Your story Dubai dog show to exclude banned dogs (February 13) prompts me to say that the problem is not one of regulations, or even the law.
Until citizens accept society's acceptable norms of behaviour (following the "rules"), then the rules will be ignored.
And of course, those with influence, power, money or wasta also have to follow those rules.
The volunteers on the door at the dog show were intimidated into allowing certain people in with illegal or unmuzzled dogs.
We need respect for the laws, not more laws and rules.
Tom Pattillo, Canada
Limit lane speed to improve driving
I agree with Mohamad Al Dah's comment article (Road improvements? A simple lesson on driving culture, February 13).
The lack of lane speed understanding is definitely the cause of traffic accidents, more than speed, although speed is of course a factor in respect to cars around you.
The solution is simple: mandate the speeds in each lane and enforce this rule. The fastest lane is to the far left, and each lane as you go right would be 20km/h slower.
This seems simple enough.
Trevor Bundus, Abu Dhabi
Both Sudans still need our help
Recent news from Syria and Iran has shifted the focus to a large extent away from Sudan.
But Sudan and South Sudan still need all the help they can get to resolve the issues between them, but more importantly to start resolving issues within the borders of each country, so that they do not need to confront each other.
Tarig Monim, Dubai
Oil firms must live with Iraq choices
I refer to the report Iraq blocks Exxon from next round of licensing (February 14).
It is not a surprise that ExxonMobil is to be excluded from Iraq's fourth licensing auction, because of its deals in Iraqi Kurdistan.
I firmly believe that ExxonMobil officials knew well how difficult it would be to have contracts with both with Kurdistan regional government and the central government of Iraq, but they went ahead.
Total Oil, similarly, seems to be focused on Iraqi Kurdistan, as the bidding by Baghdad does not look very attractive.
Oil companies will bear the full consequences of their decisions to move into Kurdistan and/or Iraq.
Serife Senol Caglayan, Turkey
Double standard for Syria, Bahrain
I have a comment on your story UAE: speak in one voice on Syria, end violence (February 14).
The US Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain. Thus President Barack Obama does not want regime change there, despite the events in the streets there, of which little is said in the western media.
But if you turn to Syria, a staunch enemy of the US - and Israel - you get a different perspective: the murdering dictator must go.
The message is loud and clear: toe the line or be portrayed as democracy's enemy. If only the truth saw the light of day.
Rayed Darwish, Abu Dhabi
Arabs states can't trust UN for rights
With its veto, Russia proved again that it is a Third World country (Syria veto is a sign that UNSC reforms overdue, February 9).
Also, this reminds the Arab world to organise their own human right institutions with executive powers, and not rely on the West and UN.
Ali Noor, US
Please, no more of Valentine's Day
I am fed up with all the media attention to Valentine's Day in The National and other media.
Isn't it sad that a few big corporations have set a price tag - buy her this, buy him that - on romantic affection? Some things should be beyond commercial hype.
When media pander to this commercialised version of love, they are not serving their readers. True romantic love shows itself every day, in small ways and big ones.
Personal life events such as anniversary dates have some meaning for any couple, but Valentine's Day is merely a shallow, manipulative marketing gimmick.
Ollie Barrett, Abu Dhabi
Singer's death shows paradox
The news in Whitney Houston reaches the end of her song (February 13) is a disturbing reminder that those who win society's adulation are often, behind closed doors, the ones who are in fact the most prone to self-destructive impulses. Paradoxically, that sad reality may help explain their ability to mesmerise us.
Christopher Koulouris, US
