EMERGING from the case of the Washington sniper, reports show that, in 2000, more than 28,000 Americans were killed by firearms and that, since 1980, more than half a million Americans have been killed by guns.

That is more than were killed during the Second World War.

More recent reports show that almost ten times the number of people who died on September 11 are being shot and killed every year by their fellow citizens.

To 'preside' over such a culture when at the same time condemning terrorism, rings hollow.

While to support such a philosophy makes no sound sense at all. - Alan Kelly, Ferryhill.

NOW that the authorities have finally caught the sniper who has for weeks threatened the American public, the streets of America are now a safe place for drive-by shooters, racist police, armed robbers and semi-automatic carrying gang member to go about their daily killing. - HE Smith, Spennymoor.

CONSERVATIVE PARTY

DOES life imitate art? It seems so as politics must be copying Alice in Wonderland becoming 'curiouser and curiouser' by the day.

The Labour Government has proudly declared 'fairness not favours' for trade unions, despite persistent rumours of a 'live-in lovers' relationship. Charles Kennedy was warmly received at last months Trades Union Congress after being invited by John Monks to address the 'workers parliament'.

Stranger still is the report (Echo, Oct 28) that Tory Shadow Minister John Bercow sees the Conservative Party as the 'champion of the workers' and attacks the Labour Party for being too close to 'big business'.

All parties face a serious crisis of credibility with plummeting participation in elections matched only by their own memberships' drastic decline. Democracy itself is seriously weakened without competing political parties rooted in communities and representing diverse interests. Parties need to look at their policies and political practices if they are to avoid losing more of their lifeblood - popular support amongst ordinary people. - Stuart Hill, Darlington.

I AGREE with John Bercow's suggestion that the Conservative Party should be the 'champion of the workers', but it's clear from recent policy declarations that the Tory movement is a very upper-class place indeed.

Iain Duncan Smith's appointment aside, the New Right is obsessed with shareholders and yuppies - and the less said about the flood of protests against abolishing the decadent and anachronistic House of Lords the better.

The Conservative Party needs to stop sacrificing votes on pro-aristocracy nonsense and start promoting a new, forward-thinking manifesto which might help resurrect some of the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s. Until then, anyone for a few more redundancies in manufacturing? - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

MIDDLE EAST

YOUR anonymous correspondent (HAS, Oct 26) incorrectly claims I seemingly suggested that "Arabs cannot complain about having their country invaded by the Israelis because the Israelis have cultivated the land whereas the Palestinians had not".

My letter (HAS, Oct 21) was part of a personal quest tracing so-called 'Palestinian' history and culture.

What was these people's cultural heritage, their literature, livelihoods, language, oral tradition and so on, passed down the generations?

Comparing the Jewish return to their legitimate, historic and spiritual homeland to any German invasion is nonsense.

But ironically, any comparison to be made on this assumption would more aptly be to the Arabian influx into the Jewish homeland last century, to be used as a fifth column in the same way as Hitler used Sudetenland Germans to grab hold of Czechoslovakia: a mere excuse for all those tyrannical, undemocratic Arabian countries to keep the pot boiling in what has always been their aim - the total annihilation of Israel altogether. - BM Robinson, Darlington.

IF BM Robinson (HAS, Oct 21) were to read archaeologist John Romer's Great Excavations book it would state that Jews escaping from Egypt 2,000 years ago occupied land already settled by Canaanites.

So when the Jews again invaded, circa 1948, apparently returning to their homeland, it was Canaan, now named Palestine.

The Jews premise for being in their present day site is debatable. That is the basis for the constant fighting and America supplying weapons to Israel makes for more friction in the Middle East. - F Atkinson, Shincliffe.

HEDGEHOGS

THE most recent surveys show that the hedgehog population in this country is in decline. Could I remind readers of some hazards encountered by them at this time of the year?

As hibernation approaches, bonfire piles appear to be an ideal nesting site. Please check carefully underneath, if possible move the bonfire a couple of feet before lighting, as a hedgehog may have dug himself a cosy hole underneath. A compost heap is attractive to hedgehogs so take care when sticking in that fork. Strimmers can mutilate - be cautious when cutting long undergrowth.

Tie bin bags securely. Hedgehogs can die as a result of getting their heads stuck in yoghurt cartons and plastic rings from four-packs. Natural food supplies are starting to dwindle now, but don't give cows' milk to hedgehogs as it causes diarrhoea. Cat food and meat scraps (except pork) are suitable.

If you see a hedgehog out in the daytime it may need help. If it is an autumn juvenile, it could be too small to survive hibernation, and needs to be cared for until it reaches 600gms.

Please help these garden-friendly creatures to survive. - Iris Davison, Cleveland Hedgehog Preservation Society.