Of bombs and bishops
From Mr Anthony G. Phillips Sir: That the world's greatest military power should have been able to overthrow the leaders of one of the world's poorest and most backward nations was surely never in doubt. To suggest that the bishops and others arguing against this course of action have been proved wrong is a travesty of the facts (Holy fools', 10 November). We may all agree on the ends but differ on the means. Almost certainly, far more innocents have been killed since the bombing started than were killed in the atrocities of 11 September. Surely our morality does not deem the life of an Afghan peasant to be any less precious than that of a Westerner? Using euphemisms such as 'collateral damage' does not help.
Military might used without political wisdom is nothing but bullying. We may pretend that we have helped a nation towards democracy, but we should remind ourselves that two major Nato nations have been unable to settle their differences over a small Mediterranean island after 27 years.
Anthony G. Phillips
Salisbury, Wiltshire
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