REGARDING the letter 'Force isn't justified' from Mr Malcolm Pittock, of Breightmet, Bolton."

Although it is not difficult to understand your feelings towards war, terrorism and pacifism, it is not difficult to see them for what they are -- idealistic.

I, too, think it is morally obscene for anyone, be it an individual or a nation; even an alliance of nations, to consider violence as a viable course of action. The one problem here is that we cannot afford morality, let alone idealism, to cloud our judgement.

You must understand that the people we are dealing with are dangerous. They pose a serious threat, not only to our nations, but to our lives. The IRA bombings of the past are now insignificant; thousands of lives have been lost in one day in America. What if we are next?

Personally, I disagree with your sage advice -- do nothing. We can see the results of such action by looking at the history books. The last time we saw such extremity and fervour consume a whole nation was the 1930's -- and Nazi Germany was the nation. Then, we did nothing. We let them prepare and make the first move. The result needs no mention. The task we have now is damage limitation. To seize the initiative is our only hope of escaping unsurpassed horror.

These people are unreasonable, Mr Pittock:

They are filled with hate.

They are filled with passion.

They are prepared to die.

They are, Mr Pittock, ready for war. If we leave them to their own devices then they will, ultimately, bring war to us. This is not an option.

As for myself:

I am filled with passion.

I am filled with rage.

I am prepared to die.

But, unlike them, I am filled with sorrow. I do not want war. I would prefer a peaceful life.

Unfortunately, people seem determined to prevent me having this peaceful life. How do I feel about this? Indifferent. I am a man, Mr Pittock, and my morality tells me to act like one. I love my country. I am an Englishman, I always have been. My country has always looked after me, I intend to look after my country. If it comes to it; if I have to, I will kill, I will die.

If the rest of us feel the same way, we have already won.

I ask you Mr Pittock, if you did not have the luxury of idealism, because, for example, you lived in Macedonia, Iraq, Bosnia or Afghanistan, how would you feel then?

You can only feel such morality, believe such philosophy, and profess such ideology because our 'hawkish' Prime Minister and his predecessors have made wise decisions without such insane advice from men like you.

Thank your lucky stars you have had such a luxurious life. And prepare for the worst. That is my advice to you.

Mr Steve Sutton

Bradshaw