In 2003, President Bush falsely alleged that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction in order to invade Iraq.

In 2017, President Trump bombed the Syrian regime in retaliation for President Assad allegedly using chemical weapons on civilians.

President Trump produced no evidence before his attack, doctored or otherwise, for the Syrian use of chemical weapons.

Perhaps air-tight evidence will be produced, though one wonders what the Assad regime could hope to achieve by such an outrageous move, except for the strike that ensued.

In the meantime, isn’t the US lucky that it has the God-given right to use force on others to bring them into line – without the pesky need for evidence.

The only question for Australia, as ever, is how quickly and how high to jump when the US whistles.

There are rules of war? Like in sport?

And, using Sarin gas is against these rules? In fact, it’s a  crime against humanity?

Forget the rules, since when is war not a crime against humanity?

Reading Lindy Hume's comments in Tuesday's opinion section about her visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery I honestly thought she must be a mind reader, as her comments about the TRG echo the aims of the Trust and Friends of the Old Bega Hospital.

Ms Hume's comments are in inverted commas. “With ravishing views over the stunning landscape,” the Old Bega Hospital Community and Cultural Centre, “is a vibrant cultural hub, hosting exhibitions of excellence from around the region.

OBHC&CC “is a much loved and welcoming community meeting place, with a terrific cafe, gift shop featuring local artisans, a centre of learning for students of all ages, a major resource for local professional artists digitally connecting them to the public. It is a must see regional destination welcoming...locals, visitors and tourists from all over the world,” who marvel at the colonial red brick buildings, which date from 1888, and the history display outlining the life and importance of the building to the people of the Bega Valley.

“From so many perspectives – tourism, enrichment to community life, creative industries, cultural identity, education, business,” the Old Bega Hospital site and the heritage building, re-roofed and repaired, would provide a perfect setting for a new, larger Bega Valley Regional Gallery.

Our library could then include the area vacated by the gallery, to gain the extra space the library badly needs.

Dreaming? I hope not.

The Bega branch of Red Cross would like to thank the community for their generous support during the month of March for our Red Cross Calling  campaign.  This includes the businesses that housed our collection boxes as well as those that donated. 

The money received will be used to fund Red Cross programs that assist disadvantaged and vulnerable people.  An example of this work is the support that Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing to affected communities in the wake of the floods and destruction of cyclone Debbie in Queensland and Northern NSW.

Bega branch is in need of new members and volunteers to assist in our fundraising work. Our president Val Eaton 6495 9922 or secretary Judy Sims 6492 1886 can be contacted for more information.