Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The second fatal crash of a Boeing 737 within a few months suggests that tombstone mentality has yet again played a role in aircraft safety – improvements are only driven by passenger deaths.
In the Lion Air crash off Indonesia on 29 October last year it was known that pilots fought and failed to regain control after a new stall-prevention system took over and pushed the aircraft’s nose down.
It beggars belief airlines would introduce such a controversial new plane to routes from Addis Ababa’s Bole International airport. The thin air at 7,600ft already makes it hard for laden aircraft to climb.
John Cameron
St Andrews
It’s time for the prime minister to do the right thing
Theresa May, we have all watched with somewhat grudging respect as you have held your course relentlessly towards Brexit. You have tried to keep the opposing wings of the Conservative Party together. You have insisted with dogged repetition that your Brexit is achievable, in the face of the insoluble problem of the Irish backstop and the ever-more damning evidence that Brexit is going to be an unqualified disaster for trade, science and education, national security and for those whose lives will be wrecked.
You have fought bravely. But for Britain’s sake, for the sake of all our futures, now you can be braver than ever. Now is the time for the biggest U-turn of your career. You have to admit that Brexit is impossible to deliver. You have to be like the Duke of Wellington, who was a great enough general to know when to accept defeat.
You will have to defend your admission against those who cry: “What about the referendum? What about democracy?” You have a cast-iron answer – it can’t be done! Half the country, and half the Conservative Party, will still be against you – but it will be the other half. It’s no good holding out for universal approval: it never happens.
Redeem yourself; secure your place in history. Courage and honesty!
Heather Prydderch
Holywell, Flintshire
Brussels is trying to neuter British democracy
Jeremy Hunt warned parliament to back Theresa May’s faux deal on Tuesday, or risk no Brexit.
The cynical strategy of offering unacceptable terms with the aim of scuppering the referendum result has been clear from day one. Who does the prime minister think she’s kidding? Or indeed her latest shill, Hunt?
Parliament will reject this “deal”, and it should. And an extension, which serves no constructive purpose, shouldn’t happen either. The terms on offer are part of a transparent ploy by Brussels to recapture the UK by using our own government against us. In cooperating, our government appears to be intent on treason by proxy.
We will, therefore, leave without a deal on 29 March. That is a daunting prospect, but departure at least honours the democratic will of our people, and that is paramount. The alternative is a repugnant collusion with Brussels to neuter British democracy. That cannot, and it will not, be allowed to happen.
Mike Galvin
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
We’re becoming desensitised to extreme violence
“When a dog bites a man, that’s not news, but when a man bites a dog, that’s news,” journalists are taught. However, an editor in a British national newspaper has recently disclosed that there is a journalistic tendency to become immune to commonplace events.
Commonplace events, like the epidemic of violence in our homes every day – on the television and gaming machines. Then there is more knife crime on our streets and we wonder why.
Do we not consider that watching violence night after night has severe consequences for our psychological wellbeing, social attitudes and what is considered to be normal life, especially for the young?
Geoff Naylor
Winchester
Children aren’t the only reason to save the planet
The pleas for leaders and governments to act on climate change so that our grandkids are conferred improved prospects of inheriting a habitable world ignores mother nature not caring one jolt whether our progeny survive or not, in comfort or suffering fiery climes.
The pillage and savagery humanity has inflicted upon Earth is ameliorated by fewer of us being brought into the world.
The most effective way to reduce ecological damage is to choose to not have (or have fewer) kids, while we agitate for renewable energy and eco-sustainable social policy. I have yet to see a correspondent express regret that wounding the Earth and its other habitants is a morally reprehensible act by itself. The clarion call to act now should be divorced from the self-interest inherent in “leaving a better world for our children”.
Joseph Ting
Brisbane
At least someone’s standing up for Shamima
I was relieved to find that at least Anna Soubry shares my view on Shamima Begum. At 71 I’m not sure that I like this country any more.
An arrogant and politically motivated home secretary should not have the power to strip a British-born national of their citizenship.
Such matters should only be decided by a court with legal representation for those concerned.
I think someone has already stated that the Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg received better justice.
Robert Phelps
London SE20
A forgotten skit
I thought maybe someone at the paper could help with information about an old British comedy skit of a sportscaster getting excited reading game results as he has bet on them.
Does this ring a bell?
Denis Huot
Montreal
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments