Letters: Whether it's FaceTime or real time, love is always ready to go the distance
I'd love to say we met in a chapel, but it was a pub. There was no FaceTime, just eye contact across a bar and the faint hope you hadn't said something daft.
It's a different world now. Romance is less a lightning bolt and more a wifi signal.
And while I wouldn't call daily FaceTiming foreplay, it does seem to work. If nothing else, it proves that love – like a flight from Dallas – is willing to go the distance.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh
RTÉ is failing in its duties – no wonder the public has no confidence in it
RTÉ appears to not be living up to its function as a public-service broadcaster in its omission of newsworthy items, particularly those of a religious nature portraying a positive message.
The annual climb of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July was not covered on any of the news bulletins that weekend, while there was reporting of other annual events such as Belfast Pride.
Fast forward to Sunday past and there was no reporting on the over one million young people who attended mass outside Rome for the World youth gathering.
I cannot think of any other event taking place with over one million attendees that would not receive media coverage.
The BBC news to its credit – and to RTÉ's shame – covered the papal mass. Survey after survey has highlighted the lack of trust that the public has in relation to RTÉ and its governance.
The Government has committed to giving taxpayers' money to the tune of over €700m to RTÉ over the next three years to fulfil its public-service obligations.
The organisation could start to improve its reputation with the public by acting in a fair and impartial fashion by reporting on all newsworthy events and not just the stories that portray certain viewpoints. In other words, report the news.
Eamonn O'Hara, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal
Spate of racist attacks has skilled Indian workers looking to leave Ireland
Mark Hogan raised a point ('Disgusting racist attacks on Indian community do not represent real Ireland', Irish Independent, August 4) that the Indian community in Ireland is currently struggling with.
I have an extended family in Ireland. I have started to hear ripples of unhappiness in my family over the way some of them are being treated here in recent years.
I must point out that each one of them is highly educated and they are all professionals. They do the jobs that are highly skilled.
I work in an area that no one in Ireland works in. The job I have does not exist in Ireland. I have created it myself. Now I am in a position to train many others to bring high-quality service that currently does not exist in Ireland to the country.
But these recent happenings have shaken my belief in the system that allows this racism with impunity. I am considering taking these skills elsewhere. So are many other Indians who are here.
Overall, Ireland is a beautiful country to live in. Irish people are welcoming to Indians. But if these incidents of racism are not brought under control, people are going to lose faith in the system.
Pradeep K Chadha, Castleknock, Dublin 15
The woke left really should have just zipped it when it came to Sydney Sweeney
I have to confess to never having heard of Sydney Sweeney until this week. At first I assumed it was a male, and given the media coverage, that he had committed some heinous crime.
It defies belief that the furore was caused by a jeans/genes advertisement that the 'woke left' managed to interpret as a ghastly racist statement.
Now, Ms Sweeney has compounded the crime due to the revelation that she is a Republican party supporter – the ultimate sin as far as the liberal-left is concerned.
Many on the liberal-left spectrum are not exactly blessed with a sense of humour and tend to take life very seriously. But this is taking things to ridiculous levels.
First, we had the farcical furore over Donald Trump's suit at Pope Francis's funeral, and now they are getting all hot and bothered over Sydney's jeans. Priceless stuff.
Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath
There's a staggering lack of interest in the fact that democracy is under threat
Fionnán Sheahan's article ('Vote early, vote often saga in Kerry shows serious lack of concern about democracy', Irish Independent, August 4) is a reminder of the old Fianna Fáil ideology, 'We are a slightly constitutional party'.
Irrespective of reports of wrongdoing published by journalists, what has changed in Irish politics since independence? Toothless commissions overseeing politics and voting will not work until the electorate demand absolute independent oversight and reporting.
The ultimate definition of the Republic has rarely been taken seriously by a great number of the citizenry. Sadly, like Australia, Ireland still suffers the after-effects of colonisation.
Until such time as Ireland enforces the obligation of every citizen to place their ballot paper, even if spoiled, into a ballot box, nothing will change.
The mute acceptance of the disgraceful destruction of democracy in local government shows an apathy to Irish politics in general.
The bigger question, though, is: Will people ever take life seriously?
Declan Foley, Melbourne, Australia
We need our Government to protect us from Trump's nuclear submarine games
The president of the United States decided to move two naval vessels into 'regions' after some tittle-tattle with a former president of Russia. These vessels have enough nuclear warheads to kill us all.
As an Irish citizen I expect my government to do its utmost to protect me and my fellow citizens.
This step by a narcissist president of the US is not acceptable and should be condemned by all of us.
Enough is enough.
Paul Doran, Monastery Walk, Dublin 22
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