Date is minor but important

As an American citizen in China and a long-time reader of China Daily I've come to admire it for its accuracy, first-class reporting and an editorial world-view that often surpasses so-called US journalism "opinion leaders" such as the New York Times and Washington Post.

Thus it was with a little disappointment that I read a "Hot Pot" column in the Aug 30-31 edition on the subject of whether there is too much news coverage of the US presidential elections. It was not the subject of this debate that bothered me, however, but the reference by one of the (non-American) authors to the US presidential election being decided in "October".

The US presidential elections are held every four years on the first Tuesday of November. Never in October or any other month. While this may seem like a minor point to non-Americans, it is a fact and I am surprised that the error seems to have slipped through your otherwise stellar copy editing process. Are there any Americans working on your staff?

I hope a correction will be forthcoming. Imagine the Chinese concern, for instance, if a US newspaper referred to China's National Day in "September" or "November", rather than October. Perhaps that puts it in perspective for you.

Peter Davis, Registered US voter and China Daily reader living in Beijing

via e-mail

Use handcuffs properly

Comment on "Misuse of handcuffs raises locals' and police hackles" (China Daily, August 27)

This woman is imaginative, but some policemen really misuse or even abuse such public instruments. One of my neighbors is a police officer, and he often picks up his family to go shopping. Such phenomenon can be regarded as minor corruption.

Johnson

on China Daily website

Handcuffs are a good lock made of quality steel. However, remember there is proper use and misuse. It is the person who can freely decide how to use a gun or a car or handcuffs. But if you use a police car for personal business you are really stealing from the Chinese tax-payers. Granted it is small but they are truly abuses.

Snoopy

on China Daily website

Girl needs help

Comment on "A global quest for help to cure girl" (China Daily, September 3)

I have just contacted the writer of the story, following the contact information provided at the end of the story.

He has just set up a bank account for any people willing to donate for the little angel. So hope anyone who wants to help Qiqi also contact him.

The writer also told me that he himself was just about to make a bone marrow donation at the China Bone Marrow bank. I suggest he write a follow-up story telling people how to do that. Also, he said although the hope to find a perfect match is slim, he would never stop trying to find a miracle for the little angel.

LoveForEver

on China Daily website

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send mail to Letters to the Editor, China Daily, 15 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029 China. Send faxes to (86-10) 6491-8377. Send e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 09/05/2008 page9)