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As I have said before Chris, you get straight to the heart of the matter on Iraq. Good on you for writing this letter. And what admirable acknowledgement of the Christian predicament by an aetheist. All the more so, given that said war was started by two crooks who dared to invoke the name of Christ as justification. That more than anything else is what I detest about this whole war! I take my hat off to you! Part of the reason why I have considered you probably the most enlightened contributor on the site, but you know that anyway. Whatever else we disagree about, this is NOT one of them! Kind regards as ever, Alastair

[quote]As I have said before Chris, you get straight to the heart of the matter on Iraq.[/quote] -Alastair, Aberdeen on 10:29pm today Whatever our disagreements on other threads, Chris, I endorse Alastair's comment above.

Nice to see you still worrying that particular bone Chris....keep it up and don't let the Great Charlatan and his chimpanzee associate off the hook. Regards J.J.

I hope the lack of posts does not reflect a wider societal indifference. I can usually help generate a much larger response. Like Mr Knox I am deeply concerned by the war-weariness in this country - I can understand it and people's wish to wash their hands of the whole mess. Nevertheless helping to kill 1 million Iraqis was done in our name and it seems to me we have a responsibility to help its victims wherever and whenever we can. The politicians responsible will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of any growing indifference, for then the killing can be carried out somewhere else without being fatal to their own sickening aspirations and careers. On a personal note, I'd like to thank both Alastair and Cynicus for their kind comments above.

Ps: Thanks also to John J above whoe post crossed with mine.

There is so much resentment displayed on a daily basis both on these threads, and in daily life against ''asylum seekers'', as if they are all somehow ''at it'', wanting to move here from the other side of the world so they can access our benefits system and our housing - a multi storey flat in Red Road or Sighthill. Or maybe Lincoln Avenue or Tarfside Oval if they are ''lucky''. The letter from Chris as usual brings his personal touch, which is why he is such a good writer on Iraq. I long for such an advocate for asylum seekers in general, not just Christians, and not just Iraqi's. Someone who will stand up and explain to a largely uncaring and unreceptive Scotland about why it is so important that we as a country offer haven to our fellow human beings. The story Chris has told us about William is deply personal, and that is why it matters to us. But there are a million such stories. When Chris says that western governments should provide relief and refuge immediately, I do not see that as being purely in the context of his letter. After all, western governments have been responsible for so many of the problems that have led to the refugee crisis, both by sins of commission, and of ommission, I really do believe that we have to accept consequential responsibility for the outcomes.

Don't give up Chris - theres so many global issues to burden our consciences - Burma, Zimbabwe and Sudan to name but 3 - its surely more a feeling of helplessness than indifference that is the issue here - and it requires people like you to keep barracking the politicians to make sure they know we care about these issues and want something done about it immediately,

Observer Thank you for your warm-hearted post. It's my view of the world that love of family extends, or ought to extend, to love of country and then to people the world over. That connotes for me anyways meeting the obligations you identify. I am especially fond of Iraq because nearly three of the best years of my life were spent there, They really were the most generous and hospitable of people. By 'people' I mean Sunnis, Kurds, Shia and Christian alike. I attended Muslim funerals and weddings. I was an usher (and almost best man) when an American pal married an Armenian girl. We had endless barbeques where 'mixing' was the rule not the exception. Mainly these were hosted by the Japanese - but that's another story - who led our project "Baghdad 2001"; so I played a small part in trying to build the country's infrastructure as well. I am still very proud of that for it was the best work I ever did, even when I received more kudos for work elsewhere in the Middle East and Asia. Because it was "up close and personal" I became really friendly with members of the Christian communityin Iraq - it was much easier for them to invite me to their homes (at a cultural level) - although the person I became most cerebrally attached to was a Shia woman called Asia, simply because it was part of my contract to train her as an urban planner. She used to say in that enchanting English of hers that her mother "had borned her in Najaf" when her mum was 12 years old. I am conscious of how personal I am being here. It's quite deliberate. For I believe that when you get to know individuals as individuals it doesn't much matter what religion or politics they espouse, so much as what they are as sentient human beings. That's my credo so I endorse every sentiment uttered by Observer with respect to wider issuesand including her take on asylum seekers and those denied the basic necessities of life. I have been the beneficiary of such grace even though I have always had plenty. In responding to Mr Knox I was trying to focus on the immediate plight of Iraqi Christians and what to do about it: repeat what to about it. It wasn't and never will be about forgetting other Iraqis, nor similarly to do with people everywhere who need our help. We don't know how lucky we are here and we too often mope and girn out of ignorance not experience. Sometimes, I think, we haven't got a bluddy clue. .

Islamic protesters are quickly organised into action at any perceived slight on their brethren or religion by western Christians but noticeably and ominously absent when Iraqi Christians are attacked by followers of Islam........... strange that, isn't it?

Observer: [quote]There is so much resentment displayed on a daily basis both on these threads, and in daily life against ''asylum seekers'', as if they are all somehow ''at it'', wanting to move here from the other side of the world so they can access our benefits system and our housing - a multi storey flat in Red Road or Sighthill. Or maybe Lincoln Avenue or Tarfside Oval if they are ''lucky''.[/quote] Spot on! How easily the vulnerable are ostracised, and then hounded by the media for, well, not being "spongers". A flat in Sighthill (I don't know Glasgow, but I gather it's a rough area), and then hounded for being "dirty". Where is human decency in all this? Great post!

Chris, your post at 1.18pm provides an excellent reality check, and I identify strongly with your philosophical backing for Charles Knox's theme. As a Christian, I have a natural empathy with those Iraqi citizens, but, as Our Lord was inclusive of ALL, it is quite unacceptable to stop there; all affected by civil strife deserve help and if necessary sanctuary, especially when our bodged intervention is a major cause. It is particularly unacceptable callously to ignore the safety of those Iraqis targetted now for actively working with our forces seeking to renew their country. With hindsight we might agree that military intervention in, for example, Darfur be considered long and hard. [bold]But that still leaves the question of precisely what effective practical measures are open to us in future.[/bold] Coming closer to home, in italics see my March letter the Editor (no doubt wisely) considered too indigestible for printing... [italic]Duty and Benefits of Hospitality to Asylum Seekers Talking with friends recently, I was freshly struck by how inconsistent has been our response to asylum seekers recently, largely as a direct result of the conflicted policies of different UK government bodies. The net result is, however, that we continue to treat despicably many vulnerable people who have come to us out of dire need or persecution. It is not only the religious among us, or the mirroring political left-wing social democratic majority, who recognise the divine injunction to love our brother as ourselves, for most Scots generously acknowledge our common dependency. The practical difficulties of how we respond seem to arise from mankind's struggle to overcome primitive self-survival instincts, an atavistic notion of "brother" being too localised by far, rather than literally every other single human being. Yet we live in an age of unprecedented and incremental change; developments in trade, industry and transport open up new potential for scientific advance, healthcare and material prosperity to enable all share in the fullness of life from which so many are still excluded. Political immaturity means the global village faces a lengthy period of turbulence from population movement on the journey to a stable and fairer allocation of resources planet-wide. The future lies before us, loaded with both positive and negative possibilities; for our children's sakes we do well to engage with the bigger picture, and the measure of our success must lie in the degree to which we recognise that our destinies are mutually bound together. Yet responsible governments must of course tackle the intricate paradoxes raised in looking to the welfare of their populations within the true parameters of world society, the current UK points system being one such device. Holyrood can boast a fair record of pressure here, because we have not only living space to offer beleaguered asylum seekers, but also badly need economic migrants from both EU and beyond. So often, Westminster over-rules our priorities. The present shameful mistreatment of asylum-seekers reflects a tawdry rough justice deal to stem the flow of desperate non-EU refugees from NE France to SE England, and should be urgently reviewed. Our immediate answers may include continued argument with London for increased funding to welcome asylum seekers as well as hard-working entrepreneurs from the rest of the EU; blending seamlessly with that must be renewed support for our indigenous disillusioned unemployed. One recent UK campaign focuses on threatening employers who take on unauthorised workers; surely the thrust should be upon demanding all workers are paid at least the minimum wage, with severe punitive action taken whenever abuse of the workforce is detected. To be just, our society must offer employment opportunity to both asylum-seekers and longterm unemployed alike, as key to a better future for all; nothing less addresses the current situation adequately. [/italic]

I totally agree with Chris's letter, as per. Keep up the good work Chris.

Mr C How are you doing? Thanks for you kind remarks, as always. It must be telepathic. I just addressed you on another thread concerning the Rangers. As long as I am fit to do so and I'm 70 in nine days time, I will do my best to honour the pledge I gave Willim, my Iraqi soulmate, all these years ago. He said I would "forget" Iraq when we spoke for what has turned out to be the last time. I said I would never do that. I'm just keeping that pledge again today.

Hi Chris, A bit disappointing that more people find the Rangers letter of interest than Iraq or asylum seekers. But how heartening to see of those who have posted a unanimous opinion that it was a letter well written, and agreement that we do have a duty to help our fellow human beings in Iraq and other countries which have been torn apart by war, sometimes with our governments help. I don't think we can state the obvious too often when it comes to this issue.

Observer Hi I console myself by believing that it's the consensus and the very lack of disputation that have dampened relative interest in the topic. Nor have we had the fanaticism and the foot-stamping that characterises and bedevils other threads. This one has proceeded quietly and reasonably. Even though the thread widened out into related issue such as asylum seekers and refugees that serenity of purpose has been maintained. Ironically one of the more offensive oiks on asylum seekers has been attacking me on another thread to do with the Rangers as Mr C can confirm. He hasn't been talking about the Rangers either but trading insults which is the only vocabulary he has. Attack, attack and attack. I'm glad he has chosen not to do it here. It might have boosted the number of posters but it would have contributed nothing of value. Often his posts are simply wiped as happened the other day.

Hi Chris, I'm very well and glad to have got out of Manchester safely, I hope all is well with you, I was thinking a few days ago, I hadn't seen you on here in a few weeks! I can indeed confirm that you have been on the receiving end of undue insults on that thread and I agree that this guy throws insults around needlessly. Anyway back on topic and my point is that this christian crusade of the Bush gang has set the cause of christianity back. Iraq was far from perfect under Saddam Hussain, however there was a secular culture where people of all religions and none lived side by side and what do we have now? Chaos, sectarian strife and a disunited nation under occupation from a country who have political leaders who are morally bankrupt and acting on the wishes of who they really serve in return for donations. America as a christian country owes their fellow christians of Iraq a major apology

I thought Christians followed the teachings of the New Testament. All I see is Old Testament influence. Christians in power need to learn more about their own religion or call themselves something more appropriate for Old Testament followers.

Chris/ More power to your pen. The worst act done by Bliar in the whole Iraq mess was when he refused to accept Lord Stevens findings of assasination and brutal murder against the Intelligence group from Ulster. He said that this group "Represented British values". He sent them out to Iraq where they are turning Sunni against Shia/ and Christians had to be involved in the sad debacle. For this act alone Bliar should be charged; and as he done to the Serbian Leader Milosivich so it should be done to him.

Macthickey And more to yours, Sir. Blair has helped extirpate almost two thousand years of Christianity in Iraq. They happened to be the biggest Christian community in the Middle East. Buy, hey, who gives a toss about history when there is killing to be done. And now he's a "Peace Envoy". That's show business for you!

A simple note to offer support and encouragement. Perhaps other posters feel, as I do, that on Iraq your letters and posts cannot be bettered. However, strength in numbers as well as quality might win the day. With you all the way!

Smeeagain I very much welcome your gracious comments. But you are so right about needing the support of others. I cannot tell you how much that means to me. More importantly, how it would be welcomed by the people of Iraq. "Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will," as John McLean put it. Iraqis liked that too.

Chris/ I think this thread ' perpertrated ' by you will show Iraqui people there is solidarity with them from Scottish punters. It saddened me to see Pa Broon being allowed by the Edinburgh manse to pontificate his British Values . This ' cratur ' bankrolled Bliars wars. He also besmirched the close relationship Scotland has with Malawi. He sat on the Board of the Internat. Monetary Fund 2002 and forced a measure of Privatation on the Malawi People. He forced them to sell their Reserves of Grain stock so that Debtors could be paid. Thousands died of starvation. Its a pity that the Manse couldnt ' Excommunicate' this Noble Brit. Then the the RCs invited Bliar in to their Faith. They could hardly chuck him out so soon. I live in hope. Best wishes Chris