Waste-to-energy project a move in the right direction
The best part of Why waste could be the future of energy (June 9) is that it's happening right here in the UAE.
Clearly, a long-term nationwide campaign is needed to help fuel interest in waste-to-energy technologies, and to educate the public about the benefits of biofuels, as well as the need to separate their waste, and to conserve fuel and electricity.
It is important to start with changing people's basic habits - to reduce, recycle and reuse.
Bassem P Fakhry, Dubai
Shisha smoke is a danger to children
I would like to endorse the points made in the letter Clearly demarcate smoking zones (June 7), which refers to a news story about 600,000 people dying each year as a result of passive smoking.
I would like to take the argument one step further and refer to the large number of young parents who come to smoke shisha in places such as the Marina Walk - and bring their children, including infants, along with them.
Seeing these young children being exposed to their parents' smoke is very painful. I have often tried to discreetly advise them of the need to protect the fragile lungs of their children. Nearly all of them respond by thanking me.
A few continue to smoke and one of them even told me: "You cannot love my child more than me."
With child-protection measures being put in place in the UAE, is it now time to place serious restrictions on bringing children into smoking areas. Baquer Namazi, Dubai
Call for ban on dangerous jetskiers
I am writing in reference to Residents want jet ski ban enforced (June 7), about the concerns of Palm Jumeirah residents.
Jet skis are incredibly antisocial and dangerous. People who ride them have no consideration for others and just want to show-off.
Jet skis should be banned anywhere near residential areas or public beaches - which covers most of Dubai. S Moore, Dubai
Peg to dollar an overdue issue
The talks described in Gulf banks debating currency peg to dollar (June 7) are long overdue.
This discussion has been in existence for a while. It makes more sense to peg a currency to a tangible element like gold or silver.
We all know about the culture of printing money in the West, which is causing many economic woes. Why on Earth would Middle East countries endanger their future economic well-being by pegging their currencies to the dollar?
Joe Burns, Dubai
Marriage really is worth fighting for
I want to share my ideas on the topic of divorce (Women are still too often the losers in divorce matters, June 9).
Divorce damages individuals and has an impact at a family level.
On a personal level, it can lead to distrust of the opposite sex. Divorced people can begin to doubt that they'll ever find love again.
On a family level, there is the pain of sharing custody and the pressure of compensating children with expensive gifts and luxuries - in short, spoiling them.
Psychologists suggest that children living in single-parent families tend to be poor at their studies and develop aggressive habits. These children grow up not believing in marriage.
Divorce is highly discouraged in Asia and the Middle East, and that is probably the reason depression rates are lower in people whose families stay intact.
I come from South-east Asia, where divorce is treated as a last resort. In most cases, people sort out their differences and try to reconcile for the sake of their children or families. They put other's needs ahead of their own.
We should understand that nobody is born perfect and, like every endeavour, marriage requires hard work. People must learn to look beyond the other's weaknesses and focus on the positive side.
Rabia Rizwan, Dubai
Time for the boys to become men
I understand what Asmaa Al Hameli has written in her blog post, Love for others what you would love for yourself (June 9).
I am a guy and I find it funny how many other guys think that doing a stupid thing will actually attract girls.
I am referring to things like "vrooming" with their car, or wearing yellow pants with a pink shirt and yellow sunglasses, or trying to walk like 50 Cent.
Come on guys, man-up. Women don't like such guys any more.
Moiz SA, Sharjah
