Readers' letters - November 22

The presidential election campaign in the USA was unusual for the vitriol expressed, but will be remembered as a total embarrassment for millions of American people.

Donald Trump’s performance in the head-to-head interviews was, as expected, confrontational but his behaviour/attitude was appalling.

He was belligerent, extremely uncouth and often downright malicious.

In my opinion, he won the election based on lies, insults and misogyny.

One would have assumed the revelation that he doesn’t pay income tax and the boastful attitude he displayed on that issue would have cost him heavily, by turning ordinary taxpaying citizens against him.

The old maxim that ‘One should never assume’ has, after this event, gained more meaning for me.

Jack Croysdill via email

animal welfare

Beware of animal gifts

Many aid charities are, once again, appealing for donations to buy animals to be raised as ‘livestock’ in some of the most deprived nations in the world. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by the images of people in desperate need. However, sending animals does nothing to help their plight.

Animal farming is inefficient and environmentally damaging.

Raising animals for food requires more land, water, plant food and energy.

Moreover, the charities rarely mention the animal suffering that can be caused. Destitute communities rarely have the resources needed to adequately feed, shelter and provide veterinary support for their animal ‘gifts’.

There are effective alternatives that can help people in serious need, including the planting of drought-tolerant fruit-producing trees, and supporting irrigation projects. For details of organisations that fund and support such work, please contact Animal Aid on 01732 364546.

Tod Bradbury

Animal Aid

entertainment

Who are these celebs?

Could somebody please explain what a celebrity is?

On watching that jungle fiasco on TV, I can’t believe they class those people as celebrities. They really are people who cannot get any work and need the money.

Plus they are frightened of being forgotten.

First to be voted off must be Carol Vorderman, who has the most terrible laugh ever.

And I am sure the only people who think Ant and Dec are funny are the cameramen.

Can’t sing, can’t dance, can’t tell a decent joke but good at reading an autocue.

I would willingly pay these two £30m to get lost.

Alan Thompson

Address supplied

FOOD

Cucumber problems

In these days proclaiming “dignity for the elderly”, I must draw your attention to the problems caused by cucumbers.

Our fingers at age 80 are not as nimble as they were and injuries are often caused by the dreadful plastic packaging in which they are wrapped.

Why cannot we buy cucumbers as they were when we were young to help us with our culinary efforts?

Mrs MW Whitaker

Via email