New Philippines president tough on crime
Though his efforts are sincere and helped him attain this position, most of the suggestions cannot be implemented in letter and spirit, in a democratic set-up (‘Philippines’ Duterte vows hangings, shoot-to-kill in war on crime’, Gulf News, May 16). Establishing the severity of punishment is important. Tackling unemployment and corruption effectively are also equally important in a country like the Philippines. Employment opportunities would naturally reduce the scope of crime. It is often the political leaders who rob resources and stop nations from their progressive march. Most of the time, whether they care to admit it or not, they are acting against their own nation and citizens.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
No need to worry
As they say, the death penalty is only an issue to those who do not abide by the law. Criminals, drug dealers, rapists and dangerous individuals are the only ones who need to be worried.
From Mr Phil Jones
Dubai
Facebook comment
Public execution is the issue
I’m okay with bringing back the death penalty. However, I’m against public execution.
From Mr L. M. Destura
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Comfort first
High heels have become the definition of elegance, class and beauty for women (‘It should be a crime to force women to wear high heels’, Gulf News, May 17). Many of them do not even spare a thought about the pain and discomfort they put themselves in by opting to wear heels. Some women have also experienced severe back ache and leg pain due to their high heels, which, more often than not, can render them bruised, badly hurt or unable to walk. I would forgo anything for my comfort, even if it meant high heels.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Wearing heels rarely
If I wear high heels, for the next four days, my feet are in pain. So, I wear them once or twice a year only.
From Ms Manana Murtiko
UAE
Facebook comment
Why live in pain for beauty?
There is societal pressure to wear heels. We’re supposed to look a certain way and act a certain way. I wish we could break these norms without feeling underdressed or sheepish at events. I know women with bunions on their feet after years of wearing heels and I don’t want that for myself or my daughters.
From Ms Caroline Jones
Dubai
Facebook comment
A great initiative in Dubai
Indeed, it’s a very good initiative to set up a system to monitor wages (‘Dubai to set up wage monitoring system’, Gulf News, May 17). I hope it works well to protect us from employers. I’m not denying the fact that Dubai has grown at a phenomenal rate, but the growth and treatment by employers should grow at the same rate, for the many hard-working and dedicated residents.
God has made us all humans, so let us show our humanity in every act we do.
From Ms Bindu Choudhary
UAE
Facebook comment
Colonial mistakes
Libya was formed regardless of the needs of the original tribes and territories in the region: Tripolitania, Cirenaica and Fezzan-Ghadames (‘Libya needs assistance, not intervention’, Gulf News, May 17). The main mistake was made by the Italian colonists first and the British at the end of the colonial era, when they incorporated the three states under the name ‘Libya’!
From Mr Carlo Bini
UAE
Facebook comment
Don’t leave children alone
Leaving children at home alone is dangerous. For starters, they could leave the gas on, insert metal into electric sockets, try a balancing act from the balcony, try falling head down in a bucket of water and indulge in many more hazardous actions (‘The youngest is home alone. What’s the worst that could happen?’, Gulf News, May 17). It’s not a very bright idea to leave children home alone! They are curious – we all were.
From Mr Jibu Thomas George
UAE
Facebook comment
Maturity level
I used to have an hour after school alone, before my parents got home. It was harmless and I usually just watched television for an hour unless I had been asked to do something before they got home. There were snacks available to make do with, until everyone arrived home for dinner. I think that it does not necessarily have to do with a certain age where children can be left home alone, as much as it has to do with their maturity level. I was eight years old, but my parents knew I wasn’t going to do something stupid and dangerous.
From Mr Earl Wong
Dubai
Facebook comment
Not a time for phones
Some people are quick to blame this man for divorcing his wife so quickly, but have you ever been near your spouse whom you miss and want to talk to about everything and anything, but she’s so involved in texting that she is just smiling into her phone (‘Saudi bride divorced minutes after marriage ceremony’, Gulf News, May 17)? Imagine such a person as the mother of your children. I would have done the same. It was the first day of their marriage together — phones should be as far away as possible, because it’s a big day for both of them.
From Mr Hassan Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
Marriage takes work
I understand it’s a big day for both spouses, Mr Hassan Ali. However, the solution is not a divorce. They just got married, so they should have worked things through and helped each other to become better people. I’m sure there is a character or habit in him that she would have come to dislike, yet she would have tried to bear it. Marriage takes work.
From Mr Mohammad Abdallah
London, UK
Facebook comment
Why marry at all?
Mr Hassan Ali, if that’s the nature of the person someone is marrying, surely they simply wouldn’t marry them in the first place?
From Mr John Paul
UAE
Facebook comment
No reason
Divorce without any serious valid reason is unreasonable. It should not have been the solution, taken so easily within minutes after marriage, based on such a simple reason. The matter would have been sorted out with conversation, but it shows how the groom did not favour this union. I guess everything happens for a reason. God knows best.
From Ms Aisha Affandi
Dubai
Facebook comment
Without love
When you marry someone you don’t love, there are many excuses one would think of to get out of it. When a couple loves each other, no matter what, they will be together till the end.
From Mr Memeomer Memoaljabri
Dubai
Facebook comment
Protect journalists
Bihar’s Chief Minister recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of a journalist made for a very good read (‘Bihar CM urges CBI probe into murder of journalist’, Gulf News, May 17). The journalist’s death created a sensation in the Indian state of Bihar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s order for the CBI probe, as per his family’s request, was a welcome decision. Journalists should be protected by the government as they are bringing truth to light in society, and taking big risks in their day to day work. Good move by Kumar.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Unpredictable elections
Voters across the Indian state of Kerala lined up at polling booths from early morning on Monday to cast their votes (‘After robust polling, Kerala LDF hopes to return to power’, Gulf News, May 18). It was raining cats and dogs, but it did not stop them from fulfilling their duty. It was a record turnout of 74.12 per cent. One of the attractions of this election was when the Governor of Kerala, P. Sathasivan and wife Saraswathi Sathasivam cast their vote. It is the first time in the state’s history that a governor has participated in the election. At the end of the day, even the most cynical Keralite will agree that this election was as unpredictable as they come, with many a twist and turn keeping it alive till the very last moment.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
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