Public transport and community spaces fare no better. Buses and trains are often disrupted by loud, aggressive, and sometimes outright threatening behaviour, making travel an ordeal for law-abiding passengers. Littering and vandalism plague our streets, parks and public buildings, turning once-proud areas into eyesores. Where is the accountability for those who disrespect the very spaces shared by everyone?
The bullying and hatefulness exhibited on social media is another glaring example. Hidden behind the anonymity of a screen, young people – and sometimes adults – subject others to relentless abuse, with little regard for the lasting damage this causes. Yet, instead of tackling this behaviour robustly, we often hear the refrain of “mental health struggles” or “societal pressures” being used as excuses for their actions.
Part of the problem lies with our leaders and influencers. Certain political parties and figures, such as the Greens and other progressive voices, seem more interested in making excuses than demanding better. They frame every act of wrongdoing as a symptom of systemic failings or inequality, shifting blame away from the individual. While systemic issues exist, this relentless focus on external factors undermines personal accountability and fuels a dangerous culture of victimhood.
Let us be clear: Scotland’s challenges will not be solved by mollycoddling its youth. Life is not always fair, and shielding young people from this reality leaves them unprepared for adulthood. Challenges must be met with resilience, not a barrage of excuses. Respect, hard work and accountability are timeless values that we must strive to restore in our homes, schools, and communities.
Schools need the authority to enforce stricter discipline without fear of backlash. Law enforcement and local councils must tackle vandalism and littering with harsher penalties. Social media companies should do more to hold users accountable for hate speech and bullying. Above all, parents and communities must stop looking to external factors to explain away bad behaviour and instead demand better from their children.
We must break this cycle of indulgence and excuse-making, or we risk raising a generation unfit to lead Scotland into the future. It is time to stop making excuses and start demanding standards.
Kenneth Clarke, Stirling.
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Bill council for ice injuries
I SLIPPED on ice this morning (January 3) while walking on a pavement in Glasgow. Fortunately, I was not injured (though I was in some pain afterwards). It was clear to see that the pavements had not been gritted despite all the recent warnings about ice. I suggest that the NHS should invoice Glasgow City Council the sum of £20,000 for each hospital admission resulting from failure to make the pavements (and roads) safe, and perhaps £500 per visit made to a hospital or GP surgery for the same reason. One arm of government should not be allowed to make savings by imposing additional costs on another.
Scott Simpson, Bearsden.
Cold facts about EVs
I NOTE the recent debate on electric vehicles (“Why one electric car owner went back to petrol power … and the lessons it can teach all of us”, The Herald, December 30, and Letters, January 1). What is not mentioned when purchasing a new car is that the battery only delivers the miles advertised at 20C.
Both my wife and I have hybrids and notice the average mileage is considerably less than suggested at time of sale, unless the outside temperature is at the optimum of 20C. Another good reason not to purchase an all-electric vehicle.
Sir Brian Donohoe, Irvine.
Strange omission from Fulton show
CONGRATULATIONS to BBC Scotland on an excellent biography of Rikki Fulton in the traditional Scotch and Wry slot on New Year’s Eve. As Alison Rowat put it in her review (“Does Rikki Fulton’s Scotch and Wry stand the test of time?”, heraldscotland, January 1) the main takeaway of the programme was that we hardly knew Rikki at all.
The documentary was made by an independent production company led by John Archer, among other things a former head of Music and Arts at BBC Scotland, and contained contributions from Colin Gilbert, its former Head of the Comedy Unit.
Strange then that, while reference was made to the fact that Scotch and Wry was the creation of a producer who was not part of the Glasgow-based Entertainment Department, that producer was not identified by name.
It was, in fact, the late Gordon Menzies, one-time senior Schools Producer, who gave Rikki his big chance – as well as helping launch Barbara Dickson’s television career and bringing enjoyment to endless golf fans with Play Golf with Alliss. Quite a wide-ranging contribution to the output of BBC Scotland in days gone by.
Strange also that, while most of the extracts from other programmes had a caption identifying the director, none of the many clips from Scotch and Wry credited Gordon. Very odd omissions in an otherwise well researched and well sourced programme.
And, while we are on about BBC Scotland and Hogmanay, what possessed senior figures at Pacific Quay to agree to replay last year’s Edinburgh piper and fireworks rather than take the London fireworks or at least Big Ben live in the middle of their pre-recorded programme? It was left to BBC Alba to provide a simpler, more traditional party – live from Nairn – where the participants all seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely and I am sure the audience did too.
Tom Ross, Former BBC Producer, Tanworth in Arden, Warwickshire.
Rikki Fulton in Scotch and Wry mode (Image: BBC Comedy)
Downward spiral
I AM indebted to the BBC Science Correspondent who, in a piece about DNA testing of archaeological remains, has just informed me that DNA “is a spirally molecule” as opposed to having a double helix structure.
Brian Johnston, Torrance.