Letters Page
In response to John Townsend, whose free speech I wouldn't dream of inhibiting, I have yet to meet an immigrant who enters this country without wishing to adhere to such norms of acceptability as "human rights" and "freedom of the press".
As to the issue of protecting women "from being forced into arranged marriages" - forced and arranged marriages are two distinctly different things - an arranged marriage is undergone with the consent of all parties and is an accepted part of many Asian cultures; forced marriages are understandably rejected by the vast majority of families. It is an offensive stereotype to suggest that forced marriages are acceptable in any religion or culture.
I am not opposed to free speech, Mr Townsend, but I am opposed to ignorant speech. Angela Saini Keble College
Matthew Richardson's belief that Nestle have "done nothing wrong" since "the early 1980s", makes me wonder where he got his information from. He didn't need to search hard to find that Nestle still repeatedly violates the World Health Organisation Code regulating the promotion of baby-milk powder.
In 1998 Nestle urged Uruguay not to enforce the latest regulations, while in Mozambique the warning on the tin was in English instead of a local language. This may be good for sales, but where the powder is mixed with unclean water, it contributes to the needless deaths of 1.5 million babies every year due to the decline in breast-feeding. Perhaps Nestle didn't mention these things to Richardson. Perhaps Richardson trusts Nestle to monitor themselves.
Nestle didn't give St Peter's JCR £500 because they think it's a worthy cause. Boycotted by students around the world, they must be only too happy to have found some students who will support their unethical practices in exchange for a mere £500. If St Peter's JCR is really so poor, Nestle will probably start promoting baby milk powder to the students there...and the labels will probably be in Swahili!
Yours faithfully,
Tom Harrison St Hugh's
Why-oh-why-oh-why do only your mothers get to have their letters printed? As long as this nepotism continues I want to be a part of it.
Eleanor Fletcher, VP (Finance), OUSU
Life here is much as ever. I've a nasty headache, but I think that might be because your brother left today for his interview. He only finished his portfolio an hour before he left, which left me a little tense. But he's gone now, and all we need to do is wait for him to tell us how things have gone. Or rather, grunt at us. Hopefully he'll tell us which university he's going to in time for October. He also phoned me and asked me how he could get a shirt dry. So he's now been given a lesson in how to use the tumble dryer.
I've been on another tour of Orpington market today and found a lovely black canvas briefcase for only £3.99. Your father hates it, but it's not for him.
Hope you're feeling better and getting plenty of sleep, I'm worried about you spending too much time at the paper.
Love Mummy xxx
Just a quick note before I leave work. I got a new monitor today - a Compaq - I'm still in shock. I've been complaining for four years about the one I had blinking at me all the time. Anyway, it is much quicker now and nice and clean - brand new!
We went to the new B&Q up by the big Tesco's to look at bathrooms. Your dad got far too excited in the wood panelling aisle and I had to try and hide in the garden centre so no-one thought I was with him. I did pick up a lovely geranium, though, at half price.
I've got another banging headache today, so I think I might go to bed early tonight. What an exciting life I lead. Talk to you soon. Get enough sleep and eat lots of fresh fruit.
Mum xx
The author of the best letter will receive a pair of free tickets to see the film of their choice at the Phoenix.
24th Jan 2002