"You have my eternal gratitude for organising this discussion, not least because it's demonstrated that ordinary people like me and you can hold a rational debate rather better than can some of our political leaders.

But why on earth end the discussion after next week?

The decision about whether to go to war or not will apparently be taken in two weeks' time or so. Today has seen the largest demonstrations ever yet seen in the UK about anything against the proposed war. It's also seen my wife, who, were we to live in America, would certainly be considered a lady of pronounced right-wing political views on anything other than race and gender issues insisting that we attend a vigil outside the local town hall to protest against an invasion of Iraq, and she's someone who finds it very painful to stand up for more than a few minutes, let alone the couple of hours we spent there.

The discussion is by no means over. Please keep it going, since it's the one bit of rational debate we've had over the issue, as far as I can see."
Steve Glynn
Warwickshire, UK

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"This is of great value! (I was sad to learn, however, that the language-week didn't pan out.) As I struggle to keep up and grasp the many views posted, the discussion highlights are immensely helpful as were the president's comments (refrain from country-bashing, here are facts and resources, understand the questions for DC and for Paris-Berlin-Brussells). The whole endeavor is helping me develop both critical, reasonable thinking and empathic resonance."

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"the discussion is very useful . I would like the group to address the question why are we not able to disclose the official discourses concerning justified or not justified decisions, and inspect the real energy strategies of westen countries."
Maria Benedicta Monteiro
Department of Social Psychology
ISCTE/Univ. Lisboa
Av. das Forças Armadas

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"This is perhaps the most worthwhile discussion going on the Web at this time. It is well-paced. Not everything voiced supports my innate biases. In short, it is my link to sanity. Keep it up! I don't know what I'll do when this session ends."

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"Been following a little. Bush folly is all so terribly depressing...."

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"The discussion has been amazing. I appreciate having the opprotunity to participate in such a stimulating discussion. I am much better informed on numerous issues. The links to other media is helpful also. Mainstream American media appears to be focused on attemping to out-do each other's sensational headlines than providing a platform of much needed information.Thanks to both Politalk and TIESWeb for providing the world with this site!
Barbara Bradford
Mpls, MN - USA

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"I am so glad to find others who feel the same as I do about what is happening in our world. When Sept. 11 first happened I had the feeling of being the only person who was against what our govenment was doing. I knew many of my freinds felt the same as I but no one asked us how we felt. I am 62 years old and I have never been this affraid of what is happening and what will be left for my children and grandchildren."

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"Really appreciate getting this broad prospective. I find the opinions well thought out and useful - even the ones I disagree with. Also appreciate the call back to the topic and to quit belaboring history."

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"This war has become a highly emotional issue for all of us. Judging it in a sensible light has become more difficult than ever. Your discussion forum does provide a way to listen to various opinions and put them in prosepective."
Thanks again for the forum.
Rick
Connecticut.

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"As I mentioned in our phone discussion, although I have not yet contributed to the online dialogue I have been closely following it, and I have found it to be very useful and interesting. I am teaching a class this semester
on US foreign policy after the cold war and 9/11, which features a largecomponent on US-Europe realtions, and I have asked my students to follow the discussion and encouraged them to participate."

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"I think this is going very well. I've learned a lot, and the moderator's comments have been helpful in steering the debate in a constructive direction. Thanks for all your hard work on this."

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"The discussion has been valuable, especially at a time when our leaders in the US are heaping such scorn on the citizens of other lands (A GOP Eagle newswire just popped up with "Ta Ta Francois" in its dig on that nation's
reluctance to start a war.)"

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-One of the most intriguing comments in our discussion came from the woman who is Native American, and who shared her perspective about invasions and wars on other people.

"We in the US need to hear more from thoughtful citizens of other nations, all over the globe. We need to ask ourselves, why do we in the US back our president in his push for war, while the entire world around us...save tiny
Britain...is saying "No!"?
Is it we who "don't get it" or could the rest of the world be so naive and easily tricked to opposing war."

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"I have found the discussion group and the web site both very useful. As a journalist I am often reluctant to express my personal views in a public forum. This format has, to some degree, freed me from that conceern. At the same time, I have found he postings from around the US and the Europeans' views very enlightening.The one thing I have missed (an it does not make the positive benfits any less) is a sampling of perspectives and responses from the
Muslim/Arab world."
Manny Frishberg

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"Interesting discussions!"
Vici Oshiro

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"This discussion has been invaluable. I have forwarded several of the more insightful messages to friends and appreciate the international nature of the discussion."
Carol L. Veldman Rudie
Minneapolis, MN

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"I have enjoyed the discussion very much, and have even tried to take part a little. I did forward the introduction to some friends whom I thought might be interested, but I didn't hear if they signed on or not. Your efforts are greatly appreciated here. I meant to, but have not visited your web site."
Matt Linkert

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"Glad to get this "offline opportunity". ;-) I have been extremely pleased with this discussion, even though I have never responded beyond the Introductory comment. The reason I haven't is because the ideas presented by others have been so well-put and interesting, and the ideas in my head have been beautifully expressed by others, along with a lot of interesting perspectives that I haven't thought about. Much of what I would contribute would simply be expressions of agreement or responses of "interesting point!"

It is interesting as a sidebar, though, that the attitudes expressed here are so much at variance with the American media who are moving inexorably in the direction of following their leader, in preparation for the inevitable "but we must support our men in uniform" attitudes that will take precedence over anything else the minute the US proceeds with its attack. If it wasn't for the ideas on this forum and on the internet, I would truly be amazed at how effectively the US administation is manipulating the emotions and fears of the average American, without the vast majority becoming aware of how effective the propaganda machine is being applied."
Paul J. Lareau
Minnesota

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"I am checking the postings once or twice a day and find it very useful, mainly as a gauge of opinions and arguments in the US and Europe. I have forwarded several items to friends and colleagues, some of whom have subscribed. I am sorry to learn that the effort to include discussion in other languages failed. The difficulties are obvious but it is a good idea that should be kept in mind.

I wonder if any of the discussants or readers have found any new insights or gained new understanding about the differing points of view or about the issues themselves. It's probably too much to expect many to change their own minds, but if they have come to understand different viewpoints better, that is something worthwhile."
Jack Seymour
Arlington, VA

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"I followed the discussions and they were great. The quality of discussion was high and those of us at "Africa Talks" did benefit a lot from the programme. It's been great!"

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"I've been following the dialogue with interest, and yesterday posted to the list for the first time. It still has not shown up, unless I have missed it.

Can you let me know what's happening? It certainly takes the talk out of Politalk if only select posts are actually posted.

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