No seat belt can save your life if you're not using it
I am sure that the device described in Seat belt for pregnant women can save lives of the unborn (September 2) will be of value.
But no seat belt is any good when it is not used. Every day in any city you see small children moving around freely in SUVs and other vehicles, while their seat belts go unused.
Until people learn to routinely use belts, and safety seats for the youngest passengers, the terrible accident toll will continue.
And those who think the back seat is safer in this regard just don't know the facts.
Wallace Percy, Abu Dhabi
Avoid the trap of excess credit
I have a comment on Splash out or save up? Both are crucial (September 1).
Whatever you do, don't fall into the death trap of loans and credit cards. Once it starts it will never ever end. Just spend what you can afford, and don't aim for the stars. If you earn Dh4,000, don't spend more than that.
The basic principle is don't try to get loans assuming that you can pay easily in instalments and it will be over.
Moiz S, Sharjah
Are expatriates happy with care?
I was pleased to read the report Most Emiratis happy with health care (September 2). But I would like to see results from the same survey done among expatriates.
Jacqueline Craig, Abu Dhabi
Don't put a tax on going to school
I was unhappy to read Prepare to pay: parking meters for Media City, Knowledge Village and Internet City (August 13).
Do I really have to worry about paying my parking while I am studying at KV?
I take evening classes at KV to learn Arabic, and I am sorry that my eagerness to learn is turning into just another revenue opportunity.
Bijal Soni, Dubai
New viewpoints in graphic novels
People who are interested in the work mentioned in your article Graphic novel offers a rare, intimate glimpse of life in Jerusalem (September 1) might also want to check out two works by artist Joe Sacco, Palestine and Footnotes in Gaza.
Graphic novels give a very unique chance for people to look into serious topics from a different viewpoint.
Leilana Coughlan, Dubai
Israel not Iran is outside treaty
US politics fail to engage complex regional realities (September 2) made me wonder: however did we get it all so backwards?
As a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has an internationally recognised right to develop and implement nuclear technology.
Israel rejected the NPT and has no such right. Yet Israel has nuclear weapons and openly threatens Iran and actually campaigns for war against Iran.
Israel, not Iran, should be sanctioned and forced to reveal its nuclear machinations to IAEA inspection.
John WV, US
Act quickly when pay is delayed
Thank you for the editorial A lapse in wage protection for low-income staff (August 31).
The Wage Protection System was set up to ensure that employees are paid on time. So it is strange that Asia Exchange can delay.
Central Bank authorities should consider an online complaint system to make sure than in future action can be taken, in cases like this one, within 24 or 48 hours.
Haridas Nayak, Abu Dhabi
Sudan no bulwark for human rights
I was relieved to read that Sudan drops bid for seat on human-rights council (September 2).
The UN's record on human rights is already laughable, and the idea of the Sudanese regime being one of the world's protectors of and advocates for human rights is enough to turn my stomach.
Lawrence Tamman, Abu Dhabi
Most retirees are doing well
More need to shell out on their nest eggs (September 2) made me laugh. For decades, all around the world, I have been reading this story: if you don't save now you face a pathetic impoverished old age.
And yet, in most countries, today's retirees have more savings, investments and second homes than any generation before.
Peter Burrell, Dubai
