We each must be responsible in getting beneath the cliches and stereotypes to better understand the divisive issue of same-sex marriage. The Dec. 7 columns by Rep. Bill Seitz ["Ban means stability in our society"] and by Scott Knox ["Gay rights no threat to marriage"] were helpful in this regard.

Seitz spoke in an impersonal, detached way as he rested his case against same-sex marriage on history and tradition and fear. Knox, on the other hand, brought the issue down to the personal level as he spoke about actual people, both straight and gay, and how their lives are affected by the lack of availability of same-sex marriage.

I disliked Bill's use of the "race card" when he objected to comparing the legalizing of same sex couples to the legalizing of interracial couples.Perhaps if Bill knew Matthew Shepherd or any other gay person who has been beaten, killed, or heartlessly rejected by family, he would not offer such a callous statement.

Bonnie Meyer, Fort Thomas

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But adoption plan welcomed

Not only was I pleased to read the article ("It's a better time than ever to adopt," Dec. 4), I was excited about the approved adoption incentives and the hope it brings to children waiting for a permanent home.

I truly hope that President Bush's statement that it would take only 1 percent of America's population to provide a home to every waiting child in our country made an impact on readers everywhere. Right now, there are roughly 300 children in Hamilton County and 4,000 in Ohio waiting for a loving, permanent home.

I urge readers to find out more about adoption, and not to wait another day.

Carrie Fiasco, Madisonville Adoptions Manager, The Children's Home of Cincinnati

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Walnut Hill's success takes effort

I was not at all surprised to read "Walnut Hills High School chosen for study on success" (Dec. 1). It is no secret that this fine college preparatory school produces outstanding students prepared for college. This is no accident. It takes a concerted effort of fine leadership, dedicated teachers and motivated students working together for long-range goals. The alumni of Walnut Hills are also a tremendous support group shown by their providing funds for an entire new building, taking no money from the city. All of these people working together create a paradigm to emulate.

Helen W. Joffe, Hamilton

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Reading companies offer promising research

In a guest column ("Ohio must fully reap the new economy," Nov. 27), Gov. Bob Taft wrote of several organizations in the Cincinnati area, which received funding from this initiative. One was the Genome Research Institute located in Reading. It should be noted that Girindus of America, another Reading based company, also received a Third Frontier grant.

Two organizations from the same city have been recognized for their outstanding work in the area of life sciences, not to mention another growing Reading organization in the same field, the Patheon Co. Reading truly is "the Crossroads to Opportunity."

Mayor Earl J. Schmidt, Reading

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Medicare bill is no compromise

Watch out, seniors! The Enquirer editorial "Medicare bill is a good compromise" (Nov. 30) doesn't point out that the drug discounts on Medicare discount cards will be based on the retail price of the drug and that monthly premiums paid can go up as drug costs go up in the future. Consider that insurers and drug companies have the largest lobbies, are making huge profits and now will be given billions from the government as part of this Medicare bill (no premiums required for them, no assets/profits questioned to qualify for payouts) and ask yourself if this sounds like a good compromise bill to you.

Elaine Berninger, Cleves

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Wells column was balanced

Thank you to David Wells ["Lessons in the Jones case," Dec. 5] for a poignant and balanced analysis of the events leading up to and following the tragic death of Nathaniel Jones. While the death of this man should be deemed completely unacceptable by everyone, the politicized, insensitive, and often irrational tirades of specific radical segments of the community have done nothing but antagonize and polarize the issues surrounding this case.

Jennifer Marlowe, Bridgetown