Letters: April 26, 2012

Solitary confinement
There has been speculation recently whether Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the Oslo shootings, is sane or not (‘Court in shock as Norway gunman describes massacre’, Gulf News, April 21). I say, it doesn’t matter. During court proceedings, he has upheld his grotesque reasoning for shooting teenagers and plotting to eliminate all members of the Norwegian cabinet. He considers 21 years in prison a ‘pathetic punishment’ and granting him the death penalty would only seem to pander to his perverse wish for glory. At the end of the day, sane or not, Breivik’s actions show that he fits one important criterion — that of a terrorist. Breivik is responsible for the single-handed killing of 77 people. He deserves solitary confinement in prison — for life. Without an audience and without a podium.
From Ms Sophie Vita
Sharjah

Illogical
A 21-year prison sentence? That’s it? For killing so many young people? Is that fair or remotely logical?
From Ms Sarah
Dubai

A fitting punishment
The rule of execution does not exist in Norway. However, for the first time they considered it against Breivik. Worst of all if declared medically insane then he gets into psychiatric therapy and could be released sooner.
From Mr Joel
Dubai

Why are you afraid?
Why are people commenting anonymously in this forum? I don’t find any of the comments to have a message of hatred or abuse, so why are they so afraid?
From Mr Steve Hutchinson
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Delicious recipe
It hurts to see that fast food is cheaper than regular food (‘Easy availability of fast food spurs unhealthy lifestyles’, Gulf News, April 21). That’s simply because most of the ingredients are from genetically modified crops like corn and soy and also because trans fats are being used to make the food look, feel and taste delicious. Add to that the intentional use of sugar and heavily marbled meat to make the burgers juicy and delicious and you begin to understand why there is an ongoing obesity epidemic. Fast food chains intentionally refine grains and fatten up their burgers to make them delicious. It also makes them ‘nutritionally bankrupt’.
From Mr Michel S.
Dubai

Maintaining a balance
It is very true that there are many fast food chains. However, there are a lot of other nutritional foods that people could eat. But I have a doubt, even though you eat a lot of fast food, can’t it be maintained by exercising regularly and eating a lot of vegetables?
From Ms Hassan
Abu Dhabi

The right way forward
I fully agree with the writer Shashi Tharoor (‘India needs to show a generosity of spirit’, Gulf News, April 21). India being the bigger country will always have to take the initiative and right now is the golden opportunity. Such coincidences come once every few decades; as such India must make the most of this opportunity. The event that happened in Siachen could be solved with minimum risk from the opposition. In one shot Congress can divert the attention of the whole nation from all the scams to something positive. Even if a minor breakthrough is achieved it will create a positive atmosphere that will help solve other small issues with great ease.
From Mr Juzer Hussain
Mumbai, India

Another fall
I always dread reading news of children falling out of windows in the UAE (‘Boy falls to death at Sharjah resort hotel’, Gulf News, April 22). I read this at least once or twice a month. I sincerely request the authorities in Sharjah to inspect high-rise buildings for safety and to serve notice to rectify any constructional hazards. Losing a child is extremely traumatic, and I think every parent will agree.
From Ms Priti Mackinnon
Dubai

Why isn’t there a name?
Why don’t you publish the name of the fast food restaurant (‘Father says pesticide poisoning or spoilt food is likely cause of death’, Gulf News, April 23)? At least the rest of the public can take care. Does your newspaper have no moral obligations towards the public?
From Mr M. Mathew
UAE

Editor’s note: The restaurant’s name is withheld because it is not yet proven by law that the boy died due to food poisoning from the food from a particular restaurant. It is a suspected food poisoning case. Police are investigating and will reveal the name if proven.