Gulf News, Community reports need checking too
I read this story in the 'Letters to the Editor' section in Gulf News this morning. The headline was sizzling with words such "losing control" and "poses danger"..
The report suggests a driver was using a "malfunctioning spare tyre..." and that ".. it belonged to a small car" and labeled the driver as a menace to society.
30 seconds on Google can reveal that this type of cars, GMC Acadia, is equipped with what is called a 'Compact Spare Tire'. It is very commonly supplied by many US and European car makers and is designed to be used temporarily for a limited number of miles...check here: http://www.gmc.com/acadia/acadia/specsExterior.jsp
And since no one asked the prejudged/condemned driver, I can see that (by the supplied photo), the driver is sticking to the far right (slow lane), most likely at low speed, which usually aggravates our short tempered Dubai motorists. One can also assume he JUST had flat tyre and most probably is on his way to fix it to avoid over-running his compact spare tyre as well.
Sadly, people here get off on negative criticism, jumping the gun and making false assumptions. I can't blame Mr. Anil Nair (the letter author) for his ignorance about cars. But the Gulf News staff who endorsed his intolerant letter, should know a bit better.
4 Comments:
"But the Gulf News staff who endorsed his intolerant letter, should know a bit better."
Gosh, I nearly misread "staff" for "journalists", now that would be news!
By Rupert Neil Bumfrey, at August 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Nicely spotted Moryarti.
These 'temporary' tires are the stupidest thing on earth in my opinion; especially when you get stuck in another Emirate and only have this to get you out of a flat (you are limited to a speed of 60km/h). In theory you could visit a tyre repair shop and fix the problem ASAP but when the rim is cracked you have to order a new one. My 4-5 year old car that is not luxury at all and doesn't even has cruise control has a proper spare tire yet an SUV type car which has navigation/DVD/etc and costs more than 170k new has a 'temporary' tyre.
By samuraisam, at August 10, 2009 at 4:48 PM
i hate to defend gulf news but they are merely publishing what their readers write.. you cannot blame Sony in Japan if you happen to suffer from a particularly stupid show on tv?
ok it's an extreme example, but you should know better.. don't look for intelligent discourse in the letters to the editor in anything with "gulf" in its name.
7 days is even worse.. they print the spelling mistakes too :P
it's like youtube, every video is trailed by long comments of various idiots arguing over nothing.
how was the holiday? :)
By BuJ, at August 10, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Rupert ... thanks for dropping by and glad you spotted the irony ;)
Sam - i totally agree. I loath these bicycle-like wheels. Many car makers add those mainly to save space and reduce retail price by not adding a full-spec rim.
Buj - i see ur point and it is true.. My grief though is that GN placed the letter prominently on its page.. which is a bit over the top, me thinks.
By moryarti, at August 11, 2009 at 8:11 AM
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