This is regard to the letter that objected to the effort of councilman Sam Malone for trying to inject his religious views into the abortion debate ("Malone should keep religion to self" Jan. 24). To see what a culture becomes without the benign influence of religion and morality, check out Cincinnati's murder rate, especially in the drug-infested areas. Do you really expect a drug dealer believes it is wrong to kill his competition when the culture says it's OK to kill unborn babies viewed as being in competition with their mothers?

George Washington had it right in 1787: "Religion and morality are the indispensable supports of democracy."

John F. Kippley, Westwood

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Anti-abortion stance is commendable

In regard to the letter "Malone should keep religion to self" (Jan. 24): I want to commend City Council member Sam Malone for taking a stand for family values at City Council. Why would anyone want to fund the killing of unborn human babies? Our tax dollars should not be used to support clinics, which make money from killing human beings. Thanks, Sam, for speaking for the people of Cincinnati.

Mark Bird, Mount Auburn

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Abstinence, monogamy must be taught

In regard to President Bush's State of the Union Address, Bush deserves support from Greater Cincinnati in his effort to increase abstinence education. Sexual abstinence and monogamy are major pillars of a lasting society. Children deserve to hear the truth regarding life - anything of true value must be obtained through self-control and seeking to honor the interest of others above self. Without more emphasis on abstinence training in the culture, promiscuity will continue to defraud the masses of true beauty and eventually life itself. Let us show the world that the single best way to relate to each other is found in preserving moral innocence.

Edwin Ericson, West Chester Township

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Gay marriage is no threat to anyone

I am in total agreement with the letter "Why is same-sex marriage an issue?" (Jan. 25). What is President Bush's problem? Marriage is between two people who love each other and are willing to be committed to each other for the rest of their lives. It doesn't just have to be between a man and a woman. What are people afraid of? The legalization of same-sex marriage will not affect the marriages of opposite-sex couples.

We're being selfish. Many parts of Canada and Europe have legalized it. They obviously think there is no problem. Why are we not willing to do it? Even though I am not gay, I still want America and its president to respect all citizens.

Amy Trostle, Burlington

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Taft's high-tech push reeks of risk

Having seen how volatile and capricious the high-tech world can be, as evidenced by the crash of the Nasdaq in the not-so-distant past, one wonders why Gov. Bob Taft thinks that such high-risk and high-competition industries are the panacea for our state.

If you want good, solid growth, take the advice of Peter Lynch, Fidelity Investments' most successful mutual fund manager, who said to invest in something where you understand where the earnings are coming from. Invest in a boring, solid industry no one has heard of, but that has a solid earnings history.

Solid performance in solid industries beats high-risk high tech any day. Want to invest in the state? Invest in some of the many deserving companies that are already here, and who will be here five to 10 years from now when Taft and his buddies are long gone.

Greg Rogers, Newtown

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Why aren't unions fighting Wal-Mart?

It has been interesting that in the last couple of weeks, letters have appeared damning Wal-Mart and their further invasion into our communities. Where are the AFL-CIO and all the union people and their supporters? Fighting Kroger and Albertson's stores in the South. Why do they continue to support Wal-Mart with their daily purchases and shy away from going after them?

Stories of low wages, lack of benefits, and overall poor treatment of employees continue to surface, yet where are the unions? If the automakers, Kroger and the like are fair game, why not Wal-Mart? Let's go, union leaders, and go after a company so big that they fear nothing.

Dick Kent, Sycamore Township