TO THE EDITOR: Sweeter than the taste of any candy from my basket was the treat I received on Easter night, as I sat in my living room after a day of prayer and family, and read the Enquirer editorial "Holy Week/Holy Lands: Hope for peace."

It mentioned, "Israel's fence and travel bans for the West Bank and Gaza shut out from Jerusalem Palestinian suicide bombers but also Palestinian Christians."

Thank you for acknowledging that there are, indeed, Palestinian Christians. For my Palestinian Christian friends in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Bir Zeit, I want nothing more than a land of their own and the freedom of movement to live their lives and to live their faith.

Father Rob Waller, Pastor, Saint Andrew Catholic Church, Milford

---

Cohen wrong to scorn Paige's beliefs

Syndicated Columnist Richard Cohen scorns the idea that someone might think that atheists and agnostics would have to have religious faith in order to have values ("His faith is not his mandate" April 16). There is no question the ethics of some atheists and agnostics can rival those of highly religious people.

The difference, however, is in the staying power of the values to which they adhere. The Christianity that Secretary of Education Rod Paige professes is absolute. In other words, he believes that the biblical command, "Thou shalt not steal" was given by God; it's, therefore, unchangeable and good for all time. On the other hand, the ethical system of an atheist or agnostic is subject to the ebb and flow of the times and the situation at hand. The belief that stealing is not good is only true if it serves some useful purpose in the mind of the individual.

Cohen is only partly correct in saying that an atheist or agnostic is no more likely to commit murder or shoplift than a religious person. After some consideration, I think that most people would rather be shipwrecked on a deserted island with a devout Christian than a devout atheist.

Paul McDorman, Mason

---

We need a slogan with more oomph!

The new slogan for Cincinnati is pleading at best. Allow me to suggest something more appropriate, self-confident and recognizable: "Cincinnati, a River of______Runs Through It."

The blank could be filled in with a single term that may or may not change from time to time while different groups or organizations might employ a term specifically suited to their own objectives. Terms such as opportunity, culture, invention, progress, history, commerce and healing among many others come immediately to mind.

John Hogan, Springfield Township

---

Card idea omitted other institutions

Regarding Ray Cooklis' deck of Cincinnati cards ("Dealing Cincinnati a Winning Hand"): Interesting idea. Just two comments. You omitted Children's Hospital Medical Center which was recently designated the fourth best pediatrics facility in the country. And, how could you use an arrogant, belligerent and basketball coach to represent a great university internationally renowned for its architecture, design, music and performing arts colleges?

Keith Pape

Anderson Township

---

Chamber should print deck of cards

What a great Forum cover story in this Sunday's paper. Great job, Ray Cooklis, it was clever, creative, colorful and left me proudly nodding my head in the realization that our city-region area has much to offer.

However, I have to say, that I think a totally full deck was not presented.

The two jokers were missing and, sadly I think, the face value of these two is heavily weighted with all the negative issues that have unfortunately plagued our city for so long. I sincerely hope that our current efforts to discard them are successful.

And, by the way, wouldn't it be neat for our chamber of commerce to actually print a set of cards detailing the attractions in Sunday's 52 card deck? The cards would need to include printed directions/information to each of the sights on the back of each card, then these could be sent to potential Cincinnati visitors or sold around town. Maybe Cincinnati could be first in such a national marketing campaign?

Carter Cordes, Wyoming

---

Environment needs more than prayers

In response to the letter ("Celebrate Earth Day with universal prayer" April 19). I just had to laugh. While I respect a person's reliance on prayer, why not sell your SUV or ride a bike or the bus instead of a gas-guzzling automobile? Or how about not using as much electricity? There are so many ways to celebrate Earth Day that would have a direct effect on our environment.

I suggest to those people who like to create change by praying, go pick up a garbage bag and start cleaning up our neighborhoods. I promise you the Earth will appreciate it.

Chris Seelbach, Dayton, OH

---

Lynch and POWs aren't real heroes

Enough already about our country's newest heroes, Pvt. Jessica Lynch and the other POWs. Everybody most certainly respects their willingness to serve and are delighted they have returned safely, yet the treatment and hero status they are receiving is unfounded.

Recently, I heard retired Air Force General Robbie Risner speak at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Gen. Risner was a POW in North Vietnam for more than seven years. During these seven years, he spent more than two years in solitary confinement and was tortured beyond belief. He was nearly starved to death, and his North Vietnamese captors were cruel beyond description.

Nobody from Hollywood has made a TV movie of his experience, nor did the USAF immediately fly his family to the Philippines to meet him immediately after his release. A true icon of American heroism, Gen. Risner was pretty much ignored by the press and people of the United States upon his return home, and that was fine with him. He was merely doing his job.

Yes, we are proud of Pvt. Lynch and the others, but the hoopla they are receiving for their three weeks as POWs in Iraq, compared to the lack of attention our Vietnam POWs received, is truly baffling to me.

Capt. Christopher Heather

USAF-Res., White Oak

---

Proud of our troops' professional conduct

Has anyone else noted how good our troops appear? It makes no difference whether they are depicted in battle, at rest, or interacting with the locals, they always maintain a calm, professional demeanor.

It makes us feel so proud of the young people representing our country, whether in Iraq or elsewhere in the world.

God bless them all.

Freda J. Faulkner, Reading

---

Yes you can park downtown for $1

Regarding parking downtown for $1, Marilyn Shaver need not feel rushed ("Downtown worth money spent to park" April 19), nor should Paul Daugherty take offense to the signs which promote $1 parking ("Phony dollar parking signs another downtown eyesore" April 6). Both can come downtown and spend the whole day, enjoying shopping, fine dining, and great nightlife, while only paying $1 to park. The Westin and Fountain Square are two places which offer this rate on Saturday and Sunday.

Eric Schneider, Madeira

---

Worry about other things, not Ron Twitty

Why do we continue to waste time and effort "wondering" about Ron Twitty's car accident. Leave the man alone and get on with the business at hand - crime, fatherless children, husbandless mothers, drugs on the street corners. We need to be worried about other things - like this silly boycott and how to take our city and streets back from those who would destroy it and its citizens.

Mary Bowling, Winton Place

---

Arabs are mad at U.S. for Iraq action

The destruction of Baghdad under the guise of liberating its citizens from the cruel regime of Saddam Hussein may be a great victory for America, and the people of that city are indeed glad his dictatorial rule has ended. Yet it was only a battle in what will be a long, costly war.

The rest of the Arab world was shocked, saddened and enraged at what we did to Baghdad, even those who were against Hussein. More than ever, they feel threatened by American imperialism, and their reaction to our pillage of such a great city will be that of a violent retaliation to our country, both to our forces in the Middle East, and to our citizens here.

Rick Zabel, Walnut Hills