In response to the editorial "Transparent Jones inquiry needed" (Dec. 3), I have to ask: Why are the changes only demanded from the police? I am offended that the writer states in the final paragraph that "there has to be a better way to handle such situations and police need to figure out how to make it happen."

I have a suggestion similar to the writer's. There has to be a better way to educate young people to respect the police. They also need to learn that if they conduct themselves in criminal activity it is very likely they will eventually find themselves confronted by the police. When the police confronts them it is the respect, or lack of, they give the police, that will determine the tone of the confrontation.

Calling for changes in the police always seems to be the solution. Let's look at the bigger picture beyond the police, and look at our younger society where the big changes need to be made.

Chris McKeown, Montgomery

Don't let boycotters harm their city

The boycotters are at it again. Even before all the facts are out in the death of Nathaniel Jones, the brain trusts that are the boycotters are once again calling for an economic boycott of downtown Cincinnati businesses. The bigger issue is when will the media realize that these people are doing nothing but harm to their own city?

If the boycotters won't grow up and realize that racism is not everywhere they look, then I would certainly hope that the media in Cincinnati would and stop giving these self-serving fools a pulpit to preach from.

Gregory Thompson, Mason

Advent offers hope for Nativity

I couldn't help but entertain the idea that the principal of Nativity School was fired for "philosophical differences" with Rev. Marc Sherlock on a whim affecting many people. Now we are asked to be patient and let the process work. The archdiocese needs to realize there are major theological differences at Nativity: a priest twisting power, and a parish whose power is serving those in need. Wouldn't Advent be a great time to rekindle hope for Cincinnati Catholics?

Savio Russo, Amberley Village

Bronson should heed own observation

For once, Peter Bronson has it right: "Sensational, biased news stories stink" (Dec. 4). I can only hope he will apply this observation to his own future writings.

Fred Schroeder, Finneytown

What's so funny about fear of Santa?

Question for the "Fear of Saint Nick" folks - Why do you love seeing those pictures of terrified kids on Santa's lap? Did anyone in the Tempo department read the text of your newspaper's promotion? The fact that you think this is funny is the scary thing.

If you invited photos of animals being coerced by owners into an unwelcome situation, PETA, not Santa, would swoop down your chimney in a minute.

Susan Glassmeyer, Springfield Township

Art museum offers many delights

Wednesday evening my wife and I strolled hand-in-hand through the Cincinnati Wing of the Cincinnati Art Museum. In the distance, the muffled strains of a three-man German band or, alternatively, a College-Conservatory of Music student singing refined German Lieder.

As we viewed the Rookwood pottery, admired the Duveneck and Jim Dine paintings, considered the sculptures, we participated in a panorama, a scene fit for some latter-day history painter. There we were, with a diverse crowd brought together artfully by the staff and volunteers of the CAM.

Professor Richard E. Schade, Honorary consul of Germany
German Studies, University of Cincinnati

Saks soaking is wasteful 'investment'

The Dec. 1 Enquirer tells us that taxpayers' dollars were spent to open a Saks Fifth Avenue store to open in downtown Cincinnati. There was $4.9 million already spent, and a few million dollars more promised. This is called a "good investment." This is wrong. An investment is a voluntary payment made in the hope of gaining a profit to pay back the investor, to make him richer because of the gamble.

City Council does not invest. It steals money from residents who have no choice. This is called taxes. Most of these taxpayers will never enter the store. Saks is not a poor man's store, yet the poor man's taxes will renovate the building.

I never go downtown anymore, because everything I want to buy is available in local shopping centers. Will Saks have enough customers to earn a profit? Where will the customers come from? Who needs to go downtown to buy anything? Who needs to go downtown?

Everett DeJager, Rossmoyne

None of Saks spending was illegal

Gregory Korte's article about Saks is misleading to the public ("Invoices detail how Saks spent tax funds," Dec. 1). The headline and opening paragraphs lead you to believe that Saks has not properly used the funds given to them by the city of Cincinnati for their store renovation.

If readers read the entire article, and I'm sure many did not, they would learn that everything that Saks did was completely legal. Store fixtures, including mannequins, are part of the allure that a store tries to create to attract customers. All businesses must present an image that they are up to date and in step with their competitors.

LeRoy Wilder, President, New Horizons Credit Union Inc.