Perplexed by Laughton
I am always puzzled by Laughton Johnston’s letters about the windfarm, and the latest is especially perplexing. Three questions occur to me.
First, why is Laughton so concerned to record that supporters of the windfarms are a majority of the Shetland population? If they are so, all he and they need do is bask.
Secondly, what has happened to his ambitions concerning global warming? Once upon a time it was his main interest with regard to this subject. His latest letter doesn’t mention the matter. As Billy Fox said last week, “they [the windfarm supporters] are certainly looking at [the question] purely from an economic point of view”. That attitude won’t assist with global warming at all.
And finally, a related matter. Do I not recall that Laughton has always been an enthusiast about Shetland’s physical environment? One of his allies remarked at last week’s meeting that he saw “nothing beautiful about the Shetland hills”, and if anything the turbines would “enhance them”. Is that now Laughton’s view as well?
Brian Smith
53 Kalliness,
Weisdale.
Erik J Smith
To answer your first question, Brian, the reason Laughton is so concerned to record that supporters of the windfarms are a majority of the Shetland population is because of “sustainable” Shetlands ad nauseum repetition of the claim that:
“The VAST majority of Shetlanders oppose the windfarm”
The above quote is simply not true, and in a debate like this, the truth matters.
Barbara Gray
Surely the best way to determine what the majority of Shetlanders think about the windfarm is to have a simple referendum asking just one the one question ‘are you in favour of the windfarm’ yes or no.
Its not rocket science.
Colin Hunter
You also have to take into account a reasonable number who are at the moment recorded as “Undecided” who would probably be more accurately categorised as “Couldn’t give a damn either way”. Although I support the scheme overall, I’m not really all that bothered if it comes or it doesn’t. I’m certainly heartily sick of people making false claims and bending statistics to suit their own purposes. If you could capture the hot air that’s been spouted (by BOTH sides) about this subject you wouldn’t need either a wind farm or a power station!