Why not walk on the meadow of the moon
|
Version 0 of 1. Michael Rosen’s criticism (Letter from a curious parent, 3 March) of the usefulness of testing is supported by the standardised reading test in front of me. Section 7: Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the _____ of the moon (roads, interior, brightness, surface, meadow). Government Gradgrinds demand surface. I would worry slightly if a child put interior, but any of the others make a far more interesting, even beautiful, sentence. Michael HarrisonOxford • Your editorial (27 February) asks what restitution can be made to the victims of Jimmy Savile, suggesting that his heirs might lose their inheritance. Julian Baggini notes that Savile raised £40m for Stoke Mandeville (Beware the halo effect that shielded Savile, 28 February). Who would suggest that money be returned? If innocently accepted, is money neither dirty nor clean, merely money?John BaileySt Albans, Hertfordshire • I have been wishing someone would take up the cause of changing the bullying, infantile and sexist behaviour of MPs on the front bench (Bring on the sin bin for MPs whose noise betrays contempt, 2 March). When question time is broadcast we use the mute button. I feel ashamed for the world to see how our leaders behave. Outdoing one another in negative, boorish speech, behaving like stand-up comics desperate for laughs. If one party would make it their priority to have the behaviour changed they would have my vote … except Ukip.Anne LindleyKing’s Lynn, Norfolk • I got to 50 then got stuck / Sent many more without much luck / I’ll maybe risk some readers’ wrath / But the answer appears, just take the cloth (Letters, 4 March).Bob HargreavesBury • I’m not sure I realised that letter writing had become a competitive sport, but if so a league table is required and a mechanism for promotion and relegation.Keith FlettLondon |