Is the £286m BAE settlement a bad outcome for truth?

I initially cheered when BAE Systems agreed to hand over £286m in fines to the US and UK following investigations of bribary - see the story on the BBC website. What isn't clear though is the what exactly happened and what they are actually guilty of.

According the BBC's report, "The firm said the pleas did not relate to accusations of corruption or bribery but that it "regretted" shortcomings.". Hmmm, £286m handed over for shortcommings? Channel 4 News put it another way: "But the company stressed it had not been found guilty of any serious corruption or bribery charges. What it has admitted to are more minor corporate misdemeanour charges."

We are unlikely to know what really happened and the extent of their bribery, sadly. I have just signed this petition on the CAAT website and recommend that others do too.

BAE should not sponsor carols

Sent in a personal capacity to the Medway Messenger. I spent most of my youth in Medway and have a real soft spot for it.

Dear Editor,

For many years I have attended the Dickensian Christmas in Rochester and, despite not being a Christian, I have always enjoyed the carol service in front of the cathedral.

As we sang carols about peace on earth, this year along with most other years that I can remeber, the brass band was from the second largest arms manufacturer in the world, BAE.

Never has it been more important to call for peace. Our involvement in Afghanistan is unravelling, our invasion of Iraq broke international law and BAE's involvement in Tanzania, Czech Republic, South Africa and Romania have led to the Serious Fraud Office applying for leave to proscute. This country continues to be at the forefront of international wars and it is frankly shameful that Medway Council and Rochester Cathedral should support the continued deaths abroad by allowing BAE a platform to perform.

Allowing BAE to be part of a carol service which calls for peace is no longer hypocritical, it is highly offensive.

Stuart Jeffery

Guns and Christmas Roses in Rochester

No being a Christian I find Christmas a bit uncomfortable at times (I prefer my religion a bit more pagan / druidic). Christmas is full of hypocrisy, but then so am I. I usually rationalise my approach to Christmas as a festival celebrating the Winter Solstice (which just happens to be my birthday too - I was born a few minutes into the 22nd Dec), that said I adore the Dickensian / Victoriana Christmas.

Kicking off Christmas for me is the Dickens Christmas in Rochester, the highlight of which is the carols outside the cathedral / castle. I have to ignore the fact that the Bishop of Rochester is not a nice chap (unlike one fairly local druid, the Archbishop of Canterbury) and the fact the the brass band that is playing is the BAE Systems band, so that I can enjoy the fake snow machine and people dressed as Victorians.

It is becoming difficult though. I resisted the urge to sing 'Hark the sniper fire rings' but I don't know if I want to go back again. The hypocrisy of having a band from the 4th largest arms manufacturer in the world playing carols that call for 'peace on earth' is simply disgusting. You don't get peace through making arms.

As George Carlin said: "Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity".