America acted, and 3 weeks later, Iraqis free

We haven't seen the likes of it since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Three weeks into a war that a few Americans still preach against, we have Iraqis dancing in the streets of Baghdad, pulling down statues of Saddam. They are praising America, and destroying anything that reminds them of their dictator. They know freedom for the first time.

We have seen that Saddam jailed children, some for up to five years, for failing to follow him. We saw tearful parents reclaiming their kids, thanks to America.

The dictator who cried that he didn't have enough oil money to feed his people had warehouses full of it, but only for his soldiers. Now, it all belongs not to us but to his people, thanks to America.

Three weeks ago, America stopped talking and started acting. After 12 years of watching people be enslaved, tortured and killed under a doddering United Nations, America acted.

Hollywood actors have been proclaiming that this war is "not in their name." Folks, you are right for once. It's not about you, the oil or the power. It's about America doing what America does, saving people and bringing freedom.

Andrew Bartmess, Mount Washington

Delta had right to change business plan

This is in regard to the article ("Angry Delta consumers aim to increase pressure" April 9).

I am sitting here with a big smile on my face. Only in America will you find people protesting a company for changing a program that they offer for "free."

Americans are so spoiled it's crazy. We seem to grow to expect everything for nothing. Delta is a business, and they made a business program change. Live with it, or fly with someone else. This is the land of the free. They are free to change a program, and you are free to change your airline. Take the $6,000 you raised and donate it, and stop crying.

Paul Jones, Green Township

City anted up, and this is Larkin's thanks?

You are welcome, Barry. After the taxpayers of Hamilton County mortgaged their future, as well as the future of their children and grandchildren to build a new stadium for the Reds, Barry Larkin thanks us by saying, "I think getting away from this place will probably be good for the team." (April 8). We thought the French, Germans and Russians were unappreciative people.

Ray Straub, Groesbeck

Reds' players losing with focus on Griffey

I certainly cannot understand the Enquirer's fascination with Ken Griffey. On the Sport's page, it was a 5 3/4-by-8 picture of Griffey when he hit his first home run in the new ballpark. On the same page, it was a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2 picture of Austin Kearns after he hit the first Reds' home run in the new ball park - his first of the year, also.

In my opinion, Kearns has given more to the Reds in his one year than Griffey has given since he arrived and immediately became disabled. I believe that such unfair treatment to all the players, with the exception of Griffey, has a demoralizing effect on the team. Perhaps the best thing for the Reds would be to trade Griffey. I'll bet that the remaining players would be a better team in the long run.

Raymond S. Wagner, Springfield Township

No taxation without representation

I read both the March 22 editorial (Taft deal/Taft wants out) and the April 7 letter from Matthew Hemberger ("Ohio should drop tax reciprocity") and had a few thoughts. One of the biggest reasons for our country's independence was taxation without representation." I think any income tax levied should go to the state, city or county of residence.

If I live in Kentucky and my house catches on fire, who comes to put it out? If my house is broken into, who comes to investigate? Ohio or Cincinnati? If a new tax is proposed, can I vote yea or nay? Or do I have to ante up without having any input? If I disagree with city council or county commissioners, can I vote against them? Neither the state nor the city gives me a job; the company that hires me gives me the job. It seems very unfair to keep putting your hands in my pocket without giving me the opportunity to disagree or have anything to say about how my money is spent.

As far as the schools being hurt by buying a house in Kentucky, don't they have schools also? Aren't the property taxes helping schools wherever they are? I live in Ohio, but the more I read about the budget problem, which seems to be the result of irresponsible spending by the legislature (recent pay raises and hiring), the more I think I would be better off in Kentucky.

Carol Kahn, Amberley Village

Big business needs to be divided from courts

I am writing in support of Peter Bronson's column on April 4 ("A clear case of quotas"). Is the U.S. Supreme Court a judiciary branch of the government or has it lowered itself to a body of politicians that can be influenced by lobbyists? The mere fact that corporations including General Mills, United Airlines, Nationwide Insurance, Texaco and Procter & Gamble have filed legal briefs supporting discrimination should be interpreted as a form of lobbying.

The fact that the University of Michigan was giving 20 additional points for minority students, clearly giving the minority applicant an unfair advantage over someone with a perfect SAT score, is discrimination. It is not reverse discrimination, but discrimination and cannot be tolerated.

This is an insult to every United States citizen, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin. Therefore, I am selling my P&G stock and will no longer purchase any product made by P&G and General Mills, or support any of the other corporations by purchasing their products or using their services. I also encourage every law-abiding citizen to do the same. We already have a separation of church and state, should we not have a separation of big business and the judicial branch?

Dennis M. Luken, Mount Washington

Dixie Chicks in the minority of protesters

This is in regard to the letter ("Roosevelt encouraged criticism from public," April 8) and the Dixie Chicks. I would suggest the writer call his wife stupid for example, while they are alone in their home. He might get away with it, but let him make the same comment in front of friends at his house, and see what happens to him. President Bush has an approval rating of almost 80 percent in favor of the war in Iraq. There's always the 10 percent who don't know because no matter what, they never know. They are the undecided voters one day before an election. The day after the election you find out they didn't vote anyway, because they couldn't make up their minds. The Dixie Chicks are part of the minority. They could always move to France, Russia or China where they can take pride in their leaders.

Michael Brodeur, Reading

Threats hurt city and its reputation

The April 3 Enquirer quoted the Rev. Stephen Scott, "You think of black-on-black crime now; you'll be able to change the color scheme. It's going to be a long, hot summer if our demands are not met. If you think hell is hot, you ain't seen nothing yet."

In response to the comment, I cringe, the hair on my neck stands up and my skin crawls. I am so sorry for what these people have already done to our beautiful city. My fear is not so much for what other sorts of damage can be done and more for what they will do to the once proud reputation of Cincinnati.

History reverberates with the cries of people whose democratic governments were destroyed by militant groups who claimed to represent some faction of people.

The Revs. Damon Lynch III and Stephen Scott hold high the banner of injustice and oppression. What means do they use to manipulate our government? Bullying, threats intimidation and violence. These would, if they worked, all fall under the definition of oppression. They wish to hold the city hostage to serve their needs in the name of representing a group of people.

Many citizens want someone else to negotiate, someone who could set aside their prejudices and seriously consider what was in the best interest of Cincinnati as a whole.

Cynthia Osterbrock, Milford

Boycotters need to get over past and move on

The boycotters should examine their lives and actions to determine whether they are qualified to judge the city of Cincinnati. Where there are hundreds of thousands of people gathered, there will be misunderstandings without law and order. It would be a big mess. We cannot take every incident and punish all the people for it. Let's get on with our lives. Let the past pass.

Bob Alexander, Mount Healthy

Trade in SUVs, and they'll be sold again

In regard to the letter ("Constructive hints for good citizenship" April 9).

The writer suggests that in order to save fuel, SUV owners should "stop driving gas guzzlers." Let's say the owners of "gas guzzlers" take him up on his suggestion by trading in their SUV for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. What becomes of the traded in gas guzzler? The auto dealership puts it on his used car lot and sells it to someone else.

Todd Remmy, Kenwood

Ad gives ammunition to kids in fight for respect

Recently, I was shocked to see a two-thirds page ad titled, "Your parents think you can't have a cell phone." This was followed by "Cut this out and stick it on your fringe."

Often I hear adults complain about children not respecting their parents. Yet several companies teamed up to spend big bucks to give ammunition in the form of this ad to kids to argue with their parents.

That sure beats, "All my friends have cell phones" when trying to wear down parents to get what you want.

Frances May Brooks, Westwood