By Isle of Wight Observer
Dear Editor,
Stephen Hopkins (Island Soapbox, August 30) made me think about my late dad, and his opinion on our world leaders, past and present.
At age 16, my dad joined the Merchant Navy and sailed on the trans-Atlantic convoys, keeping people fed during WWII. Risking his life and enduring harsh conditions to preserve life, rather than kill, earned him a medal from Russia. He was a good, kind, intelligent man. He took great interest in politics and world leaders, many of whom he respected, but did not always agree with.
Before he died in 1997, my dad said: “This old world has gone mad; it’s spinning on its axis.” It amuses me to speculate on what he would say now. After major news reports, I think: “Well Dad, what do you think of that?” I can always hear his predictable answers:
On our Government: “The British people are too polite and gullible. This bunch of Muppets are leading them by the nose.”
On political correctness: “That is the end of Freedom of Speech and the beginning of Thought Control.”
On Ukraine: “Putin and Zelenski need their heads banging together; they are cut from the same cloth and are both stubborn and arrogant! Zelenski is an actor playing to the world stage. Putin should retire to his $90 million palace and Zelenski should retreat to his $20 million Florida mansion. Put an end to the demand for weapons and stop the killing.”
On the housing crisis: “There are enough homes, just too many people. End the wars and all the refugees can go home.”
My advice to Stephen Hopkins is: We are living among lovely people on a small unspoiled fragment of our once great country, so enjoy it whilst you can. Sadly, I fear it is all about to change.
Katy Armour, Newport