Hear All Sides

WAR ON TERRORISM. I JUST could not believe it when I read about the feisty reporter Yvonne Ridley being arrested in Afghanistan (Echo, Sept 29). By all accounts, she was noted for going the extra mile to get a good story, but what she did was absolute stupidity of the highest order, in the light of the situation in that country.

Not only did she impersonate an Afghan woman, but she also had no passport or other travel documents. What else did she expect when she was caught, to be sent straight home?

I doubt very much if she knew what she was dealing with at the time, but she will certainly know now. She could be charged with spying and whatever that entails.

I sincerely hope that this lady gets home safe and sound, but I also hope that she stays in this country to do her job in future, not only for her own safety but for other people's as well. Also, to prevent the trauma her parents must be going through at this time. - D Harrison, Darlington.

PEOPLE have been saying that the attack on the World Trade Centre was the worst attack on western civilisation since Pearl Harbour.

At Pearl Harbour there were about 2,400 fatalities. - Steve Connor, Darlington.

GLEN Reynolds' views (Echo, Sept 28) are missing the point and ignoring history when he preaches his pacifism. The act committed on September 11 is not about atonement for the past. It was an act so grotesque and evil that to suggest America got its dues is unforgivable and an insult.

While Glen Reynolds is entitled to his thoughts and opinions, one must question his sanity when he tries to condone what was tantamount to an act of war.

The assertion about the arms trade and its evil is another matter. His organisation and other Christian aid organisations have failed to understand the consequences of their good intentions. While aid in huge amounts has been given to nations, we have failed to stop them arming themselves to the teeth. In effect, we've fed them so they can fight another day.

The West has for many years, through its policies of human rights and appeasement, allowed vicious individuals and certain nations to terrorise and threaten the civilised nations of the world. Unless there is a shift from such policies, the West will pay a terrible price.

Appeasement and pacifism is one thing, but to shirk one's responsibility is an act of cowardice of monumental proportions. - John Young, Crook.

I AM writing to express my concerns that, since the terrorist attacks in America, Muslims in Britain and around the world have suffered a violent backlash with individuals and mosques being targeted. I am extremely concerned about the future of Muslims all around the world, particularly in Britain and America.

I feel it is important that the white and other non-Muslim communities know that the Muslims condemn wholeheartedly this terrorist attack in America. I must also say that we, as a Muslim community, want absolutely nothing to do with these terrorists and we are all law-abiding citizens. We only want to be able to live our lives in peace and racial harmony.

I also fear that the military actions in Afghanistan or any other country will mean a great loss of many innocent lives. Therefore I would urge the world community not to support the military action: no war - we want peace.

However, the perpetrators of the attacks should be identified with evidence and brought to an international court of justice. - Zafar Uddin, Chair, Bangladesh Muslim Welfare Association, Chair, Redcar and Cleveland Multi-cultural Association, Teesside.

AN editorial in the Sunday Telegraph said: "Not even a Christian nation faced with such a threat can turn the other cheek".

Our Lord would disagree. Jesus never claimed that the way of the Christian would be easy. Indeed, he stated the opposite, which is probably why, in 2,000 years, no nation has followed the way of Christ 100 per cent.

America, closely followed by Great Britain, is the greatest exporter in the world of armaments - weapons of death and destruction.

America, again closely followed by us, is the greatest polluter of the atmosphere. Just two actions which can hardly be called Christian.

But then, no matter what colour of politics rules in the western world, it is big business which decides what should or should not be done. Big business operates only on a profit motive - ie greed. And greed has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity.

The horror of September 11 and the numerous wars which are being waged around the world will continue until we learn "to love our neighbours as ourselves and do good to those who hate us".

If we wish to rid the whole world of terrorism and the clouds of hatred and fear, there is only one way. The way given to us by our Lord. - J Else, Marske-by-the-Sea.

HORACE AND DORIS

IN the atmosphere of doom and gloom at the present time, one can always look forward to seeing the funny side of life with The Northern Echo's cartoon of Horace and Doris. - George Sowerby, High Etherley.

SWIM CHALLENGE

I AM appealing to readers to take up the Swim for Life Gold Challenges between November 1-30 and raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

There is a Swim for Life Gold Challenge to suit everyone. You can complete the chosen challenge in one or several attempts and can enter as an individual or as part of a team at your local pool or any of over 2,000 pools throughout the UK.

By taking part you'll be helping yourself by improving your own health and fitness and helping others by raising sponsorship money for a good cause.

For further information or to enter, call the ActionLine on (01382) 451146 or pick up an entry form at your local pool. - Sharron Davies MBE.