Why do we belittle opposing views?

IT seems recently that we frequently feel the need to insult and belittle people who hold opposing views.

Of course, the prime targets at the moment are the Brexit voters (although the number of people who did not bother to vote suggest that many people simply don’t care either way).

Currently there is a dispute about the wisdom of holding a re-enactment of part of the Second World War at Levisham station, including some re-enactors dressed in German uniforms.

Why refer to those people who feel this would be in bad taste, and distressing to some, in insulting ways?

Why sneer, using terms like “shrinking violets”, “delicate flowers”, “namby-pamby do-gooders”?

It is almost like reverting to school playground name calling.

The tragedies and the aftermath of the war are still within living memory, and the scars linger.

Why can’t we respect the fact that people have different life experiences and therefore have different opinions? Why resort to hurtful insults?

Surely civilised people can agree to disagree.

Pamela Brown,

Goodwood Grove,

York

If you don’t like the shows, then don’t go

THE Yorkshire Railway in Wartime event has been going on for the last 26 years (The Press, April 5).

So now all of a sudden it is causing offence. Thousands of people go to watch, look and get involved.

So why should it be offensive to take part?

Does that mean no war movies or war documentaries on the BBC or ITV?

And do we have to cancel Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy collection?

By the way, no-one has been shot, wounded, killed or put in prison camps.

If you don’t like the shows, don’t go.

P Lawrence (veteran),

Beckfield Lane,

York