A wish for the world
I wish we were all more conscious about the environment. The key is to reduce our usage of cars, paper, chemicals, petrol, plastics and electronic items.
In the long term, these products are destroying our world and affecting us even in our daily lives.
We should care about global warming, conserve energy and take the right steps to reduce the negative impact of our actions on the world.
Let us stop using anything that harms the environment, or at least reduce its usage. But most importantly, let us stop telling others and start with ourselves.
From Mr Tarek Syed
Dubai
Impressive defeat
I was very pleased to read that Hillary Clinton is ready to throw her full support behind fellow presidential candidate Barack Obama ("Clinton endorses Obama", Gulf News, June 8).
This act shows great sportsmanship and speaks volumes about her character.
Following her heated debates and great rivalry with Obama, I thought she would further discourage him and prevent him from moving forward with the daunting task of becoming America's first African-American president.
Through this act, she has proved many people wrong.
From Mr Mayank Mathur
Dubai
A new era
Barack Obama's win in the US Democratic nomination heralds a new era in democracy.
If elected as US president - and many of us have our fingers crossed for this event - I believe racism and the huge gap between the East and West will reduce, and the Middle East's peace process will follow a more logical and humane route.
Obama's ethnicity and the fact that he is a self-made man without any significant political heritage will allow him to gain fresh perspective on world issues.
He will assess them without any prejudice and will infuse a sense of balance in world politics.
From Mr Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai
Not the answer
Barack Obama is clearly not ready to be the president of the US. He is weak in developmental economics and foreign affairs.
His words seem superficial, and he is inexperienced as he has not truly seen the world or travelled enough.
How is he expected to comprehend the dynamics of international politics? If he is elected, the world will pay a very heavy price for his attempt to become a global leader.
As in the case of former US president Richard Nixon and even George Bush and his handling of Iraq, Obama is not the answer to America's political and economic problems.
From Mr Rajendra Aneja
Dubai
Fewer mishaps
Dubai Police's decision to impose stricter penalties against heavy vehicle drivers will undeniably help curtail traffic congestion ("Amended traffic laws impose stiff penalties", Gulf News, June 6).
Additionally, it will help reduce the appalling rate of accidents, especially during peak hours.
The new arrangements seem much more convenient for employees, but I believe it is the novice drivers who are the root cause of numerous accidents.
They are usually responsible for lane violations and indulge in speeding, often ignoring road rules.
The new law will help monitor and ensure that there are fewer road mishaps.
From Ms Kaveri Manoharan
Abu Dhabi
Night riders
I often wonder why bicyclists are allowed to ride on the streets at night. They often have no lights or reflective mirrors, they do not wear protective gear and they usually ride toward oncoming traffic. What are they thinking?
Motorists cannot see the bicyclists and have to swerve to avoid them at the last minute. They risk their own and others' lives.
From Ms Brigid Wheelahan
UAE
Unanswered
Weekend Review's cover story on the ongoing violence in South Africa against immigrants was timely ("All holds barred", Gulf News, June 6).
However, what has been sorely missed in such stories is an analysis of why the violence erupted in the first place.
There are suggestions that several South Africans are unhappy with the relative prosperity of the immigrants while they themselves wallow in poverty.
Has anybody tried to find out why black South Africans still live in such destitution after about a decade and a half under the rule of the African National Congress (ANC)?
From Mr Anurag
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Don't let us off
I recently booked my family on a RAK Airways flight but discovered through the recent Gulf News report that credit card payment is only acceptable if the cardholder is travelling as well ("Airline passengers taken off plane", Gulf News, June 7).
Several people were not aware of this fact when they made their bookings, and many travellers will be inconvenienced because of this rule.
I urge the airline not to let off passengers, but rather consider alternative proofs of purchase, such as a copy of the credit card with a letter confirming the transaction.
From Mr Priyantha Peiris
UAE
Pay for yourself
Although the implementation of the new rule by RAK Airways may lead to some embarrassment on the part of passengers, I think it is a good idea.
Travellers should buy their own tickets as the rate of card thefts is escalating drastically nowadays.
Implementing such rules is one way to stop stolen cards from being used.
From Mr Firozali Mulla
Dubai
