I'm more suprised by the harsh comments directed towards Ms Navratilova from some American folk than the actual article.

Criticise our country and feel our wrath!!! (where have we heard that before? Take your pick)

By the way I'm Irish, and we arent as far up ourselves as some, of you!

I LOVE free speech!

Marc, ballymena,

What do you mean Gibson of Pasadena?

That i believe state's act largely out of self-interest? Or, that neither JL Ronish's view or the 'official' reason behind the conflict were major factors behind the conflict.

Let me know which of these views of mine are down to brainwashing by the media?

I am sure i am influenced by the media, as that is only natural, but i feel my post-graduate and under-graduate studies in international relations let me have, say, a slightly more realistic view of the current conflict than JL Ronish's "freeing the Iraqi people" babble.

I am sorry if i sound arrogant, but talk like that makes my blood boil at its lack of understanding, objectivity or even basic rationale.

Stewart , St Andrews, Scotland

It's interesting to read the nationalistic comments here. The world was not divided into countries when it began. People are born into the world and the whole world belongs to all of us. America's attitude as expressed in many of these comments is a selfish one. That is what hurts America. Martina has the rest of the world at her fingertips and owes America nothing. She paid taxes there like all the other immigrants and has the right to say whatever she wants. Those that say "go back to your own country" would do well to realize they are descended from immigrants themselves. Only the American Indians are true Americans and look at what the anglo Americans did to them. America is not the shining beacon it once was. It is now a corporate state with a glossy sheen and lapdog media. The rights Americans profess do not exist anymore. Foolishly they gave up habeaus Corpus, the right to privacy, and many other rights because of a guy in a cave. They did his work for him. Not very bright.

chris harrison, brunswick, georgia

Stewart of Scotland: if you believe all that then you are the one brainwashed by your media!!

Gibson, Pasadena, CA, USA

How slanted can your views be JL ronish.

Firstly, the US and co did not go into Iraq to free its people. That is a simple fact, maybe your media has brainwashed your memory. It was in my view a conflict to both secure oil reserves (the oil was privatised last week) and to bolster American's geo-political position in the Middle East.

Furthermore, the official reason was never to free its people (whatever the hell that means) "Hey, i got no bread, security or fuel, but heck, I CAN VOTE!"
The official reason was the need to neutralise Saddam's WMDs. (hmmm, which is curious as i don't think the Bush adm. would attack a country they thought actually had them (DPRK))

And lastly, the US like every state in the world acts largely out of self-interest. Like i could say, hey, if British soldiers hadn't help fight off the Germans in WW1, Paris would have been in German hands in the first few months. But it was in our interests to do so. As it was in US interests to try and contain the USSR.

Stewart , St Andrews, Scotland

Martina does not hate America........she hates Mr Bush and all he has been responsible for in the last almost 8 years! People are going to the polls in such huge numbers right now because they too, feel the same way..........disgusted at the direction in which America has been taken. Are Americans not entitiled to say what they think? I thought that was what freedom was about, wether you agree with them or not.

June Jannsen, Wurzburg, Germany

She found it OK for America to fight a cold war to free her country (which allowed her to get rich exploiting her tennis skills) from the grip of communism but finds it an embarassment for America to attempt to free the people of Iraq. Seems a selective and somewhat racist attitude to me.

JL Ronish, seattle, usa

If she hates America so much, why has she not renounced American citizenship?

Oh wait, having a US passport is too convenient... looks like the US isn't all bad, is it, Marty?

John F, London,

Today (March 3, 2008) I hear that the US Senate failed to reach a 2/3 majority to overturn Bush's veto against the abolition of torture.
It is bitter to experience such unbelievable changes in a country you have once looked up to.
Each country has the goverment it deserves!
Shame on you, Americans of the 21st century!
Good for you Martina Navratilova to speak your mind!

Martin Schmid, Karlsruhe, Germany

One of the greatest things about America s the freedom to do exactly what she did, openly complain without fear of retribution.

I'm always amused at those who cry no freedoms, but state it over and over in public, exactly what they say they are not permitted to do.

Since Czechoslovakia is her native country, I assume she will feel comfortable were she grew up and planted roots. I wish her well and hope the repression she originally fled doesn't return.

However, should she begin to miss the luxuries she grew accustomed to in America, I hope she is reminded of her statements of repression she imagined and stays put.

Lew Waters, Vancouver, Wa./USA

She's used the American passport to make millions and get acceptance of her lifestyle. Now that retirement beckons, she wants to go back to her roots. Why not use her influence and power from within the USA to challenge the goernment and their policies?

Hamad Lone, London, England

Bye - don't let the door hit you in the rear when you leave.

Why don't you also go Dave Smith? You won't be missed.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Whatever other problems the U.S. may have, a lack of free expression of dissenting opinions is not one of them. Bush is the most openly reviled president in history. Those who disagree with his policies protest long and loud with no fear of the consequences. Not a few have largely built their careers on it.

D.L. Anderson, Crossett, AR/U.S.A.

If Martina was honest about her motivations, she would've done this when Bush was elected (or re-elected). But she takes Czech citizenship right when Bush is about to be put out of office, and as a liberal democratic woman or a black man is (potentially) about to be elected? I say let her stay in Czech Republic and never return to Aspen. Citizenship is not something to be assumed or discarded haphazardly. Cleary Ms. Navratilova does not deserve to possess US citizenship.

Joey, Denver, CO, USA

She didn't 'dump Czech nationality when it suited her', she left an oppressive communist regime which threatened her career. That regime has now gone; why shouldn't she take her nationality back? She rejected the regime, not the country, just as she is doing now. What's wrong with that?

Sophie , Liverpool ,

That is great news let most America haters leave the US we are getting too crowded anyway. They come and take the good things this country offerers them and turn around and bash it. It is a shame we let them into the US in the first place that is much worse than having elected Mr Bush.

Richard, New Jersey, USA

Martina who?
I hate these America bashers

Sarah Gore, Paris, France

This is worthy of news? Yawn. Just another has-been who is desperate to regain some relevancy by bashing the Prez (like Streisand and Alec Baldwin). I am sure that Bush cares not a whit what she thinks - remember, he (twice) won a prize much bigger than a tennis tournament and will walk away in January laughing at all of these sad pathetic graspers. Get a life, Martina.

rob, brussels,

So she dumped her Czech nationality when it suited her and now she is doing the same with the States. Nationality is not something that we pick and chose: we owe duties to our country, which mirror the rights we have in return. To give up her US nationality after all this time suggests that Ms. Navratilova has forgotten the rights she has been accorded over the years that she would not have received under the Soviet era. It is worth remembering those who risk their lives to emigrate for a better life. I doubt they would renounce US nationality so lightly.

Laura, Milan, Italy

Not exactly showing gratitude. By the way who is this 'Bust'?

Jip, London,

That is a way to make a statement about one of the most imbecilic presidents to come down the pike. I too am ashamed to have a man like Bust represent my country to the world. Right on!!!!! Martina.

Dave Smith, Wadesboro, NC