Points of view

Cartoons This week's hate-filled protests in response to the Danish cartoons has harmed the name of Islam more than the cartoons themselves. While, as a Muslim, I am saddened by the drawings, the response of so-called followers of Islam has upset me even more. Islamic teaching holds ideas of peace, love, tolerance and forbearance just as sacredly as the concept of upholding the honour of God or any of His noble prophets (peace be upon them all).

Arif Khan, New Malden, Surrey

Placards Watching the TV coverage of the Muslim protesters demonstrating with their offensive, and possibly illegal, placards, one image has remained. A passer-by who was shouting back at the demonstrators was being warned by police that, if he did not clear off , he would be arrested. That these people should be allowed to make death threats while a counter-protester goes in peril of arrest must strengthen the perception the law is being bent in favour of the Prophet.

Gerry Lynch, Edinburgh

Invisible If the Rev Robert Anderson (Letters, 7 February) believes the current fall-out with Muslims can be solved by his prescription of "my invisible sky god is better than their invisible sky god", then we are in more trouble than I thought.

Alistair McBay, Methven, Perthshire

Receipts In response to Hugh Thomson (Letters, 6 February), it is not only the lucky people with expense accounts that ask taxi drivers for receipts. The self-employed (or anyone else who must self-assess their tax) are also likely to ask for proof of purchase. Still, this doesn't detract from his overall point about expense accounts. As regrettable as it may be, our politicians are not self-employed.

Ewan Macdonald, Greenock

Turbines A third spell of light winds since mid-November is just ending. With wind speeds, over the last three weeks, generally not exceeding 12mph, power generation by wind turbines was undoubtedly a failure. Electricity generation by wind power is a fanciful option for base load provision.

C Bruce Lawrence Aberdeen

Howler I know the teaching of history in schools these days is not what it used to be, but Roger Cox's suggestion (Critique, 4 February) that Mary, Queen of Scots was Elizabeth I's half sister is a real howler. Mary Tudor was Elizabeth's half sister. Mary Queen of Scots was her first cousin, once removed.

Morag Graham-Brown Edinburgh