In "Seeking true democracy" (PostBag, Aug 24), Dom Dunn suggests that one way to reduce corruption in the Senate would be to have an independent panel appoint one-third of the senators.
But who decides how to go about appointing such an "independent" panel? It would be the people in power, who are the politicians.
In other words, are we to believe that we should turn to corrupt politicians to solve the problem of corrupt politicians?
ERIC BAHRT
Insects a fishy solution
Robins McIntosh's letter (''Facing down overfishing'', PostBag, Aug 24) indicating that Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) has pledged to use only sustainably produced fishmeal in its feeds, and reduce its dependence on fishmeal overall, is very encouraging.
It is well known that most of the world's fisheries are severely over-exploited and often heavily ''mined'' for raw material to produce low-cost fishmeal.
To advance on its second objective of reducing the amount of fishmeal used in aquaculture feeds, CPF might well further explore the use of insects as a key ingredient for its aquaculture feed. Little known to many people, Thailand is a world leader in insect farming, with more than 20,000 (mostly small-scale) insect farmers registered in the country _ mainly producing insects for human consumption.
Producing aquaculture feeds from insects would seem to make a great deal of sense. Insects are highly efficient in converting the food they eat into useable protein; they are ''environmentally friendly'' in that their production results in very low levels of greenhouse gas emissions; and they require very little space for rearing. Particularly relevant for aquaculture is the fact that insects are a natural food for many species of fish.
Increasing the use of insects as feeds in aquaculture would create thousands of additional jobs for insect farmers, significantly benefit the environment, and relieve some of the pressure on the world's depleted marine fisheries. It might also create a whole new competitive edge for Thai aquaculture.
PATRICK DURST
No concessions to spy
Re: "Manning's coming out an assertion of her freedom" (Opinion, Aug 24).
Freddie McConnell is treating Bradley Manning as some kind of fallen angel who has found a new life.
As far as I'm concerned, Manning should serve his term in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, (the US military's main prison) as convicted Pte Bradley Manning. Not one red cent of US taxpayers' money should be spent on making him a her.
Let the name of Chelsea remain as the daughter of a former US president, and a damned good football team in England.
CHARLIE BROWN
Pattaya
Let trees branch out
Re: "Barking up wrong tree" (PostBag, Aug 24).
Krit suggested that if trees are not pruned, their branches become "feeble". If this were true, all the majestic trees in places like Singapore, Hanoi and Phnom Penh would be enfeebled. Yet there seem to be very few cases of branches falling and causing damage or injury in those cities.
I'm afraid that this is just another myth to justify the Thai obsession with cutting branches off trees, to go along with other excuses such as "big trees attract lightning".
What is true is that large trees cast shade, which can reduce the temperature significantly. Perhaps the real reason for the campaign against big trees is a fear that, during the cool season, people may suffer from hypothermia if there are too many large trees around?
TIM BOYLE
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