UNITED STATES: THE gullibility and naivety of some people never ceases to amaze me. This has never been more apparent than in the recent visit by President Bush to Sedgefield.

Underneath his affable mask is a very deceptive and cunning man who has invoked unreasonable hardship and suffering on his fellow man.

In my view, the Iraqi war was no more than vengeance for September 11, 2001, something for which the United States should have been much more prepared for.

If people want to find out about the motivations of the real Mr Bush they should read what's going on in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at the moment where terrorist suspects are being kept in abominable conditions, in serious breach of the Geneva Convention.

Indeed, they are being denied basic human rights, such as early access to a lawyer. I read in an article in one of the quality dailies that one man hadn't been able to see his wife or children for a month. This is absolutely unforgivable and appalling.

To get the true picture about self-seeking politicians like Blair and Bush you need to regularly read a quality daily, with a good tabloid thrown in sometimes. Remember, 2004 is election year for Bush, and Blair's will follow shortly afterwards. Could this have something to do with the way they behave, I wonder? - Ken Jackson, Northallerton.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

IT is extremely unlikely that the death penalty will ever be introduced in this country, even though many believe in the biblical expression "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth".

Of course, it is always a worry that an innocent person can be executed, but now with DNA and other technologies, there can be a certainty in many cases of the killer's guilt.

Ian Huntley will now be fed and clothed and looked after, which will cost the taxpayer a fortune, just as Myra Hindley did. It also cost a tidy sum to provide her with numerous free cigarettes, which eventually killed her with cancer of the lung.

Since child killers are dealt with in this kindly way and the Government will not change things, why not pass a law that is common in most Arab countries. There the judge does not decide the sentence when a killer is found guilty of murder, that is passed on to the next of kin to decide.

When the next of kin has decided on their choice the courts will carry it out, far different in this country where any next of kin speaking up in a court will be told to shut up or be ejected for contempt. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

IT is interesting that the Rev Heslop and WJ Booth can write (HAS, Dec 30) vigorously condemning me for saying what I would like to see done to Ian Huntley, while they utter not one word of condemnation of him or of compassion for his victims' families.

This is typical of such people, in their exclusive preoccupation with the welfare of the offender and their, in effect, indifference to the plight of the victim.

Equally typical is their arrogant intolerance of other people's views. My "crazy views" are shared by the majority of the British people.

We want hanging back because, when it was in force, this country was a far safer and more wholesome place in which to live.

And one day we'll make our views felt to the extent of booting out the liberal elitists who run this country and are systematically ruining in the process. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

Darlington FC

AS a long-time supporter of the Quakers, may I suggest the way to save the club is a very quick return to Feethams.

It is no hardship getting to the ground, five minutes from the town centre, ten minutes from the station and motorway. A lot of supporters will not require cars, they can catch a bus home easily.

The ground is capable of holding up to 15,000, I have been there with 20,000-plus a lot of years back.

In the Reynolds Arena we will never make it pay. The atmosphere is absolutely nil. And now that the old cottages at the South Park end of the ground have been knocked down the car park problem has been eased by a large space that can be used if the club develops it properly.

I don't know where the rumour that the ground has been condemned came from. I live outside the ground and all it needs is a spring clean, the pitch cut, and we will be up and playing, the sooner the better. - F Wealands, Darlington.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

THERE will be a referendum this year on whether there is to be an elected regional assembly, and whether local government should be reorganised again in North Yorkshire.

If a regional assembly is set up, then the current county plus district council system will be replaced by one or more all-purpose council. You can vote no if you think the present system of local government in North Yorkshire should be left alone and not broken up. The ballot paper will ask you to choose what should replace the current councils in the event of a yes vote.

In that event I believe that a single council covering the whole of North Yorkshire would be the best and most cost-effective system for delivering local services.

This is not about defending 'turf'. It's about service quality and value for money. In terms of spending by local government, the county council already delivers over 85 per cent of services in North Yorkshire so we have the experience and expertise to get the job done. More councils would cost more and have less ability to score economies of scale.

We are the only local council in North Yorkshire with a proven track record on major services like education and social services. This puts us at the heart of each community and market towns, where our 400 schools and 45 libraries provide a real local focus for the community. Our education results are getting better and better. Government inspectors are commending us for raising performances in social services, highways and the use of resources.

We invest directly into local communities. For example, in road improvement and traffic-calming measures, in housing for elderly people, in new community resource centres based on the modernisation of our library service.

Major redevelopment schemes have just been completed or are planned for many of our schools. Many schools in North Yorkshire are already extensively used by local communities after normal school hours. We want to extend that facility to as many communities as possible.

Our road network reaches every community. Keeping it open is difficult in bad weather, as we have seen in recent days. Maintaining the network also requires a council with big resources, able to prioritise the necessary investment.

The choice will be yours. You can ensure the best outcome for our proud county by making sure you vote at referendum time in October. - John Weighell, Leader of North Yorkshire County Council.