Opinions | Letters
December 18, 2008
Letters to the Editor: December 18, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 10:00 December 18, 2008
Freedom for Iraqis
Iraqis may consider the act of throwing the shoe at George W. Bush brave, but I don't think it's going to do any good for the nation's people ("Thousands rally for shoe attacker," Gulf News, December 16). This is just an individual act that Muntadar Al Zaidi committed for himself. But if it does stop the suicide bombings and other miseries faced by the people of Iraq, I welcome this move. We want to have a liberated Iraq that is free from the clutches of the US administration.
From Mr Raja Fahim U.R.
Abu Dhabi
Rush of happiness
I don't know what happened to me, but I felt a rush of happiness all over when George W. Bush was hit with the shoe.
From Ms Nette
Philippines,website comment
Unprofessional
The journalist should have been more professional.
From Ms Eunice
Dubai, website comment
Not acceptable
I hate US President George W. Bush and his policies, but I do not agree with what the journalist did.
From Ms Macky
Dubai, website comment
A hero
Thank you Muntader Al Zaidi. He is the hero of the year!
From Mr Fartun
Frankfurt, website comment
Justice done
The journalist is free to express himself and should be freed instantly. George W. Bush is a war criminal. Justice should be done to him.
From Mr Kobir
Helsinki, website comment
Being thankful
George W. Bush deserves more than this. He should thank God that only a shoe was thrown at him..
From Ms Aisha
Sharjah, website comment
Ethical
Some may say that it is unethical to throw shoes at someone, but is it ethical to kill thousands of people, render their families homeless and create widows and orphans?
From Ms Neelam
Abu Dhabi, website comment
Some solace
I am an American. I would like to give a blank cheque to the Iraqi journalist Muntadar Al Zaidi for having the guts to hit George W. Bush with a shoe. Considering the fact that Bush won't get a reward equal to the number of deaths he is responsible for, at least this is some solace. Al Zaidi really is the hero of this century.
From Mr Peter Grey
Los Angeles, website comment
He should be punished
The shoe-thrower should be severely punished so that nobody would ever think of doing such a stupid act again.
From Mr Alfred
Dubai, website comment
All shoes
Bush does not just deserve to be hit by an Iraqi shoe but the shoes of every person in the world.
From Ms Sandy
Washington, website comment
Say no to violence
All I can say is violence begets violence, in any form big or small.
From Mr Russell Picache-David
Manila, website comment
Starters
Bush deserves much worse than this but for starters it was not that bad.
From Ms Mehwish
Dubai, Website comment
Uncivilised
It was not at all a civilised act, especially from a mediaperson.
From Mr Surendran P.
Dubai, website comment
Worse
The Iraqi journalist is a hero. George W. Bush deserves worse than this.
From Mr Habib
Dubai, website comment
One for all
He did what probably every Iraqi, Muslim and Arab would like to do.
From Mr Hisham
Dubai, website comment
Pent up
It was the anger shown by Al Zaidi, which was kept in his heart for so long. Bush deserves more than this.
From Mr Naresh
Sharjah, website comment
Right action, wrong place
It was the right action at the wrong place. The journalist will suffer for what he did.
From Mr Ali
Sharjah, Website comment
Other ways
There must be other ways to tell Bush how you feel about him and his decisions
From Ms Tonette,
Al Ain, Website comment
Gutsy
Muntadar Al Zaidi has tremendous guts and courage
From Mr Arif Zaidi
Kuwait
An opportunity
I want to be the next to do what the journalist did. I just wonder how I can have the opportunity.
From Mr Mohammad
India, website comment
Waiting for taxi
My friend, our spouses and I planned to visit the Dubai Mall, recently. Despite waiting for a taxi in Satwa for two hours, none showed up. Therefore, we had to postpone our plan for the next day. On our second try, we decided to leave earlier and walked from Satwa to the World Trade Centre Roundabout to hail a taxi, but the situation was worse. There were hundreds of people waiting for taxis. Finally, we had to walk up to a nearby shopping centre to get a taxi.
From Mr Shahab Ahmad Khan
Dubai
Counter-attack
The Malegaon blast revelations are a tragic point in Indian history ("Malegaon blast suspicion points to BJP lawmaker", Gulf News, November 12). Never before in any nation across the world have serving army personnel from an overwhelming majority community perpetuated acts of terrorism against members of its nation's minority community. By doing so, they have destroyed national property and killed their own citizens. Communal parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena want to turn this sordid affair into a false tale of patriotism. These political parties have failed to realise that their open support to such tit-for-tat terrorism has the potential to destroy the nation itself. Surprisingly too, there has been no great public outcry or condemnation of all this by liberal secular thinking Hindus. Just as Muslims rush out on the streets to denounce terrorism after blasts, Hindus should also strongly display their rejection of such acts by denying any involvement with such political parties and denouncing their support for terrorism.
From Mr Javed Khan
Mumbai, India
Memorable
The three captains of Indian cricket — Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni — can be respectively described as aggressive, wise and compassionate ("India beat Australia by 172 runs", Gulf News, November 10). It was truly a memorable India–Aussie series that concluded, recently. It was not only memorable for the win, but for the grand and emotional send-off to two of giants of Indian and world cricket. The sight of Dhoni carrying Kumble on his shoulders and asking Ganguly to captain the side during the last moments of the final Test proved that cricket is still a gentleman's game. Dhoni made all of us proud by his gesture. I do not think any cricketer in the world had such an emotional and warm send-off and it shows that India does not just play cricket with spirit, but also with a big heart. Indian cricket and its people are proud of Kumble and Ganguly for their yeoman contributions and it is not going to be easy to replace them. In fact, it may be quite impossible, as they are rare gems and such players can only be found once in a lifetime. I wish them the very best in their future endeavors. I am sure the entire cricket-loving public will miss them.
From Mr Venkatesh
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Don't emphasise
Tragic incidents of suicide occur all over the world ("Florida teen kills self in front of live webcam", Gulf News, November 22). A person who suffers in many ways and faces failure in everything has the tendency to escape life. Unfortunately, many resort to committing suicide. Their behaviour and attitude depends mainly on the influence of their loved ones or the society around them, especially in times of difficulty. Additionally, one finds that teenagers or those who are still immature, have the tendency to experience suicidal thoughts as they consider themselves not brave enough to face the challenges that life throws at them. Emphasising on this particular incident will serve no purpose. Currently, movies have no censors in place, when displaying such issues. There needs to be a solution for this, because it affects young children and could encourage them to try such acts. Additionally, there should be greater awareness about the issue so as to make such people understand the significance of their lives, their responsibilities to their loved ones, the society and to the world — wherever they are.
From Ms Jessie Raju
UAE
Watching death
Abraham Biggs, you are not with us to hear our condolences and words ("Florida teen kills self in front of live webcam", Gulf News, November 22). All those people watched you die and sadly, not one of them was able to help you or stop you.
From Mr Renadev Mattathakoli
UAE
Virtual graveyard
I was appalled to hear of the incident wherein a teenager took his own life while thousands watched ("Florida teen kills self in front of live webcam", Gulf News, November 22). For a moment, I was at a loss for words as this inexplicable act sank in. However, as I read the corresponding Gulf News report, it became clear that the teenager did not do this on impulse. He has been mulling over committing suicide for some time as he considered himself a 'failure'. What angers and shocks me is that none of the mute spectators of this self-staged suicide acted to save him or at least dissuade him. Have we become so inhumane that even the act of a young life being snuffed out before our very eyes doesn't move us to act? Timely intervention by even one individual could have saved young Abraham Biggs's life. My heart goes out to his family and I can only hope that the internet does not become a virtual graveyard for any other depressed individual — young or old. Online counseling centres manned by volunteers, social workers, psychiatrists, educationists, teachers and psychologists around the world need to contribute and join forces to at least lend a patient ear to people in psychological distress. Of what use is our education, knowledge and expertise if it cannot even save an innocent life? If we do not do something soon, it will not be long before many other such lives are lost.
From Ms Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai
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