WE are informed President Bush is sane; and that Iraqi oil is for the benefit of the Iraqi people, and not for American consumption. Fair enough.

We are told missiles are guided (unlike the flying bombs of WW2), and that bombs used are clever, ie they follow instructions where to go.

So, if targets are selected, how come over 300 missiles have failed so far to raze flat all possible military targets in Bagdad?

Surely, once a missile is fired and lands on target, any other similar missile sent on the same orientation will simply fall in the hole of the first. ad infinitum. What a waste!

Or do the Coalition Forces first wait to see wherever the missiles/bombs land, and then nominate them as targets? After all it is known that in the Gulf War, and if reports are to be believed now in Iraq, missiles have been known to go balistic and land against orders.

It is Mr Bush's apparent equanimity in claiming that the conflict was begun "On my orders" that worries me; I am hoping the TV pundits ensured the cameras did lie on that occasion. Whether Mr Bush thought he was doing right or not.

Neither should Mr Blair have resorted to a form of blackmail to obtain apparent support for his own commitment to war.

To suggest that others of different view would necessarily fall in behind our troops once war was fact was a travesty of democracy.

To my dying day I will willingly pray for any troops or civilians killed injured or bereaved of whatever nation; I am not prepared to pray that military warfare may be blessed.

Some others will see it differently: it is not the way Jesus Christ took.

T W Combs

Lansdown Road

Swindon