Letters and Blogs

Youngsters not only ones to chase stars

Comment on the article, "It's dangerous to ape celebrities blindly" (China Daily, May 26)

Pop stars and celebrities have fans not only among youngsters, but also among some governmental agencies and public bodies. To attract more public attention, these agencies and organizations "seek help" from stars and other celebrities.

A bad example of this is a Hong Kong anti-drug promotion committee, which hired two pop singers for its publicity campaign. The stars were later found to be drug addicts in Japan.

Using well-known public figures may be an effective way to publicize certain events or add power to a campaign, but a careful scrutiny and selection of the right person(s) is equally important to avoid making the public ape the wrong persons.

Daniel W. C. Mak

via email

Nuke test a threat to land and people

Comment on the article, "Pyongyang nuclear test shocks Beijing" (China Daily website, May 26)

I believe the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has the right to develop its defense mechanism. But I'm worried over the effects of nuclear radiation, too, though China, Japan or other countries may not suffer.

Has the DPRK leadership considered this problem and its ill effects on the health of its people? A simple search on the Internet will show how harmful nuclear radiation can be to the land and living beings - everything from soil and water to vegetation and air can be contaminated with toxic substances. The DPRK may have proved its defense capability, but it might have harmed its own people in the process.

Mike

On China Daily website

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(China Daily 05/29/2009 page9)