This is in regards to "Crash stats show roads to avoid" (Dec. 12). Would not a better headline be "Crash stats show lower speeds and more caution are needed"? The roads aren't accident-prone. Roads just are there; drivers cause accidents. They exceed speed limits and run red lights, etc. If drivers obeyed the rules of the road, there would be lower crash stats.

Sure, some situations are more dangerous than others. Life is like that. But I'm for people taking the necessary steps to avoid accidents, not putting in better roads that only encourage higher speeds.

Mary Lou Hansen, Fort Wright

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Bullying reflects national policies

We are becoming aware of bullying as a growing problem among our schoolchildren. Is it possible that our national example of a foreign policy based on brute force, violence and intimidation is trickling down?

Unfortunately, it appears as though diplomacy has been co-opted by "might makes right."

Rev. Ronald M. Redder, Kings Mills

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Many problems worse than billboards

Is there one word or one seven-letter word? How many public and private dollars were wasted on a small minority's fear of one small word on a relatively small banner visible on an interstate? Our schools (although being rebuilt) lack adequate supplies, homeless people wander the streets of Cincinnati, and countless elderly adults waste away in care facilities, ignored by most in society. But somehow there is time, money, and energy to protest one word on a banner tied to a private building off a Tristate freeway.

I have a short message for Citizens for Community Values - wake up! Despite the recent ruling regarding Hustler's sign along Interstate 75, free speech is still constitutionally protected (for the immediate future at least), and there are more important issues for us to deal with as a community. Graphic violence on broadcast television does far more harm than seven black letters printed on a large white canvas banner.

Doug Stevens, Hamilton

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Madison is 'honored' on $5,000 bill

The hidden article about James Madison ("Small, mighty Madison worthy of more respect," Dec. 7) by guest columnist Richard Labunski contained one mistake and posited one unanswered question about his lack of historical esteem. Madison's portrait graces the never-seen $5,000 bill. Bagmen for illegal drug operations know this; they are the only people to have seen any outside the currency display case at the Smithsonian Institute.

The uncelebrated Madison, author of much of the Constitution and all the Bill of Rights, stole the 1812 national election by bribing the Pennsylvania electoral delegation. He immediately started an unpopular war in alliance with Napoleonic France against Britain to defend a very dubious real estate claim to the Louisiana Territory. Andrew Jackson saved this claim by winning big-time at New Orleans in early 1815, the Treaty of Ghent notwithstanding. Thus is Old Hickory memorialized on the ubiquitous $20, and Madison is damned by faint praise, relegated to obscurity on the $5,000.

Timothy Tesch, Wyoming

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Why cut from top: council members?

In the face of yet another round of budget cuts for city departments, has anyone considered sponsoring a charter amendment that would reduce the number of City Council members? Since the city budget is so tight that administration is forced to cut services that will reduce the quality of life for all Cincinnati citizens, why hasn't anyone researched this idea?

Hamilton County operates a much larger governmental structure with only three commissioners, so why does Cincinnati need nine council members? A good portion of them know nothing about how to apply good business practices to government anyway. Cincinnati would be better served by cutting the expense of four council member offices, and city government would be improved by forcing five council members together to create a majority vote on issues.

Emily Casey, Western Hills

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Sports help to save talk radio

In regards to race relations in Cincinnati, the city has definitely leveled the playing field in one area in particular. The local daytime radio talk shows clearly illustrate the fact that there is no shortage of shallow-minded callers on both ends of the dial. Thank God for weekends, when this medium is reserved for more entertaining and stimulating subject matter - sports!

Julius Trammer, Covington