Opinion

Why is it that any article on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ("Surprise recruit for whaling watchdog", May 12) has to carry the worn-out words "violent" and "radical"?

Is it not about time the media informed people of other, more relevant, aspects of Sea Shepherd?

It would be marvellous if, for once, we had some support in trying the stop the illegal killing of whales.

Does nobody realise that Japan's ulterior intention is to have an absolutely free hand on the oceans of this world - to deplete them until no whale, dolphin or tuna is left?

Is it not about time the lone fight of Sea Shepherd receives some recognition and support, in particular from countries that claim to understand the necessity of protecting our oceans and all its creatures?

Do we deserve to have our ships kept in South Africa's detention at the bidding of nations who rape our seas?

Dr Herbert Henrich

Sea Shepherd Conservation Trust South Africa

More and more motorcycles are on the road now, because of the high cost of petrol.

The owners seem to take great pleasure in their bikes being extremely noisy.

I live in a side street in Sea Point. Almost every night, when most residents are asleep, some maniac rides up Bellevue Road, with his bike making the worst possible noise and waking up the whole neighbourhood.

When will noisy motorcycles be outlawed?

Surely, all motorcycles should be fitted with silencers, and if the owners do not comply, they should be fined.

It would be interesting to read the views of others.

Chris van Niekerk

Sea Point

With power outages imminent, we are being urged to change from old-type globes to low-consumption fluorescent bulbs.

Although I have had a few in use for some time already, I am still not sure how to use them correctly.

My question is this: Does one switch on the light, only switching off when retiring at night, or does one switch it off every time one leaves a room for a while, as you are encouraged to do with conventional globes?

Will someone who knows the correct answer please respond. I get too many conflicting answers when I ask "those in the know".

Michael Silvie

Plumstead

I'm writing to reply to a letter by Disillusioned, Kenilworth ("My dream of uplifting the poor hit a brick wall, May 9).

Please pass on my particulars to Disillusioned. I've had the same problem with the authorities, but won't give up.

Let's join forces.

Kobus Dreyer

Pringle Bay

On Sunday, we were burgled once again. This time our two-month old thoroughbred boerbul puppy Demon was stolen from our enclosed back yard. On Monday our neighbours were burgled.

Since we moved to Scotsville Road, Sasmeer Estate in Retreat three years ago we have been burgled often.

Tools and equipment have been stolen from our yard; plants - mainly clivias and strelitzias - were uprooted; our statue of a baboon, which requires two people to lift, was removed from the front garden; our car was stolen twice; someone tried to climb through our burglar bars at 4am; our washing was stolen off the line in broad daylight on a Sunday; and now our puppy is gone.

The puppy is tan-coloured and wears a green leather collar with a tag giving his name and our phone number, 021 705 6037.

Please, whoever has Demon, return him to us, no questions will be asked.

Contact me on the following numbers: 021 706 0676 (working hours) or 084 691 2542.

Pat Wesso

Retreat