‘I didn’t vote for a war’
I am an American and, yes, I voted for President Barack Obama both times (‘US Senate backs $1-billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia’, Gulf News, September 23). I was under the impression that he would not go to war. I did not vote for a war. I pray for the people in Syria, and I am deeply saddened by what is happening there. And not just there, but in the Palestinian Territories, Myanmar and other counties, too. I am really worried for my country this election and not just mine, but the future of other countries and how this will affect everyone. I am truly ashamed.
From Ms Mel Hossny
UAE
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Weapons for peace?
The period the world is going through, leaders only seem to understand the language of weapons. Even a peace loving country is forced to keep weapons so that another country will not create unwanted problems.
From Mr Syed Efthikar
UAE
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Not a justification
Firstly, there is no justification in your statement about holding arsenal for peaceful means, Mr Syed Efthikar. Secondly, none of the countries on the map of the world are forced to keep arsenal. Yes, there are conflicts and tension in regional territories, which I suppose can only be eliminated by peace talks rather than cutting budgets from the public sector and spending it on defence!
From Mr Tahir Baloch
Dublin, Ireland
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Don’t take murder lightly
If one of your relatives was mistakenly taken by police at a check point and the next day you found them killed, you would be upset (‘How the Philippines fell into vigilante violence’, Gulf News, September 23). We all need to read the news. One Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) mistakenly killed due to a misguided drug war issue of the current administration. Don’t dream, open your eyes.
If one of your relatives had been a victim of mistaken identity, what would be your reaction? Nobody’s against anti-drug campaigns, but killing has been taken too lightly now and how sure are you that those killed are so-called pushers?
From Mr Rey Hicalde
UAE
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Safer streets
The death of that OFW is under investigation, it is still premature to conclude that it’s an extra judicial killing as we don’t know yet what was the motive of those police officers. We also can’t presume that they were innocent, after all the Philippines is now safer than before.
From Ms Rose Narzabal
Dubai
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Justifies murder
Mr Rey Hicalde, nobody can be sure if all the cases are really drug war related deaths. Anyone can just kill someone they want to get rid of and call it what they want. They simply put a piece of cardboard citing it’s a drug war related case. Are our minds even working?
From Ms Starlyn Pelayan-Rocimo
UAE
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Where to point?
These aren’t vigilante killings, I think that these crimes are being done by people within drug rings, silencing the people around them and stop them from naming them to the authorities. They obviously made it as if it were carried out by vigilantes so that they don’t get the blame.
From Mr J. R. Leto
UAE
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Many angles to consider
Could it be because they are not really vigilante killings, but rather criminals trying to cut loose ends to avoid being investigated? Could it be because the pushers can no longer remit the proceeds of the drug sales to the drug lord because it is very hard and dangerous to sell drugs now? There are several other angles on these killings.
From Mr Bernard Boy Jumalon
UAE
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Watch out for Australia
The opinion of Australian cricket coach, Darren Lehmann, that sledging is likely to be part of the mix when they confront South Africa in the One Day International (ODI) series after the Aussie captain, Steve Smith, lamented that their shy approach cost them 3-0 in the Test series against Sri Lanka clearly proves that the Aussies could never win a Test match without sledging. It is time the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the match referees take note of this and be alert to spot such sledging not only during the South Africa ODI series, but also in each and every game in a series played by the Australian team.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
Virugambakkam, India
Save the world for children
From the mouth of babes comes wisdom (‘Facebook video: This six-year-old boy wrote President Obama a letter’, Gulf News, September 23). We can all learn from that good little boy.
His mother and father taught him values that we all need to learn from, after all, we are all brothers and sisters. We only have one address – Earth. Love each other more to make this world a better place for everyone, especially the children suffering around the world. Who will inherit the Earth after this generation is long gone? Save the Earth for them.
From Ms Perceliza Villanueva
Dasmarinas, Philippines
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Live simply
Why do people become complicated when they grow up? Children are innocent and simple. I think we all need to bring back that simplicity. Be like a child. Laugh, forgive and live this temporary life.
From Mr Kant Chander
Dubai
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Make peace possible
So adorable and pure! This is the product of good parenting and morals. His parents should be proud and he should have his wish fulfilled, whatever it takes. Nothing is impossible.
From Ms Carol Ann
Abu Dhabi
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This isn’t pocket change
I can never understand these stories of people losing such large amounts of money (‘Sharjah cabbie returns bag with Dh1.7 million’, Gulf News, September 23). Who carries Dh1.7 million in cash with them like it’s some pocket change? Well done to the cab driver.
From Mr Mubasher Shaikh
London, UK
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You never know!
I thought the same many times, Mr Mubasher Shaikh. How can someone forget so much money? Maybe it truly is just pocket change for them.
From Ms Umme Meeran Syed
UAE
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Honesty is everywhere
The amount of money doesn’t matter, but the honesty does. The world is full of honest people. We all must appreciate such acts of truthfulness. One of my relatives lost his wallet two months ago. Whoever picked it up from the roadside returned it to a nearby hotel. A few hundreds were missing, but rest of the money was there. So we thought maybe he needed that money or he kept it as a prize.
Last year in a busy mall I was standing near the sitting area waiting for a place to sit when a gentleman offered me a seat and started walking. I saw his wallet in between the armrest and seat of the sofa so I immediately called him and pointed out his forgotten wallet. His gratitude and smile made my day. A little act of kindness always gives happiness and satisfaction.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
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A culture of trust
What an honest man. It’s about the culture you live in and the UAE has created a culture of trust and clarity. I have seen drivers returning things on various occasions in the UAE. No money is worth losing your prospects in the hereafter. May God bless him.
From Mr Abdullah Zisan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Laptop returned
I left my laptop when I was in a Dubai airport taxi, on my way to Sharjah at midnight. He came back after dropping me to give me my things, but I paid him extra for that. The driver returned all the way back to drop off my laptop.
From Mr Tamal Mukherjee
Dubai
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Lucky surprise!
Some of these drivers are great. My friend lost his passport and realised three days later when returning to the airport for his flight back home. The good surprise for him was that he found out that he left it in a taxi and that driver had returned it to the airport.
From Mr Pablo G. L.
UAE
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Doesn’t make sense
This is unbelievable. Who walks around with Dh1.7 million and forgets it in a taxi? It doesn’t make sense at all.
From Mr Grishon Ng’ethe
Dubai
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