The parents of children who are so obese that they need bariatric surgery should be prosecuted for child abuse (Parents call on experts to help obese children, April 10).
The idea that a 13-year-old can reach 150 kilograms is quite shocking. It’s time for the police and social services to get involved.
Dwayne Williams, Abu Dhabi
Parents calling on personal trainers and experts to help with their obese children? Who fills the grocery trolleys with unhealthy rubbish? Who pays for it? Who allows it in the child’s home and fails to monitor its consumption?
The food that is making their child larger than normal does not leap off the shelves and get into the car of its own volition.
Perhaps what is needed are some parenting classes starting with one that teaches: “no means no” when it comes to sweets, fizzy drinks and fast food. An obese child has a problem for life.
Why saddle a child with a debt in the form of poor health, ridicule and discomfort because you want to avoid the wheedling and keep them “happy” now?
Judith Finnemore, Al Ain
Rising rents will cause problems
Regarding the news report Uncertainty among Abu Dhabi shopkeepers as rents rise up to 150 per cent (April 11), the problem that may occur is that these places will go unoccupied, which will result in a lack of cash flow for landlords. Their desire for a higher income might actually prove to be painful for them in the long run.
It doesn’t look like there is any strategy for strong and steady growth. The market won’t bear this out if oil prices continue to stay low.
Steven Paul O'Brien, Abu Dhabi
There should be a rent cap. I can’t understand the property owners’ mindset. Why do they become so greedy even when they have a steady income? This will not help anyone. Since the 5 per cent cap has been lifted, everything is in chaos.
Syed Raqib, Abu Dhabi
Radars can’t make roads safe
A road-safety strategy that relies only on radars will never work (Traffic issue is all about rule of law, April 12). It has to be much more than this: from rethinking licensing and awareness campaigns to policing, enforcement and a tougher point system. Radars should be the last tool.
Samer Bou-aoun, Dubai
Green initiatives need planning
The green initiative is remarkable (SME profile: Founder of Future Earth Dubai embraces all things green, March 26).
However, care should be taken with small wind turbines on or near domestic properties as wind can cause turbulence. Also, a turbine fixed on a roof (regardless of its efficiency) will barely produce any energy at all. In addition, the vibrations can be felt throughout the building.
Wind turbines should be installed in large open areas with consistent wind.
Richard M, Abu Dhabi
Airport fees put strain on us
The Dh35 fees to be levied on passengers leaving Sharjah airport is regrettable (Sharjah follows Dubai with exit fee for airport passengers, April 6). So far Sharjah has accommodated people living on modest income. But it seems that people like us will soon have to look for options farther away from the emirate where rents are on the rise.
We live in Sharjah and use Sharjah airport at least twice a year. The airport fees will put a strain on our finances, especially as we are a large family and my husband is the only earning member.
I would request the authorities to reconsider the decision.
Humera Khatoon, Sharjah
