The president of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush, and his "coalition of the willing" prime ministers Messrs Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, and John Howard of Australia are, in my opinion, grossly deceptive in having forged a military strike, against the people of Iraq (al-Jum-hûrîah al-‘Irãqîyah), under the euphemism of "war against terrorism", and presuppositions of the existence of 'arsenals of weapons of mass destruction'.

The pre-strike propaganda of this war has been a Machiavellian mismanagement of facts and a tissue of gross deception at its worst. Mr. Bush's dichotomic 'with or against' rhetoric, is a case in point, that suggests his attempts to stampede the uncommitted into his "coalition of the willing". This exhibits Mr. Bush's naïvety and unfamiliarity of international diplomacy; and foreign affairs. His attempts to stampede the uncommitted with veiled intimidation, and extremly polorized rhetoric is tactless and totalitarian.

Mr. Bush's vigorous stance, for this war, and its implementation by his coalition, is out of character with the principles upon which his great Nation was founded. All in all, I believe, he is out of synch with the warm-heartedness and unbounded generosity of the collective American psyche; and decent peace-loving people everywhere.

The death-knell of Iraq's despotic presidency under Mr. Saddam Hussein, his totalitarian government, and Baath Party was inevitable. Mr. Hussein was a patient, judicious, calculating president who appears to have perceived himself as a world-class 'politico-culture figure.' He had an unconstrained lethal streak quite capable of covert terrorist activities. His despotic régime had to be replaced by an egalitarian and humane form of government for political, economic, stability, but the answers to the obvious questions as to whom and for whom is yet to become apparent.

The coalition's invasion and military strike into poor residential neighborhoods in Baghdad ( home to 4.5 million human beings ) and in other areas of Iraq, notwithstanding the inexistent sanctions of the United Nations Security Council, and massive worldwide objections, demonstrates a blatant and contemptuous disregard to both the Council's concern for international peace and security - as outlined in Chapter VII of its Charter - and the anti-war consensus of the global community.

The "liberation of the Iraqi people", from the indubitable cruel repressive régime of Mr. Hussein, is not at all convincing when considering recent terrible atrocities, under other régimes, has been tolerated, by the present coalition; in favour of economic and political convenience.

After Mr. Hussein's totalitarian government has gone, the theatre closed, and the coalition forces returned home, will the people of Iraq celebrate a newly-emerged veritable independence, hopefully, free of foreign economic domination.

A quasi-independent administration would guarantee access and a proportionable large share of incessant supply of Iraq's oil resources - at negotiated prices - to sustain the dolce vita for the privileged few, but extracting the economic value from Iraq's human and oil resources, under this kind of administration, is anti-egalitarianism at its worst.

The people of Iraq deserve an authentically elected government - an independent Peoples' Republic of Iraq - by the people and for the people, free from hostilities and interference by foreign powers.

The coalition's manoeuvres of indiscrete bombardment - with clustered explosive devices - of Iraq's urban population was execrable and barbarous. Notwithstanding the ethico-legal obligations to supposedly protect the lives of Iraq's citizenry - particularly the most defenceless, the women, children and elderly - the coalition forces zealously, and relentlessly, unleashed these horrific weapons. The number of deaths, the emotionally and physically maimed, are yet to be realized.

Photographs above: by courtesy of Copyright © owners

Reuters/Faleh Kheiber Reuters/Lampen.

My heartfelt sympathies to the Iraqi and American families, of those who have been killed and wounded as a consequence of this terrible war.

Messrs. Bush, Blair and Howard, put humanitarian considerations above profiteering. Give Iraq back to its people and swiftly, and safely return our men and women, of the coalition; to their families.

Father Maximiadis. 15 May, 2003.

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~ AN OBITUARY ~

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps- one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags. Finally when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Attributed to

George Carlin.

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PAUL DOS REMEDIOS

LISMORE AUSTRALIA:

A BETTER WORLD!

Father,

Since the Christian Holy Crusades economic self interest has governed Western expansion into other lands and culture.

Historically, the violence of last week is but a drop in the overall blood shed quest for religious or economic dominance since those times. Although morally reprehensible, and in no way condoning it, last weeks? attack on America is understandable.

We live in a world with diametrically opposed belief systems in which "extremist" thoughts and actions exist.

The problem is that Christians, Jews and Muslims each believe they are the only faith - each believe they are the chosen ones and the rest are either infidels, or an inferior faith, race or culture! Combine these attitudes with the self interest and disregard of Western expansionism for other faiths and cultures and you have all the ingredients for an "explosive" mix - For example, built up extremist opposition to the Western nations support for the Jewish invasion and occupation of Palestine, combined with the continued presence of Americans on Muslim "holy ground".

Any solution must surely involve the wholehearted support of the Western nations for peace between Israel and its neighbours. Last week, and in the weeks to come, powerful media broadcast, immediate and graphic, has the potential to fuel outrage and revenge.

However, this is a time to be level-headed, clear-minded, tolerant and equally respectful of all people, faith and cultures. Make no mistake about it. With almost ¼ of the worlds? population of Muslim faith, a Muslim Holy War has the potential to become the "war to end all wars". I encourage you, at this time to seek solace, guidance and wisdom in your individual faith and spirituality. Follow your heart of hearts. By prayer, by kind, gentle and thoughtful actions and by association with others of positive mind, gentle nature and tempered, tolerant and peaceful Spirit it will become a better world.

Paul dos Remedios,

Thursday 20 September, 2001.

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PARAS DELIYANNIS MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA:

"RABBLE-ROUSING ANARCHISTS, AND DOLE BLUDGERS"

Dear Father,

The intended project of reforestation, which I spoke to you about, during your recent visit to Melbourne,has been temporarily put on hold due to more urgent matters I discovered during the May Day festival.

These matters, some of which, concern the low level of public awareness of environmental devastation, political oppression, and landrights. This level of public awareness, I believe, is the consequence of uneven and sensational reporting by the media which favours focusing upon stereotypical images of the so-called "rabble-rousing anarchists, and dole bludgers". This focus distorts the facts; and is also now passé. I believe, that the media is failing to provide comprehensive coverage of the issues underpinning the demonstrations by selectively reporting on: when and where, and omitting: who and why.

The majority of these so-called "anarchists" and "dole bludgers", are hard working people from various backgrounds (wage-earners, farmers, parents and children, politicians, and professionals) who have a deep concern for the socio-economic and environmental impact on their lives, resulting from federal and state government legislature, and some of the big multinational corporations.

Paras Deliyannis.

THE MEDIOCRITY OF THE MASS MEDIA.

This present state of news-gathering and "reporting" (or misreporting) exacerbates the public feeling of disenfranchisement from the democratic processes of government and deprived of the right to be fully informed; a collective feeling of powerlessness. I believe that Bacon was quite correct in suggesting that: Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est (For also knowledge itself is power).

The readership deserve better; a democratized media. It's time the media fulfilled its function in delivering accurate, and up-to-date unadulterated information free of irresponsible journalistic sensationalism.

"NEWS-WORTHY" FOR READERSHIP? OR PROFIT?

The majority of people feel powerless to act on their social consciousness, but many, like yourself, who are active are unreported because of the 'unworthy news-value' to readers and listeners. Subsequently, the releases are "killed" at the editor's desk for assignment to the waste-basket. This prompts the question: 'what factors are involved in deciding a "news worthy" report', the interests of the readers or listeners to be informed? or sensational headlines to boost sales?

I believe that unadulterated information should be made available to all. The traditional methods of disseminating information through 'demonstrations' and 'news releases' are unpredictable; information will increasingly become available as more people access the internet.

A FESTIVAL OF INFORMATION FOR ALL.

I have been floating a proposal for consideration by government, non-government organizations, and the business sector to stage a street festival in the Melbourne central business district.

I will be inviting all political groups including One Nation (ouch!), indigenous and ethnic groups, men and women's groups, Greenpeace, Wilderness Society, recycling groups, multinational companies (to demonstrate just how green they are), celebrities, and companies to exhibit their environmentally friendly technologies.

The festival will be an informational space, a family environment, for learning, entertainment, discussion and debate.

I am looking for support or any kind of assistance you, or visitors to your Graffiti Wall, may be able to provide.

Anyone who can assist please telephone me: 039 343 6362 or 0411 809 208, or email me at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Father, please keep me informed of the developments of your own projects and forthcoming events. I would appreciate it if you would include this item onto the Graffiti Wall.

Take care, and I hope

to hear from you soon,

best regards,

Paras.

Saturday 12 May, 2001.

~ Finis ~

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