Sir, - I read with both astonishment and delight the irrelevant and silly comments made by Mr Norton in his argument about a referendum on blood-sports in this country (July 29th). Far from discrediting the notion, I am sure he has done us so-called "minority of animal rights activists" an enormous favour. By offering up such pathetic excuses I'm sure he will persuade few that the problood-sport lobby have any valid reason to continue their slaughter.
The crux of his letter seems to be that whatever occurs on the private property of another, involving mutually beneficent parties, is none of our damn business. Ordinarily I couldn't agree more, but this issue involves far more than farmers and huntsmen - there are large numbers of our native wildlife being savaged in the process. I'm certain most people agree that there exist situations where the private activities of the individual are subject to scrutiny and regulation by society in the overall interests of that same society. This is the principle of law and order - sacrifices of our freewill in return for the advantages of a safe living environment. Thus, practices which may indeed be favourable and profitable for the symbiosis of landowners and huntsmen, are not necessarily beyond the interests and involvement of all others.
If such rationale had always prevailed then who would even think to meddle in the affairs of slave owners, nor to campaign for tenants' rights, for it is the same basic principle.
I also take offence to the patronising tone Mr Norton uses throughout his letter, the sentence "Why not let these people who know best and are most affected by hunting make their choice?" I take particular exception too. Evidently Mr Norton considers himself to be included in this all-knowing elite, and the views of others simply do not have any merit. Mr Norton is most unwise to dismiss the opinions of many in so off-hand a manner, and this sort of superior condescension is once more obvious in that spectacularly ridiculous argument that all those living in towns and cities have no right to express their concerns about rural issues. I won't begin to point out the flaws of such thinking, but instead I would like to remind Mr Norton that we are all equal citizens of this country, regardless of geography. Such is the joy of democracy. When this issue comes to referendum, the basic principles of that democracy will hold and the views of who live in urban areas will be just as valid as those who do not. - Yours, etc., Claire Zwaartman,
Granby Lane, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.