WAR ON TERRORISM

THOSE who think it is anti-American to oppose the "war on terrorism" should be aware that, while the majority of Americans currently support President Bush, there remains a significant minority who do not.

Consider this, from Amber Amundsen, whose husband was killed in the Pentagon on September 11:

"Because I have lost Craig as part of this historic tragedy, my anguish is compounded exponentially by fear that his death will be used to justify new violence against other innocent victims."

Many Americans, past and present, have been outspoken in their opposition to war. Martin Luther King, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, to name but three.

Guess who said this: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its labourers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children."

No, it was not some leftie pacifist, it was President Eisenhower, back in 1953.

Now President Bush is proposing an enormous increase in the already vast US weapons budget. - Pete Winstanley, Chester-le-Street.

Weardale ECONOMY

WELL said John Emerson (HAS, Feb 4). Like Mr Emerson, I also think we must look to the future, while using the past as a driving force. The devastating news regards the cement works at Eastgate and the foot-and-mouth crisis, means we must, as a region, diversify.

It appears the days of massive inward investment for manufacturing are long gone and our prosperity will need to be driven from within.

I would like to suggest we build a new Oasis holiday centre. Build the centre alongside the old Weardale railway line, while opening it up as a steam line. Either side of the river around Witton Castle would be ideal, with access via the A68 fairly good. Pool resources for the good of the region. Who cares where we get the money?

Visitors encouraged to use the train to pop into Bishop Auckland or up the Dale to the beautiful villages and countryside.

Jobs and prosperity for our people, Durham people.

Mr Emerson sums up my beliefs, the time for talking is over. People will rise above cynicism if they see action.

Any white knights out there? - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.

CLUB ENTERTAINMENT

I WAS shocked but pleasantly surprised to see an anonymous writer (HAS, Feb 12) had witnessed the decline in standards of entertainment in North-East clubs.

His opinion, that the majority of singers and groups using pre-recorded backing track accompaniment is nothing more than karaoke, is justified.

The writer suggested clubs would be as well playing CDs. Once again, I agree wholeheartedly.

I have entertained professionally since the early 1960s as a guitarist with several known groups, as a solo guitar/vocalist, and presently as a comedian.

Economics forced many acts, including myself for a short time, to use backing tracks as the clubs decided no longer to employ a resident band. This has opened the door to many inferior acts treading the boards.

North-East clubs should take note of the Manchester scene where acts must use the resident band plus in-house PA, both of first-class standard, as they work two or three clubs a night.

Let's keep entertainment live and put bums back on seats. - Dave Adams, Darlington.

EASTBOURNE SCHOOL

I AM concerned about the article about unruly Eastbourne School (Echo, Feb 13). Obviously such publicity does nothing for the reputation of either the school or the area as a whole, and I feel that I have to comment.

I was not aware of any complaint of this nature. I was also amazed to read that the complainant had appointed herself as the representative for the whole area ("everyone around here feels the same"). I certainly was not asked for any comment, either by this "moaning Minnie" or any journalist making inquiries to ascertain any basis for the complaint.

What has she achieved by going to the press? Has she promoted the image of the area? If, after 18 months, she is experiencing a "living hell", has she decided to move out of the area? What effect then has the publicity had on the saleability of her property?

Some residents of the area have lived here for many years and have had no cause for complaint.

I can appreciate that the presence of large numbers of pupils at close of school may cause a feeling of intimidation but I have found that the tendency is not for pupils to loiter but for them to make their way home.

I am not saying that there is never any trouble, but to say that this happens every day is a gross exaggeration. - Name and address given.

LONDON MARATHON

ARE you one of the thousands of runners with a guaranteed place in this year's London Marathon but haven't chosen a charity to run for? Then please run for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

By running for the Meningitis Research Foundation you will join the fight against meningitis and septicaemia - diseases which kill hundreds of people every year and leave thousands of others with disabilities.

Help us to save lives by providing funding for vital research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia, raising awareness among the public of their symptoms and supporting people whose lives have already been devastated by these diseases.

If you share the Foundation's vision of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia and would like to run for us, please contact Iain Elliott on 01454 281811, email him at iainelliott has als