The Enquirer's article about Miami University's Doug Sheldon and his beloved ash tree ("Miami U. ash tree survives hardship," Dec. 9) was extremely refreshing. Sheldon's respect for not only the tenacity of the tree through the years but his ability to relate it to one's everyday life is unique among university employees.

I'm sure that many of the students who received a twig from Sheldon and a few words as to its symbolism in their lives learned a more valuable lesson than some of their expensive academic hours. Someone like Sheldon, with his head screwed on tight and his priorities in line, is surely being wasted outside of a classroom.

Richard C. Mileham, Indian Hill

Religion-scholar case honors law's spirit

I disagree with the view of syndicated columnist Zev Chafets ("Pay for religious education privately," Dec. 2). I don't feel the writer's argument about the separation of church and state is valid in this case. This young man is a qualified scholarship winner and should have the right to choose what he wants to study.

We should be looking to support people who choose a career helping others and not try to deprive them of educational opportunities. State money is often given to private schools and the courts have approved of such spending. The case cited by Chafets doesn't appear to violate the spirit of earlier court decisions.

Gina Hyle, McAuley High School, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Caution on electronic voting appreciated

Thanks to Ken Blackwell for slowing installation of voting machines ("Beef up electronic voting security," Dec. 5). Thanks also to dozens of citizens who studied this issue and met with Blackwell regarding lack of proper auditing controls on these machines. Also thanks to U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, for leading the effort in Congress to examine the unsavory ties between our elected officials and Diebold Co., which makes these machines.

Terri Zins, Springfield Township

Cheap power not worth mercury's danger

Is our desire for cheap power greater than our desire to have a safe environment for our loved ones? If the Environmental Protection Agency and current technologies can reduce mercury output by 90 percent, why are we allowing their profits to stop us?

In our modern lifestyle, it is understandable we are going to create some byproducts that are not all that savory, and some that are downright dangerous. Please make it known to the general public what the administration is trying to do to our resources. Let them know that we need to make sure we are getting the cleanest power possible.

No matter where the mercury goes, it will all come back to bite us in the end.

Brian Petro, Kettering

We can work with Medicare changes

The new Medicare prescription drug law isn't pretty, but it's pretty good. The Medicare program hasn't seen a change this significant since it was created in 1965. That alone says a lot. It's not easy to make even small changes to a massive federal program that covers more than 40 million people, much less major changes that add new benefits. The legislation takes some meaningful steps forward in addressing some of the complex, interrelated problems of cost, access and quality.

We owe our legislators our gratitude for their courage, patience and skill in getting this legislation passed. The new bill isn't everything everyone wants, but it's a good start. Let's work with our elected officials to build on that foundation.

Lynn R. Olman, president, Greater Cincinnati Health Council

Us-vs.-them attitude won't help

The administration's decision to bar contractors from Germany, France, Russia, China, Canada and any other country that did not support this pre-emptive war in Iraq from bidding on prime contracts to rebuild the country that we destroyed is not unexpected. The administration and unfortunately many Americans have this black-and-white, you are either with me or against me, mindset.

This attitude, while it doesn't usually solve the problem at hand, is a simple way to appraise situations and makes us feel good - and after all, isn't feeling good what is really important in life?

Dick Schladen, Aurora, Ind.