Future tense – The Irish Times

Sir, Kindly allow me to thank George McNally (Letters, December 14th) for his sagacious hopes that Taoiseach Michel Martin stops using the absurd slogan A shared future, as no one knows what lies ahead for any of us in life.

What a relief. Ill not bother relating those scientific alarmist reports about climate change indicators to my grandchildrens futures so, or responding to medical sciences predictions for health outcomes, and get back to my usual Im all right m fin hedonism, as those chickens are unlikely to return to roost in the course of my span. Ill just leave the engine running in the interests of my oil shares, and keep on digging until I hear the shovel clang on the underside of Uluru. Pass the eggnog. Yours, etc,

DAMIEN FLINTER,

Headford,

Co Galway.

Sir, May I suggest that George McNally is somewhat erring when he takes Michel Martin to task for his use of the phrase A shared future. The argument proffered by Mr McNally, that none of us knows what lies ahead in life, doesnt abrogate the aspiration of a shared future. Ask any bride and groom, for instance, as they exchange their wedding vows if not knowing what the future holds undermines or diminishes their commitment to a shared future. Yours, etc,

MICHAEL GANNON,

Kilkenny.

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Future tense - The Irish Times