WITH Trump’s visit getting even closer, I must thank Jonathon Shafi for his article (Bella Caledonia, July 7). I don’t care if Trump doesn’t see me, or hear me. It will be enough to know we are there, in solidarity with those he demonises, mocks and criminalises for merely being themselves. They will hear, and see, and know our camaraderie.

Perhaps his team will notice, as should PM May, but the way she and her government are currently not running the country – failing to negotiate, dishing up fudged papers at the last moment, looking more fragile with each resignation – do we have faith that she will tackle Trump about his record to date at home and abroad? I doubt it.

But as Shafi points out, Trump’s behaviour – posturing, deceit and downright lying – isn’t confined to him alone or the USA. What his actions, rhetoric and government are combining to do, however, is to give succour to other right-wing ideologues, especially in Europe. Like him, they hide their bombastic words behind the disguise of authority, offering to take back control, promising a way out of each and every current ill, if only the masses would listen to and follow this authority figure.

The social, economic woes being experienced are never brought about by bad government, or rampant, unchecked, quick-buck capitalism, but by the outsider, swamping the country, taking jobs, working for less than the going rate, just being black, being Muslim, being there.

Most of these new “leaders” see themselves as great orators, swaying their public. If you look closely there is little substance, but repeat the soundbite often enough and it becomes magnified into the panacea to cure all ills.

So is America great again? No it isn’t, not when you tear children off their parents as a form of deterrent. But with May facing mayhem, let her try to get on with the day job. The opposition to Trump and his ilk will come from us, with public protests, marches, and yes, balloons. I am convinced that the show of unity against the man, not the country, will demonstrate Scotland’s diversity and its people. The author Nawal El Saadai got it right when she said: “When we live in a world that is unjust, you have to be a dissident”. So, see you on the march!

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh

AS much as I dislike being discourteous to anyone visiting Scotland as a guest, I think that the best way to demonstrate our objections to Mr Donald Trump’s policies and his general attitude is to deprive him of the oxygen he thrives on – whether good publicity or bad – and just ignore him!

Janet Cunningham
Stirling

I TOTALLY, nay, wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by Carolyn Leckie (The Anyone But England brigade are fine by me, July 8), when she queried why Scots should, indeed in some quarters are expected to, support England in the World Cup.

I will keep my response to the “support our boys” refrain brief: being Scottish, why would I? However, I have a confession to make which could result in my being tarred and feathered (at the very least). Some time ago, having studied England’s projected path to the final, and in the knowledge that in a one-off game anything is possible, I half-jokingly put a fiver on England at 6/1 to lift the trophy.

It’s been gnawing away at me, but there, I’ve said it and now it’s out in the open, I admit to feeling all the better for it. Come on you Croats!!

Malcolm Cordell
Broughty Ferry, Dundee

WHY does the Football Association continue to play God Save the Queen as the English anthem prior to World Cup matches? Is it not arrogant and discourteous to take the anthem for all of the United Kingdom and use it instead as the English anthem?

A growing number of sporting associations in England have replaced it with a more fitting anthem. This is to be welcomed. So when will the Football Association follow suit?

In a public poll on anthems conducted by the Commonwealth Committee for England prior to the 2010 Games, God Save the Queen received a mere 12% of votes. The overwhelming winner was Jerusalem, and this fine song is now used as the English anthem at all Commonwealth Games ceremonies.

Last year, the Scottish Football Association were fined £4k by Fifa because fans booed the playing of God Save the Queen prior to Scotland v England matches in the World Cup qualifiers. The Tartan Army were not booing England, rather they were booing because the English anthem was wholly inappropriate. Scottish fans have every right to continue to protest in this way until the FA comes to its senses.

David Williamson
Dunbar

IT is time for Scotland to look itself in the mirror. The incident at St Alphonsus Church at the weekend is our national shame. The alleged attack on a priest and his parishioners is disgraceful.

Catholics seem to be a legitimate target in Scotland for abuse of any kind. Would we tolerate the same abuse of Muslims, Jews or Protestants on a regular basis?

Let’s not fool ourselves, this is regular. Marching season brings this crowd out of the dark ages for several weeks per year and it is accepted as cultural. It is unacceptable in this day and age. The leaders of these organised marches need to be held responsible, and if they cannot control the followers then ban the whole thing until they can.

As a Protestant I am embarrassed.

Bill Logan
via thenational.scot