From Mr I. Thomson, MRPharmS
SIR,-I really must comment on Mr Knox's letter (PJ, August 5, p192) in which he charges me with threatening free speech, democracy and, possibly, civilisation as we know it.
The point I was trying to get across was that I would have expected some degree of control to be exercised by the editor of The Journal as to the quality of the content (as regards being factually correct, not politically correct) given that it is the official publication of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. I have no problem at all with Miss Taylor, Mr Morris or anyone else expounding their social and political views, sadly misguided though I may personally find them. What I do object to is that these are illustrated by half truths, self-justification and assertions which are just plain inaccurate.
I can, however, propose a solution. A new section in the PJ, similar to "Broad Spectrum" but a tad more extreme, where members can launch swingeing attacks on anyone or anything they like without tiresome things like facts getting in the way. You could make it as long as you like (as long as it is a pull-out-and-throw-away section). I can see it now - "Ramblers' Corner". I might even have a go myself.
Iain Thomson
Cannock, Staffordshire