This is something one does not see in Arab and most Muslim societies, where the medieval mindset has long reigned, serving only to hinder advances in areas like business, science, education and the condition of women. Why cannot countries work to make life easier for their citizens? Why can they not borrow, adopt and exchange ideas with each other instead of fomenting hatred because of different traditions, beliefs and religions?

ELENA T. ESPINOSA, Mid-Levels

Study terrorism's causes

The leader 'Expose hate-mongers in battle against terror' (Sunday Morning Post, July 24) makes the valid point that hate-mongers must not be allowed to preach violence without fear of sanction by the law. In Britain, laws already exist to deal with such individuals.

However, beyond that basic message, the leader is less acceptable. The statement that, 'The tolerance of multiculturalism in modern Britain is an ally of religious intolerance and extremism' is insidious in the extreme. Logically the premise is flawed, but more worrying is the implicit criticism of multiculturalism.

Even more troubling, however, is the suggestion that 'there is a case for more scrutiny of the views of people who 'excuse' terrorist outrages as 'understandable'.'

It may appear mere semantics, but I and many others can 'explain' our understanding of these actions. Never would I 'excuse' them, but it is essential in addressing this scourge that we examine the root causes of terrorism.

Also, it is essential that people like London Mayor Ken Livingstone find the courage to make these explanations. It would be too easy to circle the wagons, raise the flag and declare 'it's them or us'.

I am one of the majority of UK citizens who would not have followed the US into Iraq. Unfortunately, democracy failed us and, in looking at the hell unleashed across the globe from Baghdad to London, I find myself hoping that my views are 'scrutinised'.

JOHN BRUCE, Shau Kei Wan

Degraded view of women

Reading the column 'A man's wealth opens bedroom door to more sex' (Sunday Morning Post, July 24) by Allison Jones, you could easily conclude that Hong Kong women are not much more than prostitutes: the term 'gold digger' is used, although, for me, there is little difference.

Lucky for them, one-woman brothels are allowed, otherwise they may end up like their 'sisters' from the mainland in a police cage (see picture in 'Policemen humiliate and hurt us, prostitutes claim').

Is this what their sisters in women's lib fought so hard for in the early 20th century? I think such women have moved backward.

I do not have much respect for the men portrayed in the column either. They are just whoremongers, each with a private whore.

JEFFRY KUPERUS, Clear Water Bay

Let's hear it - sung live

I agree with the Ministry of Culture in Beijing that singers who lip-synch during live performances deserve punishment ('Lip-sync singers face fines and licence loss', July 29).

As a music lover, I do not like singers deceiving fans by lip-syncing during 'live' performances. Fans adore singers because of their talent in singing.

It's sad that most popular artists in Hong Kong hide their inadequacy in this talent from the audience by lip-syncing when performing live.

This should be condemned; audiences who purchase tickets or donate money for such a show have been betrayed. I would also like to challenge Alex Fung Yee-pak, general manager of Emperor Entertainment's concert department, who said lip-syncing could rescue a show if a singer felt unwell but still wanted to perform.

Whatever the reason, singers should not pretend they are singing live. They should admit they are not ready to perform and skip the performance, perhaps with an apology.

Lip-syncing is extremely undesirable in the international music industry. Earlier this year, singer Ashlee Simpson was condemned for scandalously lip-syncing a performance of her number Autobiography.

Western singers choose to refund money to audiences if they cannot perform. In Hong Kong, popular artists such as Twins give excuses for lip-syncing, saying they are 'artists', not just 'singers', and that they lack time to practise singing. Despite their tight schedule, they should take every part of their work seriously - and they were singers at the start.

Another point made in the article is the detection of lip-syncing. The most obvious clue is the sound of breathing. Another factor in favour of live singing is that entertainers need to be able to improvise in order to complement the electronic effects produced backstage.

WINNIE LOK WING-YEE, Tsuen Wan

Don't stereotype gays

There has been a disconnect with reality in the recent discussion in Letters about homosexuals.

In 'Sexual validation' (July 18), Anna Chan asked for 'proof' of homosexual partners' faithfulness, a low incidence of Aids, lack of health problems, longevity and the ability to raise healthy children before she could accept homosexuality. The fact is, heterosexuals can no more guarantee those things than homosexuals can. Homosexuals cannot marry in Hong Kong, but is the city free of failed marriages, dysfunctional families and troubled youth? Are there no heterosexuals dying of Aids?

Kristy Chan offered more sympathy with 'Homosexuals as victims' (July 26), acknowledging that they faced enormous pressure and calling for the public to view them as victims. But that was rebutted by an unnamed correspondent who assured Ms Chan that most homosexuals led successful lives ('Gays successful', July 30).

It is unfortunate that because of certain people's unwillingness to accept differences, some people face discrimination. People who are discriminated against in some situations are not necessarily victims in all aspects of their lives. But it does beg the question as to why they have to be treated differently for characteristics that they have not chosen.

The bottom line is that people are people regardless of sexual orientation. Some are more successful, some less so. Some know how to nurture a successful relationship, others do not. Some live long, some die young. It is as simple as that.

REGGIE HO, secretarial co-ordinator, Horizons

You've got to laugh

The sexual paranoia of Nalini Daswani made me laugh ('Paedophilia danger', July 29). Nobody will believe that exposing adult men to naked children will turn them into paedophiles. To call our time the 'Michael Jackson era' is also comical. For all I know, we are in the 'George W. Bush era', where self-righteousness, not paedophilia, is in vogue.

WU SHUN PING, Sha Tin