The recent breakdown of law and order in London (Britain burns for a fourth night, August 10) does more than expose the soft underbelly of the police in that city.
I watched the police stand helplessly as hoodlums of all ages carted away items ranging from cans of Coke to LCD TVs from a Tesco supermarket.
This is disgraceful, disgusting and damaging to the image of the UK as a civilised country. Worse still, it raises concerns over how well equipped London is or will be for the 2012 Olympics.
Decisive action is needed to end this. I hope David Cameron, the prime minister, means business when he says fire will be met with fire. These hoodlums must be stopped.
N Madichie, Sharjah
I refer to your story The queen of London's suburbs now looks like a pauper (August 10).
These riots are a testament to the sad state of our world today. It may be youths in London acting out in this instance but the sentiment is the same everywhere in the world.
There is a severe dearth of leadership and all of us seem to have abdicated personal responsibility and values in the quest for the shortest and easiest path to wealth and success with little or no effort.
Vaish Words, India
Good news about food delivery
I was excited to learn about foodonclick.com, the restaurant-delivery website (Fast food, no hassle, August 10).
This service is so practical and modern. Now I can throw out the big ugly pile of menus I keep adjacent to my telephone, and can use my computer instead.
Thank you for informing me of this website.
RV Menon, Dubai
How long until water park opens?
The story about plans for a big new water park (Abu Dhabi out to make a splash, August 10) made me say "it's about time!"
This is such an obvious concept for our climate, where you can enjoy a pool or water park almost all year around. I'm sure this place will do big business once it opens. My family will be there.
Claudia Wakefield, Abu Dhabi
Hiring practices are unjust
I was saddened to read that many businesses in Israel are becoming more restrictive about hiring (Rights groups condemn trend for 'Jews only' labour, August 10).
This practice was bad enough when it was covert.
For all its talk about how well it treats its Arab minority, Israel can be nastily hypocritical.
Tom Goldman, UK
Car story shows real corruption
Stories about corruption and abuse of power are common, but you don't really grasp such things until you read the details, as in your report 234 cars seized from Ben Ali clan (August 10).
One member of Tunisia's ruling family, a young student, owned 10 cars, the story said.
And family members used vanity plates and tinted window, illegal for the public.
Specific details such as these are what make readers realise just how corrupt the country had become.
Name withheld by request
Al Sadr doesn't really want peace
Muqtada Al Sadr, the Iraqi cleric and political leader, urges US troops to go home so "that you and we, as well, lead a peaceful life together" (Iraqi religious leader urges US to end its 'invasion' of Iraq, August 10).
But if Mr Al Sadr wants a peaceful life, why does he lead a large well-armed militia? In reality his faction, like Hizbollah in Lebanon, is a sinister state-within-a-state, waiting to take power or to intimidate the legitimate government, just as Hizbollah does in Lebanon.
Iran has success with these tactics because nobody challenges them.
Larry Brown, Dubai
Machine-made baguettes: non!
One of the many pleasures of a trip to France is the glorious baguettes. People argue over whether it's the flour, the water, or what that makes plain French bread so wonderful.
So it's amazing to see that somebody thinks he can automate the baguette (French baker bids to rake in dough …, August 10).
But when I read the story I saw that these baguettes are still made the old way, just kept in a machine that finishes the baking to order.
I'm still doubtful. The pleasure of going into a boulangerie is much greater than the pleasure of machine-finished bread.
Helen Kearnes, Dubai
