REGARDING soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners, may I just say this. As an ex-marine in the 1939-45 war, how do they respect men, who are trained one minute to kill people, to just switch off and "just be nice lads again".

It takes time to regain your feelings, as many of us found out as we returned to civilian life, some never being the same again.

My mother-in-law, a real lady like my mum, used to say, "if men had to have the first child, there wouldn't be a second one". I might add to that, "if men in power of countries had to fight on the front like olden times, there would not be many wars" - except the fanatics which you will never stop.

War is based on greed, power and money to line the pockets of those already rich people who just want more.

It's all right for Blair to say we will send another 1,000 troops to Iraq.

Let someone else send them for a change.

G Ward

Orwell Road

Smithills