Letters to the Editor, February 23, 2005

G.W.Bush in Europa/France

It is intolerable listening to the western media? lined up to acquit the warmonger for having killed well over 100.000 Iraqis without any reason.

Is that the way to build a ' new world order' justice ? That - if the victim is just ugly enough (you probably remember the sight of the 'BRUTE' from the perpetual repeating TV-- flashback of the capture og 'the brute'..) - and yes - wupti - with a few smearing words - you're well on your way to go free from punishment.!

It is extremely ugly to watch 'the today show' 'The Emperor's new cloths' comedy - following in a straight line to the mendacious smear-war drums leading up to the attack on Iraq. Does anyone remember the pre-war derisive (John Negroponte-FN arrogance) behavior, peppered by an impossible assignment. How can one PROVE NOT to HAVE what one does NOT HAVE.?

Pride goes before a fall GOOD GRIEF!

John L Jensn Nr. Nebel Danmark

Amara War Grave

Dear Sir,

I am one of the majority of the UK's population who believe that the invasion and occupation of Iraq was, and still is a terrible act of hostility by by Mr Bush. Our country was dragged into this conflict and for that I am humbly sorry to the people of Iraq.

I have been researching my family history for my son, who is 1 year old.

My Great Uncle, James Ades is amongst over 3000 British men who are buried at Amara (Iraq) cemetery. I would love one day to take my son there to show him the terrible things men do to men with the foolish justification of self-importance. I can only hope that peace and stability will one day come to the people of the Iraq and I can visit to share my loss with the people of a country who have suffered so much.

If someone in Amara can find it in there heart to walk pass the cemetery one day and recognise the fact that my great uncle (and his comrades) was also a victim of a stupid pointless war maybe we can all start on the road to find peace.

Yours faithfully

Marcus Warren Ades UK

In praise of infidels

: In praise of infidels

I still regret hearing talk about the need to fight a 'holy war' against 'infidels'. 'Infidels' are actually quite a nice lot. I would even count myself among them. They are fairly rational, don't hold particularly virulent views and usually adopt a tolerant attitude towards others. War (i.e. killing others) is never holy from their perspective.

One reason for their more gentle approach to life is the recognition that the Greeks, Romans, Ancient Egyptians, Aztecs etc. all had well developed religious systems claiming possession of the absolute truth - much as Christians, Hindus, Jews. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists etc do today. I suppose religion is by definition a question of belief requiring a leap of faith. No matter how fervently a belief is held and with however great conviction, it must remain just belief not fact. If it were proven fact no element of belief would be necessary and religion would cease. In my view, the great advantage of 'infidels' is that they are actually quite unsure about what exactly is 'correct' - and, being uncertain they see have no wish to go around killing others in the name of religion, nationalism or any other ideology.

The problem is not 'infidels' but those of strong faith. Look at the world in the past. The 30 Years War (1618-48) between Catholics and Protestants wiped out a third of Germany's population. Look at the present - Bush the born again crusader, Sharon etc. etc. etc.. Look at the conflicts - India v Pakistan (now thankfully less acute), N. Ireland (also on the back burner), Israel v Palestine (wait and see but...), US v the rest of the world (coming soon) etc.

Maybe 'infidels' is the wrong word anyway, however much it is bandied about. 'Infidels' like myself DO believe in some seemingly unimportant things - such as kindness, tolerance, understanding, peace, world citizenship.... We acrtually try to do a little bit of good in the world. No wonder Bush and others hate us.

I guess if we held the levers of power (... forbid) we'd spend 500 US$ billion a year on peace, not war. Shocking stuff, isn't it! What a dreadfully wicked lot we are!
Phil Hong

Phil Hong