Lone fruit seller's contribution to global events

Readers respond to The National's coverage

Readers debate the motivation of Gennaro Gattuso's on-field antics and argue whether he was the only guilty party at the Champions league match last Tuesday night. Guiseppe Cacace / AFP

I write with a suggestion to the region's readers of Time Magazine, that gives the title 'Person of the Year' to the individual who "for better or for worse... has done the most to influence the events of the year".
They are clear that the title should not in itself be a prize, but an acknowledgement of influence on world events. Recent winners include Mark Zuckerberg, Ben Bernanke and Barack Obama.
I know it's only February, but in 2011 that title should be given to a Tunisian street vendor named Muhammad Al Bouazizi. It would be a fitting tribute to one man who has clearly already influenced the world in ways he could never have imagined.
For those who don't know his story, Bouazizi was a fruit seller in a small provincial town called Sidi Bouzid. Following a confrontation with a local government inspector on December 17, Mr Bouazizi set fire to himself in protest at his treatment and those of millions like him. He died on January 4 from his injuries. Mr Bouazizi's act changed the world.
Of course, he could not have known where his protest could lead. His influence and memory must be marked.
Richard Morris, Abu Dhabi
High stakes need better oversight
It is high time there is closer co-ordination between like minded neighbouring countries.
Most of the money spent in securing modern weaponry indirectly assists the pro-Israeli bloc. GCC countries ought to ensure that GCC views are not there simply to be sidelined for the interests of Israel.
JB, Dubai
US veto prompts charge of injustice
Nice move US! US vetoes UN draft resolution condemning Israeli settlements (February 19) Some good efforts of the UN have now gone to waste.
If the US must exploit their superpower status, then let it do so by standing up for justice and for the long-suffering Palestinians.
How does the US manage to push for more sanctions against Iran while vetoing UN resolutions condemning Israel?
No less than 14 UN Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution - with the exception of the US. With such actions that are plainly an abuse of power, I feel that the US should not be a permanent member of the Security Council any more.
F. Baasleim, Dubai
Anticipating Expatriate return
I love reading of expatriate journeys to their home country The Air Bag: Goodbye UAE and goodbye driving (February 18).
I see myself doing the same one day and am living a strangepremptive nostalgia. When I do so, I'l tell everyone of the wonderful and colourful life that we live here.
J D, Abu Dhabi
Football grudges don't excuse acts
What an absurd piece of commentary Tottenham coach Joe Jordan wrong to rile Gennaro Gattuso (February 18), from a man who openly admits that he has a grudge against Joe Jordan.
If Mr Cole had actually watched the match, he would know that Gattuso should have been sent off in at least two separate occasions during the match, grabbing both Jordan and Crouch by the neck.
But of course they were asking for it, so violence is okay? It should be fine, then, for the referees to start doling out corporal punishments when abused by players; perhaps a right hook instead of a booking? One thinks not.
Alex Dunn, Abu Dhabi
The author is still miffed at Joe Jordan for being the one to tell him he was over the hill: presumably that is what Jordan told Gennaro Gattuso from the touchline on Tuesday night.
When he asks: "Do you see Mike Phelan, the Manchester United assistant manager, losing his temper on the touchline?" he forgets two points. Jordan didn't lose his temper, and Sir Alex Ferguson would never let Phelan lose his temper in front of him. He conveniently omitted the worst tackles - by Mathieu Flamini - ever seen in the Champions League, the failure of the referee to impose a red card, and the failure of UEFA to take action against the player.
Mr Cole says he was in two minds about whether Eric Cantona had done the right thing when he kicked a fan in 1995.
Sixteen years on, he still doesn't realise how lucky Cantona was to get just an eight-month ban. Since then I have often found myself wondering what punishment would have been handed out to the fan had he raced on to the pitch and used the same kind of Bruce Lee tactics on Cantona.
Anthony Lewis, Dubai