More letters in the Eastern Daily Press, Thursday, 20th September, 2001:
Violence much closer to home
LEE SHELDRAKE.
Free Lane, Ditchingham.
My sincere congratulations to the writer of the leader column "Getting away with murder".
It is a point which needs to be made often and forcefully if there is to be any hope of peace in the Middle East.
I believe that until this festering wound is adequately and fairly dealt with there is likely to be a continuing number of potential Bin Ladens which no amount of military strikes will eliminate.
Unfortunately, this is not likely to be a high priority in the prevailing atmosphere of revenge; someone made the point that if continued to its logical conclusion the policy of "an eye for an eye" would make the whole world blind.
TED FOWLER
Ipswich Road, Norwich.
A friend in Philadelphia sent me this quotation from Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet "The American Crisis, Number 1".
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
George Washington certainly had a good PR man! I am surprised George W Bush has not quoted his words.
Dangers of trying to police the whole world
D J GILL,
Marsh Lane, Worlingham.
May I contribute an opinion on the subject of terrorism in the light of what has happened in America?
Firstly, Tony Blair has been forced, at last, to confront the public with the stark fact that in future, fanatical terrorists might very well resort to more terrifying methods of warfare such as biological or atomic weapons.
In view of this, it is very obvious that America, Britain and Nato must review the concept of becoming involved in other countries' internal problems.
America has taken upon itself, because of its military might, to be self-appointed police force of the world, and the Americans must now think twice about who they can offend in the process.
We have indeed, as President Bush stated, entered a new form of 21st century warfare, where the possession of superior military ability becomes almost irrelevant.
Above all we must endeavour not just to see our point of view on world problems but also that of people we label as terrorists.
Finally, the positive aspect of the American tragedy is that it has brought together previous opponents to combine their interest and endeavour to create a more understanding and peaceful world for future generations.
