OPINION

Friend in need

Re: "Enforce boating rules", (Editorial, March 1).

The renowned philosopher Peter Singer once wrote a thought experiment about the "drowning child and the expanding circle".

Imagine you witness a child who has fallen into a pond and is in grave danger of drowning, knowing that the child could easily be saved. By doing so, you would be ruining the expensive clothes you are wearing, and by the time you get home and change your clothes, you may have missed work.

In truth, nearly all his students and I believe most of us would undoubtedly have no hesitation in saving the child in the pond, regardless of the situation, because it would be inhumane to do nothing at all.

Perhaps it's also a time to reflect on the meaning of "friend". As Martin Luther King Jr once said, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Re: "Neutral on Russia-Ukraine: PM", (BP, March 2).

When someone commits an act of violence against another person, this is always considered a crime and actions are taken to rectify the situation.

When a country invades another with military actions and murders civilians and soldiers, this action is no different.

In a Buddhist culture, where violence against other sentient beings is prohibited and frowned upon, one would think the government would condemn Russia's assault on Ukraine if it followed its own moral principles.

Due to money though and economic ties, the PM opts for neutrality. What lesson does this teach children or society?

Only act with integrity if it is financially beneficial? That money trumps morals and character?

I am not interested in the "reasoning" for the attack. There are plenty of global governing bodies to address such problematic issues.

Russia, being one of the five countries with veto power at the UN, has a suitable venue for airing grievances.

Violence, however, is not the answer and cannot be justified unless an act of self-defence.

Re: "Invasion fairy tale", (BP, March 2).

It is interesting to observe how anyone who dares mention the reasons that led Russia to take military action against Ukraine is instantly branded a Putin apologist. Apparently, the words of former US president George W Bush that "you are either with us or with the terrorists" still ring true today. No need to look at the facts on the ground nor to critically analyse the situation.

Just ignore it all and follow the leader without a single independent thought. That worked out so well for the Germans in the 1930s; surely it will work out well today too.

Dean Barrett writes fairy tales and he is clearly a professional in the field. He should definitely stick to what he is good at.

Re: "Positive factors propel export growth", (Business, March 3).

Food production is costly and requires lots of energy. I was surprised to learn that tomatoes, which are produced around the globe, are among the highest in terms of both cost and energy use, while bread and chicken are among the lowest.

Vegetarians, take note.