PRESIDENT Bush's speech to both houses was revealing when he said: "If our friends back us then they are for us, but if they don't back us then they are for terrorism", or words to that effect. This brought to mind some rhetoric I heard from the 1930s which went something like: "How un-German the Jews are!"

James J Stewart,

Beech Grove, York.

...I WOULD not have George (Dubya) Bush's job for all the proverbial 'tea in China'. If he does nothing about the terrorist attack on September 11, he will be crucified by the hawks. If he sends in the Marines, he will be castigated by the doves.

Sometimes it is better to be an ordinary man in the street.

A G Reeson,

Huntington Road, York.

...PRESIDENT Bush made a masterful address to the American nation which was balm for a heartsick nation.

Mr Bush made it clear that the United States is waging what amounts to two battles: the quest for justice for the victims of the terrorists; and the larger, hugely ambitious battle to eradicate terrorism globally.

Americans now have a better idea of where the President will lead them. As we unite behind him in the quest for justice, we should also be mindful of history's lessons.

While this is a different type of enemy requiring different military tactics, the basic rules of engagement set out by the then Secretary of Defence, Casper Weinberger, after the Vietnam war are still valid today.

They are: committing troops must be vital to the national interest. If they commit troops they should do so wholeheartedly and with enough forces to meet their stated objectives or else not commit any. The commitment of US forces to combat should be a last resort.

President Bush should ensure that the military plans meet each of these standards. America and the victims of September 11 deserve no less.

Colin Henson,

Moorcroft Road,

Woodthorpe, York.

...I WOULD like to echo previous comments about the Muslim people and Islamic faiths. We must not lump peace-loving Muslims with the actions of warped terrorists, who appear to twist their religion to suit their own violent philosophy.

It is also heartening to see Tony Blair advocating a humanitarian coalition to this crisis. Unfortunately, Afghanistan people are at the mercy of a vicious regime and I am pleased that the plight of many refugees is being taken into consideration.

N Fletcher,

Langton Road,

Norton, Malton.

...YOUR correspondent (Letters, September 14) is right to suggest something comparable to New York City's restoration of the Guildhall as a response to the World Trade Centre outrage.

Rebuilding the Guildhall was only a gesture, but it was a gesture that will outlive the thugs behind the original destruction; indeed it already has outlived most of them.

One possibility would be a memorial scholarship to York University for a New York student. That too would outlive today's terrorists.

Brian A. Jones,

Clinton Street,

Brooklyn, New York.

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, October 02, 2001