Extremes of opinions revealed in letters

Letter: Major Singh and E Mill are at two extremes of the letter writing spectrum (Letters, August 1).

On the one hand you have the voice of reason, decency and tolerance as expressed by the good major. On the other hand you have the somewhat unusual rants of E Mill.

Where the two differ - along with others who share their opinions - is in their perception of fellow human beings.

I strongly suspect - without wishing to medicalise or give excuse to (for we then enter the world of eugenics) - that extremists at either end of the political, religious or cultural spectrum have some neurological or other deficit that prevents them seeing the broader picture, or that impedes vision to a limited and narrow field.

I also believe that to be so inclined - whether due to political, religious, ethnic, cultural, sexual or other leanings - is flawed. Quite simply people are people are people. We all bleed red blood. We're all descended from the same stock.

Most moderately educated people in this country understand what is meant by left or right wing, communist or fascist, socialist, liberal or conservative. E Mill seems to be quite shockingly confused.

If, as E Mill suggests, the three main political parties are all "left wing", "Marxist" and "Red fascists" (can such a beast can exist without cancelling itself out?), then he or she is further to the right than I thought was possible. He or she also suggests that "the BNP stands up for us" but fails to specify who "us" refers toÉ certainly not me or anyone I know.

Reason and decency must prevail over the BNP or any other intolerance based on ignorance. As a people, we are better for our qualities rather than the flaws of a few.

Name and address supplied