10 METRO Thursday, September 10, 2009 D Water is precious Conserve: We will run out Like most people in the middle- income band with children, Ill be hard hit by the new taxes. There is one, however, that I feel is long overdue: the water charge. Treating water costs a fortune and most people dont even think about their water use as it has never been charged for before. However, I fear this tax will be introduced as a flat-rate charge as fitting every household with water meters would prove too expensive. This means that people who use water sparingly will be charged the same as people who dont give a hoot. Not only is this unfair, but its also dangerous for the ecology and environment, as people would feel entitled to use more water than needed because they are paying a flat charge for it, and not their actual consumption. Anne So Michael Moores latest documentary concludes that Capitalism is an evil, and you cannot regulate evil. His smug endorsement of socialism by tearing down US capitalism is tedious and, as always, embellished. While his documentaries are generally thought-provoking and contemporary, this last one really irks me. Does he really expect people to simply believe his one-sided, self- serving notions just because theyre watching his documentary? And getting rich off people while espousing the evils of capitalism is simply contradictory! That said, Id be more likely to listen and even believe him if he wasnt a walking advertisement for ill-health! RJP Why are the scumbags who sell horses at the Smithfield Horse Dublins best-read letters page Metro Mail E-mail letters to mail@metroireland.ie with a name. Or text us. Text MAIL followed by comment and name to 53131. *Texts cost 30cent per message + standard network charges. SP. Oxygen8 Communications, Hospitality House, Cumberland Street South, D2. Customer service number 0818286606 talk to us Evidence? James Day in his condescending article tells us that most people who believe the 9/11 conspiracy theories are on the peripheries of society and are more likely to engage in conspiracy theories as a way of being part of something. Could Mr Day then explain how an airplane could crash into the White House (sic) yet there is not a scrap of photo evidence to document the alleged incident? DD Hic: Baffled Bill, you must know and work with a bunch of teetotalling, clean-living, super health-conscious yet boring people! I asked around my work if anyone drank ten pints a week and the only people who didnt werent at work! Not that were alcoholics or anything, but if you think about it, ten pints a week is nothing! And anyway, everyone knows that 92 per cent of statistics are made up on the spot! Stafro Taking the p***: I always fight urges or temptations, but for the last three months, Ive been very tempted to urinate in the bin in the corner on the office floor! I know it would be a tad inappropriate, but I fear this is an urge I cant win! Coulanti In Brief Market not arrested and charged with neglect and cruelty? In this country, those who abuse animals barely get a slap on the wrist any wonder we have an appalling reputation for animal exploitation. Mahatma Gandhi said: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Those who turn a blind eye and expect others to solve the problem are no better than the perpetrators. Ireland, hang your head in shame! L, D12 The hype about the childrens allowance being taxed is crazy! A friend of mine who works in the Post Office recently handed out a 2,300 child benefit payment to a customer. How can that be fair to decent, hard-working tax-paying citizens? Maybe you should only receive benefits up to two children, anymore after that shouldnt qualify. As a man who never intends to have children, I think it should be abolished altogether. Either that or give people like me a tax break for not having any children! Gavin Sendusyour txt To the young lad who saved the pony with 8, the world needs more people like you! Pony Gal I see Ryanair is now advertising for bums on seats on TV. Things must be really bad! Paddy Mac To all the people who are in favour of legalising sex work, would you recommend that job to your daughter? Meg, Sandyford My man falls asleep after sex because it is so mind blowing! I really dont know why women complain, what do they expect, Shakespeare quotes? Woman Thanks a lot for making me look like an eejit again. How many times are you going to put pictures of snakes in the paper? I screamed like a girl on the bus... Stuart To the woman madly calling out ALEX very persistently at 2 and 4am on Wednesday. If he didnt want to let you in, learn your lesson or find a new boyfriend! Im going to throw eggs at you next time without any warning! Marta txt MAIL to 53131* Brush with Google Wish you were there? So does the artist, who painted it via the internet Easel as 1, 2, 3: A painting of an Amsterdam canal boat by artist Bill Guffey and the real thing as captured on Googles Street View tool, inset Picture: Bill Guffey/Barcroft A CASH-STRAPPED artist who cannot afford to travel is using Google Street View to see stunning locations around the world and paint them. Frustrated globe-trotter Bill Guffey simply types in a place or, bizarrely, a business name be- fore walking around virtually and finding an in- spiring view. The 45-year-old has created more than 100 paintings using the method, including a phone box in Londons Trafalgar Square, a solitary house in Scotland, a New York taxi and a canal boat in Amsterdam. His pieces can measure as large as 76cm (30in) by 102cm (40in) and sell for up to 1,500. Having to look after my family and hold down a job have meant my travelling days are num- bered, said Mr Guffey, from Burkesville, Ken- tucky. Street View has really changed everything. I can go to all of those places I am in love with, sit and paint them as if I am really there. By MilES ErWin index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html