21 - 27 February 2013
yoursay@ euroweeklynews.com
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Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@ euroweekly news.com, posted to Euro Weekly News, C/Moscatel 10, P-62, Polígono Industrial, Arroyo de la Miel, 29630 Benalmadena, Málaga, Spain or faxed to 0034 952 440 887
Time to learn a lesson in honest politics I’VE lost track of the corruption cases involving Spanish politicians or other public servants. The worst is that the average Spaniard on the street is now so used to it that they almost automatically accept their daily dose of political scandal with resignation. The word ‘transparency’ recently coined by Barack Obama enjoyed a certain amount of popularity here until Spain’s voters discovered that their political representatives were economical with the truth. So much so that the word transparency might as well be eliminated from the Spanish dictionary. It would be worthy of a Marx Brothers’ movie if it were not so tragic. I humbly but urgently suggest that Spain’s politicians take an example from Obama’s honesty before its irate voters abandon the polling stations like rats from a sinking ship. Richard M McBride, Benidorm (Alicante)
Quiet anticipation I RELISH the opportunity for quiet discourse and relaxation in public bars that the rumoured upcoming disappearance of British television from Spain will bring. The chance to enjoy a quiet drink without having to yield to the almost daily onslaught of football fanatics who are generally capable of volubly expressing ‘qualified’ opinions; the inane audible hum of analysis of soap operas; the discussion of vapid televised talent. Karl Marx may now be inclined to state that ‘Vacuous televised entertainment is the opium of the people.’ British televisions’ entertainment output is as appalling as that of Central and South America and even ranks lower than that of Nigeria and Tanzania given, at least, that the latter output is made more amusing by the introduction of witchcraft. C S, Mijas Costa (Malaga)
Gulag justice BRITISH people living in Spain probably remember the Birmingham Six and similar cases of unjust
OPINION & COMMENT
L
EWN
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Costa del Sol
etters
Snapped! By Ernie Barnes, Arroyo de la Miel (Malaga)
P pub hotog r l em icati aphs pho ail w on sh for p o ton ews ith a f uld b ossibl e es @e ull e c uro wee aptio nt by klyn n to ews : .com
Six phone calls later (all to different numbers!) I was told that as the demand was sent by certified post I could not pay by phone! Neither the banks listed on the bill nor the post office would let me pay with my card. I had to get €800 in cash out and pay at the post office. I do not like walking the streets with that amount of money in my pocket. Jack Andrews, Fuengirola (Malaga)
Fuming at waste SO 10,000 inspections were carried out to make sure no smoking laws are being followed in Murcia (More ignore no smoking laws, EWN, Costa Blanca South, Issue 1441). Result? Just 711 complaints reported. What a waste of time and money in the middle of an economic crisis! Sheila Quinnell, Orihuela (Alicante)
In or out? All this sun and sangria makes my head swell, so I am resting in Paloma Park, Benalmadena. I think I need to see a shrink!
WHEN YOU WRITE
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imprisonment. The same thing happens here. Take the case of Jose Maria Zaragoza Berenguer, a popular garage owner from Polop, who for the last 16 months has been languishing in Fontcalent Prison (Alicante). The reason for his unjust imprisonment is that in 2011 his garage assistant allegedly killed two people. Yet Jose Maria, although innocent, has not been liberated. This is obviously an injustice that should be corrected ASAP. We are not in the Gulag Archipeligo. Name supplied, Polop (Alicante)
Weevil solution THERE is a simple, safe and cheap preventative measure against red palm weevils which has been tried with some success in Castellon. It’s to spray a diluted mixture of turpentine (aguaras) on the fronds, top centre and at the base of plants
likely to get infected. The weevil is killing palms, and the black version, agaves, yuccas and aloes. This application doesn’t cure infected plants, it apparently keeps the bugs away because they hate the odour. The turps should be diluted about one part to five of warm water. How often the spray should be used I don’t know. Probably every month or so or after heavy rain. Chuck (by email)
SINCE the no smoking in public places law was introduced, there has been a dramatic increase of terrace coverings, with gas heaters and in some cases a door fitted to enter the premises. This covers entirely all tables and chairs placed outside some restaurants and cafés. This forces the non-smoker to go inside. Is this area classified as inside or as an outside smoking area? Don Ralph, Benijofa (Alicante)r Editor’s note: Terraces where smoking is permitted should have a minimum of two sides open under Spanish Law.
Water expense
Gas trouble
THERE are lots of advertisements on TV asking for donations for the African children as they cannot drink the water. I have lived in El Galan for 10 years and during that time I have spent thousands of euros on bottled water as the tapwater was unfit to drink. Will anyone send me money to compensate for all those years as I am only a hard-up pensioner? Deirdre Drayton, San Miguel de Salinas (Alicante)
WE received a visit from two alleged gas inspectors. They insisted that they had right of access and if we refused then we would be denounced and face a €2,000 fine. They were told to depart and off they went with many glowers and muttered threats. A few days later, we heard gravel crunching and the sounds of conversation. There was a loud bang and on reaching the lounge we found a piece of firewood protruding into the room between the door and frame. My wife shouted, and we heard footsteps running. By the time we got out of the cottage there was nothing to be seen except slashed fly screens front and rear. We called the police who were with us in 15 minutes. Excellent service. Dr/Colonel Bob & Sandra Lyons, Puerto Lumbreras (Murcia)
Card blues WHY does the Endesa electricity company make it so hard to pay a bill by card? I had a big bill to pay for my business, and following the instructions on the letter I phoned their help-line.
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