“Rich, it is not a 'utopian fantasy' to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons. It is a cornerstone in international relations! The over-whelming majority of the States of the world, including the UK and the US, have signed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which obliges them to pursue "in good faith" "complete nuclear disarmament". We cannot honour that while building new nukes.
When you say "these states" which ones do you mean? Iran? The United Nations weapon inspectors have found Iran to be in total compliance with the wishes of the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is only Bush, the Sun, CNN, Fox, and the Daily Mail saying otherwise. Neither have they threatened to wipe Iran from the map. That was a serious mistranslation. Likely pure propoganda.”

“John - in principle I agree with your sentiments. But how (and I'm not just being defeatist) is this practically supposed to happen?

It would be perfect if we could live in a world free of nuclear weapons. But in reality this is a utopian fantasy at best and it will certainly not come about simply by disarming the UK.

And you imply that the problem will go away 'if we stop bombing and threatening to bomb them.' Anyone that believes that these states are investing in a nuclear programme through fear of a trigger-happy George Bush really needs a reality check.

And no - I don't read the Daily Mail...”

“If anyone from Torpoint is on line, have you seen Miss_Anthrope? Someone on another thread said she was last seen on the Torpoint Ferry with all her belongings heading for Torpoint. Can you please tell her that she hasn't paid the milkman. Thanks.”

“Long live the Nuclear Deterrant, to not have on is lunacy as are those who depose one. Yes we could all do without the US stirring up trouble in Poland right now. There is no denying that having a deterrant maintains the Status Quo even though that is far from ideal. It is re-assuring to know that 8 hours after we have all been vapourised by land based ICBM`s our own submarine based weapons will deal out some of the same on our enemies! Welcome to the End of Days.”

“David, I can assure you that America plans for Missile Defence, or son of Star Wars, are very high up on the agenda.
Opposing this insanity is a prioroty of National CND campaigning.”

“David, I can assure you that America plans for Missile Defence, or son of Star Wars, are very high up on the agenda.
Opposing this insanity is a prioroty of National CND campaigning. http://www.cnduk.org/”

“David, I can assure you that America plans for Missile Defence, or son of Star Wars, are very high up on the agenda.
Opposing this insanity is a prioroty of National CND campaigning. http://www.cnduk.org/”

“Suzannah, thanks for your support. I am very aware that Plymouth is a garrison town with knee-jerk deference to all things military. But things are changing. Ten years ago anti-nuclear protestors were spat on in Plymouth, now people sneak us biscuits, and we were applauded doing the Lord Mayors Parade a year or two back!
I fully expect 'these sentiments' to be the 'norm' one day, as they are in Scotland and large parts of the world. The truth will out!”

“John,

"The bottom line, for me, is that Trident is useless, immoral, illegal, and obscenely expensive. A civilised nation would prioritise schools, subs, and hospitals, over subs and missiles."



All the above is true except for Useless. You see, we wouldn't be able to force countries to give us their stuff instead of them selling it to the highest bidder on the open market if it wasn't for Trident. Think about what you're writing! I don't disagree with your sentiment but I don't ever expect it to be the norm.”

“I would have thought a nationwide protest at the americans decision to inflame russia by siting new stuff in poland would be more important and a lot higher on the agenda.”