David McNiven from Burgess Hill (Letters, March 25) states the pulling down and subsequent tearing up of the US flag was 'one of the most disgusting and ignorant scenes' he had ever experienced.

Well David, perhaps you should get out a bit more.

Try opening your obviously blinkered eyes, maybe travel abroad. No, not to a closeted holiday camp on the Med.

Rather, see the real world, where war, poverty, starvation, state-sponsored murder, torture and terrorism are in evidence.

The destruction of a piece of cloth, whatever its meaning, is surely insignificant when compared to the pitiful existence so many people on this planet are forced to endure, including, of course, Iraqi people under the current regime.

-Kevin Gough, Highdown Road, Hove