Turning Up Heat

Your report “Bush, Olmert Turn Up the Heat on Iran” (Nov.14) made me wonder what gave you the idea that when the two cowards, who need army divisions to get their courage out, “turn up” the heat, it will make the seat too hot in Tehran. Iran knows, as do all Muslim nations with any sense, that they are targets for bombs and missiles whatever they do. That is a reality they must accept, just like plague, bird flu or neocons. You can’t avoid reality.

However, it is not all one-way either. Bush and Olmert know that it is not going to be a picnic. Unlike in the past when the white masters got away with anything, it is not going to be one-sided. In Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, they have discovered that whites too can be killed. And when things get really hot, it will not be the Iranians who run first.

Rahmatullah, Jeddah published 22 November 2006

Dial-a-Taxi

K.S. Ramkumar’s report “A Water Tanker Could Be a Phone Call Away” (Nov. 16) showed that the authorities are keen to respond to the needs of the public. “Dial-a-water-tanker” is great news for Jeddah’s thirsty residents. However, there are other public concerns also that demand government attention and “dial” arrangements — such as “dial-a-limo” or “dial-a-taxi.”

Saudi Arabia has more than eight million vehicles on the road, more than half of which are not roadworthy. Of these vehicles, at least half-a-million are taxis that roam the roads throughout the day looking for passengers — contributing to traffic jams, accidents, road damage and air pollution. They should be made to wait at specified places and move to serve customers only when dialed for.

The average automobile pollutes in many ways. While the emission of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and a variety of hydrocarbons is the major cause of air pollution, even the ultra low-emission vehicles that are about to appear on the market are going to eventually pollute in many of these ways. The effects of air pollution on human health vary in degree of severity, covering a range of minor ailments to serious illnesses, as well as premature death in certain cases. High levels of sulfur dioxide and “suspended particulate matter” are associated with increased mortality, morbidity and impaired pulmonary function.

Automobile manufacturers and oil companies have done, and are continuing to do, much to cut the levels of pollutants emitted by vehicles, but a big responsibility lies on authorities too. No government would or could stop citizens from driving vehicles but disciplining taxis and limos would be much easier, and will not only ease traffic on the roads but will bring down the number of accidents and pollution to some degree. It is high time that Saudi government recognizes the severity of pollution levels and implements legislation addressing the problem.

Mohamed H. Zakaria, Jeddah published 22 November 2006

Europe’s Guilt Complex

Your editorial “Long-Overdue Move” (Nov.14) on the Arab League decision to break the embargo imposed on Palestine in punishment for electing Hamas seemed to place a lot of trust in Europeans. I wonder why. We in Europe have a very complex relation with the Jews, because of feelings of guilt after World War II. Europeans can’t be neutral or objective toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Never. Americans are playing power politics; but Europeans are linked to the so-called holy land by feelings of guilt. It is impossible to see the conflict in real terms from the European perspective. They will never fully choose for the suppressed in this specific case. The Arab League is the only hope for solving this dragging problem. They are actually involved. Forget about the Europeans, be it Blair, Prodi or some Scandinavian broker. We are too much involved. When a Jew confronts European politicians, they go silent.

Irene Veenstra, France published 22 November 2006

US Veto

I agree with your observations in the editorial “Green Light for Massacres” (Nov. 13) commenting on the US veto against the UN resolution criticizing Israel for murdering Palestinians. Such unethical use of veto is a tragedy not just for the Palestinians and the world; it is also for the Americans.

Imagine having to live with a government that seems to have gone over the edge of reason and justice. When your government’s officials praise the death of innocents at the hands of Israel and call it “the birth of a new Middle East,” it is an age of shame for America. There is no way in which this can be tolerated by a people who take pride in building a nation on justice and truth. We betray our ideals when we take a stance that shows indifference to the truth of what is happening.

Jerry Copeland, United States published 22 November 2006

Fake Fury

The reports that the US veto of a UN resolution condemning Israel’s massacre in Gaza caused fury in various Arab and Muslim countries made me feel sick. Who are these countries trying to deceive? Was that the first time the US used a veto to shield Israel from criticism after serious crimes against the Palestinian people? Israel has always been, and will be, protected by the US and the UK. This has been going on for 50 years. What have Muslim nations done so far to change the situation — except express regret, fury, disappointment?

The fact is that Muslim blood is cheap. It can be shed at will, after screaming “terror.” Everybody knows that Israel and others who kill Muslims cannot be touched. Muslim nations should seriously review the benefits they get from membership in the UN. Those leaders who believe that they will ensure their safety by toadying up to America should learn from the experience of Saddam. He was once a hero for the West. Just watch out. What have the Iraqis done to the West to deserve this fate?

Abdul Latif, Jeddah published 22 November 2006

Guilt of Genocide

Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging, not because he had ordered the killing of 148 Shiites in Dujail, but because he was in power in Iraq when the US decided to take control of its oil. The report on the sentencing carried stories of Shiite jubilation in Iraq and Iran. Clearly, they have taken it as the end of the story. It should be a sobering thought to them that America’s plans are not limited to Iraq. It could be Iran next. If that happens, America will have another kangaroo court pass verdicts of “death by hanging for crimes against humanity” against the Iranian leaders in power at the time — Ahmadinejad, Khatami, Khamenei or whoever.

The court may have had Iraqi judges, but it was a show run by the occupation forces. Guilty or not, the US Army has no right to try or sentence Saddam. If he had been produced before the International Court of Justice and tried and sentenced there, following he due process of law, the judgment would have had some value. Causing the death of innocent people is a crime against humanity and should get its just deserts. But who is trying whom? A man who “may have been” guilty of 148 deaths was tried as a monster by those who are, without any doubt, guilty of the slaughter of 650,000 civilians and the destruction of a whole nation. Does not sound like the rule of law to me.

We now have a fair idea about the new world order that America is enforcing on us. It gives any nation with superior military power the right to occupy another nation, slaughter its inhabitants by calling those defending their homes and families insurgents, loot its riches and resources and then act out a charade of so-called justice to fool the world. And the world is happy to be fooled.

It is not just Saddam who should have been in the dock. Bush, Blair and their entire cabal should be tried for genocide and hanged. That would be justice.

As for the punishment itself, it should serve as a lesson for all those who believe that the sun rises and sets for them. It doesn’t.

Yawar Baig, Hyderabad, India published 22 November 2006

Old Man’s Shame

It is such a shame that in our society a marriage between a much older man and a young girl is considered a cause for celebration. While the groom is set on asserting his manhood, it is very clear that no one is concerned about the well-being and happiness of the young lady. Has anyone thought of what will become of her if she becomes a young widow with her whole life ahead of her and no companion or husband and no father for her children (assuming he can father a child at his age)? How is a 19-year-old supposed to feel any sort of fulfillment from such a marriage?

It is wonderful that a man at the age of 100 has such love for life and true vigor that he is ready to be married; but there is no doubt that a woman close to his age or at least closer would have been the correct choice. This is truly tragic and far too common in our society.

Faiza Al-Husseini, Riyadh published 22 November 2006