TO THE EDITOR: The funding of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is currently threatened. Lawmakers in the Ohio House are considering a proposal, which includes the dramatic reduction of the Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF). Our public library currently receives 95 percent of its total funding from the LLGSF. The elimination of the LLGSF would have a catastrophic impact forcing further service reductions in addition to the many cuts, including reduction in hours and staff, already implemented. Today, the House will vote on this proposal. Please immediately contact your representative in the Ohio House to urge them not to pass this proposal. More information can be found at www.cincinnatilibrary.org.

For 150 years the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has provided a valuable service to our community. Libraries make knowledge and ideas available to all, regardless of age, race, creed, gender or wealth. Libraries foster good citizenship and make democracy work by providing access to information so that citizens can make informed decisions. We are blessed to have one of the busiest and most cost-effective library systems in the country. I urge continued support for funding of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Julie McCoy, Miami Township

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Where's coverage when Cyclones are shining?

I find it incredible that the Enquirer will give coverage to the Cincinnati Cyclones only when there's something bad to report.

The Cyclones garnered big press when Paul Daugherty did his little slam job back in November and when the troubles with the arena came to light.

But where is the coverage when the team does well?

Despite the travails, the Cyclones have prospered this season and have actually seen growth. The attendance has gone up, the boys are playing well and we're in the playoffs.

When was the last time the Bengals or the Reds made it to the post-season? The Cyclones have made the playoffs for 12 of their 13 seasons in existence.

It's time for the Enquirer to drop their grudge against hockey in this city and give some press to professional players who actually earn their paychecks.

Brian Snape, Wilder

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Get younger talent to replace Griffey

Ken Griffey Jr. hurt again the first week of the season. Maybe it is time to get some fresh young players.

Kathy Challis, West Carrollton, Ohio

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We need help to rebuild Iraq

In the April 4 Enquirer, you quote Colin Powell telling European diplomats in a meeting in Brussels that "the coalition has to play the leading role in determining the way forward. That is not to say we will shut others out."

We did a great job of shutting out the rest of the world in starting this war. When the war ends, wouldn't it be wise for Washington to abandon its go-it-alone policy and call upon the United Nation for help in the reconstruction? Will a United States military occupation of Iraq attract humanitarian aid from the rest of the world? Will donor nations contribute to reconstruction plans that they have had no voice in making? Can a U.S. determined reconstruction be acceptable to the Iraqis or pave the way to a regime run by the Iraqi people?

We need the cooperation of our traditional allies, not just the hastily assembled coalition, both for the rebuilding of Iraq and for long-term success in the struggles against terrorism. The post-war period is not a time for more shock and awe but for diplomacy and collaboration with the United Nations, unless we really want to become an imperial power, enforcing our will upon the world by our military might.

Janet Kalven, Northside

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Anti-smoking push treads on freedom

When the Tobacco Task Force points out the public costs of smoking for health care and reduced productivity, they fail to account for the eventual health care costs that will arise at some time, since nonsmoking does not bestow immortality. There are numerous studies that conclude that smokers actually reduce health care costs by dying younger. In this time of layoffs and reductions, it would be interesting to see the logic for why having some smokers off the job reduces productivity.

I don't smoke; however, the almost religious fervor of the anti-smoking movement concerns me as they seek to limit the rights of smokers. Of course, the next target is to stigmatize people who eat bacon cheeseburgers.

Dan Wagner, West Chester

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Minister's defense of gay marriage twisted

Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken ("Minister makes stand for gay marriages," April 5) says he wants freedom to "interpret the Bible various ways." Excuse me, but sacrificing God's word to the false idol of moral relativism is a recipe for disaster. If he truly wants this "freedom" he should voluntarily leave the Presbyterian Church and start his own denomination preaching his own gospel.

Twisting Holy Scripture to endorse homosexual marriage or ordaining homosexuals is wrong. Look at the catastrophe homosexual priests have caused in the Catholic Church. We, the body of Christ, should not condone homosexuality but, with much compassion and humility, offer homosexuals help to escape that lifestyle. God loves the sinner while hating the sin. So should we. Change is possible, and every year many homosexuals are able to end this unhealthy behavior. Easter is all about mercy, forgiveness, love and new life in Jesus Christ. But the "freedom" Rev. Van Kuiken desires appears to elevate political correctness above God's message of love, forgiveness and redemption.

Pete Shockey, Taylor Mill

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Police Academy offers public look into force

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to attend the Newport Citizens Police Academy, and it certainly was an educational experience. We were able to see how our police officers are trained, and it was something that would make you proud to see the dedication that the training officers have in teaching the police officers in the various departments, and the amount of information that must be learned and retained by the officers.

The officer in charge of each department explained how each department functioned and how they all worked together to form a well-trained Police Department. We also had a brief overview of the legal aspects that each officer must deal with.

We would like to express our appreciation to Capt. Howard Niemeyer and the various department heads down to the patrolmen for giving us the benefit of their expertise in their areas.

Chief Tom Fromme should be very proud of his employees in the Newport Police Department for their efforts in making each department the best.

If the Newport Citizens Academy were offered again, it would be a worthwhile program for any citizen of Newport to attend. It will certainly give a better understanding of the issues and the problems these officers must face each day.

Laura Roberts, Newport

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Columbia professor's comments outrageous

Stalin, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Pol Pot and Osama bin Laden have a new hero in Columbia University assistant professor Nicholas De Genova. De Genova said he hopes Iraqi armies defeat U.S. troops. "I wish for a million Mogadishus," he said, referring to the Somalian city that was the site of the 1993 firefight in which 18 American soldiers were killed. Does he really want 18 million U.S. sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, neighbors and friends be killed?

Where was his voice when nearly 800,000 people were being killed in Rwanda? Where was his voice when Pol Pot was in his killing mode? Where was De Genova when Saddam Hussein was gassing 80,000-100,000 Kurds?

How far would De Genova go? Would he harbor terrorists in his home that would attack the United States because he wants us to suffer? Would he pull the trigger to shoot a U.S. military person himself?

I am for freedom of speech. I served my country for that very reason. But, I also believe universities should have a common-sense test for hiring. How could anyone make such inflammatory remarks and not expect to face some consequences? He has possibly jeopardized his welfare, that of his family and possibly even his students. I do not wish the man harm, but there has to be many military families who are outraged by those comments.

Harry Prestanski, Former USMC, West Chester

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Beer-drinking photo sent wrong message

Thanks for the excellent coverage over the last several days on the Reds and the new ballpark. I am a little unhappy, though, with the picture on the Metro front page, "The other bank: View from Kentucky just fine" (April 1). Was it really necessary to pick a group of friends with one of the group "sipping" his beer?

I realize that a lot of folks enjoy drinking beer, and we all know it's out there, but this picture just seems to send a message, especially to the less-than-21 crowd, that it's the thing to do, and they probably will continue to drink. I think the picture would have been great just showing a family or even the group of friends without the beer.

Recently there was a tragedy at a sporting event that was caused by alcohol, and now here's a picture of a fan drinking on the way to a game. I hope this beer-sipping fan didn't fall off the boat.

Bert Pierce, Springdale

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U.S.'s safety more important over others

A recent response in the "Readers' Views" section asked the question, "Do we honestly believe that U.S. safety is more important than any other country's safety?"

In a word - yes.

If we are to survive and prosper as a nation we must, by definition, prioritize our national security over that of other countries.

Paul Knecht, Mount Airy

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View of Saddam different from Kuwait

As one who has lived in Kuwait for more than 24 years, and seen first-hand Saddam's capacity for evil, I would like to reply to all those anti-war sentiments being misrepresented loudly in our free public forum.

This worldwide duplicity is making me nauseous. We are talking about a one-man regime; one which ranks up there with Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge, a regime that is responsible for the direct death of 2 million people, most of whom are Arabs and Muslims, and another 1 million indirectly from famine, malnutrition and disease.

This is a tyrant who has subjected his people, his neighbor's people and others in Arab countries, like the militias he supported and funded in Lebanon during their 20-year civil war, to a lot of torture and torment. This region has suffered enough from his humiliation, degradation and dilapidation. We need radical change.

Where have these so-called idealistic humanitarians been when Saddam subjected Iraq to 30 years of wars, causing the deaths of almost 3 million people? Where were they when Saddam was busy bombing Iranians and Arab Iranians with severe chemical bombs, which killed about 200,000?

Believing in the concept of "no war" sounds so trendy at this time, but it is the timing that is so precisely ironic. We can no longer afford to live on the mountaintop of isolation, when the mountain is crumbling all around the world and our isolation no longer exists.

Sandra Al-Ajmi, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

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Constructive hints for good citizenship

Here are some constructive ideas from Citizenship 101:

• Don't shout down dissent as un-American.
• Read international news to better understand your own.
• Stop driving gas-guzzlers.
• Leave God out of politics.
• Inform yourself and vote.

Maurice Peck, Madeira