Overzealous parking fines can cause problems

A reader warns against overzealous parking fines. Other topics: Fake goods, library, pets, Fox News

A reader warns that an inflexible application of parking rules can hurt local businesses and cause a general feeling of harassment to people. Christopher Pike / The National

We all can see the benefit of car parking being controlled, and this has lately come to some of the Muroor Road area. There are two sides to this though – as has been found in the UK. An overzealous and inflexible application can damage local businesses and cause a general feeling of harassment to people going about their daily activities.

I just received a Dh300 fine for going into Spinney’s parking area for five minutes and shopping. Following a recent backlash in the UK, wardens have been instructed to give 15 minutes grace and to give warnings first, and parking tickets second.

I have been impressed that the UAE is often ahead of Europe in many areas and learning by the UK’s mistakes in this instance could make life better here too for all concerned.

Andrew Preston, Abu Dhabi

Fakes endanger our lives, too

Regarding your editorial Fakes come at a high price (April 15), some people might think that buying a fake item is a "victimless crime", but oxymorons aside, fake tyres or car spare parts can cost lives. It's not just about saving a few dollars to look good, it's a whole mindset, and it's a dishonest one at that. Perhaps a beefed-up department at customs just to scrutinise goods from overseas, with heavy penalties for fakes, will be helpful.

Name withheld by request

Refreshing idea of a library

The story Emirati starts Corniche book swap to encourage reading (April 14) is encouraging. Faisal Mohammed, who has helped to set up two swap boxes where readers can drop off old books and pick up new ones free of charge, has given a fresh touch to the concept of a library.

Books have to be circulated once read so that the spread of knowledge benefits a wider population.

Abu Waleed AlMaghribi, Sharjah

It’s a lovely idea. We need more libraries in Abu Dhabi.

Jayadevi Machaya Palekanda, Abu Dhabi

Questions on transporting pets

I am happy to know that Felix has been traced (Owner of Felix the cat thanks advocacy group and Etihad for return, April 18). But it casts a shadow of doubt over future transportation of our pets. Considering what the airlines charge, pets should be given VIP treatment.

Belinda Wallington, Dubai

I am very happy for the cat, but wondering why it gets so much attention while thousands of children are getting lost all around the world every day, being snatched from their families and being trafficked.

Name withheld by request

In praise of Fox News

Fox News keeps the US government on its toes by bringing situations to light that the other networks drop (Understanding the success of Fox News – and why some people hate it, March 31).

It was Fox News that kept the Benghazi story alive and questioned the ongoing narrative about opposition to an amateur movie.

It was Fox News that dug deeper into the story of the US army soldier Robert Bergdahl and brought on his fellow soldiers to debunk the narrative the other networks were running with. It was Fox that kept the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) story in the news and found out that the Department of Justice was using the IRS to bully groups that the current administration didn’t agree with.

These are just a few examples, but this is the main reason people watch them. And this is why none of the other news stations can come anywhere close to competing with them. The comparisons of Fox to WWE are just silly.

T Harner, US