When the peace vigil was taking place, we found that many people such as H Marson (letters August 8) compared our present situation to the situation we faced in the Second World War, which ended over half a century ago.

The world has changed vastly since then. Who is threatening our civil liberties now in 2003? Not Iraqis, surely?

Where would be be if we weren't spending billions every year on the machinery of war?

We could be in heaven on earth, rather than in the hell of war. We could deliver clean drinking water to every child. We could eliminate ancient scourges like leprosy; we could wage war on AIDS, vitamin-deficiency blindness and many other afflictions.

People who are trained to die for their country are also trained to kill for their country.

It is not hard to think of other uses for their talents.

P Thomas,

Trowbridge.

Regarding Mr Sweet's letter (July 25) in favour of RAF training airplanes and the noise they make, I do not agree that we have to put up with such actions war is not inevitable.

War is an outmoded and obscene practice and we should work towards peaceful ways of dealing with the major problems of the world.

Bombs do not distinguish between guilty or innocent. As a so-called civilised people, we ought to be able to bring about resolutions to conflicts without resorting to war and all its disgusting consequences.

P Williamson,

Trowbridge.