], yet have still managed a friendship despite it all 
. *************************************************************
"Hi folks, I wrote this on Sunday morning after the change from daylight
saving and browsing the Weekend Australian.
TIME GOES BACK.
Early morning 3 AM, time goes back one hour,
Events a half a world away- same old abuse of power.
One step forward, ten steps back- devolving retribution.
Violence breeding violence, more deluded convolution.
Spoon fed by the media, a deluge of mis-information,
Children marching down the street in outraged protestation.
Divided world, despair and fear- unwelcome complication,
The military mighty states wage gung-ho miscalculation.
What does this all mean for us, what woes for you and me?
Disaster yet again unfolds- the defining world war three?
As nations build their armaments and prepare perpetual war,
The terrorist now smirks in glee; it's all his efforts are for.
Deception and lies abound in the propaganda brainwash.
Honesty and truth go down with innocents whose lives are lost.
A conference behind closed doors, rash decisions made,
Hiding behind loyal troops whose lives they freely trade.
Makes no difference how you cry, shout and scream or squeal.
In the corridors of power it's already a done deal.
The self righteous politicians who so design our fate,
Are way beyond our influence as we stand and wait.
Television commentary as a new game to amuse,
Is scoring now by numbers of the guided tomahawk cruise.
Shock and awe, a crock of gore- hear the voiceless stutter,
The thousands who give up the ghost under the daisy cutter.
(c) J. W. 2003."
*************************************************************
"I really appreciated your poem.....your thoughts and feelings so very
>closely
>parralel my own. I am certain it captures how everyone else on your list
>feels
>as well. Thanks for including me.
>
>~ Elizabeth"
*************************************************************
"Liz, thanks for the response of appreciation. This whole issue is so
convoluted one finds it hard to really discern the truth and the rights and
wrongs. Certainly it would be great to see Saddam gone but I fear the future
cost may be too high a price. Not to mention the present cost in lives and
goodwill.
Most of the people in my address book are of a like mind but one or two are
totally contrary to my views, particularly with this Iraqi business. Still
we try to offer alternate views in a way that precludes a face to face
argument. Every day the war seems to be going more and more pear shaped.
[sigh]
Regards, J"
*************************************************************
