TO THE EDITOR: Shame on you, City Council and city leaders, if you stand by and let a handful of people blackmail, threaten and intimidate you to the point that you give millions of taxpayer's dollarsto a group of people who do not care about our city or its citizens.

They blamed the police and City Hall for all the killing. Who are they blaming now? The Black United Front (BUF) pulled out of the collarborative agreement last week. So should the city. If we are sued, let them sue. It couldn't cost much more money to defend than what we are paying now to be in an agreement where one party dropped out.

Send the attorneys packing. Use that money to help provide jobs for our kids. I think it is time the common ordinary citizens of this city took a stand and said enough is enough.

Mary Bowling, Winton Place

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Racial change won't come until hearts open

I did not attend the Woman's City Club's forum last week, though I had a ticket and am a longtime member and former board member. I nearly joined my son on the boycott picket line outside.

The work that Cincinnati CAN has done will create a livable and just city over time, as the police, employers and other programs come into full funding and action. But no major leader or leadership group has simply walked the streets, sat on the stoops, talked on the playgrounds with people in the neighborhoods. Those youth, those mothers and grandmothers can tell us what they need to have a peaceful and active life. And providing assistance to community efforts will cost much less than big-ticket programs.

The hearts of our leaders are not involved, and change will not happen until those hearts are open.

Patricia Garry, Walnut Hills

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Purple Hearts ready as pols need them

What timing. The article (March 19) with Rep. Steve Chabot awarding the "Purple Heart" to a World War IIveteran was amusing. Our government ran out of the Purple Hearts at the time Joseph Hoff was to receive his. Now, as we are at war, they all of a sudden found more.

As an Ohio National Guard veteran, I take offense at the timing. Do any of us really think our great leaders care about us, other than as a political photo op?

Neil S. Strawser, Loveland

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Don't let celebrities sway public opinion

If celebrities only get one vote just like everyone else, why do they help people make up their vote about the war with Iraq?

Votes are personal things and should not be made up by other people. Even if celebrities' voices can be heard, they don't know very much about government or, for that matter, about war.

People should make up their own minds by themselves and not be influenced by other people, friends or famous people.

Gretchen Hinkel, Fort Thomas

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Iraqi-Americans don't deserve to be harassed

It saddened me to read of UC student, Doaa Jasim of Iraqi decent, a citizen of the United States, has been harassed by our young men or women, born in the USA ("Local Iraqi-American feels the glares" March 20).

What a shame they have not been taught to be compassionate for others, no matter what their decent. Also, shame on us, if we have failed to nurture a loving and caring manor in our children and it is time we take a good look at our attitudes.

The same is true for our students in other countries. I read some have been targeted as American and have not been treated, as they should.

Let's get our act together and judge not a class of people. Each of us should be judged on our own behavior and acts of kindness or violence, whichever it may be.

Joan Shockey, Crestview Hills

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Time to get out American flags

I think it's time for the people in the United States to get out the flags, as we did after Sept. 11, 2001. the support for our country and the togetherness was heartwarming. We all shared a common cause. It's time to show the rest of the world we are not divided, but when push comes to shove, Americans stand united.

We need to show our support for all the armed services men and women - that we stand tall when it comes to our country. Fly those flags on your cars and at your home. We did it before; let's do it again. Let's stand behind our president and our country. Let's show the world we are pround to be Americans.

Dorothy Weismann, Mason

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Taft didn't keep his campaign promises

I am a strong Republican, like the majority of voters that live around me. I donate to the national, state and local Republican parties.

I just received a letter from the state Republical Party asking why I haven't donated this year. The answer is because of the man I voted for to run the state. He has turned out to be the typical politician.

In his campaign for governor, he said he would:

• Eliminate the E-check. E-check is still in business and extorting money from the citizens, some of which can not afford it.

• No new taxes. We all know the answer to that one. He tries to throw a scare into us by cutting school funding. Why doesn't he cut the salaries of the part-time representatives in Columbus. The state should be run like a business and kept within its means. When you have good years, you save the excess to be used when there is a downturn. That way the state can operate without hurting the citizens by threats of increased taxes.

• He promised to pass the right-to-carry bill. Now he promises to veto any bill on right-to-carry. He thinks he knows more than the 43 other states that have passed a right-to-carry law, including Indiana and Kentucky. He has body guards that protect him and his family. With all the warnings of terrorism, I am the only one who can protect myself and family, and I am going to do just that, no matter what he says.

I hope he can come up with enough votes to get re-elected. He better try hard because he won't get any votes from my part of the state. I think he turned into a Democrat.

Gary Willey, Batavia

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Public doesn't need abduction details

Finally, there is a journalist with her priorities in order. Laura Pulfer's column "How much detail about Elizabeth do we need?" (March 18) was right on target. None of us will be any better off knowing the details of Elizabeth Smart's travails. What we did need to know is that she is safe and that the system can work if we are allowed to participate. Once a photo was released, it didn't take long for members of the public to get involved. As for those reporters who seek the salacious details, you are totally out of order. Laura, congratulations, you are the smart one.

Stephen Casper, Covington

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Students actually rallied for peace

We are 7th-grade students at St. Vincent Ferrer School who participated in the candlelight vigil on March 16. We would like to respond to the article in The Cincinnati Enquirer ("Candlelight gathering attracts antiwar sentiments" March 17).

We would like to clarify several facts:

• The candlelight vigil was presented as part of our confirmation retreat, and we were not fully informed about the entire purpose of the vigil nor were we given a choice to participate or not.

• We did not intend for our actions to be anti-war, just pro-peace. We felt confused and uncomfortable when people shouted insults at us.

As students at a Catholic school, we pray for peace continuously; as Americans we support our president and the troops protecting us.

Ian Kowalski and other students, St.Vincent Ferrer School, Kenwood

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City manager works within her budget

On March 17, Peter Bronson criticized the city manager's staff exapansion ("Lemmie's staff feels no pinch) on the grounds of budget constraints.

Bronson's words attempt to decimate the office of city manager. That office was established in 1926 in the reform government that made Cincinnati the nation's best-governed city.

Many cities today have a city manager.

Yes, the city manager is the chief operating officer of the city, not by line or royalty, but by democratic appointment. It is her responsibity to hire and properly house whoever is necessary to run our city. She is acting within the budget provided her.

Donald A. Spencer, Cincinnati

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Once too radical, Wolfowitz now in

It is really sad that the Bush doctrine is based on the views of Pentagon guru, (Deputy Secretary of Defense) Paul Wolfowitz and his neo-conservative creed for a "new world order" for the Middle East to be remade in our image and likeness. Bush's daddy rejected Wolfowitz's projected policies at the time of his presidency as too radical, but it seems they are all taken in by it now.

It is difficult to believe that Gen. Colin Powell could go along with this ego-maniacal nonsense. With no views of his own based on any knowledge of his own, Bush embraces this neo-conservative clap trap starting with Iraq.

Even without Sept.11, 2001, Iraq would have been a target for this administration. We now have first-hand evidence of the danger of electing a man, ignorant of history, to the White House.

Elizabeth Paquette, Cherry Grove

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Troops not given basic comfort items

Once again American is sending its servicemen and women into harm's way. Already, the appeals are being made to donate items to send to the military stationed in Iraq. Those being deployed are given a list of items to bring with them.

This list includes such things as a clothesline and clothes pins, sun screen, insect repellent, baby wipes, toothpaste and toilet paper. The cost of these items average $250 per serviceman. The cost of this war will be in the billions of dollars, including the money that will be spent to rebuild the country we are on the verge of destroying. Yet, the government cannot provide its military with the inexpensive items they need for basic hygiene and comfort.

Claudia Harrod, Madeira

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Let Dixie Chick speak her mind

Natalie Maines deserves more credit for voicing her opinion. As a diehard Dixie Chicks fan, I see no need to forgive her. She did nothing wrong. She only voiced her opinion, and as she stated, "One of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view." That is in the Constitution.

Though saying they're "ashamed the president ... is from Texas" isn't the best way to support the leader of our country. Part of being an American is being free to feel that way and to state it. She's free to be against the war; many people are. The boycotting of their music is ridiculous. The Dixie Chicks are a very talented group with great morals. Many admire them, which is good, because they're good role models.

Though I viewed no harm in Natalie's statement/opinion, many did, so setting a good example, she publically apologized. People are making a big deal about Natalie's comment because the Dixie Chicks are such a popular group. I think that's all the more reason to listen to what they have to say.

Looking at their careers it's obvious that they stand strong on their morals. They put their families first and are very appreciative of their fans. I will always respect their opinion, even if I don't feel the same way. The Chicks rock - give them the respect they deserve.

Jennifer Fair, Lebanon

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Wells, others should help enlighten us

Editorial Page Editor David Wells must have the easiest job in town; sit back, aloof and uninvolved, and pontificate. He can list all the reasons for war with Iraq, but, even though he speaks in the past tense, he still can't see past his pie-in-the-sky vision of a really nice cartoon world where we all just like each other a lot and we all get along with each other really well. His position personifies the old saw, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

By God's blessing, The United States is the only super power among the nations. This is not a cause for shame; rather a fact to be considered. Wells and others in the opinion business would do well to:

• Help us identify our rightful place in the world.

• Help us determine what constitutes our national interest.

• And help us decide what our responsibilities are in achieving and maintaining that interest.

James Frye, Forest Park

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Old Germany offers lessons for today

In 1935, Germany announced that it would no longer honor the treaty that ended World War I and disarmed the country. The European community did nothing. In 1936, Germany occupied the Rhineland. Again, the major powers did not interfere. Austria was annexed in 1938 without a word from France. Next was the Sudetenland in 1938 followed by the rest of Czechoslovakia in early 1939.

Poland is the next victim and the world is plunged into the most destructive war in history. If this is the success of French diplomacy, I will take my chances with President Bush.

Mike Ciccarella, Georgetown, OH

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How many assistants does one office need?

Referring to a column by Gregory Korte (March 12) about City Manager Valerie Lemmie and her gang of assistants - how many assistants does it take to run the city manager's office? Now we have about 12, including assistants to the assistants to the assistants. Having lived in this city for more than 70 years, this is the first time I have heard of the city manager having nine assistants.

I thought we had a hiring freeze? Also, each department head was cut down 2 percent in their budget - this doesn't apply to the city manager?

Jesse K. Ware, Hyde Park