Wrong to back this anti-war group

I was worried to see that The Digger has backed the Archaeologists Against War group (Digger 27). Whilst I and perhaps the majority of archaeologists are against the war in Iraq, possibly all war, the reasons for these stances are highly varied. I do not feel it is helpful of The Digger to support this group when debate on BAJR has shown that many diggers are not supportive of its political take on events, something you do not mention.

You state that 'this is a war about oil.' I agree, but wouldn't it have been better to invite opinion and suggest alternatives, like CND or other groups? Let's have a dialogue.

The Digger has a voice in archaeology because it cuts through a lot of the crap and keeps people in touch with the issues affecting dirt diggers. This important role would be diminished if it came to have too political a voice. I feel that you have failed to be objective on this issue.

(There has been debate about this group on the CBA's Britarch mailing list and the BAJR messageboard. So is The Digger right to back Archaeologists Against War? Have your say. Write to us at the usual address. Ed.)

Results of the BAJR Poll on the war :

Not really self-employed

One correspondent wrote on 'the perils of self employment' (Digger 26) goes on to describe a situation where it sounds as if their self-employed status has been decided by someone else (an archaeological unit). This is not in the employer's say-so (at least in England). There is information from the Inland Revenue, which helps anyone work out whether they are employed or self-employed within the meaning of the law.

If you correspondent reads this information and feels that they are really 'employed' (and it sounds as if they would prefer to be), they may want to contact their local tax office, who have pretty tough powers to act against transgressing employers.

Thousands of people struggled for their work to be recognised as 'employment' in the 19th and 20th century, in the teeth of strong opposition from employers. To be self-employed should be a choice, a balance of freedom against security. The law protects people from having that choice forced upon them.