18 November 2009

I like dreaming, but walking around in a dream of someone else will give some disappointment, I guess. I am a European citizen, an arthistorian familiar with historic European dreams on canvas, from the old days till now. With reference to the article (American Dream Lives On, KT, November 15), in Europe we tend to look at the American dream as a veil on social inequality: all though everyone has theright to dream about wealth and success, society should take care of poverty, diseases and nourishment.

So what an individual wants and is capable to do, does not solve the problems of a society. There is no direct link between the individual and the society as the American dream tends to say: both entities have their own reality.

When Buffet gets rich on the inventions of someone else, we say in Europe, ‘those who get the fruits from what they didn’t sow, should not talk about the taste of it.’

There is another problem with the American dream: money doesn’t equate the economy and the economy doesn’t start with money.

The financial crisis—we speak about the financial crime—is in fact a complete mismanagement of money, a complete destruction of the wealth of other people.

The economy as such is not broken: people are working for their living, have ideas about their lives, are saving some money for later. Nothing wrong with that.

But then that dream came in, growing wealth: the bankers gave us credit and again and again and again...more and more till the money poisoned our lives.

We see now, how they, the banks are saved, because they spoiled our savings and lost their profits that were not real in the first place.

The big pension funds from Europe have lost more than 40 pr cent as they are tied up in the US financial world. Should we still believe Mr. Buffett and his dream? The American dream is not popular in Europe. On an even stronger note, when we hear about it, we get sick!

18 November 2009

I have read several letters stating that they do not understand why the people of Pakistan are rejecting the Kerry Luger Bill (‘Why the Opposition?’ Letters to the Editor, KT, November 13). The KLB is dangerous for the sovereignty and national security of Pakistan.

Some of the clauses ask the government to permit the US to have direct access to Pakistani nationals working at nuclear plants. The Bill also allows irregular forces to be used for US combat operations in Pakistan.

The most offensive clause is that Pakistan, its military and intelligence agencies have been supporting terrorists. Now, no state can accept a clause which says that it is promoting terrorism.

-Irim Ahmed, Dubai

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Noted the contents of the letter. The writer is concerned about the wide-spread reaction to the Kerry Luger Bill. What is in the interest of Pakistan is the internal matter of Pakistan.

Pakistan is, in fact, a front line supporter of the so-called war against terrorism and is the most affected and disturbed country in the world. But still everyone wants Pakistan to do more. Every day, suicide attacks are killing hundreds of innocent people.

Schools are being destroyed. Kidnappings and attacks on sensitive buildings are rampant. And now the US wants control over several areas. No, the Bill is not acceptable to us.

17 November 2009

During my routine early morning walks, I have noticed that majority of the car owners park cars blocking the entries to bylanes. This forces other cars to go around till the next cross road to get a ‘U’ turn and get into the lane.

Is there no way to discipline these drivers who don’t respect the traffic laws of the country?

The traffic police in Abu Dhabi are very polite and do not issue a ticket unless a car really obstructs the smooth flow of traffic.

I had earlier suggested incentives to the traffic police who issue tickets to undisciplined drivers. Ten per cent of the fine amount could be credited to the police as an appreciation for his hard work.

Another important issue that needs urgent attention is to issue tickets to all car owners who display their phone numbers and block traffic by double parking. They park cars either behind or very close to other cars making it impossible to reverse or open the door.
The fine amount should be hefty so that the drivers do not repeat the mistake.

It’s high time the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police started replacing the carrot with the stick. I am sure strict action will help discipline drivers.

17 November 2009

I was fortunate enough to watch the second T20 match between Pakistan and New Zealand on November 13. The cricket stadium at the Dubai Sports City was of international standards. It was just fantastic.

Not only was the stadium impressive, but the officials manning and supervising the whole event were extremely polite and helpful.

I was personally guided to my seat (in an elevator) since I had a bad lower back problem and couldn’t climb the stairs.

I would like to especially thank the gentleman from the Dubai Sports City who got a buggy to drop us off at the car park which was pretty far away from the stadium. Would love to watch more matches here.

17 November 2009

World Diabetes Day and Children’s Day fall on the same date, that is November 14. But I am very disappointed that KT made no efforts to encourage children on this special day. We, children, are also a part of KT’s family (KT readers).

Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday, every year is celebrated as Children’s Day and not even one article about this great personality was published in the newspaper on that day.