Budour Al Ali’s tribute to the fallen Emirati heroes is touching, readers say. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National
Budour Al Ali’s tribute to the fallen Emirati heroes is touching, readers say. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

A touching tribute to heroes



Art is an appropriate medium for a person to express one's feelings towards the martyrs (Emirati artist pays tribute to UAE's fallen soldiers, October 22). Budour Al Ali's painting will help the coming generation to learn about the sacrifices made by the brave men.

Name withheld by request

Badour Al Ali’s art is very touching. Not only does it show respect, empathy and an understanding of the true sacrifice these brave souls faced for unselfish reasons, but she also gives comfort to the families and friends who are missing their presence in their lives.

She has in a sense immortalised the life that once was. Who they were, and what they did both mattered, and made a positive footprint on the time they were here.

You also expose people who would normally turn a blind eye to world events, casualties, and things they just don’t think will ever touch them and you help them too see that it’s real, and can never be ignored or never touch their lives.

She should consider having a print made and sent to each family of each person who inspired her.

John Saf David, Abu Dhabi

Should we get rid of speed buffer zones?

Speed buffers are not exactly an issue (End the confusion on speed limits, October 23). How about just educating people on driving etiquette, the consequences of speaking on mobile phones while driving, using indicators when changing lanes, the proper way to negotiate roundabouts, proper seat-belt use and so on?

The standard of driving here is very low. Everyone does what they think is right. The speed limit should be the least of anyone’s worries. We need to address the real problems.

John Paravalos, Dubai

There is utter confusion over speed limits. Remove the buffer but leave the limits at 140 kph or 80 kph, or whatever it is, then sign it as such. At present nobody has a clue to what the speed limits are. It’s time to put up signboards clearly mentioning the speed limits.

Phillie Hall, Abu Dhabi

Don’t remove the buffer. Add a couple of lanes like the German autobahn and make qualifying for a licence harder.

Zhann Jochinke, Dubai

I agree with the points made in the editorial. A speed limit is to be respected, and there should be no “grace”.

Urs Stohler, Dubai

How to define cybersquatting

How is any of this "cybersquatting" (Cybersquatting's role in new tech start-ups' bizarre, senseless names, October 18)? Everyone knows by now that domain names are valuable assets. Many have resale value, others have natural traffic that can earn money via PPC, others work well for email or URL shorteners, the rest might be good to hold for future projects. Just because some dreamer fancies himself as a start-up wizard and decides on a great name that he doesn't own doesn't mean that everyone before him that owned any variation of the name is a "cybersquatter".

Get on with the times. Buy a good name in the aftermarket and get moving with your project. Tackle the hurdles that will come with it. Capitalism is not synonymous with “cybersquatting”.

Name withheld by request

Museum in Sharjah a gem

Sharjah's Art Museum is a true gem both in terms of interior design and the quality of the works displayed (Women of the UAE: heritage is her inspiration, October 18). I wish like Dr Mona Al Ali more and more people will be inspired to visit it.

Anne Degiorgis, Sharjah

The museum is wonderful. It is one of those places that truly strives to preserve the country’s culture and history.

Ásyah Elisabeth Mel, Dubai

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Long Shot

Director: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan

Four stars