MICHAEL McMAHON,
Sir,- John Walsh (September 17th) makes a fatuous comparison between the Bush administration and the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein.
He argues that Bush "took power" despite winning only a minority of the popular vote. Mr Walsh has no right to question the legitimacy of the US government just because the election result was determined by a method of which he disapproves.
Never mind the US constitution, which sets out clearly how a president is elected. Never mind the US Supreme Court which confirmed the result of the closest election in recent history. The American people are free to change their government and indeed their constitution, a right that is not available to the people of Iraq.
The fact remains that after a maximum of eight years there will be a regime change in the US, whereas after over 20 years of tyranny and havoc-wreaking throughout the Middle East, there is no sign that Saddam Hussein will go away voluntarily. - Yours, ETC.,
MICHAEL McMAHON,
Strayacre,
Oldtown,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - Should we not, as committed Europeans, be making Shannon airport available to European military aircraft rather than opening it up to some outside foreign power? Neutral, my eye. - Yours, etc.,
TERRY GILLESPIE,
The Glebe,
Stradbally,
Co Laois.