This is in regard to the "Hot air" of Feb. 18, "NASCAR's allure." Now it's gone too far - politicians reaching out to what they describe as "NASCAR dads."

Will President Bush stop at nothing to get re-elected? I like NASCAR as much as any scarred Jewish intellectual who gets nervous driving past 65. What's next? Is Bush going to appear on Monday Night Raw and smash a chair over the head of Triple H? What's wrong with reaching out to the NBA dads? Hey, W., reach out to the reality show moms and get a makeover from the fab five on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Now that would get you re-elected.

Vaslav J. Rice, Mount Carmel

---

Give to help caregivers as well as arts

I think it's wonderful the Fine Arts Fund has been so successful in our community. I appreciate the contribution the arts make to all of us, but wouldn't it be nice if all the contributors would make equal commitments to the social services in this community? Leadership givers could make a tremendous difference in the lives of children and families in crisis. I am a volunteer at Lighthouse Youth Services, and I know the needs of these families. I wish the big givers in this community would know this, too.

Aline Simon, Amberley Village

---

Show accountability for your actions

Regarding "Judge gives ex-fugitive, city a piece of his mind" (Feb. 18), I was at a loss to explain the apparent argument by Lashawn Pettus-Brown's attorney Ken Lawson that his client did nothing wrong and should be freed from jail.

Apparently, this attorney thinks a strong defense is built on denying accountability - one of the most basic lessons in life, which was instilled in this writer by his parents and is being instilled in his three sons. We embrace accountability for our actions. Accept responsibility, repay the community and get on with rebuilding your life in an honorable way. Also, choose advisers carefully.

Mark Westerbeck, Hamilton

---

Focus on gays diverts from bigger issues

Kathleen Parker's syndicated column "Kerry must now deal with gay unions" (Feb. 7), on the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling regarding gay marriage, is a poisoned dart, dipped in her own boiling home brew, and aimed at half or more of the electorate. Her aim is to tag Democrats, and their front-runner candidate Sen. John Kerry, with a single, paralyzing gay issue, thus drowning out debate on hard-hitting issues such as deficit spending; outsourcing of decent jobs; health care; White House incompetence and serious credibility problems; homeland insecurity; and, oh yeah, war in Iraq.

John Sullivan, Crestview Hills

---

Medicare shouldn't pay for circumcision

Regarding the column "Medicaid system full of abuse, waste" (Feb. 15), unnecessary cosmetic surgery is being marketed to Medicaid clients. No medical organization in the world recommends circumcision. Medical and lay organizations, such as Doctors Opposing Circumcision, have cited in recent studies showing real complications to outweigh unproven benefits. Presently, 13 states' Medicaid systems, 11 of Canada's 13 provinces, and the United Kingdom's health plan do not fund circumcision. The rate for infant circumcision in the United States is 55 percent, in the United Kingdom 0.41 percent. Doctors and hospitals should not market unnecessary and irreversible surgery to Medicaid clients or others.

James Moore, Cleves

---

Developers care only until buildings up

Although I am not a resident of Hyde Park, I can relate to the way the residents feel about the recent development conflicts there. About two years ago there were similar things happening in my neighborhood, concerning a small shopping complex with a couple of stores. Developers came to the complex and decided it was a good place to put more shops, meaning houses would have to be knocked down, etc.

Despite petitions signed by members of my neighborhood, the developers won and began building. Two years later, the complex has long been completed; however, businesses have not been successful there. In fact, there is at any given time at least one vacant shop.

The developers don't care what happens to the buildings once they've been built; their money has already been made. Don't give in to the greedy developers, and fight for your square.

Nora Banoun, Kenwood