16 METRO Friday, December 11, 2009 D High Honour: Norwegian honour guards stand during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at City Hall in Oslo yesterday, where US president Barack Obama accepted the award See Page 12 Picture: AFP/Getty The Big Picture Pain = future gain? Untouched: Smokers Watching Brian Lenihan reading out his Budget statement, I was struck by two very strong competing emotions. I felt regret that social welfare rates had to be cut but I also felt relief that we were finally tackling the problems in the public finances head on. To borrow that oft used phrase we are where we are. It is only by taking the pain now that we will be able to secure our future. The Budget was tough but it offered hope. Rather than being dismayed at the cuts, we should feel confident that we are taking the right steps towards recovery. Jane Dignam Lenihans statement that his budgetary treatment of cigarettes and alcohol is not designed to encourage people to increase their smoking and drinking, but to protect his revenue, is an insult to the people of Ireland. This buffoon is stating quite openly that he doesnt care one bit about the health of the people of Ireland. The man is such a hypocrite that he might as well legalise Class A drugs to gain more revenue for his shambolic Government, who everyone knows do not have a popular mandate to run the country. David Bradley, Drogheda Its amazing how each person interprets a photo. I voted for Hazels photo but when I looked at it, it didnt evoke feelings of sadness for the old man featured or made me feel that it meant he had no future. Instead I felt it showed a man who has lived until old age but its our generation and the next that the No Future was aimed at. What about the Earth we have inherited? How will 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 Ho Ho Hankey: Re Kiwi Gs letter would Mr Hankey or a douche look good atop the office tree? Perhaps we could make Metro a list of inappropriate South Park-related items that should go on Kiwis office tree. Come on, get writing a bit of frivolity instead of Budget gloom. The Gimpmeister Tiger trauma: I dont know what happened in the Woods household but ambivalence has been shown to domestic violence against men; eg golfer Jesper Parnevik: I would probably have to apologise to her and hope she uses a driver next time instead of a three-iron. Pat Traffic twit: Jay Walker have you heard of traffic lights? When helpful motorists wave you across in front of them its probably out of relief that theyve havent knocked you down. Dan Too polite: Jay Walker, I agree. Being courteous is one thing, allowing someone out, changing speed to allow someone to merge; but I see drivers breaking the rules of the road by being overly polite and doing more harm than good. Bob Brandt In Brief old age be for us? It reminded me of the Kenyan proverb Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. Thats just how it made me feel, Im sure others have other opinions and thats the beauty of the photo. Congrats to Hazel and other finalists the standard was fantastic. CJ Dear Maria, I think the picture would be far bleaker had there been a young person or a mother with a child. I think the old man with a straight back and his bag full of messages shows resilience and wisdom, hes seen it all before, both good and bad and is just getting on with life. Whereas the No Future poster is worn and damaged this weakens its impact. Its like a message being reused and getting worn from droning on about it. Its a dramatic moment showing true art in photography. Dont worry about your folks, I call mine YAPs young aged pensioners :-) Sinad Sendusyour txt A society is judged by how it treats its weakest members. Shame on this pathetic Government for savaging the weak and the poor in this Budget. Sean Am I the only one whos angry about a visitor attraction being built in honour of Ted Kennedy and funded by the taxpayer? And the irony is that it was announced during the Budget speech? Laz Brilliant Budget cut in the public pay, Brians pay is cut too, drinks cheaper and smokes the same. Well done lads! Sue This Government of self- interested rural parochial Independents, and Greens who will be sent to join the PDs at next election, shamed us with this Budget. Jb I saw you this morning on the train at Ashtown, blonde hair, black top and white ear plugs... Beautiful. Thx x x Kiwi G, the PC police do go too far. Its got so I may not even write to Santa at all this year. Claus fan txt MAIL to 53131* index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html