Portray it in action
From Ms B.J. Turner, Arkansas, USA.
I refer to the article "With a friend like Bush, Blair requires no more enemies" by Mustapha Karkouti (Gulf News Online, November 18). Some people protest against US policy because it directly opposes what the domination and dictatorship they desire.

Bush is as good a target as any since he bluntly says what he thinks and won't waver on his policies toward terrorism. The man is no push over, coward or lame brain, as some would like the world to believe of him.

The time is past to "talk" terrorists out of their primary aim. It is time for action on the part of the many who don't want a world controlled by these sadistic barbarians.

Be independent
From A Reader, Dubai.
Almost everyone seems to be mad at President Bush for occupying Iraq. Maybe Bush should mind his own business and return to Texas and deal with the many problems the US has to offer.

I would love it actually. It is my hard-earned tax dollar that is paying for all the billions being spent to rebuild Iraq.

However, the real issue here is that no one wants to admit that they need someone else's help.

Yet our day-to-day lives are so dependent on the rest of the world. If you really mean what you say about one country meddling in others business, you should send your car back to Germany, mobile phone to Japan, etc., and make do with what your country has to offer.
Name withheld by request.

Help the needy
From Ms D.D. Gadre, Dubai.
On November 16, I read Today in History (Gulf News, Tabloid) about the Nazi German attack on Moscow. The war scene has become so common every day that many people never gave it a thought.

War, destruction and other social evils have led to the degradation of social and moral values.

Nowadays there are only a few people who really give these ethically important things a thought. The fortunate ones have forgotten how the unlucky ones suffer.

We should do something for them. This will help in arousing our moral values. We will learn to respect humanity and become good human beings.

Annoying
From Mr. R.N., Abu Dhabi.
The article "Mobile users annoyed at volley of unsolicited SMS" (Gulf News, November 18) states: "Etisalat however sought to reassure its mobile phone customers hounded by nuisance SMS messages that there is a course of action for them to take."

On November 18 at 3:30 am, I received an SMS message from a satellite TV channel for an offer in return for a subscription. Now what action will Etisalat take? Can Etisalat reply (not by SMS at midnight)?
Full name withheld by request.

Opt out service
From Mr. J. Turnbull, Abu Dhabi.
I recently complained a satellite TV channel would not stop bombarding me with SMS, Etisalat told me "it was not their business", so your article telling us they "care" is a surprise.

If there were the slightest sincerity with its customer privacy claims, it would have set up an "opt out" service as in other countries. Yes, 40 companies are "just anybody".

For Etisalat to give our numbers to those who annoy with unsolicited SMS is wrong in anyone's logic, especially when you travel abroad and receive them at midnight and perhaps at extra billing.

If not concerned about making money by any means possible, they should stop this practise.

Unsolicited SMS
From Mr. N.P., Dubai.
I lodged a complaint with Etisalat regarding SMS messages at all hours of the day, from the same vendor.

It replied (quite fast) with a diplomatic message, but did manage to provide me the vendor's name. I contacted it and promised to remove me from its distribution list.

There should be a pre-requisite from Etisalat, where companies offering SMS broadcasting services, should provide a web page (or SMS number) to unsubscribe yourself.

Surely if we count the number of unsolicited email, fax, SMS and telephone calls a day, we'll find it has a huge impact on productivity as a whole.
Full name withheld by request.

High risk
From Mr. P.V. Abdul Nasser, Dubai.
I refer to a photograph of a worker cleaning Dubai's Hamriya mosque ("Touch-up time" Gulf News, November 17). The worker is neither wearing a protective helmet nor any safety harness as per standard stipulated by authority, hence posing a potential hazard.

The worker is likely to end up in fatal accident in case of any fall.

The Gulf News has published several photographs of unsafe working condition at the construction sites.

But seemingly Dubai Municipality is not interested in enforcing Environment Protection and Safety Section's Construction Safety Guidelines on these contractors.

It appears that nobody is ready to implement proactive safety strategies and wake up only when major construction site tragedies claim many lives due to poor safety standards at work places.

Stop at the bus stop
From Ms S. Chowdhary, Dubai.
On October 24, after shopping at a supermarket in Karama, I decided to take bus No. 23 to Hor Al Anz.

At 7.25pm the bus reached the bus stop but it did not stop despite the fact it was almost empty. Other women including myself waved our hands to draw the driver's attention but he ignored us and sped off.

This driver should be punished so that people do not have to suffer unnecessarily.

Dubai Municipality, Public Transport Department, replies:
We do expect the drivers to stick to the rules of Dubai Municipality. Drivers who violate the rules will definitely be disciplined through the code of conduct and rules decided by Dubai Municipality. There is no justification for any bus driver to avoid any particular bus stop. This will be construed as gross disregard to both the statutory rules and passenger comfort.

Based on the details furnished by Ms Chowdhary, we shall conduct necessary investigation and take necessary remedial action. The travelling public are once again requested through the Letters column to use our toll free phone 800-4848 to register their complaints and suggestions.

Unacceptable parking
From Ms A. Lukose, Dubai.
On Fridays, I notice several cars waiting on the Umm Hurair Road at around 11 am in front of St. Mary's Church Dubai.

They are waiting to collect children coming out of the church.

I do not object to someone stopping the car for a short time, but parking on the main road for more than 20 minutes and the driver reading newspaper with the hazard lights on! Dubai Police should take action against such offenders.