Flirting salesmen - 2

I thank God and praise those ladies who brought this issue into public notice. I’ve experienced the problem myself not once, not twice but many times. I hope the concerned authorities will look into it and take action on it. Please note that this does not happen only to ladies but also to men (ignoring or responding in a very rude manner) especially to expatriates.

Marivic Ventura, By e-mail, published 21 October 2009

Climate deal

The story “Catastrophe if no climate deal” (Oct. 20) shows that Gordon Brown is either ignorant of the true science of climate change or is merely playing the politically correct game. Like so many articles of its genre, it jumps about between science and politics. One paragraph goes on about the apocalyptic doomsday scenarios associated with global warming, and in the next one it is on about “rich” nations cutting their carbon emissions and giving aid to “poor” nations.

Meanwhile, in his letter “Global Warming” (Oct. 20), Iqbal Paul states Peter Jones has chosen “....to ignore the findings of top scientists from the science academies....” Jones and I could equally accuse Paul of the very same thing. Furthermore, Paul names not one of those scientists or the institutions for which they work.

While Sharif Dua in his letter “Baseless assertions” (Oct. 20) states that I “.....got a long-list of scientists, science institutes, documentation, studies and books that support the fact of global warming....” Well I must have missed something! Perhaps Dua could name a few of these scientists, science institutes, documentation, studies and books and jog my memory a bit. I have quoted plenty of these but my detractors have not.

Dua claims that the BNP does not support global warming theory. Could he provide the proof that this is party policy? My rejection of global warming has nothing to do with my membership of the BNP. Dua has introduced a real non-sequitur here.

People like Iqbal Paul and Sharif Dua need to understand that the Earth’s climate is highly complex and that it has been constantly changing over the eons. During the Miocene period the Earth was far hotter than it is now; there were palm trees and alligators, tigers and elephants in Northern Europe and Australia was less arid than it is now. Man-made carbon emissions had nothing to do with that! The Earth has also undergone a number of ice ages, the last one ended around 10,000 years ago. So the Earth has in its history been an ice house and a hot house and humans have had nothing to do with it.

In Sweden a recent study (published by Haakan Grudd of the University of Stockholm’s Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology) confirms that the Arctic today is not any warmer than it was in previous historical periods centuries before coal power plants or motor cars. Grudd’s study concludes that “The late-twentieth century is not exceptionally warm in the new record: On decadal-to-centennial timescales, periods around A.D. 750, 1000, 1400, and 1750 were equally warm, or warmer. The 200-year long warm period centered on A.D. 1000 was significantly warmer than the late-twentieth century and is supported by other local and regional paleoclimate data.”

Francis A. Andrew, Nizwa, Oman, published 21 October 2009

China’s untenable claim

We Indians are indeed grateful for the editorial “Untenable claim” (Oct. 20). The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh (so called southern Tibet by the Chinese) has a population of over one million and they actively participate in elections conducted in a democratic way. Any claim by China on this mountainous terrain is ridiculous and unjustifiable. As a matter of fact, India was among the first nations to grant diplomatic recognition to the newly-created Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. One of the basic policies for the government formed immediately after India’s independence in 1947 was that of maintaining cordial relations with China, and reviving ancient friendly ties. However, within a short time the PRC announced its intention to reclaim Tibet and later extended its influence by placing border posts within Indian territories. India’s stand on the McMohan Line was supported by the international community and its policies never posed any threat to China. It is high time for all concerned parties to show prudence and shun the superfluous skirmish so as to build a better world for our next generation.

Ramkumar P, Jubail, published 21 October 2009

Rapist arrested

This refers to the story “Man who raped 9 children arrested” (Oct. 20). I believe that such an incident is the result of blindly running after Western life. When Shariah is abandoned and we run after Western life, we get this as part of it. God knows how humans should work/behave so that they achieve their maximum potential and a peaceful life. Note that Saudi Arabia is one of the countries in the world which provides utmost security to its citizens and expatriates and this is because of following Shariah. But unfortunately some of us are blinded by Western glamour and have abandoned our basic religious values and such incidents as raping children is proof of this.

S. Jin, By e-mail, published 21 October 2009

Obama’s Nobel

This refers to the article “Peace isn’t what Obama is achieving” (Oct. 18). Perhaps the Nobel Peace Prize given to President Obama, was awarded not because he has done a lot of things, but as an encouragement to him to work for a better, more peaceful future and begin to solve problems. Although Obama has not been president long enough to achieve his objectives, his intentions are good and the Nobel Peace Prize will encourage him to fulfill his promises. It is not the first time the prize has been given to someone who had not fulfilled all his objectives but whose intentions were good. So the question is on what basis the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded earlier?

Waleed Tarek, By e-mail, published 21 October 2009

Flirting salesmen

This refers to the story “Flirting salesmen annoy customers” (Oct. 20). This really is highly irritating when shopping in the Kingdom, especially if you’re alone or in a group of women. Indeed customer service has to be a priority but there are so many salesmen that take advantage of this and misuse their position — especially when shopping for cosmetics etc. Certain practices and principles need to be put into sales roles so the people are aware of not crossing the line and getting annoying as opposed to offering customer care. As a woman I have worked in sales outside the Kingdom and one shouldn’t be nagging or pushy or over sweet. A good salesman should not stand on customers’ heads but must assist them when required or requested.

Amna Syed Shaukat Ali, By e-mai, published 21 October 2009