Readers' Best Comments

You give to charity workers in less than generous terms, dive into the Commie Pool delays and refuse a war apology

Edinburgh business leader Tom Campbell has called for action on the city centre's "charity muggers".

No mention of the money that these chuggers get paid for soliciting donations. And no mention that on average it takes over a year of an individual donating before the charity starts to make any money because they have to pay the chugger.

aleex

While they may feel they are merely being friendly their "positive" body stance can present the impression that you have a gauntlet to run to just go about your daily business. I tend to shop elsewhere, so the chuggers do put me off shopping in Edinburgh.

Mypointof view

Even if some of the chuggers have an empathy and affiliation to a charity they are doing it for the money; to survive. Much better the volunteer shaking a tin who you know is doing their bit out of love and duty and a cause they believe in.

Southsider once upon a time

These "chuggers" no longer approach you with a polite "excuse me" but stand in front of you, waving their arms and blocking your path. Their actions border on criminal behaviour.

Man On Corstorphine Omnibus

The "change thankyoopleeze" Romanian Begging Squad are a lot worse than the chuggers.

emperor tomato ketchup

The reason everyone hates chugging is the same reason people hate beggars – guilt. People don't like being confronted with the fact they are very lucky to be relatively well-off. 99% of personal charity donations are made in response to an ask and this is why charities pay agencies to recruit donors.

Beansontoast999

Many of us give to several charity organisations. We just don't like the in-your-face approach of these chuggers. Nor do we like the suggestion that we should give more. Most of us have judged what we can afford to give and to who to give it.

GenePoolDebtCrises

You could maybe hand some donations to the Commonwealth Pool as its revamp is delayed and heads over-budget.

Councillor Godzik (Lab) happily takes a pot shot at the current administration for the trams and for the overrunning of the Usher Hall and Commie Pool revamps, and yet conveniently forgets that it was Labour who instigated all of these programmes. Perhaps if they'd spaced them out a bit there'd be enough cash and time to complete the projects.

aleex

Anyone like to tell me of any high-profile projects completed on time and under-budget in this city?

digestive biscuits V

The city bypass was opened eight months early and under-budget. That was managed by a well known, highly respected company. This, like all public works, is run by a bunch of idiots.

Rugal

Finally, arts impresario Richard Demarco is urging Holyrood to apologise for the treatment of Italians in the Second World War.

Yes it was a terrible time but there was a war on and Italy were on the wrong side. Any one of these Italians could have been spying. The government could not afford to take any chances.

It's heading straight for us!

What is with this obsession for demanding apologies for things that happened in previous generations? Get over it.

Pantaloon