The world needs more Clarksons

A reader says political correctness is killing the human spirit, as is evident in Jeremy Clarkson's case. Other topics: ISIL, employer responsibility, insurance

A reader reacts to the BBC’s decision to terminate the contract of the Top Gear producer Jeremy Clarkson, saying political correctness is killing the human spirit. Peter Nicholls / Reuters

Top Gear is the BBC's biggest money spinner by far and not renewing Jeremy Clarkson's contract leaves the door wide open for another broadcaster to pick up a guaranteed moneymaker (Jeremy Clarkson's departure forces a change of direction, March 29). Yes, Jezza is not everyone's cup of tea, but the fact is that millions of people around the world love him and his style of unapologetically brash presenting. If you're not a fan of Jezza, then there's a simple solution: don't watch him. I personally believe that the world needs more like him. Political correctness is killing the human spirit.

Steve O'Brien, Dubai

To be clear, the BBC didn’t actually sack the Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. He was told that his contract, the expiry of which was imminent anyway, wouldn’t be renewed. I’m not an employment lawyer, but I would say that makes it quite different.

Ben Adamson, Dubai

The BBC is not going to renew Clarkson’s contract, which it is legally entitled not to. There is a big difference between not renewing a contract and firing.

Yannis Paravalos, Dubai

Air strikes are not enough to eliminate ISIL

Yemen is almost beyond redemption. It's clear that the US has failed miserably to control terrorism in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, where it has maintained a presence for years on the pretext of fighting extremism (UAE military intervention in Yemen was 'inevitable', March 26).

Barack Obama recently declared that the US will stay longer in Afghanistan. For what? ISIL has already made inroads into the country, killing and kidnapping Hazara people, just as they did the Yazidis in Iraq. The US has remained a mere spectator.

Now it’s Yemen’s turn. Last week, ISIL claimed responsibility for the mosque attack in Sanaa that left more than 100 dead. All this is happening under the nose of the US, which has failed to come up with an effective counter-terrorism strategy.

The Gulf countries are right to intervene in Yemen, but they should have done so earlier. With each of its actions, ISIL is successfully delivering on its promise – a so-called caliphate.

Now it is breathing down our necks and it is time for some decisive action. Air strikes alone cannot eliminate the extremists.

J Masood, Dubai

Employers have a moral duty too

When I read your article about Jorge Paulo Lemann, Brazil's richest man, and his 3G Capital private equity firm (Kraft likely to slim down after merger, March 27), I couldn't help wonder what drives such a man.

He is already one of the richest people under the sun. Yet, he feels that he must make his conglomerate even more profitable by slashing thousands of jobs and adding to the myriads of unemployed. And the Bloomberg/Reuters article you carried sees nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, the article radiates praise and admiration for this kind of leadership.

Shouldn’t employers, no matter how big and powerful they are, keep in mind people’s well-being rather than seeking only to maximise profits and shareholder value? In view of rising unemployment and poverty, it’s about time that employers, managers, company owners, and business and political leaders recalibrate their values.

Rita Amer, Dubai

Insurance not always beneficial

I refer to the article UAE end of service gratuity and the pension conundrum (March 21). What is not analysed nor mentioned is the huge hidden cost of investing for your future via offshore insurance-wrapped products.

While there is no doubt that everyone must save for their future financial security, the process and product used must be cost effective.

The Emirates Employee Benefit Trust model, like several others, such as Jumeirah International and Serco, is just that, as pointed out in the article. It benefits both the company and its staff.

Unfortunately, many of the insurance products (mis) sold to savers throughout the GCC, vastly reduce all benefits of saving by diverting huge sums in commissions and other hidden costs. Greater regulation, transparency and clearly declared fees are long overdue.

Ryland Gray, Dubai