Unnecessary carnage

Bloody protests in Libya won't change the policies of the US, nor will they provide lasting balm to those causing the unrest, readers write. Other letter topics today: rewarding good drivers, the high cost of coffee, and banning illegal pesticides.

The killing of Americans in Benghazi will not reduce Americans' devotion to free speech, a reader says, while another deplores the manipulation of mass emotion in both cultures. Mustafa El-Shridi / EPShow more

I refer to Motorists in Dubai to cash in on good driving with new reward scheme (September 12).

The motivation for good driving should be to be safe, and prevent injury or death to yourself and other road users. I think the real consequences of dangerous driving are being belittled by the handing out of prizes.

So what if you drive well for three months but the next month you cut across three lanes and crash into someone else and kill a family? Don't worry, you're OK because your "white points" cancel it out? That doesn't make sense to me.

Mary Keyte, Dubai

Bloody protest won't change US

The politics of outrage is still an irresistible temptation (September 13) made me wonder: for whose benefit are these demonstrations?

Getting all whipped up doesn't ease frustration or stress, which only makes things worse.

I would never have heard of this movie without the protests, and the US is not going to curtail Americans' rights no matter how much protesters kick and scream.

Having said that, I also defend your right to protest all you like - as long as you don't harm anyone, or property. The attack on the consulate was a disgusting act.

Frank Burkhardt, US

How sad that in America, and in the Middle East, some people find benefit in whipping up hatred.

The best asset these manipulators have is the ignorance of people in both societies about the essential decency of most ordinary people in the other one.

I wish everyone could spend a month with people of the same class in the opposite society.

Theresa Donovan, Abu Dhabi

Coffee too costly? Bring tea instead

I refer to Strong coffee price declines do not filter into UAE pockets (September 12).

The easy solution: drink tea. It's less expensive than ground coffee or beans to buy at the market, and you can bring it from home, in a Thermos. The savings mount up.

Karen Quinn, Abu Dhabi

Illegal pesticides should mean jail

I was shocked to read (Blood tests prove illegal pesticide killed girl, 2 September 12) that licensed companies using harmful and banned pesticides can be fined between Dh500 and Dh1,000.

These products are banned because they can cause serious, non-reversible damage to health.

The use of such substances should result in severe prison sentences for management of the companies using them.

Those who authorise the use of such substances decide over other people's life and death.

Name withheld by request

Tailgaters are the most dangerous

I refer to the report Plan to cut speed limit in Abu Dhabi on hold (August 25).

I honestly don't think speed is the problem. The real problems are the drivers who insist on staying right against your bumper.

If you had to stop for any reason, they would end up in the boot of your car.

Some of these tailgaters will then overtake on the hard shoulder.

These are the people who cause deadly accidents.

Neusha Farley, Abu Dhabi

Deficit spending has to be stopped

It was amusing to read that €500bn for euro fund sparks relief around the world (September 13).

How many times is this, now, that the euro has been "saved"? A dozen, perhaps? How long will it be until it needs saving again?

Until European countries stop their deficit spending, their underlying problem of sovereign debt will get worse and worse.

It's very simple: when you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

Peter Burrell, Abu Dhabi

Honesty sets an example for us all

Hats off to Omar Hayah Ajmal Khan (UAE taxi driver who turned in Dh120,000 praised for his honesty, September 12).

He has set a very good example for others to emulate. Indeed, honesty is the best policy.

James Donato, Dubai

A new approach to networking

I want to thank Phil Bedford (Synergetic approach helps, September 11) for some good tips.

Most people (myself included) go to networking events armed with business cards and it's all very "me, me, me, me".

He suggests that to build up a client list it should be all "you, you, you". Lesson learnt.

Mark Mogridge, Dubai