MRS Hardy (Bolton Evening News, May 17) is right. There are undoubtedly many people so weighed down with the cares of daily life as to have no strength left to be interested in anything else.

But this is not a desirable state of affairs, as I am sure charities, schools, churches and political organisations would agree.

But Mrs Hardy does lift her head above the daily round having views about the Falklands War (could have been avoided), and the war on Afghanistan (a grey area).

This makes it all the odder that she is quite indifferent as to whether the prisoners in Cuba are treated in accordance with international law. Doesn't the difference between right and wrong matter any more? It's not a helpful message for our young people.

Mr Greenhalgh (Bolton Evening News, May 18) must really give up inventing international law to suit himself, and look up a standard textbook as to the provisions in the Geneva Convention about the procedures to be followed where there is any doubt as to the legal status of prisoners. And he clearly does not understand my argument for ethical consistency.

There is no difference between a Japanese killed at Hiroshima and an American killed at the World Trade Centre. Both are dead: any attempt to distinguish between them is just special pleading.

It's a pity that my not wanting to see people killed should drive Mrs Hardy up the wall.

Malcolm Pittock

St James Avenue

Breightmet

Bolton