July 22, 2008

Stick to facts
I am not really sure what Gulf News is trying to imply by placing the picture of Nelson Mandela alongside that of Samir Kantar ("Truthful promise fulfilled," Gulf News, July 16). Kantar is a man who has murdered people; irrespective of the cause. He has served his sentence and now is back in his homeland. The parallel between Mandela and Kantar is not only irrelevant but insulting, too - Mandela shed not a single drop of blood. A noble man does not seek solace in the hope of being declared a martyr. Rather than Gulf News becoming imbibed with a pseudo-political agenda, I suggest it sticks to facts like other newspapers do.
From Mr Daniel Hajjar
UAE

Not accurate
The headline describing Samir Kantar as a "hero" in the print version of Gulf News points out to serious short comings in the standards of the publisher. What the editor has to realise is that Kantar was not a man who planted a bomb in a busy occupied Jerusalem street and killed scores of people – he was a person who bludgeoned a four year old child to death with the butt of his rifle. And as such, he cannot claim he did not know who would get hurt. While I agree that the Israelis are not innocent of bloodletting themselves - I'm presuming that it is the responsibility of this newspaper to know what to stand up for. I'd like to see the editor respond to this. Please remember that the role of a newspaper is to report news - and not to treat it as a personal blog of sorts to champion one's beliefs.
From Mr. Mark I.
UAE
Full name with held by request

Shocking
I consider Gulf News a serious newspaper. Thereby, I was shocked when the newspaper compared Nelson Mandela with Samir Kantar - a teenager shooting a couple of unarmed people. How could this happen?
from A Reader
UAE
Name withheld by request

Undo wrong
Blatant immoral and illegal acts of interrogation and torture at Guantanamo Bay are being reported from time to time. The whole world knows about these dastardly practices through various news media. How are such atrocities being reported upon, with nothing being done to curb the situation? What is wrong with us?
From Mr John Mann
UAE

Simple techniques
Gulf News's articles being sequentially published under the score of 'Go Green' have been interesting, informative and thought provoking. This simple and effective technique, to impart eco-friendly best practices, is missing in most of the leading newspapers in the Indian sub-continent to the best of my knowledge.
From Mr Bharat Ramchandani
Gujarat, India

No place for us
Every day, there are several youngsters who use a large stretch of Al Ittihad Park, in Sharjah to play football. This denies the rest of us from access to the grassy areas. I hope the authorities will look into this matter and find a solution to this problem.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request

Doing great
I appreciate everything that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is doing to make our lives easier. I think people need to be more patient and allow time for the RTA to improve the road system in this country. My regards to every leader and worker at the RTA; they have really done a marvellous job so far.
From Ms Maram Zawaideh
Dubai

Modern maintenance
The UAE is a pioneer in many modern real estate projects. However, while focusing on upcoming developments, it would be advisable for the authorities to consider improving the existing infrastructure as well. Frequently, highway and road markings are maintained and painted manually. Instead, the authorities could consider fixing coloured curbstones or fibre-coated curbstones. These would be easier to maintain, as they would only need to be washed at regular intervals. I am sure it would be a cost-effective and time saving solution.
From Mr G. Ramasubramaniam
Abu Dhabi

Waiting to happen
I have been in the emirates for the past 25 years and witnessed innumerable cases of extremely dangerous driving ("Reckless bus drivers must get stiff fines," Gulf News, July 18). Most of the popular 12- and 15-seat minibuses seem to be built for narrow roads. They are fitted with narrow tyres and are driven at speeds far in excess of that tolerated in most other countries. Such vehicles that drive well above the allowed speed limit frequently overtake me. If a sudden move has to be made with a loaded vehicle, then it is all too common for them to lose control and turn over. Unless these drivers are trained and monitored well, more accidents might be waiting to happen.
From Mr Mike Otty
UAE