Re-claim Cincinnati streets from crime

Our city endured its most violent night of the year with five separate shootings. Why was this story buried on Page 9 of the Metro section? (Article) We are on another record pace for the number of homicides in the city limits. Why does the front page news have a story about the exodus of residents from Hamilton County to suburban counties? Could there be a correlation between the two stories? The city seems to be overly concerned with the demise of Over-the-Rhine and the downtown business district. But each of these shootings occurred in a different neighborhood. We can't keep pretending that our city is a safe and exciting place to live when you can't drive down a major street in Westwood (Harrison Ave.) without being in the middle of a gunfight. The residents need to re-claim their neighborhoods from the crime and drugs that plague them because our city leaders are not capable of doing it.

Kym Ahern
Covedale

Nothing new about'New Cincinnati' slogan

Regarding the latest marketing ploy for the city: "New York, New Orleans, New Cincinnati," I have two words for the geniuses who came up with this one: "New Coke."

Dave Morris
Colerain Township

Churches push away many talented people

I would like to express my heartfelt support and gratitude for the Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken. He is a brave man to stand by his convictions with so much on the line and even braver because he is putting his livelihood there for a group he is not a member of.

For years the churches have been wrangling with the "issue of homosexuality" long after so many medical and psychological organizations have confirmed it as a non-issue, and along the way these so-called holy bodies, in their righteousness, have only succeeded in casting away so many bright and talented people of every sexuality. Should they cast out Stephen Van Kuiken, the light of the Presbyterian church will be all the dimmer for it.

Douglas Meredith
Southgate

No ambiguity about the message of God

Should women be allowed to vote? In his letter "Takes Issue with Bible interpretation" (April 16), Scott Cruse states that because there is debate over passages of Scripture concerning gays, these passages must be "undeniably ambiguous."

I recall heated debate concerning giving women (and minorities) the right to vote. There was even greater debate over the issue of slavery. Were those issues lacking a clear moral answer? I certainly do not believe so. Nor do I believe that because there is debate, the Bible is ambiguous.

God does not need help to make up his mind concerning homosexuality. He is not involved in a debate. Reading the Bible in context, as Mr. Cruse suggests, makes it undeniably clear how He feels. The book of Genesis describes the men of Sodom attempting to sodomize two angels of God. The city, along with Gomorrah, was utterly destroyed "because their sin is very grievous" (Genesis 18:20). In no part of the Scripture does it remotely mention prostitution or pagan religious practices causing their destruction, as Cruse would have us believe.

Passages Cruse describes as being "bandied about," like Leviticus 18:22, which states that man "shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." Unclear? Which words don't you understand?

Yes, God destroyed mankind, with the exception of Noah and his family. You know the story Cruse, so you also know the reason. Man would not turn from his wickedness. Perhaps they even chose to try and debate the "ambiguous" words of God.

Anna Bryan
Colerain Township

Peace activism is a religious tradition

This is in reply to a letter by Mike Emerine, "Young manipulated by peace activists," (April 16). The pope and many other prominent Christian and Jewish leaders and denominations condemned or voiced opposition to the war both before and during the fighting. Would Mr. Emerine consider the Gospels a manipulating product of the "liberal media?" Wasn't Jesus one of the original "peace activists?"

James Frecka
Blue Ash

Coverage of SARS is far out of proportion

The extent of coverage on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) truly amazes me. Given that there are far more deadlier communicable diseases out there, what prompts us to be fascinated by a mutant virus? Is it because that when the war with Iraq failed us as a spectator sport, we crave more sensationalism?

I'm not sure what the reasons are. I will however say that SARS doesn't keep me up at night, I have many more acute fears such as being able to pay my mortgage and dealing with the crazy drivers on the Third Street off ramp!

Bob Gill
Union Township

Cincinnati's attitudes keep tourists at bay

Tuesday's editorial ("Image campaign: New Cincinnati," April 15) reports on the city's efforts to attract more visitors. I just went to a conference in San Francisco and was really impressed. The hotel was on Union Square and surrounded by great shops, stores, restaurants and lots of life day and night. But instead of asking what San Francisco has we do not, I suggest we ask what we have that they don't. We have great symphony, sports and all that, but we also have an anti-gay legacy that keeps many conventions away, plus a history of censorship of arts and adult entertainment. Anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-porn, anti-anti-anti. These divisive issues overshadow much of Cincinnati's splendor.

Arnold Wilson
Clifton

Miami arts center will be cultural treasure

In reference to Janelle Gelfand's March 16 article about the plans to build a new multiuse center for the arts at Miami, including a state-of-the-art concert hall: I have been waiting a long time for this, first as a Miami student during the 1930s, and then as a professor for 38 years. In the 1930s, the Dean of Music Dr. Kratt and others wondered whether students would attend a concert by a Metropolitan Opera star. When the beautiful blonde soprano Helen Jepson appeared in the old gym, Withrow Court, the place was packed, and she received an ovation. The new facility would be a focal point for the 130 theater productions, lectures, concerts and other performing artist events that are held at Miami each year.

In early 1960s,I tried to get the Idabel Firestone Foundation to sponsor a new concert hall. At that time, President Millett had plans for a concert hall estimated to cost $3 million, which never came to fruition. The current plan is estimated to cost $75 million, so we are still looking for an "angel" and supporters to finance this project.

Congratulations to President James Garland for pursuing excellence in the arts at Miami. The Miami campus and city of Oxford will be the recipient of an economic and cultural treasure for the new century.

Dr. Harold F. Puff
Professor Emeritus
Miami University, Oxford