Military Families Against the War Blog

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At Saddam Hussein's recent trial, justice was seen to be done, for the crimes he committed against his own people and crimes against humanity.

Is it not time the world turned it's attention to the two instigators, Bush and Blair for their deceit and untruths, resulting in the unjust and illegal war in Iraq. They surely have committed similar crimes against humanity on a vast scale, with 665.000 Iraqi civilians dead, 125 U.K. troops dead, including my son, almost 3000 U.S. troops dead, and thousand upon thousand both physically and emotionally injured and damaged.

The utter devastation and carnage is inconceivable, and based on the crazy ego's of these two men,' fighting terrorism,' whatever that is. In my opinion they fitted the evidence to suit their own needs, and the lies and deceit is constantly emerging. I find it incredible that everyone knows of the lies and manipulation of the truth, and no one has been able to do anything, other than write about the situation. I would ask 'Where is British justice.' Surely there must be a way to make these two warmongers accountable for their actions, which would reinforce to future world leaders, liar's always get found out.

Both these men have claimed they discussed the situation of Iraq with their respective Gods, before the invasion, and was advised accordingly. I occasionally work with people who hear voices, and they usually have serious mental health problems. Perhaps a psychological assessments could be compulsory? I believe them both to be, either very deluded or very dangerous individuals, who desperatly needs a reality check, as they seem out of touch with reality.

Tony Blair indicates he is agreeable to speak with the U.S. about an inquiry as to a way forward to help his mentor George W. Bush get the U.S. soldiers out of Iraq, without losing face. Again his allegiance seems somewhat misplaced. He should be now concentrating on getting our own troops home before any more loss of life, and have the courage to speak with the families of fallen soldiers, and answer their questions, before he goes.

In both the U.S. and the U.K. the overwhelming consensus is that the troops should be brought home without delay, it would appear that even these war mongers are coming around to the idea. However, this could be seen by some as to damage limitation, rather than the welfare of the troops. Of course there is always their legacies to consider, and at present both are lame ducks who nobody takes any notice of anyway, as both seem incapable of telling the truth.

I make no apology if this seems blog seems judgmental, I am more than willing to enter into a discussion with Tony Blair, if he takes exception or disagrees with anything I have written. Somehow, I don't think he will, as he has not had the good manners to answer the last letters sent to him, requesting a meeting.

Pauline Hickey

MY RESPONSE TO TONY BLAIR'S DEFENSIVE LETTER - NO RESPONSE RECIEVED AS YET.

4 June 2006

Prime Minister

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 31 May 2006. I note your comments regarding the efforts made to minimise risks on routine patrols and the lengths that are gone to, to make our service men and women sufficiently well equipped and protected. Without wishing to repeat myself as to the contents of my previous letter dated 1.03.06, would you please clarify for me as to why my son's regiment were denied the basic provision of adequate boots and armoured Land Rovers. Prior to Christian's death, a request had been made by my son's commanding officer for armoured Land Rovers as essential equipment, the request was denied, the vehicles were subsequently given for use by the Iraqi Police.

I would like to quote to you statistics from the M.O.D. The revelations list 2.581 Equipment Failure Reports (E.F.R's) in Iraq and Kuwait between 21 March and December 2005. A further 90 incidents, involving equipment including Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks, Land Rovers, rifles and machine guns are listed as 'serious equipment failures'. (S.E.F's)

Michael Moore, the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman advised 'There are ongoing doubts about the quality of the equipment out troops are given, and this is a time for the government to reassure us that they are providing the best' He goes on to say 'At a time of huge concern about our troops being sent into an incredibly hostile environment, it is deeply worrying that we find we cannot always rely on the equipment that they have been given to protect them'

Does this suggest a well equipped army to you?

I certainly know who's version I would believe, and it would not be yours Mr Blair.

The evening of my son's death (18.10.05), it has been extremely difficult to ascertain exactly what happened, when he left his 'snatch' fibre glass vehicle. We know that a vehicle containing several Iraqi Police were watching the patrol when the I.E.D. was detonated. We have been refused a Board of Inquiry, which is difficult to challenge as it involves the army looking into it's own practices, and whether lessons can be learnt. I have questioned whether the army adheres to The Human Rights Act, as I feel it is not acceptable practice to go searching for I.E.D's on foot with no equipment other than a rifle. We have been denied access to the soldiers who were with my son on that night, and no inquest date has been set. We actually learned more about our son's death in an article in The Times newspaper several months later, than from the M.O.D.

Can you, as a parent understand the reality and distress caused of reading details of your son's death in a newspaper article?

In your letter to me, you speak about not putting too much faith in media reporting. I find that with the Freedom of Information Act in place, there is a lot more credibility to what is now written, and one can always check out the facts for oneself. You comment of some of my previous points in the previous letter to you, been drawn on distorted accounts.

*You say Maya Evans was not arrested for reading out the names the 97 fallen soldiers at the Cenotaph.

It is my understanding that her actions could be seen by some, as breaching 132 of The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. However, I ask you is this what the act was intended for, for people not to be able to speak freely without fear of prosecution. Is this the form of democracy you intend enforcing upon us, as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan?

*You comment about no one seeking to prevent publicity of the death of the 100th soldier in Iraq.

During a television interview on 31 January 2006, on Sky News it was stated clearly instruction had come from you 'not to hype up the significance of the number'

*You state your wife Cherie Blair does not have a amoured car.

If I recall, I believe I said she had a bullet proof vehicle. Five days following my son's death. there was an article in The Times, stating that the Government had disclosed information following a freedom of information request. A Cabinet Office spokesman confirmed Mrs Blair had use of a bullet proof Vauxhall Omega that is estimated to be costing the British taxpayers more that £50.000 per year. She also has the use of a Ford Galaxy people carrier as backup.

Is this report not accurate Mr Blair?

You do not mention anything about my request to meet with you to discuss your reasons and decision to invade Iraq, and the war I believe to have been illegal. I am realistic enough to understand your reluctance to agree to such a discussion, as several other families have been making the same request for up to 3 years with no response from you. I have therefore taken the opportunity to write an open letter to you and the general public, on The Military Families Against the War site, with the questions I feel need to be asked. I am sure history will indeed reveal the truth as to the deceit, deliberate omissions and liberal considerations given to the facts during the period you decided to invade Iraq. I would have however thought your conscience as a practising Christian, would have been troubling you considerable.

I would finally like to comment briefly on the present situation in Iraq, which is verging on civil war. With around 1000 Iraqi civilians dying each month and more British troops losing their lives and many injuries, both physical and emotional, I would question what we are still doing there? We are not able to resolve the situation, and the troops should be pulled out immediately, and let the people of Iraq decide their own future. It is my understanding that Britain has been recently asked to leave Iraq by the leader it helped to install. The British public are now of the opinion the troops should come home.

Do you listen to anyone other than George Bush?

I await your response with interest

Pauline Hickey

From Tony Blair to Pauline Hickey 31/5/06

Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Manchester

I was saddened to hear another British soldier had been killed in Basra over the weekend. The media coverage was minimal, to say the least. I would like to send my condolences to Corporal John Johnston Cosby's family, and my thoughts are with you...

I have just seen the recordings of Bush and Blair's exchange of grunts (it is hard to describe as conversation, as between them they are unable to string a sentence together) This truly illustrates for everyone to see, how Blair is in awe and eager to please Bush, and hangs on to every his every word.

It was also very interesting to watch the clip, as both were initially unaware of being recorded, and their guards were down. This is the real Tony Blair and George Bush relationship, organ grinder and monkey, springs to my mind... How dare Blair suggest putting a boundary force in place between the warring factions, It beggars belief that these two men, who have caused untold crimes against humanity suggest endangering more lives, whilst they sit and watch from the comfort of their armchairs.

Have these two men not done enough damage to the world already, by creating carnage and devastation in Iraq and Afghanistan, with thousand upon thousand of lost lives? If the situation in the middle east is to be resolved, these two war mongers need to be kept well away. Their ego trips' fighting terrorism' or 'regime change' depending on who's version is to be believed, has cost the world dearly, and people who have lost loved one's lives will never be the same again.

The forthcoming demo in Manchester on September 23rd, will give the British public the opportunity to say enough is enough, the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan should be brought home without delay and further loss of lives.

Message to the Troops in Iraq From Rose Gentle

This is a message to the troops serving in Iraq from Rose Gentle, who lost her son Gordon in Basra, July 2004.
In it she talks of her campaign for better equipment for the protection of troops and for British forces to be withdrawn from Iraq.
Rose makes an appeal for serving soldiers and their families to sign our Troops Out petition and to get in contact with her directly via her mobile number:07951 767 530 or email: rose@mfaw.org.uk

Afghanistan too

Yet another letter to TB

In the space of a week 4 more British soldiers are dead serving in countries where we have no genuine reason to be. Even more lives left devastated.
Where is your conscience? Indeed, do you even have one?

I have been lobbying for the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, an occupation based on lies & deceit, I am now including Afghanistan. Are you aware of the military history of Afghanistan? I mentioned in a previous e-mail, that country has never been beaten, what makes you believe you can succeed where others have failed, & not just in recent history either?

I am almost of retirement age Mr Blair, have never in my life felt the need to stand up & speak out, however the sheer arrogance you display in attempting to justify the murder, yes murder, of members of our armed forces has totally
changed my way of thinking. My hope is that one day, should I live long enough, I shall see you impeached.

Everyone makes mistakes, not everyone causes deaths through their mistakes, yours have caused misery & despair beyond belief.

Yet again, I ask you. Bring our troops home.

Letter to Tony Blair

13^th June 2006

Rt Hon Tony Blair

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Dear Mr Blair

My son is a professional soldier who is extremely proud of his regiment, never talks about his work and never complains. When he took his oath of allegiance to the Queen it was to serve his country not to serve you or George Bush in the current Iraq war. I believe this war to be illegal, immoral and unjust.

Illegal because you entered our country into this fiasco on supposition and have never produced any evidence.

Immoral due to the many thousands of lives that have been lost and people injured.

Unjust for those of our service personnel who have been consistently let down and the Iraqi people who are now much worse off than before the occupation.

You stated that God had told you to take us into this war. Well, I also am a Christian but I do not believe my God is the same as yours! To promote peace on one hand and invade and cause chaos and mayhem on the other is not in any of the teachings I have been taught.

Apart from those in the media who have been opposed to this war and have reported the truth there appears to be a ‘blackout’ when it comes to news coverage, whether on the television or in the newspapers. The little that has been reported has been biased towards Government ‘spin’ and has not told the whole truth. For the past 3 years I heard practically nothing about what was happening in Iraq until my son informed me he was going and I delved further. Why is it that living in a democracy I am not able to see/hear the truth of your actions? This same democracy that you keep telling us you are trying to instil into a country that many of its people know nothing of!

Where have the billions of pounds come from to fund this war? Why have you and George Bush spent so much money on removing a dictator with no recompense? No country invades another just to rid it of a dictator. The oil and uranium in Iraq belongs to its people – not to UK and US companies. Its skilled workers should be employed to rebuild their country – not stand by and watch foreign contractors make a vast amount of money out of their misery!

I work in my local hospital and the Trust which covers 3 sites has announced job losses of 720 and the possible closure of my department. Whilst spending billions of pounds of tax payers money on this illegal war services such as the NHS and schools are suffering. When will this stop?

I believe the British forces are the best in the world and am extremely proud of them, as I am of my son. They are often working in temperatures which rise above 50°C and in dangerous situations. I feel you have betrayed their trust by forcing them into a situation which was denounced by the United Nations. As a member of the UN is Britain not supposed to act in agreement with their decisions, therefore, keeping the peace in this troubled world? You obviously thought better and ignored their advice. Consequently, many thousands of lives have been lost and many innocent and hardworking forces personnel have died needlessly. The cutbacks within the MOD have cost the lives of young men and women and still the necessary safety equipment has not been supplied.

You keep reiterating you are prepared to leave the troops in Iraq until there is stability there. The Iraqi people and even their own Prime Minister want our troops out. I urge you to withdraw our troops immediately with a deadline for their total removal.

You will never be remembered as a peacemaker Mr Blair, you have too much blood on your hands! To think that I even voted for the person who has sent my son into an illegal war makes me angry and appalled.

Yours sincerely

Lynda Holmes

A proud MFAW mom