Letters to the Editor | 8 September 2007

Theodore Dalrymple’s cover story about our sentimental and brutal society (‘Too many teardrops’, 1 September) has given me an idea.

Our thuggish society

Sir: Theodore Dalrymple’s cover story about our sentimental and brutal society (‘Too many teardrops’, 1 September) has given me an idea. In order to reduce the impact of the British disease of vulgarity and rudeness, the principle of offsetting could be extended beyond carbon pollution.

I concede that a donation to the society of polite gentlefolk would not necessarily solve the problem, but it would help and it would remind us that incivility is not morally neutral.

The offset system could also be applied to all forms of ‘isms’, allowing guilt to be offset by generous donations to the appropriate charity or movement. It’s too late, perhaps, to change our horrible ways, but at least someone would benefit.

Rodney Garrood
Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Sir: The killing of Rhys Jones indeed resulted in the ‘ersatz emotion’ so characteristic of the value-less British society which has developed in the past 20 years.

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Matthew Parris

What if Trump is just bonkers?

These attacks of ‘emotional incontinence’ can only increase until families realise that their abiding by basic values, and instilling them in their children, is a necessity.

N.K.C. Whalley
Hindhead, Surrey

Sir: Theodore Dalrymple has caught the spirit of the age; it’s called Dianafication. The maudlin, sentimental reaction he describes following the murder of Rhys Jones presents further evidence of the moral rot and degeneration of the British people.

Michael J. Wingert
Penn Bottom, Buckinghamshire

Who are the enemy in Iraq?

Sir: William Shawcross in your cover story (‘Now, more than ever, Britain must stay in Iraq’, 25 August) argues that the US needs support from British forces in Iraq to continue on course with the destruction of al-Qa’eda in that war-torn country. Destroying al-Qa’eda in Iraq will not restore order.