Madam, - I wish to compliment Mathew Davey (March 25th) on his excellent refutation of the asinine comments made by your columnist, Mark Steyn in his article "10 reasons why the naysayers were wrong about Iraq". I was sorely tempted to write to you in the same vein but just couldn't bring myself to waste the time doing so; and in any event I doubt if I would have done it as efficiently and effectively as has Mr Davey.
While I agree with practically every word he wrote, I do disagree with him on one point - his suggestion that you should find another columnist to replace Mr Steyn. My form of democracy demands that everyone must have the right to express his or her opinion on any subject, however much I might disagree with that same opinion.
Where Mr Steyn is concerned there is an ancient adage that is most appropriate: "There are none so blind as those who do not wish to see".
I would like to compliment you also, Madam Editor, for having the honesty, courage and respect for the freedom of the press, plus the sense of loyalty to the principle of impartiality, to publish Mr Davey's letter. - Yours, etc.,
W.G.A. SCOTT,
Friars Hill,
Wicklow.