Cincinnati Police, keep up the good work. It is only the "squeaky wheel" African-Americans that are turning this city into the urinal of the state of Ohio. How many times in the past few years have we heard the same outcry over a person of color losing his life during the commission of a crime? The black community has loses all credibility when it supports these lawbreakers. If we could substitute a 342-pound white man on that video there would be little to no protests from the white community. Why? Because we are intelligent enough as a community to understand the repercussions of right and wrong. But that does not matter to the clowns on City Council who will not let anything go to trial.

And, as for the idiot Fire Chief stating that the Fire Department is partly to blame, how absurd. The only way they would be to blame is to let an EMT, that is not certified by the state, work on the man. The Fire Chief has one of his cronies that has not been certified as an EMT for over five years. Men and women of the CPD, carry on proudly. The majority of the community supports you.

Chris Henke, Delhi

I am behind the police department 100%. I feel sorry for the officers going through all of this hell just for doing their jobs. I am also sorry for the family's loss of a loved one. No doubt this man had family and friends who loved him, and they will miss him terribly.

However, he brought all of this on himself. He over-indulged in bad vices. He obviously ate himself into morbid obesity, smoked, probably drank, did horrible life-threatening drugs, all of which wrecked his heart and health. The two pictures you see of him on TV or in print are of him gambling, and in his arrest photo. He may have been a fun guy, but the choices he made led directly to his death. The people eating at and working at White Castle had a right to do so in peace. The people in that neighborhood had a right to peaceful sleep in their homes at 5:45 Sunday morning. None of them wanted to be bothered by an overdosed, out of control person of any color, gender or size.

The firemen and police officers came there to help him. He responded by shouting racial slurs and insults at them. He attacked the cops. Would he have done that if he was straight? Probaly not. Was his mind influenced by the drugs he took? Yep. Should they have just let him go? Who was he going to attack next? He acted the way he did because he was too high, and knew that if he let them help him, he was probably going to go back to jail. Surely that would have been better than death. All of these choices and events are on him. And the result is tragic. The outsiders coming here to raise hell are only out to make themselves rich and famous off of other peoples tragedies. Same goes for the local hell-raisers. And I don't get the people that don't get it. How can any one be that, excuse me, dumb? I am so tired of all of this bull. I am so tired of the gangs, the nightly shootings, the drug trade, the boycott. Why do we all have to hate so much? Can we all just grow up and do the right thing? Please!

Diana Jackson, Westwood

I have never been more disgusted than when I watched Ken Lawson grandstanding on television with a family in mourning over the death of a loved one.

The sad truth is that a man is dead because of his own foolish choices and inability to abide by the laws of our great city. To the family of Nathaniel Jones, I am sorry for your loss. To the police officers involved, I am sorry for the scrutiny you must endure for doing a sometimes thankless job, and many times a very dangerous one. To Ken Lawson, I am sorry you are a part of anything that supposedly deals with representing anyone in need. You are a disgrace to the city of Cincinnati. I hope if any good comes from this unfortunate situation, it will be for people to see through attorneys like yourself, whose real agenda is only to feed off a situation like this for your own monetary gain. Remember, Ken, look at the facts. Don't try to use subjective thoughts such as race issues, or a minute of video that doesn't exist. Act like your not in it for a big payoff, and realize the detriment you cause to all citizens of our city by trying to again make it a racial issue. Maybe if you really want to help, Ken, you could patrol some of the neighborhoods where these situations tend to take place, sound like a good idea? It does to me.

Mike Ventre, Cincinnati

This is to the community: We, the people of Cincinnati are trying to raise families with some type of a moral value system. How can we even have the nerve to think of offering a national day to remember the young man who died after a scuffle with the Cincinnati police?

We have men and women who give their lives for our country. We have people shot and killed in drive-by shootings. Where is the honor for these people?

Why should the drug dependent people in our city, those who think the laws and guidelines are for others, get any type of special recognition? Why?

Charlie Green, Anderson Township

When will parents quit making excuses for their children and teach them to respect authority? Just maybe the number of black males who die while being arrested would decrease. Think about it.

Jeff Merkle, Pleasant Run

Cincinnati Police, I support you and trust your judgement NO MATTER WHAT. Chief Streicher, do not back down and stay where you are.

I am originally from Cincinnati. I married a black man and choose to live elsewhere because it is too much for Cincinnati blacks to handle. We got more nasty comments thrown at us from the Black community when we lived there than any other group.

When is the black community going to realize that no one cares whether a suspect/criminal/public nuisance is black or white? And when a police officer asks you to cooperate, you do so. It is that easy.

A 350-pound man on cocaine and PCP who is dancing in White Castle in the early morning is not a good role model for his children so skip the "good" father description, it won't work.

Sure, there is sadness that someone died and I feel sorry for the family. But I would feel the same way about this whole thing if it was a white man who died in custody. This is ridiculous and I am tired of being embarrassed by my town.

Stand tall, police!

Melanie Robertson, Burlington, Ky.

To the police and Jones family: This is sick, sick, sick, sick, sick! Fire those officers!

Nundi Abada, Pittsburgh

The chief and the FOP may say it was by the book. Yet any blind man can see they need to take a second look. We seem to have an incredible knack for black men dying while being subdued, and I find it odd we don't have the same for those of a different hue. Now Webster and Fangman seem to, in the fashion of Tom and Huck, want to have us "whitewash" the fence by passing off the buck.

Let's be clear, ladies, we are not talking about men who have met their demise, while firing upon officers or armed and up to no good, Carpenter, Thomas, Owensby, and now Jones, had they been white and in westwood we would not be casting stones. Admit there is a disparity in the way black males are done. For sure we admit we will be slow to call you for fear of losing a loved one.

Timothy LaCour, Evanston

I realize the emotion of this issue, but the police did nothing wrong in this situation. In fact, I'm surprised they were as restrained as they were. Iam a senior level honors student with a Criminal Justice major and we analyzed this video Tuesday in class. All blows were directed towards pressure points, which should have caused Mr. Jones to be easily restrained, while causing no permanent damage.

The fact that Mr. Jones was practically unaffected by these blows led the class, including our professor, a retired police chief with a Ph.D. in criminal justice management, to the conclusion that Mr. Jones must have had extremely high levels of some sort of stimulant in his system. The autopsy results confirmed our suspicions.

Instead of rioting and protesting, Cincinnati's community leaders would do well to teach your young men that if an officer is trying to affect an arrest, it is wise to comply. If you fight with them it is likely to result in your injury or possibly even death. If they tell you to keep your hands where they can see them, do so. Do not reach for anything or point anything at them. Pointing a stick, drill or other object at the officer, or reaching into your coat or back pocket will lead a reasonable officer to believe his own life may be at risk, and he will shoot you to protect himself. Put your hands in the air and stop where you are, be polite to the nice officer, don't hit or curse him/her and you are highly unlikely to be hurt in any way.

Brad Jones, Fort Wayne, Ind.

From what I have seen, I believe that Mr. Jones acted in a manner that ultimately led to his death. As a nurse, I have worked with people on PCP and other drugs and know how very difficult--if not impossible--it is to subdue them without causing some harm to them and to those trying to bring them down. He definitely played a role in his own death and that will be a very hard pill for his loved ones to swallow.

I am very sorry for his family. Their loss is tragic no matter the situation. His death is tragic and probably the only people I find fault with is the media who use this as an opportunity for comic relief--such as WLW's promos about a fat man; the black so-called leaders--and especially the great ambulance chaser of criminal law, Ken Lawson. Using this as an opportunity to further their own causes, whatever they may be, is disgraceful.

I think someone needs to point out that the apparent fact that Mr. Jones was a gentle man, a kind man, a good father and son is NOT relevant to this incident. In this one moment his demeanor was driven by drugs and his demeanor was violent and out of control. The officers acted in a manner that was necessitated by Mr. Jones' own behavior and there really should be no more made of this situation than that.

If this city dare pay his family one cent I will myself join the boycott! Enough is enough! We are going to become like Iraq where the young are trained to strap bombs to their backs with the promise of great sums of money to the family! His family deserves our condolences; they deserve to have their son's death not made into a circus event and they deserve dignity--but they do not deserve a payoff.

Karen Pinsky, Mason

Mr. Jones made several choices the night of his death that squarely put the responsibility on his shoulders. First of all, he made the choice to take the drugs which caused his erratic behavior, made him pass out, and made him violent. Secondly, he attacked the police officers.

Mr. Jones would still be with us if he did not make these two decisions. So what ever happened to personal responsibility in Cincinnati?

I am certain the officers who were involved in this tragic incident did not go to work with the intention of this happening. Being a police officer and dealing with them is becoming more and more dangerous for the general public because of the actions of Mr. Jones and other individuals in Cincinnati.

I watched all of the available videos and did not feel that the officers overreacted or were overly violent with Mr. Jones. In fact, I feel that the police restrained themselves in light of what was happening. The video does not lie.

Certain individuals in this community need to learn that when an officer asks you to do something (stay back or put your hands behind your back as the Police were shown asking on the video to Mr. Jones before he attacked them), you simply comply. Of course no one likes to be in trouble or having to deal with the Police, but failure to follow this simple rule could lead to some unpleasant consequences.

Mr. Jones was responsible for his actions that lead to his death. This is not a black, white, orange, green or blue issue. It is simply an issue that Mr. Jones was irresponsible and made the wrong choices and paid the ultimate price. Now his family, the NAACP, his lawyer, and many others want to make it a color issue.

Bob Kroger, Anderson Township

My condolences to the family.

For the police: I think you did your job. However, we need to better educate the public nuisances that respect for the police department is the key to keeping arrests civil.

I don't blame the police, I blame the folks that resist arrest--are they out of their minds?

For the black community: Work with the police. Resisting arrest is probably the number one reason for these types of issues. Be a positive force for the black community--communicate respect for the police and the work they do. We need the police and the more we cooperate, the better off everyone is.

Suzy Smith, Northside

First, it is unfortunate that Nathaniel Jones died in this incident, but what outcome do people expect from a violent outburst with police officers who are only trying to protect themselves and the lives of others? I think it is sad that police officers, especially police officers in Cincinnati, have to go out into our city and try to protect and serve when every time an African-American is killed or injured in the process they all of the sudden are in trouble for racial profiling.

The fact of the matter is that only 43% of Cincinnati's population is African-American, and over the last five years or so every attack made on Cincinnati police officers, 90% of the time it was an African-American. What does that tell you? All these people protesting this whole thing need to focus on the bigger picture here. What's with all of the hostility? The police officers did nothing to provoke this man. In fact he was provoking police officers. The family of Nathaniel Jones has made outrageous comments about the police, but have they even wondered why he was out in the middle of the night roaming around high as a kite on really dangerous drugs? I am beginning to think that they see absolutely nothing wrong with this. They will be happy though when they get their money from the city...which all of us who work in the city will pay for with our tax dollars. The whole thing is absurd...what if Nathaniel Jones was white, what would have happened...NOTHING! That's sad.

Q. Bender, Western Hills

Is Willie Cunningham really the correct person we in Cincinnati want to comment (so soon after this tragedy, with so little REAL information)? I don't live my life via video tape and reality shows. Hannity and Combs presents this idiot juxtaposed with an apparently sensible (but out-of-town) black lawyer presenting opinions in a rather calm demeanor--purely to create "sparks." We here know Willie's shtick; the nation however and, I fear, some local folks, think he is the prototype Cincinnati white male. This is truly as sad as it is wrong.

Just as foretold in the movie "Network" 30 years ago, news and entertainmaint, and now reality itself, are one maddening mixture of nonsense. I hate to admit it but I feel like saying, "I am mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!"

Jim Brady, Pleasant Ridge

I belive these officers were fighting for there own live against this very large man. In fights like this, two or three seconds can feel like 30 minutes. I believe these officers should not be judged until all the evidence is in place.

Ed Leen, Dayton, Ohio

It's a shame when anyone dies. God bless the family and friends of Mr. Jones who miss him. It is also a shame that the six police officers have to go through such hell for doing their job. God bless them as well.

Defenders of Mr. Jones keep saying that he did nothing wrong before being confronted by police and attacking them. They contend that he was merely a guy on drugs dancing in a parking lot, not threatening anyone.

However, the White Castle security video clearly shows Mr. Jones driving his car into the White Castle lot. Driving a car while high on cocaine and PCP is a threat to all in the community. It is truly a blessing that he didn't kill anyone while driving to the White Castle.

If police let him go, they would have let him take a deadly weapon onto the streets of North Avondale while under the influence.

No one can defend driving under the influence. Period!

Tim O'Mackelly, Mt. Washington

Why does the Cincinnati Police chief have to provoke people?

I mean, doesn't the man needs to know when to shut up? The Cincinnati City Council needs to fire that terrible, racist police chief. With a terrible, stupid police chief like that it's no wonder race relations and crime have gotten worse since 2001.

Brian Olaffssen, Over-the-Rhine

To the Cincinnati Police Department: Thank you for DOING YOUR JOB! There are those who feel they should not take responsibility for their own actions. Jones took his life into his own hands when he took drugs, led an unhealthy life and attacked police officers. This "gentle giant" was no teddy bear. This was a drug-addicted felon when he hit a police officer. You did NOTHING WRONG. Thank you again and keep up the good work!

Corey Pratt, Cincinnati

I know that the Cincinnati Police did their job when it came to the death of Mr. Jones.

How many times did they tell Mr. Jones to put his hands behind his back? Too many. I am just glad that Mr. Jones did not have a gun, for hard telling how many deaths there would have been since he was on drugs. Of course, a lot of people are saying police brutality, but put yourself in their shoes.

I do believe that the police handled it the best way that they could. Good going, Cincinnati Police, for protecting innocent bystanders who might have been harmed if they had not taken action.

Bonnie Luken, Tomball, Texas

Although the video can be perceived as solid evidence of the brutality of either Nathaniel Jones or the Cincinnati Police, it also indicates much about the priorities of this city.

Tasers are not provided for the officers and authorities who protect us on a daily basis, and that lack is justified because tasers are expensive.

The city of Cincinnati agreed to provide city and state assistance to both the Convergys ($52.2 million over 15 years) and Kroger ($12 million) corporations earlier this year. These subsidies exist to keep business in the region, with the intent of maintaining the livelihoods of those working for the corporations, and developing livelihoods for those who will work for them in the future.

Why is it, then, that the same city that is willing to spend millions of dollars to protect the livelihoods of its citizens, cites cost as an issue when denying tasers to the police, protecting both the authorities as well as citizens? Is not the cost of one life more than necessary for the city to understand there are safer alternatives for police and citizens?

Michael Wehrman, Newport

I agree with David Wells' assesment of the Nathaniel Jones situation. I also find the ignorance in Cincinnati appalling. For several years now, the racial profiling question has kept resurfacing, but I have a question myself: Is it really necessary to perpetuate the ignorance by resorting to violence because you felt that the law enforcement officials were out of line?

What happens when a white person, an Asian, a Hispanic person, a Laotion, or an immigrant from any other country that has landed in Cincinnati gets shot by the police? NOTHING. The public is informed, the family grieves, the department recognizes necessary force, and lives go on. Why is it, in a city that is accused of racial profiling against African-Americans, that the violence that erupts as a result of these events is performed by that self same group that feels that they are being wronged and persecuted? I think that if we took time to view each other as PEOPLE, instead of color, a lot of the violence and strife in Cincinnati could be avoided.

Instead, we take a group of people, put them into a category, and raise them above another group of people and call it racial profiling. Who is doing the racial profiling? Certainly not the Cincinnati Police. The Cincinnati Police are doing their job. We are not in the 19th century. There is no secession, unless we make it a point to do so. So why do we have to do so, and tear apart a beautiful city rich in culture and history? I am no longer a citizen of Cincinnati, and I have to say that one of my reasons for leaving had to do with the prevalence of bigotry on all sides. It disgusts me to have my vision of your wonderful city destroyed by hatred.

Angie Clark, Grandview, Iowa

I feel for Mr Jones' family. I'm sorry that he died.

BUT we can not ignore the fact that he had drugs in his system and that he weighed twice as much as the officers--and HE ATTACKED THEM FIRST!

I watched the video and it is disturbing--it is sad to watch these men fight. What were the officers suppose to do, stand there and let this big man attack them?

It appears that the police did what they could to subdue Mr. Jones for their own safety and the safety of the people in the area.

I find it very difficult to believe that the officers would intentionally harm this man--given all the bad press the police and Cincinnati has gotten over the past few years.

I'm so sick of this racist city. I'm not talking white against black--I mean black against white and citizens against the police who are there to protect all of us!

Wonder why the crime rate and homocide rate is rising in Cincinnati? Could it possibly be because our police have to watch every single move they make for fear of riots? So, maybe some of the worst criminals get away? Now we have six officers off the job--when they should be out there enforcing and monitoring!

I wouldn't be surprised if some day we have a shortage of police officers in this city--as we have a shortage of nurses. There is little respect for the people that save and/or protect our lives every day.

Gina Rubdie, Loveland

If it is your belief that racial encounters are directed to African-American, then why place yourself in such a position? We have a problem with authority and are not teaching our young people respect of others or themselves. Young blacks are dying every day, at the hands of each other. It's OK if they kill each other, but it's not OK if they are killed by policemen. What message are we conveying to the police or the community? Parents and leaders, WAKE UP. Our families are our greatest INVESTMENT. Not funerals and huge settlements at taxpayers expenses.

M.A. Williams, Pleasant Ridge

It is about time that people begin to be responsible for their own behavior. This is just another case of a freeloader being held up as a martyr. The man had a limited education, no job, two kids (out of wedlock probably) that taxpayers were supporting. If he had no job, how does he take care of himself, his children, his housing? Just guess, he lives off of the taxpayers. Instead of using taxpayer dollars to care for his kids, he spends his "free" money on drugs. And why is he dancing around White Castle at 6 a.m. when most responsible people are getting up for work?

The sad truth is that Nathaniel, just like Timothy Thomas, was a loser! Neither had an education or job. Both had children that they were not taking care of as well as criminal backrounds. Nathaniel even made a racial slur toward the police--isn't that a hate crime? No, the media disregards this and blames the cops for being racist and homocidal. Things just don't make sense anymore!

Jody Tabbs, Cincinnati

Having grown up here in Cincinnati, then moving away and coming back, I now have a different view of my hometown. Growing up in North Avondale was wonderful. I never had any problems pertaining to race. But as I grew older, it was made clear to me that there were certain places that I was not welcomed because of the color of my skin. This city has been seperated for the longest time. Everyone who is born and raised here knows this. But this sickness of division does not center solely around separate neighborhoods. As it pertains to the police, we know that there are inequities when it comes to complaints of abuse by African-Americans who have encountered our officers.

This aside, I still believe in us. Sure, Cincinnati has its racist elements. At 30 years old, I still know where not to go. It is sad, but true. Being a black man living here I have been called "nigger," unwanted, by a number of people, none which were of African descent. But the people may not have been from Cincinnati. You never know. Having dealt with racism and knowing what it is like to walk in fear, in Cincinnati, is something that I am no longer willing to tolerate. I believe better about us. Though unpopular to say right now, all white cops aren't bad. Some are, but there are some bad black cops too. There are white racists in Cincinnati, but there are some prejudiced black folk as well. We all have some problem somewhere. It is now time to take responsibility for our town. I don't care about the past. Let's stop hurting each other and start fighting for good.

Mr. Jones' death which, though sad, does not have to be in vain. I feel that the officers were trying to do their job and it turned out horribly wrong. Though I feel that perhaps some things that the officers did could have been done differently, it still does not excuse one from their own actions. Mr. Jones, unfortunately, helped the officers to finish himself off. Just as wrong as it is to beat a man into submission, it is just as wrong to ingest illegal substances and assume that there will be no ramifications. I pray for healing for the Jones family, but not just them. I pray for us, my hometown. I am tired of defending my city when I travel somewhere. This is getting old. The hurt has lingered long enough.

Black people, before we blame "the man," take a long look at yourself. What can you do to break the cycle of pain. Before we go blaming white cops for one death, let's stop shooting EACH OTHER in the head. When we stop killing each other completely, maybe then we would have a case to say that cops are trying to kill all the black men. But until I can walk through the hood and not be afraid to get shot, we've got work to do. The drugs, the crime, unwanted pregnancy and the like are not forced on ANYONE! IT IS TIME DO RIGHT. We must hold accountable any person, officer or not, who does that which is above the law.

But after that you still must look in the mirror. After you're finished marching, just stand still and look...at you. If you're honest you will see that there is something that you can do to change all this. It's time to fight. I live here, I love it here, and I am willing to fight for my hometown. Anybody else still believe?

John Gray, Westwood

Unfortunately, a life has been taken and that is a horrible loss. I may be ignorant on the matter but this is just upsetting me deeply. It seems like this has turned into a black-and-white issue, which I feel we should have gotten past long ago.

I was always taught as a young girl to obey the law and the police and if a police officer tells me to stop and drop, you should obey. I always believed that if you struck an officer in any way they had the right to fire their weapon. Also, isn't it illegal to ingest these types of drugs that this man had in his system? I have no right to judge, though.

Missy Bruno, Mt. Airy

Why does the black community's leadership have to pin their plight to the backs of criminals? This incident is not about color but about a man who voluntarily ingested very dangerous illegal street drugs and violently assaulted Cincinnati police officers, period. Granted, it is tragic whenever there is a loss of life, but please, Cincinnati's black leadership, call for the same accountability and responsibility when it clearly applies this time to someone other than the Cincinnati Police Department.

Sean McCormick, Pleasant Ridge

Had this been a white man being arrested, nobody would even be seeing this on the news. Whether this individual is white, black or whatever, if the police department can't handle a violent individual, then they aren't much of a police department.

These officers did their job, plain and simple. This man didn't die from injuries from the officers, he died because of poor health and poor choices. We need to make people responsible for their actions, not attack the innocent, hard-working contributing members of society.

If the family cared enough, they should have gotten this gentleman some drug treatment, not wait till he dies and then try to cash in on some lawsuit. The fact citizens are angry about this is a joke.

Dave Johnson, Cincinnati

As a student in Tennessee, I often rely on local news channels or news stations like Fox, CNN, etc. to report information. It is unfortunate for the city of Cincinnati that these channels are spreading lies and manipulating the facts.

The first time I saw a news report on the Jones case, it was extremely short. The video showed the police beating this man and offered no explanation, only that Cincinnati Police were at it again. It took several news stations to finally get the full report. The Cincinnati Police are being wronged by national media coverage...if you can call it that. Isn't the media supposed to give you ALL of the facts? No wonder people around the country have such a skewed view of the situation!

Jones was out of control and the police were only doing their job. The only reason Jones died was because he had several illegal drugs in his system, was severely overweight and had a heart problem. I side with the police and for those who don't...obviously you weren't watching the same video I was.

Morgan Mattox, Knoxville, Tenn.

Cincinnati sounds like an absolutely horrible place to live. I feel sorry for you. Don't you want a better quality of life for yourselves? What you allow to happen to the "least" of your citizens reflects on you all. The way you react to situations in your city make you look very ignorant.

Pat King, Albany, N.Y.

My message is simple. The culture of violence is not within the police department. It is embedded in the black community. The brutal truth is that the black Baptist ministers, the black leaders on city council, the black leaders from the inner city created Mr. Jones. They created Rodger Owensby. They created Michael Carpenter. They molded them from little children with myths and lies about white people and white police officers. They have created, and continue to create, an anti-white, anti-police culture that roots itself in the hearts of young black males. They are cowards, and until they have the courage to go down the path that awaits them, blacks will continue to see themselves as victims...and whites as their enemies.

Why is it that Ken Lawson has never been beaten down? Why hasn't Reverand Lynch...or Smitherman...or Al Sharpton...or any of the other spineless black leaders been killed in a violent police confrontation? I'll tell you why..because they know the truth! They know how the game works. You don't resist. You don't run. You don't strike an officer sworn to protect us. Black children in the inner city are dying every day in every major inner city in the U.S. They are dying because black leadeship are afraid to go down the next path that awaits them.

Every culture at some time has to look inward. It's a painful journey. It's a path where the enemy often looks like you. The cowardice of black leadership to take this path is sickening. They instead choose to fight the safe and familiar ancient foe...white people. This fight requires no new strategies...just the same old tiresome and stale calls of racism.

There is a cultural web that has wrapped itself around the souls of black people. A once proud and strong people have now gathered their masses to fight offensive flags...the use of the N word. They have become a pitiful group of warriors standing on an empty battlefield. They refuse to see the real enemy. They teach their children to fear and distrust whites, when in truth it is people that look like them that are their true enemy. Their failure to change their culture assures that they will continue to be at the bottom of every good list...and top of every bad list.

It is a lie that white people don't want blacks to succeed. It is not color, but culture, that separates us. It is a culture that rushes in to defend a violent criminal...then wonders why their communities are void of businesses. It is a culture that views education as a white thing...then blames racism for their economic failure. They use racism as both a sword and a shield. It is a culture that pressures blacks to "show their color."

If you want to improve police community relations have the courage to change the community. Stop the culture of violence in the inner city. White people did not cause the deaths of the 58 young black males in this city. Police are not the murders of Nathaniel Jones and the Carpenters and the Owensbys. The blood of these men are on the hands of the cowards like Ken Lawson...the black Baptist ministers...and the residents of the inner city who lack the courage to face the enemy who looks like them. It is not a coinincidence that the top 20 most dangerous cities in the U.S. are predominantly black. The warriors coming from the black community are pathetic. The truth has a color of its own. Stop teaching your children that standing up to the man will be rewarded. Stop teaching them that whites are responsible for their failure. Stop teaching them we don't care about them. Stop gathering your forces to face an enemy that no longer is your biggest threat. Your children are dying because of your lies and your refusal to take the path that awaits you. When you're ready to face the truth, an old enemy is ready to help you.

Ray Neighbor, Milford

OK, let me see if I've got this straight.

A man was beaten to death. Mortal blows from police batons deliberately aimed at the legs and arms. Yep, that was pretty over-aggressive. Sounds downright lethal.

What else? Out-of-control, excessive force was blatantly shown in manually wrestling to the ground a 350-pound, screaming, flailing man spewing racist slurs. Gee, shoulder pads and a helmet and we're legal again.

Never mind the man was geeked up and out of his mind by PCP, coke, lack of sleep and nicotine tweaked with methanol. "That just wasn't my grandson." Ma'am, you are so right, so right. Anyone ever explain to you what just PCP alone does to you? Can I get a witness, uh-huh.

And evidently those buff, strapping, young police officers with nothing to lose and no life were actually yearning to come into close, direct and highly vulnerable contact with someone about twice their size at 5 a.m. Yeppirs. Moreover, they shamelessly exposed their vile and wicked intent when they took longer than 240 seconds to administer aggressive CPR to a man that had just tried to take their heads off, insanely growling and exhibiting the strength of more than three men.

So, OK, let's go after the drug suppliers and gangs and the sub-base anti-social element parasitically sucking the dollars and life out of how many Nathaniel Joneses, right? Oh no, no, no. No, let's instead hire Massa Lawson to teach those bad white folk in the police that Nathaniel lost his life because of them! Sure, that makes sense.

Oh, and please don't let us forget to wail and gnash our teeth when said legal counsel loses this career-building opportunity built on the back of tragic social consequence, orchestrated shadows and innuendo to timely, right and full public disclosure of pertinent video. Methinks he doth protest too much.

And darn, filling in that 95-second gap cost at least two or three heart-wrenching, headline-grabbing, rabble-rousing marches and rallies. Gosh, it also takes away hours of juicy 10-second sound bytes piercing to the core of our wounded sense of individual rights. And the political talking heads attached to them were who?

My prayer is protection for the extended family of Nathaniel, because now they're really going to be taken for a ride. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the sweet kisses of the wicked are deadly.

Finally, the wider tragedy here is the complete loss of credibility by most of the so-called affirmative action groups and activist, as first they failed to embrace all the preliminary facts of the incident, and secondly they blasted the release of enlightening facts and statements which evidently hurt their agenda. Their righteous agenda was hurt by impartial video and counter-advocacy, go figure.

I guess maybe I really am getting this straight.

My hat's off to the officers that risked their own well-being and showed remarkable restraint from lethal force in attempting to subdue a wigged-out cardiac case. They were truly professional in the middle of a very violent situation.

Rob McMath, Fort Mitchell, Ky.

I feel that the Cincinnati police officers involved acted appropriately. If Jones complied with officers he would probably be alive today. I feel that this issue is being blown way out of proportion. Had it been a white man we probably wouldn't be having this discussion right now. Coming to conclusions that this is a issue of race will only open old wounds from the past.

Nick Kamphaus, Fairfield

Cincinnati is being judged. Where else can you find a city that are governed by a few that are not even residents of the city? Or a local radio station that can spread hatred over 15 states? That's more murders (from the heart) than you can get from OTR (from guns) in a lifetime.

Clinton Ferguson, College Hill

This entire incident, while unfortunate, is the end result when authority is ignored and not given its proper due. You may not respect authority, or those who represent it, but we all must conform to its edicts. We expect the police to enforce ALL of our laws, not just the ones which benefit us at any given time. Cincinnatians should indeed boycott; they should boycott all of the petty naysayers who offer the city nothing, but expect everything in return.

Darryl Jouett, Covington

I am sorry for the death of this person. Tis a hard issue to deal with when we lose a family member or a friend.

I will have to stand with the bad guys on this one (police). Right, wrong or indifferent, we have to support the law and those who are to enforce it.

I have never been an officer of the law but am retired military and been under fire. As a SOF NCO, I would have shot after the first warning. The rules and laws are that and we must send the messege that law and the personnel that enforce them will be obeyed by all.

C.W. Keith, Erlanger

Enough is enough already. The so-called "activists" we have here seem to be the racists. With Timothy Thomas it was "we want the chief, mayor, and city manager to step down." Now, it's just the chief and mayor. Hmmmm...

This entire situation could have been avoided had Mr. Jones simply done what he was asked. He, in his drug-induced state (seems as if the family, Mr. Lawson and "activists" keep forgetting to mention that), CHOSE to make his own racist comments and go after the police officers. It's a sad outcome, but Mr. Jones cannot be blameless in this.

Kimberly Gaines, Clifton

I am a black male that has had several encounters with the police for things as simple as being out after dark and driving a car that they probably figured I shouldn't own. I know very well that the police can overstep the limits of their authority.

But after looking at this unedited video, I can't see how anyone can say this was police brutality. They were clearly attacked and were instructing him at all times to put his hands behind his back. They were simply trying to defend themselves and subdue this person. I think it is counterproductive for blacks to yell racism for something like this because it begins to look like we are crying over nothing. I have sympathy for this man and his family but I don't feel these cops did anything wrong.

Michael Adsfa, New Jersey

I would just like to know what happened in that two minutes that are missing from the cruiser video.

The tape stops at 5:58 and starts again at 6:00 after the confrontation has begun.

When the tape begins again you can clearly hear Mr. Jones ask the officer "Why'd you do that?" Only then does Mr. Jones begin to fight with the officers.

What did those two officers do to Mr. Jones to precipitate that confrontation, and why does the police department feel it necessary to edit out those two minutes of tape?

If their actions were justifiable then why would they have a reason to edit the tape?

I honestly believe that those two officers aked Mr. Jones what he was doing there. And Mr. Jones felt put upon because he knew that he wasn't doing anything illegal and felt like he was being hassled by the officers so he refused to answer them.

When he refused to answer them one or both officers sprayed Mr. Jones with a chemical agent prompting him to ask, "why'd you do that?" I do not believe, based on the information that the tape gives, that Mr. Jones assaulted the officers first.

I think that that one or both of the officers got upset that Mr. Jones would not cooperate by answering their questions so Mr. Jones was sprayed with either pepper spray or mace.

I do not believe any citizen should ever have to worry about retaliation by the Cincinnati police dept. simply because they choose to remain silent when bombarded with questions that they feel are unjustified or when they feel unfairly confronted.

Mr. Jones' only crime, that I could see, was in choosing to exercise his right to remain silent. Dancing isn't a crime that I am aware of. No person, anywhere in this country, should be assaulted by any means, by any officer, for choosing to exercise a constitutional right. Much less to be killed for doing so.

And if Mr. Jones was assaulted for doing so he had every right to try to protect himself from futher assault.

Unarmed and facing weapons and superior numbers he valiantly tryed to protect himself with the only tools he had, his hands and his size. And they clearly killed him for it.

And I am tired of hearing the chief of police attempt to justify the actions of the officers by stating that Mr. Jones had drugs in his system. The officers did not know that at the time the confrontation was taking place. Their actions were undertaken solely because Mr. Jones refused to answer their questions and not based on his drug use or any other factor.

I believe the officers were ready for a confrontation when they arrived and only waited for the slightest excuse to initiate the confrontation. That type of policing policy needs to stop now.

And, if the police officers we are paying to protect us are being trained to assault, and how to assault, for simply deciding to remain silent we are all in danger.

Because that means that they are going to be allowed to continue killing first and then allowed to look for reasons to justify it later. We need to try to stop this type of policing or it will not stop.

Tony Wilson, Fairfield

"UNION WANTS PAID ABORTIONS."

It seems worthy of a protest by Downtown Baptist ministers who think our police officers are killing innocent people on the streets while they encourage their little girls to kill their babies at the top of the hill by the hundreds every year. Is there something missing here?

Ben Coffman, Loveland

Where has Mr. Jones' family been throughout his ordeal with drugs? Why, now, must you hold the CPD accountable for this man's death? Let's get to the heart of this matter. This is not a race issue as most people would like to believe--this is a family issue. Now that Mr. Jones has passed, the family has decided to crawl out of the woodwork. Where was your support for him when he was alive? The family is partly to blame.

Shani Christensen, Mason

First of all I want to say that I did not watch the video of the incident out of fear of what I might have seen and no matter what I thought, it would not change the outcome of this situation. I just have a question for all of the people that commented that they thought the killing was justified. "If the person that died was your father, brother, sister, uncle or any of your relatives, would you think that it was justified in this case or any of the other incidents where people were killed by police instead of being restrained?"

I am sure now that your thoughts would go something like this: "Well, I know that my brother was high and acting unruly, but couldn't the police have done more to restrain him versus killing him?"

Also, would all the people who have died while being "restrained" or arrested by the CPD have died if they were maybe, one of their own (another police) that had become disorderly and possibly dangerous? What if the person was a city official, a doctor, a lawyer or maybe one of their relatives? Would they have died? I am sure that in these instances, more would have been done to restrain and control versus killing. I am not a betting man, but I bet none of these people would die. The same care needs to be taken with the everyone else. And before you begin to say, "Well, the people you mentioned would not act in that manner," don't fool yourself. You know as well as I that it happens.

Is it possible for the CPD to restrain and arrest even the most unruly and not kill them? I guess it depends on who it is.

Desmond Reid, Cincinnati

I am a former deputy sheriff that processed people into the jail right after arrest. You try and control some one that high. It is IMPOSSIBLE. They have no rationality, nor sense. I wish that the boycott idiots would give it a shot, then let me know. Lynch and Lawson would never be able to complete a 40-hour work week.

I could give a crap if I see the supposed victim's grandmother and any other extended "family" member on TV telling the general public what a great person they were. They may have been a great person until they made the decision to take a drug. In this case not one, but THREE. The combinations of those three were EXTREMELY dangerous.

It is a nice try by Lawson to incite the general public through the media. Apparently he is doing a fine job of that. The general public is being subjected to his bias, and racism through the media. His comment about mistrusting the highest official in the county (the coroner) was just wonderful. He is a money-hungry, bitter black man. I am quite sure that he received a good amount of money after the city settled the Timothy Thomas lawsuit. He is using this city for his own agenda. He is not here to help anyone; he is here to incite this city to more violence. Would he take this case (or any other) if that were a white person?

Has any one caught on that the ones that are supporting the boycott, are the ones that are the racists? Those idiots have no clue. They are in the business of inciting the public. THEY are the ones that are dividing this city.

I am sick of it. I am refusing to apologize for being white. The militant blacks need to get over it. I will not apologize for what happened over 200 years ago. There is trash in all races.

This city has lost all police power. What are we to do? Should we let all drug induced idiots control this society? Should we ignore the rest of the laws that were generated to protect? Should we stop enforcing laws, and let a race control the rest of the ones they choose for us to uphold? Should we let the excuse of race control actions? Should we take the guns away from police because of one sick individual? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Thank you to Lt. Butler for his actions with the protest last night.

Thank you to the rest of the women and men that have made the difficult decision to protect me and my property. Thank you for the wonderful chief, that is trying his hardest to make sure we are all safe, all races included.

Regina Jourdan, Norwood

I have watched with much concern the issue regarding the death of Nathaniel Jones. When the tragedy happened three years ago that started the riots, a black co-worker stated that it is time that the black community admit their part in the deaths of its own people. She said if you look at the violent crimes, drug use, etc., you will see that a good portion if it involves a black person. She said that if they would admit that the problem with black people and crime is out of control, then maybe someone could finally do something.

Unfortunately, all they want to do is to blame others, especially the white community. I believe had it been black officers involved in the struggle with Mr. Jones, the activists would not have near the problem that they do. All they are looking for is someone to blame instead of shouldering the responsibility on themselves for problems they have allowed to get out of control. I find it sad and I wonder how many more black men or women will have to die before they wake up.

Susan Baker, Fairfield

To the Cincinnati community: Perhaps a program should be started where all grade schools are visited with a goal of teaching what the words: freeze, put your hands up, put your hands behind your back, drop the weapon mean.

If people were taught as children what to do if approached by policemen, lives would be saved and Cincinnati would not have all the controversy. At the same time, a message on the undesirability of drugs might help.

Dick Gose, Bond Hill

I grew up in Cincinnati (Lincoln Heights). I had run-ins with the police (not bad, because I was raised to respect all people). I feel deeply sadness for the Jones family. I feel sad for the people of Cincinnati because until you all sit down and talk you all will have these problems. I feel sorry for the police officers who have to go day in and day out with the public complaining every minute of the day. What happened when the police stopped shooting at us black folks? The criminally insane younger black started shooting and killing everybody. Where were our so-called black leaders then?

I live in Seattle and not long ago a black man was released from prison. He went streaking down the street naked. When a King County sheriff showed up and confronted the man, he fought with the police officer, grabbed his gun and shot him to death. The black leaders here in Seattle gather and condemned what the man did. The system failed and a officer died. The system failed in Cincinnati and a man died.

What about what the people in White Castle? Has anyone asked them what they saw? What about the security cameras? What did they show? Being a black man in America, I'm tired of the blame game when the police are involved with a citizen where he/she is black or white, or Hispanic, Asian or whatever. Take a page from the people of South Central Los Angeles who learned from their riots. Find the problem (which you know) and fix it. The blacks and Koreans didn't get along in South Central LA before the riots; they do a little more now. Why? Because they sat down and talk found the problem and fixed it.

Cincinnati, follow LA and you will be on the right page. Mr. Jones contribute to his fate by fighting with the police. Had I been them I would have shot him in the foot myself being a small black man. God bless the people of Cincinnati and its police department.

James Reese, Seattle

It is easy for those who do not stand on the front lines day in and day out to judge the actions of those officers. It is easy for the uneducated to criticize the officers, who did not choose to be put in a life-and-death situation with a very large man influenced by dangerous drugs of abuse, but responded to a call to protect others.

I ask those who would be quick to judge to have all the facts and make educated opinions about the incident before jumping on a bandwagon that uses emotion, not facts, to drive its propaganda.

Joe Gebhart, Dayton

I do not live in Cincinnati but I frequently utilize media outlets from the city. The entire Nathaniel Jones incident is tragic. Obviously, a tragedy occurred when a man beloved by his family died. Everyone should pray and offer support and empathy to his family. Another tragedy occured when this man's entire life is judged by the last hours of his life. A man is much more than any infamous incident can define. Wasting a life on the voluntary consumption of mind altering drugs represents another tragic element in this story. After an outsider hears comments from the family, surely they would have recognized a persistent drug problem in Mr. Jones and responsibly sought help for his addiction. Argueably the most tragic aspect of the incident involves the response of the religious community in the affected community. Pastors, called by God to preach and teach the masses about Jesus Christ, are creating dissension and insurrection among their congregations.

Any Bible that I have ever read illustrates how a humble and completely innocent man was condemned, beaten and killed by authorities without offering any resistance at all. This same Bible encourages cooperation with local laws and encourages us to love one another, and even to love our enemies more. However, this does not seem to be the case in your city as civil unrest is preferred to rallying behind the notion of personal responsibility for unlawful actions.

The final tragedy lies in placing police officers in situations that potentially have horrible and hideous results. No one benefits from incidents like this. the police have nothing to gain from a violent confrontation with a citizen, especially in your city, where every interaction the polce have with citizens makes headlines. Mr. Jones, by swinging at the police, took an explosive non-physical situation to a physical level. Police have long used physical responses that rely on pain compliance for effectiveness.

Could possible alternatives include utilization of non-violent physical methods to subdue and control individuals? That question cannot be answered by a civilian editorialist, but rather by experts summoned by a calm, rational community standing together to make difference instead of a divided community too busy pointing fingers at each other.

Finally, I have good advice for those who do not like interacting with the police: Do not engage in illegal activity or any activity that appears illegal. You have a great city in Cincinnati, but you may be on the verge of losing it unless everyone learns from events like Mr. Jones. His family is in my family's prayers.

John Hipes, Proctorville, Ohio

Nathaniel Jones was a crackhead who refused to follow directions from Cincinnati Police. He picked a fight with the officers and he lost, simple as that. There are two lessons to be learned from Nathaniel Jones' death:

1) Do not use drugs.
2) Obey the police officer.

Rick Miller, Delhi Township

To the Jones family: I am very sorry for your loss. Life is a very precious thing and should be relished, but when the inevitable comes, we must mourn and move on. The most important factor is our children...they must see how we (as adults) mourn, with pride and dignity, so that some day when they too are adults will know how to face the situation. Let's not teach the next generation any bad habits...they are the future of all of us.

To the police: Trying to balance your lives within a city that seems to constantly be at war with one another is an incredibly hard thing to do. Your wives/husbands and children are victims of your jobs and it takes a very strong person to hold it all together under the stress. What happened between Cincinnati officers and Mr. Jones is truly unfortunante, but by the same token your response is part of "the job." All you can do is follow the rules and hope the rules are adaquate for the situation. Be proud that your fellow officers showed the restraint that they did! Many of us (common citizens) have seen incidents where a man would take a swing at another man (much like Mr. Jones took at officers) and then end up being shoot, or perhaps dead by any means at hand at the time (pool cue, club, knife, gun)! We as citizens are taught from birth to walk away, but you as officers are required to do what is proper in this situation and control it at all costs (within your very own guidelines set by the citizenry and your superiors). The officers did as they were taught and Mr. Jones' death was just an unfortunante turn of events. If you are beating yourselves up over it, please stop...if you're not thinking about it, then you should. Learn from all experiences and your future will always be bright.

To the community: We, the suburbanites of your fair city, have sat back and watched for the past 40 years, as your city has taken a beating from within. It seems sometimes as if nothing was learned from the riots of the 60s and more recently, the 90s! It is no longer a matter of black vs. white! How long is it going to take folks to see this? It is ridiculous that every time a black man is caught on film getting beat on by a white police officer, the first thing that comes to light is a bunch of outsiders getting involved to the point where the "cause" is cheapened! If the people of Cincinnati would take their own problems to the powers that be, and if these people are in fact honest/real about what is going on (instead of looking for that million dollar payday), your problems would have been solved years ago! Let your local government spend more time elsewhere, making the city a better place to live and grow, instead of walking on eggshells every time a black person decides to "overmedicate" themselves and then make an even bigger mistake.

People, of all ethnic backgrounds, are going to get high on something, be it alcohol, pot, crack, etc. It's been the way of the poorer American people since the day the country came in to being! The war on drugs is nothing more than a way of justifying more jobs within the police community...and it's also nothing more than a big joke that isn't funny!

Mr. Jones is, unfortunately, not living proof that people will use anything to get a buzz, so instead of allowing him his drug of choice (most likely pot), he went to what was available. Some people like beer, some gin, some whiskey, and some like pot...none of them are good for human consuption! However, as long as man is still kicking, he will continue to enjoy that "day/week ending" comfort within the totally relaxing drug of choice.

I personally would think the drug laws are more cause in the death of Mr. Jones than the police officers...but then again, this is but one man's opinion.

Roy Fletcher, Falmouth, Ky.

My prayers are with the family and friends of Nathaniel Jones. I honestly do not believe that this is a race issue, however I believe that it is an abuse of power.

After watching the tape that shows Mr Jones "dancing," it clearly proved that this man had a problem of some sort. At the time these officers did not know if this man was high off drugs or had a mental problem. I believe that protection for themselves was needed but there are other ways. People are always say that violence is not the answer but what was that? It was six men to one man and you mean to tell me that's the only way to restrain him? Get serious, there has to be a better way. These officers here in Cincinnati, white, black or blue, feel that they can do what they want and get away with it, because they are "authorities".

As far as some of the comments that were made, you people who do not live in this city have no idea. Before you go and jump to the side of the officers, visit this city and you'll see that "everything that glitters isn't gold". I also would like to know how would white Cincinnati feel had there been six black officers to one white man. Would you feel the same way?

D. Bell, Cincinnati

I am totally sympathetic with the Jones family and can only hope that they have some solace that there are many (yes, even white folks) who are praying and sending them consoling messages in their heart if not by mail.

The police in this city continue to ask their FOP "leaders" to demonstrate their drunkeness with power, via the inflammatory and ignorant remarks made at the news conference on Friday. It really seems like "dumb and dumber" are in charge (as usual). I just can't believe that these two represent the force.

Lastly, I have been a normal citizen of this town for many years now and all I can know for sure is that I am so embarrased as we continue to display our unrelenting racism starting at the top!!

Martin Rosanne, Silverton

I was extremely disappointed with the focus of your coverage of the FOP's forum on Friday supporting the six officers involved in the police intervention incident that ultimately resulted in the death of Nathaniel Jones. Did anyone from the Enquirer editorial board actually listen to the presentations of Officers Webster and Fangman? I fail to understand how the Enquirer's focus on Officer Webster's comment about how the firefighters handled the Nathaniel Jones incident, made later in the news conference and in response to a specific question from the media, in any way represented the FOP's agenda at that meeting.

The FOP agenda was to defend the professionalism of the six officers involved and to educate the public regarding the realities of police work. Your coverage did little to serve that public interest. Rather, you focused your valuable community role on fueling the fire of controversy between two public institutions which to be effective must work together based on the very valuable training and expertise that each service offers.

Again, FOP President Webster only commented on the actions of the firefighters in response to a question from the media, and the answer was prefaced by a general statement that he did not have a problem with firefighters generally, but only with how this specific incident was handled.

The term "lashes out" would have been much more appropriately used in describing the words directed at civil rights leaders who fail to direct their energies at the black on black violence in Cincinnati that has resulted in 55 deaths of blacks in just this calendar year.

If this community would focus on the underlying causes of the violence in the city of Cincinnati, especially in the black communities, i.e. drugs and related gang violence, our energies might produce some positive results. Viewing the police as the enemy rather than a key partner in this battle will only further the seemingly endless stories of senseless violence in our community.

I frankly do not understand how the officers on the Cincinnati Police Force motivate themselves to put on the uniform when they are accused of not caring about human life. I cannot imagine braver men and women who confront danger on a daily basis because they do care about this community and protecting human lives. They continue to seek help in pursuing that goal of ensuring all of us a safe community. Insulting these officers is nothing but counterproductive. Until the leadership of all constituencies with this community learn to partner with the police, this community will continue to be diminished by the infighting among these various constituencies.

Mark Boyle, Amberley Village

Skippy/Nathaniel Jones + PCP + Cocaine + embalming fluid + 350 pounds + bad heart + White Castle = instant death without police involvement.

Obviously this man could care less about his health and welfare; he had a nickname of a peanut butter brand. It is no surprise he is where he is now.

To our police, keep up the good work. Because you did your job properly you were able to go home to your families. Mr. Jones could have had the same result had he choose to keep his hands to himself. However, he didn't and he lost, there is always a chance that will happen when you pick a fight. Rules of engagement are very simple indeed, you hit me I hit you back. So I hit harder, well, too bad for you.

B.B. Black, Cincinnati

I am so sick of the black community targeting Cincinnait police for doing their job! Instead of complaining or trying to change the way Cincy police handle problem citizens, why not work to keep those problem citizens off the streets? This man was tested for PCP and cocaine! Not exactly easy drugs. Not to mention the man was obease. The black community needs to look at itself to stop police violence. Prevent police from having to police you and there will be no deaths or accidents. Stop working on the aftermath and start working on stopping the problem before it starts!

Any man that assults a police officer, black or white, should be shot on the spot! If this man was white would we have the Klan out here because there was a black officer on the scene? NO! I support the Cincinnati Police Department and will speak on their behalf until I am dead! I hate people that think the world is just black and white. Racism only exists in the minds of those who need excuses for why they're not successful!

People like the Rev. Lynch and Jessie Jackson, need to stop breading hate between black and white. The 1960s are over. White people in the city of Cincinnati don't care if you are black or white; we just want to live and let live, stop crying persecution and work to solve the problems our city has. No more boycotts or riots, but hand-in-hand cooperation and understanding.

Bill Mark, Clifton

Although I do not live in Ohio, I saw the videotape of the violence perpetrated by Mr. Jones. Judging from the video, the police officers were totally justied in using the force they did.

After using illegal drugs, Mr. Jones, bad heart and all, decides to fight with police, who were enforcing the law.

Mr. Jones then dies, because of his own actions, and the community blames the police. Sounds crazy to me. The only person I see responsible for Mr. Jones death is Mr. Jones. Case closed!

Kevin DeSau, Oregon City, Ore.

I just wanted to send you a note regarding the job performance of your police department. After watching the video of the Cincinnati police and Nathaniel Jones, I must say I was impressed with the professional behavior of your fine policemen. Despite being taunted with racial slurs and attacked by Mr. Jones, these men never lost control; they just did thier job. My hat goes off to these fine officers.

At the same time I would like to express my condolences to the Jones family. It's a shame how drugs can ruin a person's life.

Bill Crosson, Philadelphia

I feel for the family of Mr. Jones. It is hard to lose a loved one. The focus, however, should be on crime, drugs.

The police try to protect us from crime and they do a good job. The thing is, we, and do mean WE, don't allow them to do their job right. It is easy to put the blame on someone trying to do their job. The real blame should be on the drug pushers. And please do not forget the criminals. If it wasn't for drugs, this man would not have been in that situation. But don't blame the police. They did not put him there. If the man was white under the same circumstances, the same thing would have happened. I don't mean to say there are no racists out there. But look deep before you react.

The community has to come together and that means everybody, no matter what race you belong to. We are all Americans and children of God. Don't you think it is about time we act like it?

I really feel bad for mr. Jones' family for losing a loved one. But the policemen have families too. They die trying to protect us. The real culprit are out there in our cities. They are called drug pushers. If we would lay off the drugs, maybe there would be less crime. And remember that God does not care what race we belong. He loves us all. We all belong to the human race. Instead of looking to blame the police blame the ones that put people in those situations.Then maybe we all could live in peace. Like the man said, God bless us every one.

Charles Leahy, Mt. Healthy

I grew up in Cincinnati and I just hate how the national media loves to bash this city. I keep seeing how 18 black males have died during altercations with Cincinnati Police Officers. Do they ever mention how many times the Cincinnati Police Officers were faced with life or death situations? No.

The Black Reverends, Jackson, Sharpton, and Lynch, could make a career of attacking the Cincinnati Police Department. They have declared themselves official spokespersons of black people, and they are more like the Taliban than true leaders. Jackson fathered a kid out of wedlock and used donations for hush money; Sharpton is a drug dealer that the FBI lacked fortitude to prosecute and Lynch is proof that a boycott only hurts the inner city, but he keeps on doing it.

Are these guys the least bit concerned that black males are killing other black males, about 40+ a year in Cincinnati? No, they are not.

Are Sharpton, Jackson and Lynch even concerned about the less than 40% high school graduation rate in inner city schools, 70% births out of wedlock, higher likelihood of going to prison for college? No, they are not. The reverends need to preach the unpopular notions of abstinence, staying off drugs, staying in schools, marriage, monogamy, and raising children to respect the police. Any culture that promotes promiscuity, out-of-wedlock births, and total disrespect for authority is doomed to fail.

Donahue Thomas, Huber Heights

Family: I'm sure Nathan was a nice man around the family, but someone had to know he was into drugs. That doesn't just happen overnight. I'm sorry for their loss. He just screwed up at the wrong time. What if hed been driving and ran over some kids or something.?

Police: I'm glad the police came out and defended themselves. And do the family really think the coroner would lie? He's a professional. He would lose his licsence(don't know how to spell), if he got caught lying.

Robert Farrar, Goshen

I am absolutely disgusted with all the comments made. It is a lack of understanding of the fact that racism does exist. One is knowing the history of this country dating back to slavery, Jim Crow segregation and why the civil rights movement was so powerful. Black people used to be lynched in this country. Blacks still are disproportionately murdered by cops and jailed. Their neighborhoods and schools are disproportionately worse. All you have to be in conscious and not analyze the situation of what other people face by your own experiences.

I can assure you that if Nathaniel Jones was an oversized white man in a suburban neighborhood the cops would have used a stunned gun, etc. But he wasn't, so he died. I am not black, but I have been to demonstrations on similar issues. Cops will always find an excuse and I accept none of them. The killer cops should be jailed!

Natasha Kotolvosky, Cincinnati

Why is it that the Cincinnati Police Department is the only one having problems?

You don't hear of any other local law enforcement agency having the problems that the Cincinnati police have. Maybe the lack of training; or the top officials in the Cincinnati police and city government are not qualified to handle the situation.

Bill Ripple, Blue Ash

The facts are there in black and white video. Mr. Jones physically attacked the police officers. I believe the officers showed great restraint in not unholstering their weapons. Although I feel sympathy for Mr. Jones' family, he was the cause of his death. Not the city. Not the police. Not because he was black. He chose to use drugs and GET IN A CAR AND DRIVE DOWN THE STREETS HIGHER THAN A KITE! Has ANYONE considered this? This man was a lethal weapon when HE got in a vehicle and drove though the streets stoned out of his mind!

Let me ask the Jones' family and that Johnnie Cochran wannabe, Ken Lawson, one question: What if Mr. Jones' had slammed his car into a car filled with your loved ones and killed or crippled them? Who are you gonna sue then? This "gentle giant" was an adult man of 350 pounds, stoned out of his head, driving a car and, just by the grace of God, didn't kill anyone with that car before causing...yes...CAUSING...his own death.

One less drugged-out "gentle giant" is just fine with me.

To the police: You are doing a fine, admirable job. It's difficult and thankless and dangerous. I commend you and thank you.

J. Jones, Lakeside Park, Ky.

I am sorry Mr. Jones is dead and I'm sure many people feel the same. However, people keep bringing up 15 dead unarmed people have been killed in police confrontations. It is not true. Some of the 15 actually killed officers in the process of their own deaths. I think it should be clear nationwide how each of those deaths took place and what each side did to initiate the response.

Also, could someone (maybe Damon Lynch or Ken Lawson) go into the community and explain that when an officer puts you under arrest, one should put their hands behind their backs and comply. After the arrest is made, people can have their day in court to sort it out. These altercations occur because people refuse to obey the law. How many of these deaths would have been prevented if the people had simply complied with the request of the officers? At some point people have to take responsibilty for their behavior and if one choses to break the law, the police are going to respond.

If you fight or attack officers, they will respond with force. I do not understand why someone can not address the root of the problem which is not police brutality or racism. The problem is people get drunk, drugged, or commit crimes and then refuse to obey the request of the officers.

Kym Wilhite, Springfield Township

I feel very badly for Mr Jones and his family and thier loss. Life is very precious. We all should thank God for each and every day, we are very lucky.

But, if Mr Jones was such a good father and gentle man... he wouldn't be out smoking potentially lethal PCP and cocaine and dancing around a White Castle at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning; he'd be at home with his family.

The simple fact is "You CANNOT swing on a police officer and expect him to run away." If you try to kill or hurt a police officer, you are in BIG trouble, and probably lucky if you just go to jail. I'm not saying that the police have the right to kill people, but they have a dangerous job...and they were just doing their job. They didn't come out to kill that man. It was clearly self-defense that required Mr. Jones be arrested and handcuffed. Mr Jones made the decision to fight the police (yes, his decision was influenced by intoxicating, dangerous drugs) but, HE decided to fight, he decided to USE.

The police cannot be blamed for Mr Jones' bad heart, his obesity, nor for his decision to use dangerous drugs. But all of these things, coupled with the "rush" that comes with fighting, were a lethal combination. Mr. Jones was not beaten to death by the police.

Brian Smith, Sycamore

Without being biased what are officers to do in that situation? Without saying I would do this diffrent, cite examples.

The police force has worked out procedures for handling situations such as this and their tactics have been proven over the years to save lives.

My questions go to the communities involved and the leadership of Cincinnati, you can blame officers all you want but they are doing what has been told to them by the community. Instead of pointing fingers I think both groups should look inside their own homes and find what actions led to this crisis.

Jamal Jenkins, Avondale

It's obvious that all the facts are still being pieced together, so until they are, I just ask that people aren't so quick to pass judgement.

Darnell Wilburn, North Avondale

As a law enforcement professional of 15 years, I sit back in bemusement as the national media and self proclaimed activists call for job terminations, riots, and federal investigations in the wake of the death of Nathanial Jones. I can guarantee that not one of the six officers involved feel one ounce of satisfaction over his death.

One element the media is conveniently ignoring in this whole tragic event was the presence of methanol in Jones' system. Methanol is one of the active ingredients in embalming fluid. Cigarettes laced with methanol were also found in Jones' vehicle. Why is this important? About 10 years ago, I noticed funeral homes in Indianapolis were being burglarized and only embalming fluid was being stolen. I later found out that cigarettes are dipped into the fluid and sold on the street as "Sherms" and "Wet." The high it produces is not unlike PCP (also found in Jones' system) in that it can make people extremely violent and impervious to pain. In my first experience with someone under the influence of a Sherm, I responded to a call of a 19-year-old male who was tearing up his mother's house and threatening his two younger sisters. Upon arrival at the residence with another officer, this young man, who only stood about 5-8 and weighed about 120 pounds, reacted in a similar fashion as Jones' in his reaction to the police. He immediately attacked my partner and I. We were not able to subdue him for a good five minutes, even with the assistance of two other officers. Yes, he was immune to pain and the CS repellant we used on him had no effect at all. At one point during the struggle, all four of us were sitting on his back and his legs trying to handcuff him and he was able to throw all of us off him and almost run out of the house. I have never seen anyone so violent in all my lfe. As it turned out, this young man had no history of violence until he began abusing cigarettes laced with embalming fluid. He suffered numerous injuries during the struggle (none of them serious) as did myself and two of the other officers. Did Nathaniel Jones deserve to die? Of course not. Did he contribute to his death? Yes, by abusing dangerous drugs, being in poor health, and failing to cooperate with police, who performed most admirably under the most difficult and dangerous of situations.

James Quigley, Indianapolis

With the MEDIA and the "OUTRAGED" portion of the black community having the combined intellectuality of that comparable to a grapefruit, it is obvious that they can not begin to understand the factual, in depth analysis of this tragic situation. With that said, I'll try to go ahead and put it in terms that any 4 year old can comprehend. (Still probably too complicated for some, but you can only simplify so much.)

Action - Man broke the law.
Action - Man attacked police officers.
Consequence - Man died because of HIS actions.

OR

Action - Don't break the law.
Action - Don't attack police.
Consequence - Live to be a role model to the young people of the community.

Simple enough for you now?

Douglas Weiss, Centerville

There is no poorer example of character than that shown recently by the family, clergy, attorneys, and activists who are now trying to use the death of Nathaniel Jones for their own pursonal enrichment and political gain.

Take the family, for instance. Rather than apologize to police officers, emergency workers, and witnesses for the personal danger and emotional distress caused them by Mr. Jones' irrational and dangerous behavior, they've hired a lawyer. And the clergy, rather than offering a voice of calm and reason, have called for marches on City Hall. Then there's the Jones' attorney, who, rather than wait for all the facts, has already pubicly "convicted" the police officers of racism and using excessive force.

And let's not forget the community activists, who rather than call on their community to unite against the drug use and other criminal behavior exhibited by Mr. Jones, instead want the citizens to demand the ouster of their police chief.

Make no mistake about it, the outcry over Nathanial Jones's death is not about alleged racism or excessive force by police officers. It's not even about what's right or what's wrong, nor even what really happened that day. It is about greed. It is about power. It is about self-serving people using a tragic, but preventable, incident to incite anger in a population to help them strong-arm a city government into handing over both money and political decision-making power. I hope the citizens of Cincinnati recognize that good character does matter...and not just in police officers.

D. Wilmoth, Rochester, N.Y.

To the Jones' family: my deepest sympathy.

To the police: I ask, did we see the WHOLE tape?

To the community: every one has an opinion, those who believe that this was an murder, INJUSTICE or a downright beat down, we have got to pull down these strongholds. I am talking to the BELIEVERS in Cincinnati! It's time we stand up and get out of the building and go out in the highways and byways and be VESSELS, STAND UP FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Come on out of your comfort zone and be about the Lord's business!

C.K. Jackson, Finneytown

Cincinnati streets have become ugly. Roving bands of inner city blacks, defiant, have eliminated commerce in the city after dark. Drugs and murders are rampant, almost nightly, while the white people stay away from the city due to the potential conflict and, yes, fear the environment stimulates. This is all allowed, and no one can do anything about it, because of the knowledge that "racial injustice" will be cried whenever intimidators are dealt with. My God, is this city dead? Destined to be overrun by this? I fear so...nothing can be done.

Whenever police even attempt to subdue a violent criminal, as was Mr. Jones, all hell breaks loose. The criminal is shown to be a happy-go-luckly fella being harrassed by police. Don't worry about the 60-plus black murders thus far in the city, all the perpetrators, I'm sure, were also fine, upstanding and law-abiding citizens with wonderful goals. Well I, for one, have had it. This is no place for anyone progressive, with goals, and I'm out of this sad city. I'm going where barbarians don't rule the day.

Jim Jenkins, Roselawn

This story is not only making the national news, but also due to the Internet, the story is being followed all over the world. It is not my intent to indict, but rather to point out some common sense issues that are not being addressed.

What I see is a city suffering from an escalation of violence, and racial divide which is perpetuated by the media. The inflammatory comments that seem meant to try and persuade the viewer to the reporter's point of view. What ever happened to the motto, "Just the facts, please?"

We as a nation currently suffer an epidemic of obesity and diabetes. We have a society where there is a major problem with mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse.

I applaud the FOP solidarity, but I have to ask if the union members or Chief Streicher and the city council have performed a statistical analysis looking at the demographics served and the probability that our police officers will again be called to respond to the scene with a suspect who is obese, black and out of control? Have they been working on procedures and purchasing equipment in the event such an arrest would be necessary? And, is it not the responsibility of the union to make sure the superior officers provide their staff with adequate training and the appropriate equipment to do their job safely, to protect themselves and the citizens?

I personally have family members and friends who are morbidly obese with diabetes. Their concerns are, what if they are in public, the police are called, because they are behaving odd, and they go after a cop who responded only to check out the situation, will they wind up dead?

While I never worked in the justice system, I did work where I supervised EMS staff. The first priority, is to consider all possible scenarios, along with contingency plans. Therefore, we participated in "mock" scenarios to test our procedures, knowing we may still face unexpected circumstances. When we did run into these unforeseen scenarios, that became the next training session using feedback from the staff involved and the team going over ideas, developing new procedures, allowing us to be more prepared until the next unexpected scenario.

When emotions are involved, logic goes out the window, and this is precisely why trained professionals will continue to follow procedures, regardless of the adrenaline rush, and do their job accordingly, as if on "automatic pilot," and that comes with adequate training. The evidence abounds that with the continued increase of murder, and continued escalation of violent encounters, what we are now doing is not working. Yes, the police may win this "war" but the outcome will be a "pyrrhic victory."

Therefore, I am asking all citizens, City Council, the fire department, and the police, to not allow Mr. Jone's death to be in vain. Let us work together to find why these things happen and put into place measures to prevent these tragedies from happening again. The sworn duty of a police officer is to "Serve and Protect." The Boy Scout motto, is "Be prepared."

In closing, I want to wish each and every individual a safe and happy holiday season. I want the police officers, the city council and the community, especially the family of Mr. Jones to know that they are in my prayers.

Peggy Campbell, Green Township

IF ONLY Nathaniel "Skipper" Jones hadn't taken drugs; cocaine, PCP and smoked those methanol dipped cigarettes...

IF ONLY Skip had stayed at home if he wanted to get high...

IF ONLY Skip had not passed out in a public place...

IF ONLY the White Castle employee had not placed that 911 call...

IF ONLY Skip had not "become a nuisance" when the EMTs attempted to help him...

IF ONLY the EMT's had not called for help from the police...

IF ONLY the police had not responded...

IF ONLY Skip had not fought with the police...

IF ONLY people would accept responsibility for their actions and stop blaming others.

IF ONLY...

Richard Wilkerson, Bloomington, Calif.

As the wife of a police officer, the daughter of a police chief, and the mother of three young children, I thought I would share my thoughts.

Although many would like to believe the Nathaniel Jones case is simply about white police officers killing black men, I believe there are underlying issues that the Cincinnati community has failed to address. Those issues are simply called respect and personal responsibility, regardless of race, nationality or culture.

Our culture today has been so focused on individual rights, freedoms, and tolerance, that they have left out the most basic of social concerns: respect. At one point in our nation's history, people were taught to respect those in authority, whether that be parents, teachers, police officers or bosses. And when something was done wrong, people were held personally responsible: kids were disciplined, students received detentions, unruly citizens were arrested.

On the tapes of the Nathaniel Jones incident, I distinctly remember the police officers shouting, "put your hands behind your back" many different times. I'm wondering what would have happened if Nathaniel Jones did just that. I'm guessing the confrontation would have been avoided.

Let's not forget that Nathaniel Jones attacked the police officers, not the other way around. And on any given day when my husband goes out to face these types of issues, I expect him to return at the end of the day. And I expect him to do what he is trained to do in order to do that.

In speaking with my husband, he described an incident with his department where they faced a man weighing 110 pounds and was on PCP. He stated that it took 10 officers to restrain the man. Compare that to Nathaniel Jones who weighed almost 350 pounds. Can any of us say that we would not have been afraid for our lives when put in the same circumstances as the police were that night? There are many people out there who love to criticize the police but I'm wondering how many of those same people would be willing to risk their lives on a daily basis, like the police do, like my husband does.

It may be true that Nathaniel was a wonderful person, great father and had no violent background. However, on that night, at that given moment in time, Nathaniel Jones made the decision to first abuse drugs and then attack the police officers. Unfortunately, there were consequences. And because of the combination of heart problems, weight and drugs, Mr. Jones paid the ultimate price. For that I am truly sorry.

So instead of blaming police and race and color, we should start focusing on respect and personal responsibility. After all, those characteristics are "color blind."

I'm guessing if we raise children to respect their parents, teachers, police officers and others in authority and focus on personal responsibility and consequences, the number of altercations with police would greatly decrease. And that can be true regardless of race, color, nationality or religion.

To the Cincinnati police officers, thank you for doing your job in the midst of such difficult circumstances. It takes great courage to hold up under such scrutiny!

Kristen Petrocelli, Mason

You MUST take responsibility for yourself. Anything less is unacceptable. Parents MUST teach their children to be responsible for their own actions. Stop making excuses and whining when you or your children misbehave and the consequences come back to haunt you. It's NOT society's fault. It's YOUR fault.

Nathaniel Jones died because no one taught him to stop when a cop says, "Stop!"

There was a time when I desired to live together peacefully, but I've grown tired of the whiney excuses and blame projection. So I've decided to simply move out of hearing range. What was that? Sorry, I can no longer hear you.

Katey Shaw, Springdale

Just ANOTHER example of the brutal racism perpetrated agaisnt Black people in America! When will it ever end? Had Nathaniel Jones been white-he would be alive today!

This video INFURIATES me and fills me with rage!

John Collins, Clifton

In the early 1980's while working as an police officer in Michigan, my partner and I were dispatched as backup to a unit that had just made a DUI arrest. The primary unit had arrested the driver (a young female) and they were waiting to get authorization to arrest the car's owner, who although a passenger, had knowingly let this woman drive. By the way, the owner of the car was the brother-in-law of one of our officers. Let's call him "Jim" for the sake of this story.

After the primary unit departed with their prisoner, we stayed with "Jim" waiting for the prosecutors office to contact us. But "Jim" didn't want to wait. So he jumped in his car and led us on a short chase resulting in a collison between his car and ours. As we tried to get him out of the car, and later fighting him outside the car, my partner and I, to say it mildly, were getting our butts kicked. Our department didn't let us use billyclubs so it was an old fashioned street fight. I guess we could have shot him, but that would have just made our buddy's wife mad and subjected us to the ridicule that your city officers are recieving now. So we fought him—for 20 minutes!

When it was done, I suffered numerous lacerations, two broken teeth, and my uniform was a shambles. My partner suffered similiar injuries. Our buddy "Jim" had recieved repeated "defensive holds" taught to us in the academy, punches to the jaw, groin, and stomach, and finally was subdued by six of us. And all the while he was calling us "pussies" and laughing at us.

Now you would think that this guy looked like Mr. Jones right? Well, to tell you the truth, he was about 5-11 and 140 pounds soaking wet. I'm 6-3, 250 and my partner was only slightly lighter but the same height as me. Now I know you're asking what was the equalizer? Was he an Army Ranger? Maybe a Navy Seal? Did he box in the Golden Gloves? Know Tai Kwon Do? Nope, none of it. He was high on cocaine and PCP!

So before you so called "experts" start heaping scorn on the cops, think about my incident and ask yourself what it would have been like if "Jim" weighed 400 pounds? I can tell what it would have been like if he was as big as Mr. Jones.

"Jim" would have been dead and some civilian review board or the ACLU would have been calling for my badge and prosecution. Know why? Because unlike your officer's I would have shot the SOB! But then I guess the Cincinnati Police Officers involved in this incident were braver men then me! So back off with the scorn and be glad you're only burying one of your citizens. It could have been worse!

Keith Stanton, Boca Raton, Fla.

As a paramedic for almost 30 years, and someone who was born and raised in Cincinnati, I was amazed to see the CFD engine company leave the scene after summoning the police for assistance. I received my paramedic training in Cincinnati and the rules are the same there as anywhere else. Once you make patient contact, you are responsible for the care of the patient until you turn over care to someone of higher medical authority or with a signed release from the patient. Anything else is abandonment.

I read that they were cleared by their officer. Once the patient was restrained by the police, they had an obligation to clear the patient medically before turning him over to the police. The police were amazed they had left the scene and rightfully so. The focus of the Fire Chief's investigation is if they had the right to call for the police in the first place. Any medic has the right to call for police whenever he feels threatened. That should not be the focus. The focus should be the abandonment of the patient and the lack of any medical care once his critical condition was noticed.

Bill Needles, Austin, Texas

In watching the national TV in St. Pete Beach, Fla., my initial response was "Oh no, not again." Fortunately Fox did show the initial attack on the police, and except for some expected commentary, most of the commentary was calm. They pointed out the initial attack, and also that there were no racist comments by the police. However, this again shows that there is no way the police can do their jobs without an intense public scrutiny.

Raymond Odioso, St. Pete Beach, Fla.

He attacked the police. Black, white, blue, he was wrong. Black Coalition, NAACP, Ken Lawson, you are the problem.

I am sorry the man died, but thank you Cincinnati Police Department for protecting us.

Leo Smith, Butler County

I feel bad for Jones' family, I really do. But we have to realize that he was hitting an officer and that those officers would have reacted the same if Jones was white. It was Jones' fault he died. Maybe if he wasn't on drugs he wouldn't have been called on. Instead, he made poor decisions that lead to his death.

The officers were only protecting the community and maybe we are all better off for not having another druggie on our streets. Not to be racist, but I think Rev. Lynch and other irrational leaders like him need to realize that all of these men dying in custody provoked the actions that caused their death. Maybe Lynch should find a way to riot against criminal activity and not boycott the rest of the city because he thinks "we are against blacks." Maybe he should resign his position of igniting racial anger. People should riot for that.

Brian Walker, Terrace Park

Hearing about the Jones incident and reading the overwhelming number of comments supporting the police actions and blaming Jones himself is a sharp reminder of why I and so many minorities I know moved out of Cincinnati after high school and do not plan to move back until the city addresses its racial issues.

This specific incident, in a vaccuum, would not be so egregious, but in the context of the Cincinnati police force's history of unjustified violence and profiling of blacks and other minorities, it is symptomatic of a problem which our (white) local politicians, pundits and business and civic leaders continue to ignore. Jones was beaten with the nightstick with much more frequency and intensity than necessary, which contributed to his death (thus making this a case of manslaughter, if not murder).

One more thing: a comment written below reads: "I am so sick of hearing how bad the black people in Cincinnati are treated. If you think you would be treated better elsewhere then move there."

As a minority, I did move elsewhere, partially because of racists like yourself. And I assure you, while this new city has less diversity than Cincinnati, it holds much, much greater tolerance and acceptance, something I spent my entire Cincinnati-based childhood searching for but not finding. But moving away doesn't solve the problem, it only increases segregation and contributes to Cincinnati's reputation around the country as a backwards, racist Midwestern city.

Pamela Harkena, Boulder, Colo.

I think I have this straight but I need some clarification: the police need better training to recognize people with mental problems and better ways to deal with violent behaviors? Then here is a suggestion for the CPD. Next time an officer is attacked, that officer is on his own until the second officer can call the thug's family and request information. Then the backup arrives and must request a blood sample from the attacker (while he beats the officer). While the blood sample is being tested for drugs (after all, the police need to realize the attacker is on drugs first, right?), the police are to request a complete medical profile to see if the attacker (again, while beating the officer) has a mental illness history. After securing all this info, the officers are to then use all the psychology they learned to talk the attacker out of killing any more policemen.

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

The officers had no way of knowing if Jones was on drugs or had a mental condition. For all they knew in that few seconds, Jones was an axe murderer trying to elude capture. Jones attacked the officers. The officers responded in the quickest possible procedure to demobilize Jones from harming themselves or some innocent bystander.

In fact, look at the tape again: you'll notice the officer was using the wrong end of the baton for several seconds. That shows there wasn't enough time to do anything other than secure the criminal. Jones attacked an officer. That makes him a violent at that moment; a felon resisting arrest.

Oh, never mind. Let the black clergy march. Let the dumbest city council in the nation keep making stupid remarks like they have. Go ahead and riot like there was a few years ago. All it does is remind me that I will not be opening any branches of my business in Cincinnati out of fear that the thugs are running the city, the council, and the whole danged place.

If I had seen some semblance of logic from the community "leaders" and the majority of the city council, I may have concluded Cincinnati had gotten its act together. Now, I know the thugs are running the place and I will not put my business, my employees, my dollars, and my family at risk by ever going to Thugville.

Thanks a lot, Cincinnati. Your standing tall for criminals has kept me from making silly business decisions by branching into your town and hiring anyone there. You lost my business.

James Hale, Atlanta

Well, folks, here we go again. My thoughts are since every police officer in this town seems to be prejudice maybe the next time there is a shooting or somebody is breaking down your door instead of calling the police we should call on, let's see, the NAACP or the Black Baptist Ministers. Let's see how quick they are to come running and confront a person that is high on PCP or heroine or whatever the drug of choice is that day. I bet we might be waiting awhile for them to respond to such an action.

Let's wake up people. It doesn't matter what color your skin is; the police have a job to do that most of us would not even consider doing. Let's give them some credit and the next time a very large 350-pound man that is high on PCP and cocaine lunges at you, let's all sit back and watch how you handle the situation.

Randy Picadio, Colerain

We the people not black/white etc. have forgotton how to show respect to people where we work, where we eat.

Fact: Police officers are humans first. They bleed like we do. It's time to stop blaming! I was taught not to fight, or run from a policeperson.

Fact: Jones would have not died perhaps, if he did not fight these men. I am on the streets. I see a lot of people ready to fight someone who accidently touch you. Kids that will be fighting or acting crazy, they will act like we are in they way it is time to stop hating. Time to start showing each other respect.

I too know a man who was killed by police. It was dumb and he was white. But, he was acting like a fool. Learn to act like a human, a person, not like a spoil child.

All us learn anger managment. With what Jones, had in his body shows me he did not even respect his self. He was killing himself, slowly but surely. Has not 9/11 shown us that life is too uncertain? The dream of King, was not for us to fight but to make something of ourselfs. No one here wants slaves we do want respect black, yellow.

As Judge Brown, says do not be part of the problem.

Botto Lana, Deer Park/Silverton

My 5-year-old son came to me while I was making dinner Saturday and said "Dad, I don't want to be a policeman. It's too dangerous." I asked him why he said that. Did he see or hear anything recently that would make him say that? He replied "No, there's just bad guys that want to hurt them."

This little boy doesn't know anything about Nathaniel Jones and what happened last week. He does not see or hear local news because we do not watch or listen to it with our children present. How ironic with all this controversy going on that my innocent 5-year-old would say that. I guess it came up because he has been busy thin