Wrong to stab our soldiers in the back

SIR - With reference to the letter from Graham Hoyle headlined "Why the surprise" (February 17), I have spent 31 years in the Army and have seen many things while on operations. What has this man seen? Only what is broadcast on news networks. Why did he not write when the same men mentioned in his letter were being firebombed, stoned and spat on and they just had to stand and take it?

The incident he has mentioned may be wrong but if you see all the film from the beginning you will see the troops being attacked with hand grenades.

As to being brutalised and de-humanised, Mr Hoyle hasn't a clue what he is talking about. Soldiers learn drills to help them react without having to think about it, not so they cannot think.

When I go on operations again later this year I will be glad to have the guys next to me and not some armchair critic who knows nothing about what it is like to serve under fire.

The types of orders we carry out include turning the other cheek and getting stabbed in the back by civilians at home who know everything about nothing and nothing about everything.

David Wilde, Kingsley Avenue, Bradford.

No place like home

SIR - I must write in defence of Diane Duguid, from the US, who has her views unjustly opposed by some of your readers.

Mrs Duguid is entitled to live in whichever country she prefers. The fact she lives in a country which has a president who only opens his mouth in order to change feet speaks for itself.

That the vice-president of "The Land of the Free" and "The Home of the Brave" tries to look like Roy Rogers, and behaves like Buffalo Bill (although his aim is not so accurate) I'm sure has not escaped Diane Duguid's notice.

Throughout history we've had the Spanish Inquisition, Gestapo and nowadays Guantanamo Bay, and always some people try to justify events.

D Armitage, Valley Road, Shipley.

God's humour

Sir - In response to Peter Wilson (Letters, February 17) on his very sincere question on the topic of whether God has a sense of humour.

God revealed himself to me in all his glory way back in 1990 and I have been a loyal and faithful Christian ever since, and very proud of it too!

I do not have a problem with Peter and his Godless brethren taking cheap shots at people who have the wonderful gift of faith in their lives, whatever faith that may be.

But I really think Peter has answered his own question. Of course God has a wonderful sense of humour. He created him didn't he. And by the way, like me, he has a great Christian name!

Paul Bartle, Mitchell Close Simpson Green, Idle.

Tolerance needed

SIR - Why are Muslims demonstrating in Britain? Britain did not print the cartoons in question. They were printed in some obscure newspaper in a small European country 700 miles away. They were also printed in a Muslim newspaper in Cairo four months ago. Why were there no protests then?

This indignation and hysteria is out of all proportion and is doing Islam no favours. There have always been controversial plays, books, cartoons and films about religion, not least the vicious anti-Semitic cartoons which appear in some Arab newspapers. Yet it seems only Islam takes such outrageous offence involving mass hysteria, arson and riot. I do not recall Christians acting in such a barbaric manner after seeing 'The Life of Brian'.

If Muslims demand tolerance and understanding then they should show tolerance and understanding to others.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

End this confusion

SIR - I am a driving instructor and use the A650 Manningham Lane most of the day during my lessons (T&A, February 17). Whatever operating hours are decided on for the bus lane, could one time be fixed all the way to Bingley Road from the city centre, ie 3pm to 7pm? At present it starts at 4pm and 50 yards ahead it changes to 4.30pm and back to 4pm etc.

This would help to reduce confusion for most of the candidates taking driving tests.

Shamsher Shah, Zain Driving Academy, Wightman Street, Bradford.

Still learning...

SIR - Have you ever seen and heard a more gut-churning performance in your life than that of Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, turning cartwheels on the smoking ban.

Despite intense training from Tony Blair she is nowhere near as good a liar as him.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden.