Let's do more to alleviate suffering of Syrian people
I am commenting on the Arabic News Digest item Baniyas slaughter shows what Al Assad plans (May 6).
It's a tragedy when some people get killed, and others stand and watch. This often happens when dollars and machine guns overshadow compassion. Where do people go from here? How are we supposed to react to a phenomenon like this?
The massacre of Baniyas is trending on Twitter, but do the comments and descriptions make this issue a priority for any leader in any part of the world?
Baniyas, a coastal area in western Syria, was home to hundreds, or maybe thousands of men, women and children who were mercilessly killed. To whom can we ask the question why?
Most of us have our hands tied behind our backs and mouths taped shut, but inside we are burning with anger. Let us do something to help the people there.
Clothes and financial donations are no longer the main priority. We need to stop these inhuman acts. The cruelty being perpetrated on the innocent people of Syria is unforgivable.
Razan Elzubair, Abu Dhabi
Train pets before you take them out
I went out for a walk in the evening the other day in Khalidiya behind the Adco compound and saw a young couple strolling on the footpath with their small child. The little boy was running around on the footpath when he suddenly stamped on dog excrement.
Dirt lying on footpaths in residential areas is common. People train their pets well so that they do not spoil their homes. But some dog owners don't seem to be trained enough to clean the mess created by their pets. Something must be done to keep the city clean.
U Siddiqui, Abu Dhabi
Some dog owners are allowing their pets to relieve themselves around the Awaj Tower, Crystal Tower and Moon Tower in Khalidiya.
Owners who do not clean up the mess create an unhealthy environment, especially for children who play in the area.
I hope the municipality will take strict action and fine the pet owners who are to blame. We all want to live in a healthy, clean environment.
Mehreen Syed, Abu Dhabi
Why do terrorists target civilians?
I refer to the news article Car bombs kill 42 in Turkey (May 12). It is sad to see violence raging across this region.
Although it is not known who caused this carnage or why, it is natural to suspect Syria, as Turkey has indicated. In such incidents, most of the victims are innocent civilians. That is painful.
K Ragavan, India
Iron Man 3 is full of violence
I have to take issue with The National's suggestion (Five things to do today, April 21) that readers might like to take their "baby or toddler to the movies and enjoy films at a lower volume and with ample lighting" when the film in question is Iron Man 3. In case you haven't seen it, Iron Man 3 is 130 minutes of virtually non-stop violence and destruction including attacks by helicopter gunships, bombings, mutilations, bloody fist-fighting and oh yes, a female cadaver minus an arm hanging from some telephone wires. It has a PG13 certificate.
Are you seriously suggesting that this is suitable viewing for babies and toddlers, even at low volume?
Or do you assume that very small children are somehow immune to the effects of what is on screen?
Sara Montgomery, Al Ain
End taboo over mental health
I refer to the blog post Seeing a psychiatrist does not mean you are insane (May 8). I think it's wrong to say that people do not want to visit a psychiatrist.
Many people do, but they are worried because of the stigma attached to psychiatric treatment. They think that if they visit a psychiatrist, their relations with others would be affected. I think many people privately visit psychiatrists. In any case, people must change their perceptions and attitudes. Visiting a psychiatrist doesn't mean that the patient is mentally ill. But, in case a patient has any mental problem, it will be aggravated if people point fingers at him or her.
Media, among others, can help people to change their misperceptions.
Zainab Al Junaibi, Abu Dhabi
