Thank you for Destruction of Abu Dhabi mangroves stopped (August 5) and the editorial Protecting nature requires vigilance (August 7).
I watched this wanton vandalism from my apartment, high in the Sky Tower on Reem Island.
I was deeply saddened that the UAE Government would allow it.
Now I regret that this false assumption meant I didn't report the destruction as I should have. Sad. It will be a long time before that beautiful and essential reserve at my front door is restored.
Stephen Evans, Abu Dhabi
The editorial in defence of both regulation and enforcement to protect natural areas made sense.
Finding the balance between development and nature is not easy, but those who have been entrusted with this duty should always remember that once a natural habitat is gone, it won't ever be coming back.
Michael Khoury, Abu Dhabi
Federer seemed to give up in final
The Olympic gold-medal match (Roger Federer finds silver lining as others see a dark cloud, August 6) was highly disappointing.
Federer seemed to have lost hope after the first set and a half; after that his game just slid downwards. One could not believe that this was the world's top player on the court.
Roger's fans expected him to win gold, or at least put up a great fight against Andy Murray, and he did not. The price of being a hero is that you can never give up.
Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai
Speed 'buffer' adds complication
I don't understand the complexity inherent in having both published and real speed limits (Speed limit 'buffer' abolished, August 7).
Surely it would be easier for everyone if a reasonable limit were set, posted and enforced.
True, there has to be a little bit of "wiggle room" to allow for monitoring equipment that is less than perfectly precise. But confusing drivers about what speed they can get away with is a recipe for danger: the literal-minded will drive at the posted limit, while those in a hurry will push their luck. And a wide variety of driving speeds means more lane changes and tailgating, and so more accidents.
One clear limit is preferable.
Ahmed Jamal, Abu Dhabi
Slowing down good drivers is not a reasonable measure to take. The challenge is to slow down bad drivers, or get them off the roads altogether.
Less tolerance for those with infractions on their record, but more tolerance for good drivers, would be a better solution.
Lee Persoja, Abu Dhabi
Kurdish area is the pivot of conflicts
The item headed Kurdish issue is at the top of Turkish agenda (Arabic News Digest, August 6) made a good point.
The Kurdish homeland is a potential land bridge for many current and potential conflicts.
It provides a ground route for Iraqi Kurdistan to supply the Syrian Kurds as they seek greater autonomy from Damascus.
But its use will depend on which power dominates the tri-border area where Iraq, Syria and Turkey meet, for this district could equally provide Iran with a corridor for moving supplies to its Syrian surrogates and even to Hizbollah in Lebanon.
Name withheld by request
US Navy should pay generously
I refer to the story Fisherman shot by US Navy comes home (August 6).
It is good to hear these men and their families have received some compensation for the shooting and I hope they will receive more money as well, considering the circumstances.
I believe the US Navy should do the right thing.
Tricia Sutherland, Dubai
Egypt, Israel have a common enemy
Sinai attack gives Morsi a security headache (August 7) was an appropriate headline.
Mohammed Morsi does have a headache, and the best cure for it is maintaining the peace with Israel.
For now both Egypt and Israel have a common enemy; even Hamas has joined in calling the border-post attack an "ugly crime". Tim Upham, UK
PE teachers set an example for all
I was glad to read the report Shape up or lose your job, overweight PE teachers told (August 7).
But when I told my wife so, she looked me up and down and asked dryly "When will they get to overweight purchasing managers?"
But there's a difference: PE teachers are supposed to set an example.
Wayne Waters, Dubai
