Helmet plan hopes
Re: "Helmetless riders to undergo training" (BP, Nov 8).
This plan from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, including requiring motorcycle dealers to sell two crash helmets with every motorcycle sold, although laudible, might fail to bring the cut the road toll by as much as hoped.
The crux of the problem here is, first of all, a lack of practical driving skills on the road (through driving lessons).
Second is a lack of enforcement by police. Third is parents allowing their underage kids to ride motorcycles (without helmets or a driving licence).
Trade challenge
Re: "Bracing for trade war", (Editorial, Nov 8).
The risk of a global trade war looms large, especially if the world drifts away from multilateralism.
This threat, however, can be averted -- provided the international community remains genuinely committed, as it has repeatedly pledged, to a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, and transparent multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.
Achieving this requires urgent efforts to advance long-overdue reform of the WTO, in line with its mandate to promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.
Only through such determined action can the global trading system be safeguarded and strengthened for the benefit of all countries.
Staying strong
Re: "Self-righteous party suffers humiliating loss", (Opinion, Nov 8).
Whatever the reasons for Trump's success in recent elections, the failure of the Democrat nominee to win must squarely be placed on Joe Biden's lack of decisiveness and the spinelessness of the Democrat Party about picking a more seasoned candidate than US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jokes aside, no one in their wildest imagination could run for the presidency in less than four months (in this specific case, 108 days) and expect to win.
The claim on the other hand that it is America's responsibility to make the world a better place is too far-fetched and reeks of the early 1990's sentiment of "America the Globocop."
Mr Trump's four-year rule as president won't be a bed of roses.
While wishing Mr Trump the very best second time around, we must keep in mind that if America is to still stand as the bastion of democracy in the world, and escape the short-sighted allurements of autocracy, Mr Trump must govern with discernment and rectitude.
He must do so or else face the ignominy and shame of a failed leader: "Trumpy scrumpy scaled a high wall, Trumpy scrumpy had a great fall, all the senators and congressmen too could never put Trumpy together again."
Age no barrier
Re:"For the record," (PostBag, Nov 8).
Ron Martin encouraged Eric to carry on writing despite worries about tiredness and age.
Age is no bar to getting ahead in life nor setting out one's thoughts in Postbag.
Some letters are painful to society and some are beneficial to BP readers.
Tiredness can be eased by taking a suitable diet and smiling.
Protein, diet and tiredness do not determine whether one lives a long life.
Buddhism, yoga, meditation, exercise and physiotherapy may also help.
Drug war beckons
Re: "Trump on verge of poll victory: Stunning comeback as GOP snares Senate", (BP, Nov 7).
The global media is already abuzz with news of Mr Trump set to go after drug cartels in his first hundred days in office.
As expected, the media agenda is grinding with momentum with each passing hour since Mr Trump's re-election.
And it is sickening to read of those defenders raising all sorts of human rights, freedom and sovereignty issues in the wake of a definite all out war on drug cartels.
Many countries, from First World to developing nations, have been struggling under the drug influx that has destroyed countless millions of citizens the world over, and which continues to cost governments huge sums of money to help rehabilitate victims while waging perennial wars, without success, on the illicit drug trade.
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