Seek justice for all
From Mr. R.L. Clay, Manchester, Texas, US
I am an American, and a former soldier. What happened in the Iraq prison was a terrible thing, the world cries out for justice, as well it should. But where was the outcry when it was the Baath Party running the prisons and committing acts of torture in Iraq? Where was the outcry when terrorists beheaded an American, and videotaped it for the world to see?

Where was the outcry when 3,000 people, mostly Americans, were killed on 9/11? Why is the Arab world not crying out when acts of violence are carried out on people that are just trying to live their lives as best they can. We are all guilty of not caring for each other, or trying to understand each other.

Consequence of war
From A Reader, Oman
No decent human being believes that the death of Nick Berg is justified. Neither is the massacre of the 700 (mostly) civilians in Fallujah, nor the death of an eight-year-old Iraqi girl's parents as the result of an American raid on Najaf. No string talk of democracy and freedom will bring any of the aforesaid back. Death anywhere in the world leaves someone anguished.

The hard truth is that when leaders start a war with such casual cruelty, they set a chain of events in motion that could bring about either their own defeat or the death of their own citizens.
Name withheld by request

Desist to resist
From Mr. H. Camcigil, Dubai
It is an indication of the sad state of affairs that Arabs can only welcome the US decision to abstain from voting in the recent United Nations resolution condemning Israeli atrocities in Rafah. Is the US so afraid of offending Israel that it cannot bring itself to condemn the demolition of civilian homes and attacks on refugee camps?

Under what justification does it choose to remain silent in the face of such injustice? And, even more sadly, it is this most "neutral" of countries whom we ask to play a mediating role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Implement UN resolutions
From Mr. M. Chatur, Dubai
There is another UN resolution, re-affirming previous resolutions, reiterating and condemning the killing of Palestinian civilians in Rafah and demolition of homes by Israel. Why have more resolutions when they cannot be implemented?

UN resolutions are important as they represent the considered view of a majority of the people of the world. Consolidation of media control is not yet matched by diversification and development of cross media organisations globally. Thus, world leaders, the independent media and opinion makers have a major responsibility for and role in when – and if – UN resolutions make a difference or are implemented.

Collection point
From Ms M.S., Dubai
Moved by the plight of the inhabitants of Rafah, hundreds of whom have been made homeless by the recent Israeli offensive, I decided to show my support in the form of a financial donation. How ironic that in this Arab, Muslim country I have been unable to locate any collection point to make such a donation to the long-suffering Palestinians.

Yet, there are now three conveniently located outlets where I can be sure that a percentage of money spent on purchases from a shop in the UAE will inflate the coffers of the Israeli state. Arab solidarity? The Israelis must be laughing at the very idea, all the way to the bank.
Full name withheld by request

Invasion of privacy
From A Reader, Dubai
I refer to the article "SMS spammers target cell phone users in big way" (Gulf News, May 21). There should be a voluntary code or legislation to stop spam messages - it is an invasion of privacy.

In the UK, you can register your phone number, mobile or landline, with the Telephone Preference Service if you don't want to receive unsolicited calls. Also, companies have to get the customers "opt in" consent before they can market by phone call or SMS. If the customer "opts out" the company cannot call or send SMS messages. Due to the unregulated situation in the UAE, I cannot contact my sister in the UK by SMS because the UK network blocks all SMS from Etisalat!
Name withheld by request

Don't call here
From A Reader, Dubai
Why do people bother going to the cinema when all they want to do is talk to each other and make and receive mobile calls? I was at a cinema on May 20 trying to enjoy Troy with its excellent cast, but it was akin to standing in the middle of a large supermarket on a Friday afternoon with the added discomfort of having my seat regularly kicked from behind.

Can't people give up their mobiles and conversation for just a few hours? I am sure it would add to their enjoyment too!
Name withheld by request

Cost-effective
From Mr. N. Frank, Sharjah
I defer on Ashfaq Ahmed's viewpoint ("Mechanics' guesswork costs motorists dear" Gulf News, May 18). Recently, I took my car to a so-called qualified mechanic. His gadgets and expertise suggested that my car needed to be with him for a full day and that I needed to cough up a substantial amount of money so as not to further increase the damage.

On my way home, I took a second opinion from a stranger running a run-down garage. He just listened to the sound of the engine and immediately diagnosed it as a spark plug defect. He further gave me a choice. He could either clean the plugs and charge me Dh5 or change the set for Dh14. I opted for the latter, and the car runs good now.

Racetrack
From A Reader, Dubai
On May 11, I was driving towards exit 71 to Jumeirah on Emirates Road, when a container truck on the inside lane pulled out into the path of a pick-up truck in the middle lane, forcing it to swerve towards me in the outside lane. I slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision. The pick-up truck driver then proceeded to try to drive the container truck off the road.

The container truck driver fought back for a few hundred metres, until the pick-up hit the truck and forced it onto the hard shoulder. When I passed the pick-up, the driver was laughing. What is the police doing about drivers like these, who don't only risk killing themselves, but other innocent road-users as well?
Name withheld by request

Penalise severely
From Mr. R. Pradeep, Dubai
Recently, I watched a programme on rude motorists on the FoxNews network. Legislation may soon be introduced in Florida whereby rude motorists will be fined $80. Excessive honking, flashing l