Have your say

Aids education a priority

It is generally believed that Aids education among homosexuals should be improved since the incidence of HIV infections among men who have sex with men is escalating.

The Health Department has provided a filmmaker with funds to produce a 30-second advertisement to raise general awareness of Aids.

Some people may not be pleased seeing an advertisement about homosexuality on TV because of their traditional views.

But the government should promote the rights of gays. Everyone must fight against discrimination.

Homosexuals deserve a helping hand from the government and the public.

It's important for homosexuals to know they are not abandoned by society.

The Canadian government gives much more support to gays.

Each university has a group for homosexuals that receives funding. The group reaches out to those with Aids and medical treatment is provided.

I know it's impossible for our government to achieve this over a short period of time.

But I hope someday we do more than just sponsor an advertisement.

Jessica Lam Tsz-yan

SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School

Don't bow to peer pressure

I would like to acknowledge the huge problem of peer pressure. Is putting on a vest a trend today?

Even on a hot afternoon we can see students wearing thick woollen vests or cardigans.

Is it all about the trend that their friends set or is it about popularity?

Putting on woollen cardigans can lead to heatstroke, especially in hot weather. This is all about peer pressure and trends.

We have fashionable hairdos and spend a huge amount on brands that our friends think are cool.

Deep down, is that what we all think - that we need to spend money on something that is unnecessary and will be of no use once the trend is over?

Peer pressure is a really serious phenomenon in Hong Kong. We should just spend money on necessities and not follow trends.

Chloe Law

HKMA David Li Kwok Po College

It's a dog's life for rabies sufferers

On the mainland, many dogs have rabies, a disease preventable by vaccination. Since the number of rabies cases has risen, officials have started cruelly culling dogs.

The way officials are fighting this problem is unfair to dogs. Dog owners should be responsible and vaccinate their pets, not just keep them for entertainment. It is the owners, not the dogs, who should be punished.

The disease is treatable, but officials just cull dogs out of fear. This misunderstanding makes innocent dogs the victims.

We always say humans, unlike other animals, are civilised, which means we should care about the other species.

Kam Chi-kuan Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College

New chapter in going green

I agree we should act to protect our environment. One of these measures is recycling books, which will save many trees.

If we give our books to other people, they will not need to spend money on them. If everyone did this, it would save thousands of trees and save us money and resources.

Recycling books means we can save paper and share words. People who read your books can gain knowledge and realise the importance of protecting the environment. They can then tell others, meaning more people will go green.

You are the owner of the Earth and you need to protect it. Tell your friends to recycle books.

Steven Yu Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School

Star Ferry battle a valuable lesson

The Star Ferry terminal was pulled down despite protesters rushing to the terminal to try to stop the demolition.

People showed they cared for historic buildings.

As the Star Ferry terminal was 50 years old, it had historic value.

For people who go to work by ferry, the terminal was part of their life. Protesters were also concerned about the clock tower and fought to the last minute to save it.

Their spirit is appreciated. Although it failed to stop the demolition, the protest raised our awareness of protecting historical sites.

It also highlighted a lack of communication between the government and the public. It was a lesson for all of us. Treasured things will disappear unless we protect them.

Lo Kwai-man

Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College

No time to delay on global warming

Global warming is damaging the ecological balance all over the world. It affects many organisms including plants, birds, mammals and even insects.

Due to the degradation of habitats, many more species of animals and plants will disappear in the near future.

The global ecosystem is in crisis but it seems no one is taking much notice.

Industrial developments and commercial activities are growing rapidly, so the Hong Kong government should take some measures to help the city become an affluent, prosperous and clean place.

For example, it should limit emissions from cars and factories and teach citizens the importance of the ecosystem and how to protect it.

Let us carve out a better future for Hong Kong and the world.

Liu King-nok

Maryknoll Fathers' School

Fish folly

I have read about a toxic chemical in fish that will affect people's health.

Food companies are silly to allow this as it will make people scared to eat fish and they will then lose money. There should be a law to punish people who add chemicals to fish.

Au Hiu-lui

Our Lady of the Rosary College

Battle of the sexes

A professor was reported as saying men are a bit smarter than women.

But I think women are not stupid compared with men, just different. It all depends on the wonderful creation of God.

Men may use their intelligence to solve problems but they rely on women to correct their mistakes.

Women and men have strengths and weaknesses, so we should not care much about who is the cleverest but whether there is a good balance between them.

Kiki Mok

Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Fear and loathing in the fast lane

Yesterday, when taking a minibus home, I was shocked by how fast it was going. The speed limit was 70km/h but the monitor in the bus showed we were going about 80km/h. When the reading reached 75km/h, the driver just ignored the alarm. No matter how windy the road was the driver still drove at breakneck speed.

Luckily, there was no accident, but there have been many injuries over the years, so I will think twice before choosing the minibus next time.

Christopher Lau