Sir,
I do not agree with your analysis of the Serbian War [Free Life No.29, April 1999]. In particular:
Where is our national interest in the Balkans? Whatever happens in Kossovo will not affect the lives and property of anyone in this country....
What [Mr Milosevic] is doing within the borders of his country may be deeply unpleasant, but is no more our concern that the many other unpleasant things that are done elsewhere in the world but over which we do not even think of going to war. The Albanians of Kossovo may be our fellow human beings, but they have no more intimate claim on our affections.Such neighbour-principles were used in order to turn a blind eye to the millions of Jews, gypsies and blacks who were executed in Germany in the 1940s.
Whilst I can understand that foreign military intervention can be used to undermine sovereign nations, there are certain actions which must not go unchecked - namely systematic beating, torture, rape, murder and ethnic cleansing of innocent civilians.
This is not intended to be an indignant "hands up in horror" E-mail with emotive language, rather, a disagreement on the "who is my neighbour" principle and so who to protect.
Yours sincerely
Elliot Gold
Manchester Debating Union
mdu@mail.com
http://www.man.ac.uk/StudOrgs/mdu
I am an American citizen
I just read your article, "Thoughts on the Serbian War" [Free Life No.29, April 1999]. The comment that I wanted to make is that Tony Blair cannot be trusted. Why? Because he is a friend of Bill Clinton. That is reason enough to distrust anyone. I agree that we have no business being involved in this war.
I am furious that Mr Clinton is putting our soldiers in harm's way. He cares nothing about the military, in fact, he despises it. I am embarrassed that we have such a poor representation in American government that they spit on the Constitution and voted him "not guilty". They don't even have the guts to stand up against this man when he sends our military out where they do not belong. This is nothing more than another "Wag the Dog" for Mr Clinton. Too much information was coming out about China and our national security.
Have a great day!
Neta Montgomery
PIPPEN50@aol.com
While I can't endorse every word in your "Thoughts on the Serbian War" [Free Life No.29, April 1999], I share your opposition to the war and I congratulate you on articulating the patriotic, conservative case against it.
I even share your wish that William Hague would get up on his hind legs and denounce New Labour's humanitarian air strikes on car factories, hospitals, and refugee columns. It doesn't seem much to ask.
All the best
Ken MacLeod
ken@libertaria.demon.co.uk
I write with regard to your statement on the subscription form for this journal;
Free Life does not and never will accept payment in Euros.Exactly what difference does it make which statist currency we use? Using the United States as an example, the larger the state, the more riches there seem to be for citizens to manipulate.
Yours sincerely,
Farah Mendlesohn
farah3@mdx.ac.uk
I notice that you are an English nationalist. Please have a look at the sort of people who support English nationalism before eulogising about its merits. English nationalism is the most bigoted, drunken, mindless expression of what the French call "pauvé type" in Europe. Even Serbian war criminals have a more credible and coherent world view.
Yours sincerely,
Antoine J. Clarke
Editor
Tanstaafl Times
bluestar@antoineclarke.demon.co.uk