As the stock market plunged precipitously March 12 at the news that terrorist explosions in Madrid might be tied to al-Qaida, it begs the question. If the Dow dives at even rumored al-Qaida connections, might the terrorist network try to manipulate the U.S. presidential election by seeking to derail the economic recovery?

Ask yourself whom al-Qaida would rather see in the White House - George Bush, who tenaciously hunts them in every cave and spider hole, or Sen. John Kerry, who views the war on terrorist as merely a police action?

Rick Wesley, St. Bernard

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Veteran, Republican won't choose Bush

I do not understand that anyone in the services including the National Guard cannot remember or substantiate where he or she served.

At the age of 78, I can still remember where I served in World War II in the Pacific by both the American and Japanese names. I remember at least six or more buddies I served with and they remember me. I still have photos.

Before I left for the Pacific I still, at my age, remember the names of all the pretty girls I met in Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis.

When a person parades his service only in the United States in the National Guard during the Vietnam War, he becomes highly untruthful. I am also aware how we handled those with political influence and privilege in World War II. We stamped all their papers with a large "PI" meaning political influence. As a registered Republican, I can no longer support George W. Bush, and I will remember to vote.

Bernard A. Dulle, Loveland

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Stoker looks gift horse in mouth

In a time a sparse funding, West Chester Township's trustee Catherine Stoker is really looking a gift horse in the mouth when she complains about the location of a proposed veterans' monument ("Stoker seeks different vets site," March 12). Of course, hers is a career known for complaints, where purely political gain may be had.

The best, however, was her comment, "I don't want to sound like sour grapes, but there are a lot of votes in West Chester," alluding to her standing in this years' race against County Commissioner Mike Fox. Why politicize an otherwise kind expression of gratitude?

Four years ago Mike Fox won all 43 precincts in West Chester. Conversely, in Stoker's commission race against another candidate that year, she lost every precinct but two in her own back yard. Perhaps she complains the memorial should be in a cemetery so her political aspirations will have company.

Bruce Jones, West Chester

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Gay marriage no threat to society

Thanks to Maggie Downs and The Enquirer for the March 12 story, "Couple marries as judges debate." Through the experience of Sandy Allen and Pam Wright, you have both localized and humanized the very American civil rights events taking place in San Francisco.

For those whose preferred treatment of gays is to demonize and ostracize, the story is no doubt disturbing. That's because your picture of the lovely yet unremarkable Allen and Wright family illustrates the repressive wing's great hidden fear - that once gay marriage gains a small foothold, all but the most sadly prejudiced will come to see that it works just fine, threatening no one and strengthening a free society.

John C. Brennan, Clifton

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Condom use can't beat abstinence

So the only news from the entire National STD Prevention Conference is that virginity pledges don't lessen venereal disease and that more condom education and usage is needed ("Abstinence vows doesn't lessen venereal disease," March 9).

Let's consider these questions:

• Can condoms be the solution when they do not protect our children from incurable and rampant sexually transmitted diseases that can be found all over the body such as Herpes and HPV (venereal warts)?

• Shouldn't we teach the fact that all kinds of sex can transmit sexually transmitted diseases?

• Who will report that abstinence until marriage programs include virginity pledges, character development, self-discipline, formation of healthy relationships, refusal skills, goal setting, hope and encouragement; much more than a "Just Say No" program?

Can't we wait until the federal government completes its long-term study on abstinence only programs before challenging again the highest standard of sexual health for our children?

Melanie Howell, Mason