Letter: Lessons of war?

Sir: I would like to point out the irony of your front page showing a picture of the Queen laying a wreath to commemorate Armistice Day, and underneath a headline announcing intention to strike against Iraq (12 November).

Is there anything to equal the hypocrisy of our government? They seem to have forgotten why they wear their poppies. We remember the millions of dead men because they died without reason, to satisfy the vanity of a few powerful men. Proposing to repeat this horror 80 years on seems a little odd.

My history teacher says history is so important because it gives us a chance to learn from other people's mistakes. Perhaps our world leaders should take his advice.