Special relationship spats
From Stephen Graubard
Sir: The interview with Senator John McCain (‘David Cameron has what it takes to succeed’, 30 September) is both informative and interesting but I’d like to correct McCain on two points. The Senator’s thought that the ‘special relationship’ has existed for 200 years conveniently obliterates memories of the War of 1812 and the Civil War, when Lincoln worried greatly about the UK’s policies, not to mention serious transatlantic differences during the time of Salisbury, David Lloyd George and Neville Chamberlain. As for the proposition that Cameron is a ‘Tory JFK’ — that is almost as bizarre as the notion, once expressed by too ardent Republicans faithful to George W. Bush, that Tony Blair was a latter-day Winston Churchill.
Stephen Graubard
Peterborough
Media whore
From David Mayger
Sir: As a longtime Spectator reader, I used to sympathise with Britain’s problem. Used to, that is, until reading that your two major political parties are importing US politicians to address their conventions! John McCain to the Conservatives, and Bill Clinton to Labour; each expected, nay, invited to meddle in internal British affairs.
The Senator, to do him justice, is a sincere and capable man. While in my view a spent force, he is an all but announced candidate for America’s highest political office. Mr Cameron et al are merely giving him a platform for what will be seen as partisan pronouncements.
And then there’s Bubba! Bill Clinton is what we inelegantly call here a media whore, feverish to revise the history of his administration. What in the name of Ramsay MacDonald does he have to offer Labour, or anyone else? How to place personal aggrandisement above sworn duty? How to whine and pout your way to fortune? How to manage by opinion polls, to slough off responsibility, endanger our lands and encourage our foes? And then make a fortune in speaker’s fees prating about the world on the nobility of one’s intentions? Serious people in both America and Britain must be shocked!
David Mayger
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Where Paul first preached
From Tim Hudson
Sir: It’s odd that the Pope should think that Christianity both defines and is defined by Europe (‘Pope Benedict was attacking the West, not Islam’, 23 September), when its very name reveals its genesis as the fulfilment of a Semitic faith — whose sacred writings remain central to its worship and beliefs.
And to use the argument as a way of blocking Turkey’s accession to the EU is surely cheap. Wasn’t the land that is now Turkey quite important itself in the history of Christianity, as the scene of St Paul’s earliest exploits and the venue for all seven of the great Ecumenical Councils?
Tim Hudson
Chichester, West Sussex
A resignation issue
From Andrew Sinclair
Sir: I was the other Fellow of Churchill College who resigned with Francis Crick over the chapel issue (‘The genetic code genius failed to kill faith’, 30 September). Matt Ridley in his biography does not quite understand what happened. Our understanding was that Churchill was to build a multi-faith chapel. You could even bring in Islam on a trolley. There were more Anglican chapels per square metre in Cambridge than anywhere else on the globe. At a Fellows’ meeting dealing with the Beaumont gift, Charles Snow led a vote against an Anglican chapel, which was won by 13 votes to 12.
The master of the college, the physicist Sir John Cockcroft, had split the atom, and we were merely quarks.
Andrew Sinclair
London SW1
Hair today
From Alistair Robertson
Sir: Matthew Parris has now joined Alistair Cooke as my other bathroom guru (Another voice, 23 September). Many years ago my wife heard Alistair Cooke, in one of his brilliant Letters from America, say that he always shaved with only cold water and no soap — so have I, these many years. Now I am washing my hair in water only à la Parris. However, I would not have altered my soapy life had I not admired and trusted these two gentlemen on other more weighty subjects.
Alistair Robertson
By email
From Jennifer Wingate
Sir: I would like Matthew Parris to know that I devour everything he writes, from his political/satirical/whimsical Joseph Addison-style pieces to the Desolation Island wonders. The only articles I could do without are those having anything to do with hair and (non)shampooing. To misquote Dorothy Parker, ‘Little me thwew up.’ I hope this makes Mr Parris feel appreciated in the manner he prefers.
Jennifer Wingate
Geneva, Switzerland
Bus blockade
From Alan Phillips
Sir: Rod Liddle (‘A miserable waste of space’, 30 September) quotes Transport 2000, ‘A bus carrying up to 90 passengers takes up the same space as three cars.’ Not when it’s in a mile-long bus lane it doesn’t; it’s effectively taking up 300 cars’ worth of road space, even when it’s not there.
Alan Phillips
Epping, Essex
Light truths
From Robert Davies
Sir: Thomas Young’s wave theory of light did not in fact disprove Newton’s particle theory (Books, 30 September). One of science’s later achievements was to realise that both were true and to reconcile them.
Robert Davies
London SE3
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