TO THE EDITOR:

In response to the Aug. 6 front-page article on Roger Ach and his wife, Janet, I am distressed that the Enquirer has successfully achieved true tabloid journalism, the essential ingredients being: misuse of information, half-truths, insinuation, good dose of fiction, righteous quotes from some not so righteous folks and splashy notoriety. Too sad.

The Achs, for the 20 years I have known them, have, and continue to be, two of the most positive and loyal ambassadors for Cincinnati. They have, and continue to support the arts, social service and environmental causes vital to Cincinnati.

The Achs have always had the courage and generosity to take on the "unpopular" and thankless volunteer assignments. To those of us who volunteer in the trenches of Cincinnatian's real needs, the Achs are among our heroes and the first to be called whenever we're in need of hard work for a worthy cause. The Achs' never say no, if they can't help you themselves; they stay the course with you in solving the problem. That's a rare and valued quality.

So, orchids to the Achs and onions to the Enquirer.

Val Beck Sena, Hyde Park

Time, affection mark true family

I am a birth mother who made the decision to place my child for adoption as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I was able to choose the parents I thought would be the best for this child.

Yes, I have had moments of doubt and regret about my choice; however, never have I thought about trying to take this child away from his parents. I am appalled by the lack of regard that birth parents of Justin Asente have shown toward him. At this point, the Asentes are his parents and the bio-mother and father should now bow out and allow this family to live in peace.

Many people are surprised by my support for the adoptive parents over the birth parents, but simply giving up biological material does not automatically make people mommy and daddy. Time, love and sacrifice are the true test of a family. I believe the Asente's are Justin's real family.

Debbie Bolen, Price Hill

New supermarket too much for some

Thank you for printing Jessica Murdaugh's letter on Aug. 5 regarding the obesity of the new Hyde Park Kroger. If ever I have witnessed "pained looks" on people's faces, it would be at this new enterprise in Hyde Park/Oakley. The question becomes: "Is less more?" Perhaps the sages of old might be correct in this prescription for life. If the mood of Hyde Park Kroger is any indication, it is so. Less is more.

Let us take heed of this great wisdom as we proceed with the city's rezoning. When is enough enough?

Lorraine Downing, Hyde Park

On gays, don't take Bible literally

It would seem that some people (namely the writer of "Homosexuality not acceptable to God," Aug. 6) need to open their eyes to the fact that, in many cases, the Bible is a document to be interpreted rather than taken literally.

For example, the Bible places homosexuality and tattooing on equal par as crimes. And yet, how many people - including good Christian souls - have been inked? For their body art, are these people shameful, unnatural and deserving of death as well?

Furthermore, the Bible states that we are to "love thy neighbor as thyself." The writer of this letter is expressing nothing but hate toward his fellow man in writing what he has. God's rules are just that - God's rules. It's not for men to judge others according to their edicts.

I had thought that this was common knowledge among Christians. Perhaps, as an apparent member of a non-pseudo Christian denomination, the writer missed the message.

Kate Lampe, Finneytown

States should raise teen driving age

I just turned 16 this February, and recently visited Germany with my high school. In Germany, the driving age is 18, as opposed to 16 in the United States. In Germany, they don't have nearly as many traffic accidents and violations as our 16-year-old drivers, and yet the teens control the streets. At 15, and 5 months, a teen can control a vehicle under supervision of a guardian but in public.

I'm just about to wrap up my driver's training classes, but I'm still afraid to go out onto the streets. Why? Not because I don't have enough experience, not because I nearly failed tests of driving knowledge with a 70 percent, as many teens do, but because teens rule the road. Something needs to be done about the hundreds of teens being killed on state roads every year. Parents need to take control of their children, and I sincerely believe that the state should rise the driving age.

Kyle Shepard, Colerain Township

City needs more front-door deals

Cincinnati seems to have constructed a back door that everyone, including anyone with notoriety, wants to use.

Bengals owner Mike Brown made great use of it in his player/team deals. He tried desperately to field a team and take it to the playoffs using the back door.

The last front door the Reds walked a player through was Ken Griffey Jr. Now they all seem to be disappearing through the back door. And what about other businesses? How many over the last several months, besides Saks and Federated-Macy's, have threatened to slip out the back door?

Joe Schechter, Montgomery

Bronson's vacation column refreshing

How pleasant it was to read Peter Bronson's column about a laid-back vacation ("What I did on my summer vacation: Nothing," Aug. 6). It was needed as we proceed through the hectic adventure now unfolding in Jim Borgman's comic strip, Zits.

On Monday the family vacationers drove through a redwood tree in northern California. On Tuesday they were happily viewing the scenery in Arches National Park - a mere 700 miles away. Makes me tired just thinking of it.

Ray Voegele, Anderson Township