Dear Stewart, I don't know about unfair, nor do I deny what Arto has done for the list. But the point is (a) this is a lute list (b) the moment we go on about politics we are not only off-topic, but in danger of hurting other people's feelings (c) to preach in such a fashion without knowing the facts, and the opinions of those whom one is preaching to is a bit rich (d) as I said, he's doing precisely what he scolds us for, assuming guilt by association.
If Iraq, then why not my opinions on the future of Liverpool football club? Are we to expect similar attacks from French participants because the French manager has just been sacked? Where will it end? The assumptions behind Arto's remarks were grossly offensive. Of course one could, perhaps should ignore them. But why? He chose to leave because he didn't want the company of Britons and Americans. OK, but why should one swallow that? It's his decision, no one forced him, and I feel in such a situation one has to be man enough to take a bit of what one dishes out, I'm sick of all the politicking, the pseudo and often very one-sided moral outrage (I don't recollect anyone going on here about the crimes committed by Arab tyrannies, and quite rightly so, this isn't the place for it). Should we have begged someone to stay who couldn't stand being in our company? You are a gentleman, I am not, maybe that's the difference. But that kind of thing gets my goat, it's sheer patronising self-aggrandisement and self-righteous moralising, and I've suffered too much in my life at the hands of such people to even give them the time of day. Kindest regards Tom --
