Dear Sir,
How ridiculous of Roger Gale MP to suggest that Russia poses the greatest threat to stability, rather than ISIS or Ebola (Majorca Daily Bulletin 4 January, 2015).
Instead of spending so much time worrying about how to deal with Putin (or Castro or Kim Jong Un) our leaders should devote more time to focussing on our real enemies: al-Qaeda, the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Shabaab in East Africa. I don’t think Putin has threatened to behead foreign journalists, massacre Christians or fly the Russian flag over the Houses of Parliament. Admittedly Putin is not very well disposed towards the gay community or the feminist cause but we can be certain he would never countenance the sort of atrocities carried out by Moslem extremists and alluded to by the Revd. David Waller in his Chaplain’s column (Majorca Daily Bulletin 4 January, 2015) but which are too barbaric to be referred to in a family newspaper.
While al-Qaeda is issuing instructions to ‘lone-wolf’ jihadists on how to carry out bomb attacks on commercial airliners (they have named British Airways and easyJet as preferred targets) Western leaders are discussing further sanctions against Russia.
The ‘Russian bear’ was seriously provoked when the West backed the overthrow of the democratically elected pro-Russian president of the Ukraine and when we opposed the wish of the Crimean people to return to the Russian fold.
Now it is time, above all for the sake of the thousands and thousands of Iraqui and Syrian refugees, to try and put our most serious differences to one side and work constructively with Russia for the sake of world peace.
Yours faithfully,
George Tunell
Calvia
Infanta Cristina
Dear Sir,
In ‘Letters to the Editor’ 4 Jan, ‘Name and Address Supplied’ of Palmanova suggests that the Infanta Cristina is guilty of the charges no matter what the outcome of any court rulings.
This is an unfortunate attitude because it goes against the principle of justice which Europe, and many other countries, have fought numerous wars to preserve.
Since the days of the Magna Carta, 1215 up to the present time, all democracies have adhered to the principle that guilt must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
At the present time the Infanta, like Price Andrew of the UK, is only guilty of poor judgement in choosing her associates.
Perhaps, on reflection, we can all recall episodes of bad judgement in our own lives. Whatever the outcome of this unfortunate affair, we should abide by the findings of the Spanish judicial system, otherwise we go down the path of anarchy, lynch mobs or autocratic rule.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Leeming
Puerto Portals
Dear Sir,
Your correspondent who, for some reason, wishes to remain anonymous, ( why, Sr Castro?) should do a bit more research before expressing their opinion in your distinguished newspaper.
Firstly, he quotes a figure of “tens of millions” of profits. Noos (should really be Nooz) never turned over this amount of money, let alone profits.
Secondly, just because somebody sits on a board or is married to one of the people implicated in the case, does not necessarily mean that they are informed, told or understand the details of what actually occurs in the business.
Many of your, mainly male, readers, will agree with me that they generally prefer to keep their spouses, partners and sometimes, mothers, “in the dark” regarding their financial and business dealings, for no other reason than to not have to worry them just in case things are going as previously planned.
I personally believe that the Infanta Cristina knew less about her husbands financial dealings than the general population would like to believe or lead to believe.
Last year, the Supreme Court stated, quote “ pudo” i.e. “she may have” known less about the details than people imagined.
Whatever the final decision, any amounts mentioned are peanuts compared to other well known cases, which, strangely, haven’t to date, been bought to court or even aroused the general public’s attention-or ire.
Andalusia, anyone?
Yours sincerely,
Simon Tow
Early closure of bars and restaurants in La Lonja
Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to an article published in The Daily Bulletin entitled “Restaurants and bars in top Palma streets told to close earlier”.
As a resident of La Lonja (I purchased my home 10 years ago), an ex employee of two bars in the area (for over 12 years) and now a potential investor (currently searching for a premises) I believe I have a relatively unique viewpoint on the situation. The proposed legislation will have an immediate negative effect, obviously, on the bars and restaurants no doubt manifesting in the loss of jobs. (I have already revised down the number of employees I would hire). Subsequently it will also have a detrimental impact on the area and community as a whole. I have seen a lot of changes in La Lonja particularly in the last few years.
Given the economic climate the decrease in footfall in the area (particularly during the winter months) has produced an increase in graffiti, break ins and muggings.
This can pose a risk to both peoples personal safety and also to their investments in the area (commercial and residential) and this law will only accelerate this decline.
In the run up to the last local elections the bar restaurant association met with the now mayor of Palma Sr Isern. During this meeting we were assured that his agenda, if elected, would be to promote employment in the area and would not succumb to pressure from residents associations.
In a blatant turnaround it has once again become clear that the “wants” of the few outweigh the needs of the many. Street noise in a city neighbourhood is to be expected and having bought a property in an area with existing bars and restaurants it is perhaps a bit naive to then complain about these noises.
The reason that residential property prices in La Lonja have remained relatively stable is due to ongoing demand. This demand has been generated in large part due to the vibrancy of the area. Thomas Graves in his novel Tuning up at dawn speaks of the music, noise and culture of Majorca and it is this Majorca that people want to visit and live in, not the overly controlled sterile atmosphere which is being forced upon us.
In conclusion the introduction of the proposed law to reduce the trading hours of bars and restaurants in La Lonja will have little or no long term benefits for residents or business owners and could in fact prove to be detrimental for all.
G. O’ Malley
Dear Sir,
I read with interest your article, Palma restaurant owners rally against council, published on Sunday 4 January.
As a native of Spain, a homeowner in La Lonja and a professional musician I am concerned that this kind of action is what inevitably forced the closure of “Bluesville”- the only bar that offered live music nightly in La Lonja.
Palma is a modern metropolitan city and Majorca was recently named one of the best places in the world to live. But a real city needs a thriving culture including art and music and food. There seems to be a war against live music here and I don’t understand it. When my family visit from the mainland they are shocked to find that my neighborhood shuts down at 1 am. They think it’s a joke. It is certainly not Spanish.
My fellow musicians and I should not have to travel to Magalluf or Arenal to find work. As a member of the La Lonja Residents Association my vote is to keep restaurants and bars open and to promote nightlife in My neighbourhood.
Sincerely,
Pedro R.
Be careful what you wish for lest it come true
Dear Sir,
Whilst we all wish for a cleaner, quieter and safer Magalluf, I am also sure that we do not want it to become a ghost town, as was the case in Faliraki and Ayaia Napa last year following a crack down on street drinking, bar tours and loud music. The internet is so fast and read by so many young people that a resort can be destroyed within a year.
There are already messages flying around the internet about the crack down in 2015 in Magalluf with the result that stag and hen parties are now reportedly going to places like Bulgaria and Romania, where the drink is cheaper and young people encouraged.
Beware Magalluf residents and shopkeepers, lest what you wish for comes true.
Craig Thrussell
Calvia and UK resident