Spot the difference...

My letter in The National today...

 

My email to the letters editor....

 Neil Roberts
To: letters@thenational.ae
Rainfall causing school closures

Sirs,

I have to say I am a bit bemused by the decision to close schools due to heavy rainfall. Why are children at risk at school just because it is raining? Surely it is more risky asking their parents to collect them and drive them home at the height of the storm. If in fact they went home at their normal time, the weather was actually a bit calmer and would have been safer. On another note, your reporting (UAE weather: Traffic chaos as strong winds and rain lash the Emirates, November 21, 2013) suggested that "Heavy downpours caused several accidents…" . No. People driving like idiots in heavy downpours cause accidents.



Yours,

Neil Roberts
Abu Dhabi

News story of the day

Gotta love this one!

Full story here...


ABU DHABI // Four men convicted of selling three prostitutes to undercover policemen for Dh135,000 could not have done so because the women "are not that attractive", a defence lawyer claimed today.

The men were arrested in a sting operation shortly after one of them met the undercover officers in a hotel room and received the payment, heard the Appeals Court. Prosecutors say the men sold each woman for Dh45,000 each and intended to give each of the prostitutes Dh5,000 from the proceeds.
But yesterday the lawyer for EF, the man accused of meeting the officers, said that he appeared to have been framed.

"Seems like CID tricked the men into the deal by tempting them with a lot of cash," said Fayza Moussa, adding: "Why would anyone pay Dh45,000 for each of these women, they are not even that attractive?"

Men should have sex slaves

Men should have sex slaves, says female Kuwaiti politician - The National

So, basically legalise human sex trafficking for guys that can't keep it in their trousers - without committing a "sin" .

Ms al Mutairi said free women must be married with a contract but, with concubines, "the man just buys her and that's it. That's enough to serve as marriage".

...eer enforced prostitution??

"Offices could be opened to run the sex trade in the same way recruitment agencies provide domestic labourers, Ms al Mutairi suggested."

..eer government pimp??

"The ruling was confirmed by "specialised people of the faith" in Kuwait, she said. "They said, 'That's right, the only solution for a decent man who has the means, who is overpowered by desire and who does not want to commit fornication, is to acquire jawari'." "

...eer double-think me thinks.....??

Emily Pankhurst eat your heart out!

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Marriage licences would curb abuse, expert says
Haneen Dajani hdajani@thenational.ae
The National - News
22 Apr 2010

Marriage licences should be renewed every five years, and specialised trainers should give couples a test before they are allowed to get married, a professor and TV host said yesterday. Such steps would reduce the risk of women and children becoming...read more...

Tech Tags: The National - News newspaper The Emirates

This ones a cracker! The bottom line is, let your husband shag you whenever he wants and all will be well!

I can't argue with that!

The funniest thing is a comment left on the online version of the paper....

A good finding-'Men are soft on the inside'.
Western influences make other woman think that she is above man.
Mindset has to be changed through education and mass media.Behavioural sciences should be taught from school.The advantages to the society of a good family shall be taught.
What men mostly look [qualities]in a woman are:
--non-argumenting;but softly expressing views once the time comes[not at the height of an argument];views can be put in writing also,if talking is difficult in a situation.
--do not complain about parents or friends
--give some advance notice of requirements,so that man gets time to arrange
--do not look for perfection in men
--sms to remind functions/birthdays/parties
--arrange the food as per his liking
--take care of the children,including studies
--ask things as per family's allowable budgets
--do not push for loans to live luxury life
--talk nicely to his friends and relatives

Radha Krishna, Dubai

Some very sensible suggestions Mr Krishna! (but don't tell my wife I said so........)

Who is this weirdo that keeps writing to the paper?!

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Real men don t wear helmets

The National - News
14 Sep 2009

In response to Chuck Kowalski’s letter In defence of gridiron football (September 10), I agree that in soccer “the slightest nudge causes a player to crumple to the ground”. But, when I went to school in the UK, I played rugby (which seems to be...read more...

Tech Tags: The National - News newspaper Comment

Ali's appreciation

From today's copy of The National .....

A hot day with a nice ending....

It got a little warm today ......

... that's 127F in old money! Really felt the heat today, I think it must have been the hottest day of the year so far. August was not as hot as last year, but I think 53 for Sept is out of the ordinary.

This evening we went to our cultural night and Iftar with Ali Al Saloom, sponsored by The National. It was a really good night and we learnt a lot from Ali. A lot of the main editorial staff from The National came, so it was good to meet them.



We had a short opening presentation from Ali followed by a guided tour of the Heritage Village. It was good to get a personal insight into some of the traditional ways from someone who remembers it from their childhood.


We then had the Iftar meal. The meal was very traditional with local Arabic dishes, starting with dates and drinking yogurt. Then the Muslims went to pray (Isha prayers) and left us eating for 10 mins. Then when they came back we were brought more dishes, including lamb from a whole lamb on a platter with rice and vegetables. All of this took place in a traditional Majlis (which is kind of like a living room, for welcoming guests, seated around the walls on cushions).



All in all a great night. Great to meet Ali as we have read his column with interest in the M magazine and The National. And good to get some real Arabic perspective on some local traditions and culture.


If you ever you get chance to attend one sometime, I would highly recommend it......


Here's some pictures.....

Iftar with Ali al Saloom !

Well it doesn't happen very often, but I have actually won something! I entered the following competition in The National ........

"The National's cultural advisor, Ali al Saloom is hosting a Ramadan Majilis at Emirates Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday Sept 8, exclusively for The National staff and guests. This is a unique opportunity to experience local cuisine and learn more about the cultural codes of the Emirates. The National would like to invite 8 readers to join us for this event. Each reader will be given a pair of invitations.

For your chance to be there, simply text your answer to the following question to 3538 (Etisalat) or 9104 (du) or email your entries to contest@thenational.ae before 4pm on Sunday Sept 6.

At what time in the day does Suhour traditionally take place?"


We always read Ali's columns and it will be great to meet him. I'm also looking forward to a great traditional Arabic Iftar! For those not familiar, Iftar is the meal taken by Muslim at sunset to break their fast for the day during the holy month of Ramadam. It traditionally commences with dates and milk. Following prayers a feast will ensue! Can't wait!

Ali has a couple of websites. The ask-ali one is very interesting if you want to know about the UAE and Muslim culture....

http://www.alialsaloom.com/

http://www.ask-ali.com/


..oh and the answer is ... before sunrise

hmmm.. who is this fella writing to the paper??

Click the letters section half way down the middle of the page....