Shortpoints DO you have a letter for Shortpoints? Why not use the special Shortpoints messageboard by clicking here? Remember to include your name and address. * ON June 26, there was a letter backing the introduction of congestion charging in Liverpool, giving the example of London. In January 2005 Transport for London in their Charging Impact Report (page 19) admitted that "Of those respondents who report change in Inner London, a slightly higher proportion say more time is spent travelling now than before the introduction of the charge". Londoners have to pay £8 a day for the privilege of this "benefit". It is not surprising that last week, Angie Bray, Tory spokeswoman on the charge, said: "His congestion charge is a charge on congestion that we once got for free." John McGoldrick, Mersey Tunnels Users Association * I HEARTILY endorse Anne Graham's letter (ECHO, June 23) about abuse of animals. Spare a thought also for the millions of animals bred for food, particularly poultry - millions of chickens live short, miserable and painful lives in totally unnatural conditions, ducks who have no access to water apart from drinking, and turkeys pumped up with hormones to make them grow so big that their bodies cannot support their weight, and not forgetting the cruelty of live animal exports. It's a sobering thought to look at the produce on the shelves of just one supermarket and try to imagine how many animals have died, then multiply it by the thousands supplied for just one day. Lynne,
Old Swan (full name supplied) * IN the World Cup games we have the usual yellow and red cards, but these are for fouls etc. Surely there should be a third card for the best actor? The antics from some of the players after a trip or a slip would qualify many for an Oscar. Two minutes after the supposed bone shattering incident the said victim is running up the pitch like a two -year-old! The theatricals should surely be acknowledged. Bernard Manassie,
Ellesmere Port * OUR son is serving with Her Majesty's Forces in Afghanistan. Last week we thought we would send him some home comforts and we purchased some sweets, chewing gum etc. After buying a box from the Post Office and parcelling it up we took it to the Post Office where it cost £6.50 to send it. Wouldn't you think that serving troops in Iraq and Afghanistan would be given the privilege of receiving free postage? Our son signed his allegiance to his Queen and country but having been sent to Afghanistan cannot even be given a few home comforts without having to pay to get them. Worried and disgusted parents,
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