Readers are invited to submit letters to The Guardian.
Letters may be e-mailed to guardian@cpa.org.au.
Letters of 300-400 words are preferred.

Letters to the Editor:

Beware pro-war backlash

Those of us opposing the war on Iraq must not only stand 
strong and united but be prepared to withstand the inevitable 
pro-war offensive. An example of such a backlash — and the 
response to it — was recently reported in the US.

In San Francisco, Lori Haigh, owner of Capobianco Gallery in 
North Beach was spat on and knocked unconscious last week for 
exhibiting an artwork highlighting the torture of Iraqi detainees 
at Abu Ghraib prison.

The assault came after two weeks of escalating threats. Now the 
painting may end up displayed at San Francisco City Hall.

San Francisco City Hall Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced a 
resolution to hang the painting, titled The Abuse, in City 
Hall and to condemn the attacks against Haigh. Peskin told the 
San Francisco Chronicle that displaying the art work would send a 
message to residents that elected officials won't tolerate 
efforts to stifle political dissent.

The Abuse depicts three US soldiers leering at a group of 
naked men in hoods with wires connected to their bodies. The one 
in the foreground has a blood-spattered American flag patch on 
his uniform. In the background, a soldier in sunglasses guards a 
blindfolded woman.

The artist, Guy Colwell, whose picture was a late addition to a 
month-long exhibit of his work at the gallery, is known for his 
social realist style, comic books, and anti-war activism in the 
San Francisco area. He was jailed for two years in 1968 for 
opposing the Vietnam War.

Within days of putting Colwell's painting in a front window, 
Haigh came to work to find the gallery's entrance trashed with 
garbage, eggs and broken glass. Her business answering machine 
filled up with threats and slurs. She was called "un-American".

Local artists and writers then staged a protest outside the 
gallery, denouncing the attack and the threats against the 
gallery as an assault on freedom of expression.

Jo Dunleavy
Wodonga, NSW

As an average ordinary born and bread Australian I have my 
doubts. I even doubt sometimes that he is a member of the human 
species. Rather he is a creature spawned by the policies of the 
Liberal-National Coalition, which is why he espouses them so 
strongly and is the Coalition's much loved (by them) leader.

There is an old saying of much merit "actions speak louder than 
words". Little Johnny has been great with the words — concern 
for the mums and dads of Australia, the little Aussie battler and 
of course the FAMILY.

Now let us look at the actions — health system in a shambles; 
education (public) being downgraded and under-funded in an 
attempt to turn back the progress of the working class. As for 
people on welfare, the poorest and most disadvantaged of all 
Australians, they are being squeezed harder and harder, made to 
do more with less. In line with the opinion of the coalition he 
actually hates and despises the Australian people.

There was a time when I was a proud Australian. I stood erect and 
looked men of all nations straight in the eye and I could see 
respect and a feeling of comradeship. Australians in the main 
were regarded as big-hearted with generous natures.

Our nation had a good international standing as a strong 
supporter of progressive resolutions and programs.

No more. My shoulders are bowed and I am afraid to look into 
men's eyes for fear I will see scorn and derision.

We are follower of a small hearted, lying, little pompous man who 
has caused a pall to fall on Australia.

Howard — and the Coalition — must go before our nation falls 
even further in international standing.

We do not want to be a "toady" nation.

B Appleton
Woy Woy, NSW

I would disagree with the proposition that the Federal Labor 
Party's intention to have former Midnight Oil singer Peter 
Garrett endorsed as the candidate for the seat of Kingsford-Smith 
signals a shift to the left in the Party's ideals.

Successive Labor Party leaders since Bob Hawke at least, have 
left the ALP bereft of socialist or working class ideals, as they 
have sought to become a party more inclusive of all Australians, 
including the capital owning classes and the petty bourgeoisie — 
of which Mr Garrett with his not insubstantial land and corporate 
holdings is very much a part.

There is no room for people with passionate idealism and 
progressive politics in either of the conservative parties — 
only for those who want to play the game of the "hard headed 
Liberal and Labor party strategists" seeking to win government at 
any cost.

The Power and Passion have been replaced by a, "Welcome to 
the machine you've been in the pipeline, filling in time, 
provided with toys and Scouting for Boys".

Thank you.

Richard Titelius
Perth, WA

P.S. The latter lyrics are from Pink Floyd's song Welcome to 
the Machine from the album, Wish you were here.