Reducing driving fines doesn't make sense

Traffic-ticket fees are supposed to be a deterrent, a reader writes, so discounting them sends the wrong message. Other letters touch on Sarkozy's luck, a sex-assault sentence, history and pedestrians as football-kick targets.

Marking down motor-vehicle fines just reduces punishment for the reckless, a reader says. Courtesy Dubai Police Dept

One day recently I noticed a group of children playing football in the empty space between two buildings in Tourist Club area.

There is a transformer there, and they use the wall of it as their goal.

While on my walk, I noticed them practising their shots by shooting at some labourers sitting nearby.

First I thought these were accidents but as I watched I realised they were also pinpointing passers-by at random and at will. Some of the people were hit quite hard.

I continued my walk but, returning, had forgotten this business and became their victim myself. It was painful.

The area has two public parks plus play areas, and these children should be controlled. Could the authorities take appropriate measures?

Children deserve opportunities to play but they should not be developing sadistic skills.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Do no favours for traffic offenders

Your story Road deaths linked to traffic fines discount (January 13) was hardly surprising.

I do not believe that people with such reckless and irresponsible attitudes, towards themselves and other human beings, should be given discounts.

I don't understand the need to reduce these fines, since a fine is meant to be a deterrent and not a reward.

Zahra Khan, Dubai

An unlucky day for Sarkozy

France's credit rating falls (January 14) reminds readers of the "Friday the 13th" superstition.

But the real importance of this downgrade, I believe, has nothing to do with luck except perhaps that of the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy.

France, which has Europe's second-largest economy, will have presidential elections this spring.

It is understandable that Mr Sarkozy's rivals have quickly jumped on to the downgrade and blamed his leadership and lack of management skills.

Ali Sedat Budak, Abu Dhabi

India should do more on voting

The National has reported on Indian expatriates in their effort to get voting right, and I appreciate this.

The Indian government is very well aware that its current half-hearted effort to register overseas electors is inadequate.

The present registration system and voting mechanism are not at all suitable. But Indian diplomatic missions are all directly linked with the government's online system. There should be a way for expatriates to provide biometric identification, conveniently, and then cast their votes from anywhere in the world.

KV Shamsudheen, Sharjah

Sentence too light in sex assault case

I refer to your news report Child rapist given three-year sentence (January 12).

This punishment is simply not adequate for the crime of molesting a 7-year-old.

It disgusts me that much less serious violations could land someone in jail for as long as this pervert has been detained.

The life of a child has been devastated.

Every sexual molestation or rape case should be accompanied by financial remuneration and amends towards the victim. And every sexual offender should be educated about the dire effects of their perverted actions.

In fact, though many may disagree with me, I sincerely believe that castration is a perfectly proper punishment for those guilty of raping children.

Salee Amina Mohammed, US

He raped a boy 10 times and he gets only three years?

Ziad Awartani, Dubai

Considering that a kiss in a cafe or holding hands in a mall can be offences, it makes little sense that a child rapist can walk away with only three years.

Raja Haddad, UK

The definition of the word 'history'

I was amused by the headline Past is history for Manning, on a story about American football (January 13).

After all, the past is history for everyone, isn't it?

Don Lowry, Dubai

Take steps against internet hacking

The growth of the internet has brought with it new dangers. The problem of cyber attacks is far greater than many realise, since many companies do not report security breaches.

Every company online is exposed and they should consider a vulnerability assessment, perhaps by a third party.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai