More of the stupid Filatov being filleted on RTÉ would be nice

I welcome the many opportunities we will continue to hear from the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yuri Filatov.

e has a certain charm. Maybe it’s his Russian accent and the way he looks at you when his weaselly words roll off his lips.

His propaganda will no doubt make humorous reading for future history students. It was heartwarming to hear him being filleted by savvy RTÉ interviewers David McCullagh and Sarah McInerney and it would be a shame to miss those ballistic opportunities to put him through his paces again.

I’m hooked and want to think about how he might explain the simulated Russian nuclear attack wiping out little Ireland. It would be cold consolation to know that he would be settling down in his little bunker on Orwell Road and not with his pal in the Kremlin.

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

Ah, the penny dropped – 77 years after nuclear weapons

The end of your editorial (Irish IndependentMay 4) states: “Just because nuclear weapons have been around for 70 years doesn’t make them any less dangerous.”

For real? The nuclear bombardment of Japanese cities – by the West – in 1945 showed that nuclear weapons were always a clear and present danger.

Did it take 77 years for the editorial team to get this message across?

Micheal O’Cathail, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Rebalancing media coverage of abortion

At this stage of the abortion debate, I often wonder why it’s always the pro-choice side that seems to get the most media coverage.

Abortion is a huge issue and while I 100% disagree, I have never condemned a woman who chose this path.

However, I often wonder why in this day and age—when you can watch open-heart surgery, liver transplants, childbirth, and war with all its cruelty on TV—no one seems to have the guts to show what’s really going on with abortions .

I would guess it would change some people’s views on the subject.

One last point. In our own abortion debate, the unborn have been referred to as fetuses. Now listen to the latest HSE adverts urging pregnant women to get the vaccine as ‘it protects you and your baby’. I don’t really expect you to post this, but perhaps for the sake of an unbiased comment, you could.

Joe Condren, address to the editor

As this infernal war spreads west, apocalyptic fate awaits

Congratulations to Ian O’Doherty on his article “Set your faces to stunned” (Irish IndependentMay 4th).

As the government seeks excuses for the horrific nuclear tsunami transmission from Russia, the last sentence of Ian’s article is far more authentic.

This nightmare war may go on for years, but the alternative is unthinkable.

Margaret Docherty, Terenure, Dublin 6W

Reflecting on the satirical leaning towards nuclear attack simulation

With Russian state television broadcasting a simulated nuclear attack on Ireland, one wonders what The Skibbereen Eagle would make this development?

As a certain fictional character living on Craggy Island once lamented, “Down with that.”

Stephen O’Hara, Carrowmore, Co. Sligo

Instead of begging for an “excuse me,” just kick the ambassador out

When Russia declares how easy it would be to wipe this country off the face of the earth and our Taoiseach says they should apologize, what can we say?

The only answer to Russia would be to send its ambassador away. Why wait?

Ireland does not need EU approval to do the sensible thing. In the words of the late Margaret Thatcher, “Get out, get out, get out.”

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth

The Taoiseach’s comments about the seat of the DUP smack of hypocrisy

Our Taoiseach notes that although Sinn Féin is the largest party, the Dup takes seats in the assembly.

It seems a bit hypocritical considering he himself has ruled out going into government with Sinn Féin this side of the border, even though Sinn Féin got the most seats.

Tom Mitchell, Loughrea, County Galway