This chess game between WIPA-West Indies first 11 squad and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has thrown the game into disrepute. WIPA feels that the board is taking the players for granted and quite rightly so, while the board feels it has the might and authority to do whatever it feels like at anytime.

There has been a protracted disagreement over the years between these two bodies albeit with different administrations, and the board coming out on the losing end. So one can conclude that the WICB's not using the best available players is a case of one-upmanship despite both parties' acceptance of Sir Shridath Ramphal as arbitrator.

The WICB, in my view, is unnecessarily flexing its muscles and will be the cause of West Indies dropping further in world rankings to prove a point and be demi-gods in the process.

Michael Johnson

mikesdogma@yahoo.com

There is the one child law in China, which consequentially leads to several abortions every year by parents who already have had one child, but who do not necessarily want to have government-enforced abortions.

Then there is legalised abortions in the United States which makes the operation almost too easily accessible.

My question is: Is the abortion issue an issue that has to be addressed by law? I am not an advocate for abortion rights, but I am also not comfortable with the Government interfering with my innards.

Essentially, the mother's womb is a life-support machine. I would not want to have been in an accident and on life support and rather than my family getting to make the decision, the Government instead intervenes and is allowed to dictate whether I stay on life support. It is my view that these decisions should be made by the parties involved, without outside interference.

Gaby Ryland

bluebelle6353@yahoo.com

Would a computer system of evaluation acceptable to the Customs Department and being maintained online and accessible to customs and vendors to provide fairness be the solution to the threats to the custom officers who have to use their judgement to assess correctly the duties applicable to certain imported products or items? It would be like the blue book for cars but for commercial and other goods.

This could reduce the personal conflicts over valuation. The challenge continues to be that too many unauthorised persons are allowed inside the Customs area who have no business apart from seeking to hustle. The Government has the responsibility to get the many advisors over the years to recommend solutions for future potential problems to improve the system and reduce the incidence of illegal activities.

Franklin Grant

fsg98@hotmail.com