From Trump eyeing Greenland, Elon Musk’s grooming gang concerns, parental discipline and Mick Lynch’s retirement. What do you think? (Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
Trump’s Greenland grab: strategic move or resource raid?
So, the great Donald Trump has his eyes set on Greenland for ‘security’reasons (metro.co.uk, Tue). I rather suspect – and perhaps I’m being cynical – that Mr Trump is more interested in the country’s potential oil, gas and minerals rather than acquiring a strategic military base. Sylvie Orp, Bromley
Trump’s plan to nab Greenland has nothing to do with security. What nonsense. This is about him and his cronies getting their hands on this nation’s natural resources. Ian, Glasgow
Should the UK be worried? Trump wants more land
‘Watch out, you could be next!’So President-elect Trump wants Greenland to become part of America.Watch out Canada and the United Kingdom… you could be next! Josephine Gardiner, Acton
Is Elon Musk just speaking up for decent folks?
‘Read beneath the headlines’Why does Tim from Kent (MetroTalk, Fri) feel so intimidated by Elon Musk, who is doing nothing more than speak for the majority of decent folk of the UK who believe this government are engaged in a mass cover-up regarding grooming gangs.
As for accusations of misinformation, may I suggest Tim reads beneath the headlines…Des, Potters Bar
Respect our democracy – threats are never OK
Elon Musk launched into a furious social media tirade against the home office minister (Credits: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Threats against any elected representative shouldn’t be tolerated’Despite what anyone may think of Jess Phillips’ politics, she is an electedrepresentative doing her job in the best way she knows how.
We should not tolerate people from other countries making threats to any democratically elected representative in the United Kingdom – nor shouldwe in any other democracy (yes, even if against the likes of Trump).Anybody who threatens to undermine a nation’s democratic process should be pursued by all legal means necessary. Nick Burns, via email
Consensual or not – prison officer’s actions should be taken seriously
Ex-prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu was charged with misconduct and convicted after a video was shared on social media showing her having sex in a jail cell with an HMP Wandsworth inmate (Credits: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)
‘Actions like this undermine prison discipline and put others at risk’ Owen can’t think of a more victimless crime than the female prison officer sentenced to 15 months for having consensual sex with a prisoner (MetroTalk, Thu).
Try harder! Such actions encourage other prisoners to regard female prison officers as fair game. Children of prison officers will now be open to bullying at school with accusations that their mothers are doing it, too. It also undermines prison discipline – prison officers are heavily outnumbered by prisoners and clear discipline is important for them to maintain order.
Linda De Sousa Abreu was unavailable to respond to any call for assistance from another PO and not in control of her issued kit, including radio. The safety and security risks to staff and other prisoners are obvious. Nigel, London
Should parents smack? One reader says yes
Does a painful smack teach a child valuable lessons about appropriate behaviour? (Credits: Getty Images)
‘A stinging smack teaches boundaries that words alone sometimes can’t’Re: the smacking discussion, I agree with Kay’s views (MetroTalk, Thu).I am sorry to hear that some people have undergone what sounds like athrashing. This is not parental discipline but some sort of sadism.
Done correctly, a loving parent administers a stinging smack on thebum so as to teach the young one that, ‘that behaviour is not acceptable’. Itteaches (where words alone cannot) that a boundary has been crossed and must not be crossed again. It is better the existence of boundaries is taught at home while young than later by the police with much more serious consequences. Simon Wick, via email
Does Mick Lynch deserve a knighthood?
‘He stood up for railway workers like noone else ever has.’ Mick Lynch, the head of the RMT union, is retiring (Metro, Fri) andwill be sadly missed by railway workers everywhere. He stood up for his members like no other union leader has ever done in British history and surely deserves a knighthood in the next New Year Honours list.Enjoy your retirement Mick, see you on the golf course soon. Richard Farrar, London
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