George Orwell said: "In a time of universal deceit, telling truth is a revolutionary act."

Reviewing the recent events in the Gulf, what was the real agenda behind the invasion of Iraq?

Politics has a history of manipulation, hypocrisy and half truths. Why should it be any different now?

Politicians are keen to deflect attention away from history and focus on fancy words and phrases, but history exposes the hypocrisy and double standards constantly fed to us.

We now have a war on terror. Perhaps we need a war on propaganda.

History shows almost all wars are about economics and self-interest. Why would today be any different?

Whether it is about re-shaping the Middle East, or protecting the dollar as the oil reserve currency from the euro, it is always the innocent that gets used and exploited when the dust settles.

During the Nuremberg Trials in 1946, Hermann Goering made an unusual statement.

Before being sentenced to death, he said the common people did not want war.

It was the leaders of the country who determined the policy, and it was always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it's a democracy, fascist dictatorship, parliament or a communist dictatorship.

Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

CHRIS MACK

Ethelhelm Close

Abingdon