Martial art (From Penarth Times)

Martial art

THE MYSTERIOUS planet, Mars, named after the mythological God of war, is likely to be in the news this year, since in 2003 there is the conjunction of several space-probes to Mars.

As for the ascendancy of martial values, this is very much present in year 2003 as a result of the US and Britain intending to start a major war with Iraq.

I note that, in January this year, France has the Presidency of the UN Security Council and in February, it will be Germany, newly appointed to the Security Council.

These countries may represent a hope for sanity and moderation, compared with Crazy Tony and Barmy Bush anyway, though these hopes too may be disappointed.

(One might recall here that France, under the national Presidency of the late Francois Mitterand, demurred a great deal prior to Desert Storm, back in 1991, but France got in on the action when hostilities commenced.

And the same may happen this time, under Chirac, while German Chancellor Schroder, made a big fuss about the possibility of war with Iraq during the German presidential election last year, but has to some extent changed his political stance since

Even though Germany will not, it seems, be directly involved in any hostilities.)

Meanwhile in September, the (overtly war-mongering) government of Britain will assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council so this could be a strong bet for a possible conflict with Iraq, assuming that is that it has not occurred earlier.

Finally, I was pleased to note that a Conservative MP, Douglas Hogg, spoke out in parliament the other day against a war with Iraq, so it is not just the stereotypical long-haired lefties who are against this foolish and unjust venture.

Also a quick word of praise for the Editor of the Daily Mirror at this juncture, for his very outspoken attack on conventional ideas in this policy area.

Michael O'Neill Warley House Railway Terrace Penarth