The headline in the Jan. 25 Forum section read, "Boy Scouts, United Way committed to helping children." Helping whose children? Apparently not my children or anyone else's in our Cub Scout pack, since United Way cut the amount given to the scouts by 40 percent. Now, not only do the parents have to volunteer their time and lead the boys through five years of rank achievements, but we are being asked to help raise money to make up for the United Way's cuts.

Years ago the families in this community agreed to let United Way be the common collection agency for all of our organizations. The scouts did not join United Way so that it could be "prioritized" and have funds reduced. The sad thing is that United Way is forcing me and other parents to "prioritize" where our charitable money will go too, and whether that money should go to United Way or not.

Robert Stucker, Blue Ash

Stand united in war against terrorists

Being a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, I know how hard it was to listen to all the protesting going on at home, while fighting the enemy and watching so many buddies give lives and limbs in the name of freedom. Now, we have brave men and women serving America to help rid the world of terrorism. And they have to listen to some of the same protesting we endured. The protesting now is not coming from hippies and draft-card burners on Fountain Square but from senators and congressmen.

Our country is having the biggest test since World Wars I and II. I wish all Americans would think of these three words: United we stand.

John Engel, Reading

Public schools in no condition to help

In response to the letter "Cincinnati Public Schools should help" (Jan. 28), on CPS' failure to respond to Summit Country Day's need for space: Overcrowding and deplorable structural conditions were why the building levy was needed and passed.

Public schools already serve the community with playgrounds, election polling stations and civic meeting space. I dare say that in the schools' current conditions, Summit parents would not choose to send their children to our Hyde Park/Mount Lookout public schools, even temporarily.

Melissa Dallas, Mount Lookout

Dowd's anti-Bush rant is alienating

It appears that syndicated columnist Maureen Dowd has gotten her testosterone level up as well with her dissing of 60 nations working with us in Iraq as "poodles and lackeys" ("Bush shows his smirking, wacko side, too," Jan. 23). Talk about Bush alienating the world is calm next to Dowd's rants. I would ask her to identify a successful United Nations effort at peacekeeping. Africa, maybe?

I am glad that we still have a national foreign policy and will leave the surrender of the United States to the United Nations to the current front-runners bidding for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Jerome A. Griessmann, Williamstown, Ky.

Truman's words on rich were wise

A transferring of wealth from the middle class and poor to the very wealthy has been the policy of the Bush administration. They believe in trickle-down economics and that the middle class and poor can survive from the crumbs falling from the rich man's table.

I think President Truman was right when he said, "If you help the middle class and the poor, the wealthy will take care of themselves." The meager help the lower half is getting from this White House will leave us bills we are unable to pay, such as for heat, medicine and insurance.

The question is: How will the low-income Americans survive? From my perspective it is a very dismal picture.

John Edward Bray, Groesbeck

Stop and pray to help reach goals

In this fresh new year, we face many challenges, individually and collectively yet no obstacle or hardship can be too difficult to overcome. With faith, courage and determination, absolutely nothing can stop us from our goals or perceived achievements; we can and will arise to new heights and see even greater accomplishments. God understands our weaknesses, our fears and our hesitations. Yet he provides whatever it takes to turn the tide and get back on course again, if need be. Start today to pray, love, forgive and move on.

The Rev. Richard L. Fisher, Clifton