November 23, 2005

Speeding kills

I am glad to note that a Swedish institute has carried out surveys on the maximum speed limits on roads and has concluded that it is not safe to increase the speed limits beyond 120kph (Gulf News, November 21). I hope the Abu Dhabi Traffic authorities do not increase the existing speed limit of 120kph.

From my observation and experience of driving, 120kph is a reasonably good speed limit. In the company that I work, we have lost at least three UAE youngsters (trainees) in the past two years to speeding.
From Mr P. Rajagopalan
Abu Dhabi

Dealing with catastrophe

Apropos the news item "Organ sharks stalk impoverished villagers in quake-affected areas" (Gulf News, November 20), the anguish and the turmoil of those people are still on the rise and donor fatigue has already set in.

Recently a documentary by Faeza Dawood aired on ARY channel carried a similar incident where a young girl displayed her disillusionment when she related how she saw people robbing others and grabbing things from the rubble. But then we have to understand the magnitude of the catastrophe was so large, it is logically impossible for Pakistan to deal with it in any better way.
From Mr R. Malik
Sharjah

Soaked in the rain

Since the earthquake hit parts of Pakistan and India, there has been a collection of relief goods behind Choithrams' supermarket in Sharjah. However, no one has cleared the place of the plastic bags containing these goods. As a result it looked like a dumping ground. It was rather sad to see the plight of the packets after the rain on Saturday. Obviously no one will bother to dry the contents and thus all the goods will be destroyed. When there is no proper organisation to collect for such a charitable cause, one feels doubtful about donating at all.
From Ms Meenakshi
Sharjah

Be sympathetic

While I write this, one more car bomb blast has taken away more than 50 precious lives in Iraq. But who cares? The dead were Iraqis. I still have to hear a single statement from the so-called liberators denouncing the crime or paying sympathies for the dead. God bless Iraq and its people.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Stick to rules

It is unfortunate that a 10-year-old British boy died in the parasailing accident (Gulf News, November 19) and even more tragic that maybe this accident could have been avoided.

It is important that parasailing companies follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of their customers. One rule is that an altitude of over 600 feet is discouraged when in close proximity to the shoreline or objects. Also if wind conditions are above 18 knots then parasailing should not be attempted by novices.
From Ms J.P. Andrews
Abu Dhabi

Wrong medium

I refer to the story of Mr and Mrs Rupert Wise who were held by Iranians (Gulf News, Tabloid, November 16). Being held captive anywhere is horrible, but if he claims to have been in the Middle East for 20 years … Abu Mousa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, all islands, have been in the media, internationally for many years. Note the Mrs is a writer!

They should just have to admit their mistakes and not insult the media.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

In fairness to all

I am angered by Mr Datoo's letter ("Democracy, equality and justice", Gulf News, Online, November 20), stating that as a British Muslim he could be held without charge, on the grounds of suspicion.

I am 100 per cent English, white and in my 50s and I could also be held on the same principle. The British are advocates of democracy where one rule judges all.
From Ms S. Fischer
Bad Driburg, Germany

Husband beating

As a receiver of numerous beatings from the hands of the love of my life, I read the article ("Husband-bashing", Gulf News, Tabloid, November 8) with great interest. However, I felt it to be lacking in the fact that it only highlighted the problem and gave an unhelpful list of symptoms that was a mix up from both the aggressor and the victim.

Having identified a problem, please could there be some focus on hope for the future? With small children in the picture, surely many others would rather stand and fight the demon rather than move on like a coward.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

The real Aoun

Some people think that Michel Aoun is a secular and patriotic Lebanese leader (Gulf News, Online, November 21). Wasn't it Aoun who accepted the support of the Lebanese Forces (LF) under Samir Geagea and its Israeli backers, Dany Chamoun as well as Saddam Hussain in the 1980s? Whatever happened to his Lebanese patriotism back then? He then dumped the LF and took over some other port areas to extort money in the name of customs and taxes revenue to maintain his fiefdom. Aoun is a calculative politician who is lusting for power.
From Mr E.M. Abdel Sattar
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Record breaker

Congratulations to Rahul Dravid and his young brigade for stopping the South African juggernaut from equalling Australia's record of winning 21 consecutive one-day international matches in cricket. Well done India!
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Dubai

Sound off

There has been a steady and rapid decline in the taste of music being played in children's stores throughout the malls of the UAE. Some shops are playing music that is so inappropriate that I often have to ask the shop workers to turn the vulgar music off or change the CD. Are there no regulations as to what businesses are allowed to play as "background" music in their shops? If there isn't, then there certainly should be for children's sake!
From Ms L.R. Nichols
Abu Dhabi