A difficult question?? Sorry, Steve, but it's actually a pretty silly one -and an insult to your intelligence! I'm certainly no supporter of nuclear weapons in ANYONE's hands -but maybe the answer boils down to 'responsibility'.If Israel does have nuclear weapons -they were developed at a time when it was more acceptable globally -but has she ever used them?? Have you been listening to the lunatic Ahmedinajad recently?? He openly states over and over that he wants to wipe Israel off the map -because he bleeds for his Palestinian brothers...-maybe he's just taunting....maybe not.... but the most pathetically sad thing about it all is -that if he did... he would fry millions of Palestinains and neighbouring Arabs to smitherines with them.... That's just how much he really cares about his 'brothers' -which is what he proved to the world with his behaviour in this last election in Iran, n'est ce pas??!!

Good question, Steve. And why do the US and UK have nuclear weapons too? We haven't ever shown much in the way of being peace-loving either ...

well what on earth will it be! I am so sick of this war theme on going forever now its iran being threatened by the americans.... It wont ever end will it. we will always have wars and separation - its not in the world's interest to have us all living in peace as then there would be no energy e-motion generating the energy this world needs to carry on. This beautiful world we live in hides the horror underneath, everything living and feeding off everyone/thing else at all levels both physically and emotionally

Hi Steve, Interesting,only yesterday I thought whilst looking at your daily blogs that I used to really enjoy reading entries such as you going to work and recounting the names of planets you saw on the way also driving along "UFO alley"- I often wondered what is UFO alley? Anyway I don't know about taking chances in the last 24 hours- but hey what a magical day I've had. Went to central London to see my son at his new University- and what an amazing experience.I haven't been round Big Ben, Houses of Parliament- any of that area for about 30 years- we sat by the river and I was so inspired.It was great to meet some of my son's new friends- lovely young people from all over Europe. On the way home, the sun set- a dazzling ball of fire, at the same time the half moon was clear in the sky above beautiful countryside - fields, hedges, trees,hills,coppices,a woodpigeon suudenly flying out of a thicket, rabbits sitting peacefully by the edge of a canal- what an amazing sight. Even Marylebone station(again I haven't been there for a long time)- brilliant piece of redbrick architecture-couldn't the Victorians build? Back to politics- I thought that last week the countries at the recent UN summit had all signed(including Israel) an agreement to start dismantling nuclear arms- or have I read this wrong?

You asked "...here's a difficult question: how come Iran can't have nuclear weapons but Israel can?" Difficult? Was that a joke? The Iranian madman, Ahmadinejad, spoke at the UN yesterday. Nice that they give these clowns a forum for their unique brand of hate. These are some of the wonderful things he has said in the past..... “As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map,” “Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury,” “Iran is ready to transfer nuclear know-how to the Islamic countries due to their need.” “There is no doubt that the new wave (of attacks) in Palestine will wipe off this stigma (Israel) from the face of the Islamic world, ... The World without Zionism.” “As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map,” “The fighting in Palestine is a war between the (whole) Islamic nation and the world of arrogance, ... Today, Palestinians are representing the Islamic nation against arrogance.” "The pretext (Holocaust) for the creation of the Zionist regime (Israel) is false ... It is a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim," "Confronting the Zionist regime (Israel) is a national and religious duty." "This regime (Israel) will not last long. Do not tie your fate to it ... This regime has no future. Its life has come to an end," Yes, Israel has had nuclear weapons for more than 40 years and has not used them. South Africa developed nuclear weapons and dismantled them. Iran? Why not look at their stars and answer that yourself.

A case of the bad and the ugly! .. and we are stuck with it. I will concur on patriarchy and religion, 'God' is masculine by tradition and institution, so are our capitalist institutions... calling to all the women (and men) who are conscious enough to realise what a massive hurdle this still represent if we want to move forward into a more equitable, sustainable future.. humanly and environmentally.