I READ with interest a letter in your publication (November 14).
Whilst much of what Mr Wall writes has been, if not pertinent, at least mildly relevant, I feel I must take issue with his attitude towards the opinions of others.
I did not take up arms in the Spanish Civil War, in order that someone could ride roughshod over my freedom of speech. I grant you that. But, had the ferry not been double-booked, I?d have been out there, exchanging ideologies with the best of ?em.
Wall?s recourse to the lyrics of others underlines his inability to employ his own opinion and thoughts. Coincidence, that one who has little of any originality to say should criticise another?s attempt to ?push back the boundaries of innovation?? I think not.
Was it not Shakespeare himself who declared ?hold fast the tide of repetition, tread strongly ?long the road of invention?? One is drawn to the wise words of Mark Twain: ?Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it?. Was the plea of Tony Hart that one should ?try this at home yourself? all to no avail?
Mr Wall would do well to avoid simply quoting the words of others in his correspondence, it is a path fraught with the danger of misrepresentation.
Wall suggests that a visit to Tavistock may be in order. I agree. Here he will find that we are a folk not given to clinging to the past, pawing over oft repeated rhetoric, adhering to outdated dogma. We have a proud history, a Dunkirk spirit and a sense of tradition that I think he will find of no little interest.
Paul Lansdell