OPINION

Amulet power

Re: "Frontline pep talk", (BP, Jan 3).

Regarding the photo showing the prime minister gifting amulets to frontline troops for their protection, I can't help thinking that state‑of‑the‑art mine detectors would be more welcome.

Trump a 'pirate'

Re: "Trump says US oil firms to head into Venezuela", (World, Jan 4).

Now that Donald Trump has kidnapped the president of Venezuela, he has confirmed that the US is behaving like the pirates of the Caribbean.

He is like the infamous Blackbeard or Long John Silver, with his sidekick Pete Hegseth acting as Captain Jack Sparrow.

It was not enough for them to kill people in boats in international waters without an ounce of proof, or seize oil tankers.

The US is breaking international laws and conventions, especially Article 24 of the UN Charter.

Those applauding such barbarity may also applaud when China attacks Taiwan, Russia attacks Ukraine, or Israel attacks the Middle East and beyond.

By the aggressive actions Mr Trump has demonstrated, the US under his leadership is the most aggressive country in the world.

Forget the moniker "leader of the free world".

He promises next to attack Canada, Greenland and Mexico, just for starters. Will you applaud then?

Road deaths spike

Re: "Misplaced focus", (PostBag, Jan 4) & "145 killed in first three 'dangerous days'", (BP, Jan 2).

The first letter ridiculously suggests there is no spike in road accident deaths during New Year holidays, citing 145 fatalities in the first three days this year compared to a dubious figure for 2021 of 18,000 fatalities.

But look elsewhere online and you will see Thailand is still among the world's most dangerous, with 2024 statistics for the seven‑day period during New Year or Songkran at around 486 deaths (69 daily).

No way is your average trip into town for weekly shopping as dangerous as these two weeks.

The tag "seven deadly days" often applied to this time of year is a giveaway.

Remember the famous quote: "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Don't believe everything you read.

I reread the second effort a few times but finally gave up.

I think he was happy the New Year celebrations had ended.

The third involved in-house fighting with Setter and the regular target Eric Bahrt in the crosshairs.

I have to agree with Jaytee that certain members of the PostBag club sometimes get carried away with their pretentious, highfalutin' composition.