JOHN Antill (HAS May 15) is perfectly correct in outlining the differences between our political system and that of the US.

However I was only trying to make a moral point when I said George Bush's intransigence in not ratifying the Senate bill to pull out of Iraq would cost many lives.

The "law" has many times been called an "ass". Sometimes true, sometimes not, but what we need more than ever is more morality and less legality.

Hugh Pender, Darlington.

HOW can Tony Blair stand up in front of our troops and tell them they are doing a worthwhile job?

The job they were sent there to do was done a long time ago - to rid Iraq of Saddam Hussein. They were not sent there to become occupiers of Iraq and become involved in a civil war.

Now, Gordon Brown, let's see how strong a leader you will be to get them home.

JM Gowland, Newton Aycliffe.