OUR schools and our public services should not used as breeding grounds for the vices of nationalism and militarism, at the root of countless past wars, of the atrocities recently carried out in America and of wars now being waged around the world.

Charity, it is said, begins at home, however violence -- the legal sort -- begins at school.

I refer to the immorality of approaches made to our children in school by the Ministry of Defence for armed forces recruitment purposes.

The silence on this issue from parents, teachers and religious leaders (of all persuasions) is deafening.

Is it a sign of their tacit approval -- or do they fear for their jobs? Or is it that they just couldn't care less?

Schoolchildren impressed by soldiers doing press-ups in our classrooms are exhorted by recruitment adverts to "be the best" and "don't be the weakest link" -- thus violence as a way of life is dressed up as patriotism, as being a worthy member of society; it is legitimised, glamorised and sanitised for the eyes and ears of innocents.

What damned hypocrisy -- today we pray for peace in church, tomorrow our children will learn to make war at school.

Allegiance

The taking of oaths of allegiance -- recently advocated by the leader of the police federation, and marching and saluting, which are display of nationalism and militarism, should have no place in the police and fire services of a multicultural and enlightened Europe.

Marching, and the subservient touching of the forelock while standing to attention before a nationalist symbol, have less to do with the ability of an officer to handle large numbers of fire fighters or police officers efficiently, and more to do with reinforcing class differences and national identities.

Saluting and the taking of oaths of allegiance should be done away with.

They signify belief in a myth which proclaims the God-given superiority of one citizen over others, and of one race or nationality over others, which is per se, racist.

Three phrases, "investors in people", "best value" and "regardless of race, colour or creed", prompt this question -- will the taxpayer's money be best spent on the type of people who confuse seniority with superiority -- on those who appear to be in a state of perpetual mourning for the passing away of empires -- who hanker after all things military and drool over the thought of the next opportunity to dress up and strut around?

Or will it be best spent on providing our community with fire fighters who just want to fight fires, and police officers who will uphold our peace?

William Kelly

(retired fire fighter)

Darley Street

Farnworth