Comments on: Realising the error of your ways http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/ Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:37:35 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: David Duff http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1243 David Duff Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:59:32 +0000 http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1243 "we invaded Iraq for the oil" Oh dear me, not that old chestnut again! Are you sure you're a Tory? If we had wanted Iraqi oil we could have lifted sanctions and bought it at discount rates compared to other sources and without spending any of our 'blood and treasure'. And if you truly believe that militant Muslims will be pacified once a "viable" solution to the Palestine problem is found, and bearing in mind that for the vast majority of Arabs the only viable solution would be the 'Final Solution', then I fear you have much to learn concerning militant Islam. Finally, I am astounded that you think that in a hostile and volatile world in which not only do we face threats from Islam but also from a resurgent and bellicose Russia, and an increasingly powerful China, we should give up our special relationship with America. Who else is likely to be helpful when the smelly stuff hits the fan - Europe! “we invaded Iraq for the oil”

Oh dear me, not that old chestnut again! Are you sure you’re a Tory? If we had wanted Iraqi oil we could have lifted sanctions and bought it at discount rates compared to other sources and without spending any of our ‘blood and treasure’.

And if you truly believe that militant Muslims will be pacified once a “viable” solution to the Palestine problem is found, and bearing in mind that for the vast majority of Arabs the only viable solution would be the ‘Final Solution’, then I fear you have much to learn concerning militant Islam.

Finally, I am astounded that you think that in a hostile and volatile world in which not only do we face threats from Islam but also from a resurgent and bellicose Russia, and an increasingly powerful China, we should give up our special relationship with America. Who else is likely to be helpful when the smelly stuff hits the fan – Europe!

]]> By: Letters From A Tory http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1242 Letters From A Tory Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:44:08 +0000 http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1242 I think that we do have a duty to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict. To suggest that the UK is somehow entirely removed from the situation in the Middle East seems bizarre - after all, we invaded Iraq for the oil. Militant Muslims are indeed a threat to this country, but leaving Palestinians to be trodden on by the Israelis is unlikely to make Muslims thank the British government, especially in light of our 'special' relationship with the USA that brings so much hatred on this country. If self-interest is our only motive, helping the Palestinians is a perfectly sensible move as the anti-British feelings amongst radical Muslims would evaporate should we find a viable solution to the conflict. Having said that, I'd glad that our foreign policy occasionally strays beyond self-interest. I think that we do have a duty to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict. To suggest that the UK is somehow entirely removed from the situation in the Middle East seems bizarre – after all, we invaded Iraq for the oil. Militant Muslims are indeed a threat to this country, but leaving Palestinians to be trodden on by the Israelis is unlikely to make Muslims thank the British government, especially in light of our ’special’ relationship with the USA that brings so much hatred on this country.

If self-interest is our only motive, helping the Palestinians is a perfectly sensible move as the anti-British feelings amongst radical Muslims would evaporate should we find a viable solution to the conflict. Having said that, I’d glad that our foreign policy occasionally strays beyond self-interest.

]]> By: David Duff http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1241 David Duff Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:59:04 +0000 http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1241 If I may say so, Sir, we do not "have a duty" to do anything, and the only "appropriate stance" is that which furthers our national interest. As things stand at present we, in this country, face a threat from militant Muslims. The Jews in Israel act as a very useful lightening conductor and bring on themselves much of what might otherwise be directed at us - you will note for example, that those countries that provide active support for international terrorism are, by and large, those furthest from the middle east. Consequently, it is in our national interest to keep Israel going for as long as possible and if that means holding our telescopes in the Nelsonian tradition then so be it. If I may say so, Sir, we do not “have a duty” to do anything, and the only “appropriate stance” is that which furthers our national interest. As things stand at present we, in this country, face a threat from militant Muslims. The Jews in Israel act as a very useful lightening conductor and bring on themselves much of what might otherwise be directed at us – you will note for example, that those countries that provide active support for international terrorism are, by and large, those furthest from the middle east. Consequently, it is in our national interest to keep Israel going for as long as possible and if that means holding our telescopes in the Nelsonian tradition then so be it.

]]> By: Letters From A Tory http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1240 Letters From A Tory Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:04:39 +0000 http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1240 I'm not really one for holding my tongue, to be honest. Most national conflicts are worth leaving alone, as they tend to be internal matters. However, when we are talking about considerable loss of human life and the oppression and/or killing of native individuals, I would like to think that the British government would take an appropriate stance. Furthermore, the impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on surrounding countries is extremely serious and contributes to the instability of the entire Middle East - and seeing as the British were partly responsible for this mess in the first place after WWII we have a duty to help sort it out. I’m not really one for holding my tongue, to be honest. Most national conflicts are worth leaving alone, as they tend to be internal matters. However, when we are talking about considerable loss of human life and the oppression and/or killing of native individuals, I would like to think that the British government would take an appropriate stance.

Furthermore, the impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on surrounding countries is extremely serious and contributes to the instability of the entire Middle East – and seeing as the British were partly responsible for this mess in the first place after WWII we have a duty to help sort it out.

]]> By: David Duff http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1239 David Duff Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:28:51 +0000 http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/realising-the-error-of-your-ways/#comment-1239 What a strange Tory you appear to be! As a British Tory looking at the struggle between the Arabs and the Jews I would have expected you to hold your nose, and your tongue, and remind yourself that the only question of interest in the whole rotten mess is: What's in it for us? All this moralistic nonsense is for, dare I say, girly-men! Get a grip, Sir, the only basis for running a foreign policy is national self-interest, not who has been nasty to whom. What a strange Tory you appear to be! As a British Tory looking at the struggle between the Arabs and the Jews I would have expected you to hold your nose, and your tongue, and remind yourself that the only question of interest in the whole rotten mess is: What’s in it for us? All this moralistic nonsense is for, dare I say, girly-men! Get a grip, Sir, the only basis for running a foreign policy is national self-interest, not who has been nasty to whom.

]]>