GI Joe marches to the tune of A Soldier’s Song

OFFICIAL Ireland had its day at the races in the Irish Examiner (April 5), with letters from Senator David Norris and MEP Brian Crowley. They speak for themselves, in more ways than one.

If we substitute Iraq for Ireland in the words of our national anthem, A Soldier's Song, we find that, officially, some things are worth fighting for.

" sworn to be free, no more shall we shelter the despot or the slave

We're children of a fighting race,

impatient for the fight

And as we march the foe to face

We'll sing a Soldier's Song."

Not a word about neutrality, tackling world hunger or gay rights. But rest assured that GI Joe, taking time out at Shannon, is a better guarantor of all these freedoms and obligations, however obnoxious they appear to some, than our senior partners in Europe our Saxon foe honourably excepted. Otherwise, we can fly to the patronage of Senator David Norris. Holy mother of God.

Richard Dowling,

Coote Street,

Mountrath,

Co Laois.