----- Original Message -----

From: matt

To: james.harding@...

Cc: CTC-RTR@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 5:01 PM

Subject: [CTC-RTR] Matthew Parris Article calling for decapitation of cyclists

Dear Sir,

Is it small wonder why there are so many disregards to others in society today. As a J.P. I am only too aware of the amount of violence that takes place on our streets today and the apparent acceptance by large swathes of the population that such behaviour is acceptable.

How shocked and outraged I and I am sure many thousands of sensible and law abiding people must have been to read in The Times the tyrannical article by  Matthew Parris calling for such things as the decapitation of cyclists. On what basis can you even consider the publication of such an article, no sane minded person can accept that the totally outrageous comments to be legitimate editorial licence – they are surely an incitement to undertake extreme violence to others in the community.

Are neither you nor Mr Parris aware of the basic human rights of all individuals to live peacefully alongside each other – it is the mindless gratification of violent acts against others that have led to the senseless shooting rampages that have too often occurred in America and have now found there way to our country. Also you will be well aware of the recent murder and serious injuries  of a number of  motorists by youths who have chosen to throw concrete blocks from bridges onto passing vehicles, are we now going to see wire tied across the road in order to assist Mr Parris in his quest to achieve total anarchy and the decapitation of cyclists?

If Mr Parris has any family or friends I sincerely hope their children didn’t receive a young child’s dream present “a new bike” for Christmas – if they did let’s pray they never venture any where near him.

Please take full responsibility for having published this outrageous article – place a full apology and retraction in a prominent place in your paper and make a worthwhile monetary donation to The Cyclists Defence Fund set up by the  CTC (Cyclist Touring Club) to enable cyclists to fight for compensation when injured on the roads.

Yours truly,

Matthew J Embleton J.P.

(A Cyclist)