Letters: It's time we came down harder on mindless thugs

What kind of morons are we producing now in Edinburgh who think there's no better way of getting their kicks than placing our courageous rescue workers in a position of danger? Part of the problem is that the neds know that if they get caught slashing hoses or the tyres of a firefighter's car, there's as much chance of them ending up behind bars as there is of them going and doing a decent day's work to earn money. Scotland's jails are too full and our justice system is too soft on antisocial thugs, so we're stuck with them. What's particularly annoying is that Cammy Day, the Forth councillor, says he warned this would occur if the school was left derelict over the summer. If the decision to delay the demolition of Craigroyston Community High School was taken to save our cash-strapped council some cash, I reckon it's been a false economy. Alan Hosie, Leith Heading in the right direction IT IS good to see that the authorities are considering opening Shandwick Place to general traffic again. This is a step in the right direction and perhaps the authorities might now consider opening up many of the other roads in the city that have also been closed to traffic in recent years. The general motorist pays for the use of these roads through their road fund licence and therefore should have unhindered access to them 24 hours a day. If the tram company and bus companies want special lanes or roads then let them and their passengers pay the full market value for the sole use of them. I am sure if this was suggested to them they would soon change their tune. It is high time that general road traffic in Edinburgh flowed freely again and that the war on the motorist is brought to a swift halt. Alastair Macintyre, Webster Place, Rosyth Driven wild by zoo's claims Never in a million years did I see myself in full agreement with John Gibson. Like so many others I am sometimes irked by his remarks, but the fact is that he was bang-on with his zoo article (July 27). I couldn't agree more. The zoo should not be allowed to get away with its extension plans. The plan is based on the familiar theory of saving endangered species. The zoo ignores the fact that it is man who endangers species. How galling for the animals to be removed from their natural habitats and dumped into animal prison, where despite all the good propaganda, they are but shadows of their original selves. Conservation is an often used, meaningless word, the projects are commercially oriented. The zoo cannot deny the main theme of its endeavours. Every arrival is heralded with a fanfare to attract the masses. It is gearing up for the hoped-for arrival of Chinese giant pandas, despite warnings from eminent scientists that their arrival would be an environmental disaster. John Cowen, Stewart Terrace, Edinburgh Forget Spain, viva Edinburgh I AM quite sure the people of Edinburgh would have had a good day down at Spanish day on The Mound over the weekend (News, July 27). But why are we promoting Spanish holidays on the street of our city while at the same time we are trying to encourage people to come to Edinburgh, which is far better than any Spanish destination? Is it not time for the Spanish to realise that their tourist heyday is over and they are unlikely to get much money out of many of the British? Are they the only people not to notice that many people have no money due to the recession, and if they do they are selecting cheaper destinations? Most people are now realising that if they want a good holiday Edinburgh is still the place to be. Andrew Murphy, Royal Mile