily by bike to travel to work and every day was a frightening experience. Many work colleagues also cycled or walked this route.
As to the driver who reported ‘needing eyes everywhere’ to navigate it, should that not be what they are required to do anyway? Alan Croxley, via email
This isn’t any old doctor joke, this is a true Gorilla doctor joke
Given how many you’ve published of late, do you have to write a not-funny doctor joke to get in the paper nowadays?
Anyway, there’s a true story that’s much funnier. Bristol Zoo’s Alfred the gorilla died in 1948, was then stuffed and exhibited in the museum.
He was stolen in 1956 but turned up in a doctors’ waiting room three days later. The receptionist told a doctor there was someone in a gorilla suit in the waiting room. The doctor said, ‘Tell him to get stuffed!’
The theft remained a mystery until the death of Bristol estate agent in 2010. His family admitted he and others had stolen the gorilla as a rag-week stunt. G Perry, Bristol
An ode to unsung bus heroes
By way of reply to Stuart’s ode to the R68 bus (MetroTalk, Tue).
I confess I cannot compete with a Royal Palace or the National Archives at Kew / Nevertheless I serve a purpose, too / Every day my passengers might be heard to say, Oh 33 / Where would I be without you there to ferry me? / Here to work, there to play / Here by night and there by day? / From Castelnau to Fulwell Garage / No one should this route disparage! Pat Erasmus, Teddington
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