Church and Iraq

may I say how disappointed I am about the parade through Exeter of the Devon and Dorset regiment which is soon to cease to exist. Our country is occupying Iraq, I know now of anybody who disagrees with this statement of fact, and our military are killing women and children and are not protecting the civil population as any occupying force should.By giving entry to the Cathedral of the military the church is giving tacit approval of what is being done in our name. The church was guilty in the Great War of not speaking out in defence of conscientious objectors and they are doing the same now. They could give voice to those people who earnestly believe that in the gross inhumanity of what is happening in the middle east by closing their doors but they haven't so that says it all. This is a religious war against innocent women and children.We are coming up to the 90th anniversary of the balfour declaration which is the cause of most of the unrest in the middle east and it is time for a new declaration which will end the carnage. We need peace now.

Devon County Council

I know that this may well come as a shock to readers of the echo and especially after my letter printed on January 26 Spend council tax where it is paid but now is the time to say that unlike some people or politicians during a consultation I listen to the arguments. Accordingly,I have to advise Exeter that it is not feasable to be a unitary authority based on current borders.The best solution for Devon will be for both Plymouth and Torbay to lose their unitary authority status and for them to join Exeter and for a Devonwide unitary authority to be created. The events off the coast at Branscombe show why it is necessary. It is strength through unity.Devon needs a voice in the corridors of power and what some people want is to divide and rule. I am not speaking as a politician but as a political person, fundamentally different. Devon County council is far from perfect but with the right people serving as councillors then it will be improved.Many will know that I am sometimes critical of Devon County Council but there is the opportunity to get it right once and for all. There is a fundamental need to make strategic decisions for the benefit of all Devonians but it really does need to be co-ordinated because what our neighbour does has an effect on everybody.I am no jumper on of bandwagons and am reminded of the philosopher who saw a crowd marching in the distance and said I must find out where they are going so that I can lead them.

Iraq hangings

at what point will people begin to demand the resignation of Tony Blair because of his support for an Iraqi government which not only hangs people it manages to decapitat them at the same time.
I cannot express in words suitable for this site the disgust over these and the events surrounding the state murder of the former president of Iraq. it is no different to our country being occupied and the invaders having the Queen executed.