Hi Peter,
Thanks for the link to the New Statesmen, re John Piliger.

Before I comment what has it to do with "Chat about matters relating to Ashton"
There is much to chat about, it may seem trivual when taken in the context of events of the past month, I admit, but that is what this website is about.

None the less you seem despite what you claim to, want to dominate this site with your politiacl views. I wander if there is any wisdom in replying, none the less here goes.

I agree with most of the comments in the New Statesman, but it only is one side of a many faceted problem.
In todays Times there is an excellent article by Libby Purves that makes a link to the moral decline of our country over the past thirty years and how evil people have wrongly used Islam to indocrinate impressionable people to become suicide bombers.

Perhaps we should look at our so called liberal society that has watered down our Christian heritage. Most Moslems I know find no difficulty living in a Christain Country, what they do find difficult is living in a country that claims that title but is in the main lacking any beliefs bar consummerism.

All parties carry resposibility as does the vast majority of the population (myself included)who have stood by and allowed the situation to reach the low it has it has.

BUT at the end of the day, nothing can excuse the horrors of 7-7 or 9-11 and yes the slaughter in Iraq and Afghanistan. Islam, Judaism Christianity and most other religions cherish human life. All have perpetrated great evil in the name of their religion. But that does not condemn their beliefs, sadly it does condemn the action of those who use its name to perpetrate evil.

So perhaps Peter if we could revert to "Chat about matters relating to Ashton" We all may in our small way help to put "the genie of consumerism" back in the bottle. Lets save topics like this for a different forum.

May the wisdom of Jehova, the peace of Allah and the love of Jesus Christ be with you.
Alan

Town: ajames46@fsmail.net