Regarding the editorial "Time to turn off TV for toddlers" (April 10), I have been involved with the lives of young children most of my life as a teacher, parent, grandparent and owner of a child-care placement agency. One of the questions I ask prospective nannies refers to their feelings toward young children spending time watching TV.

Over the past 19 years of interviewing providers, I have heard definite concerns regarding this issue. Placing young children unsupervised in front of the TV creates complacency and attention problems. This in turn impedes their basic need, which is to develop their self-esteem and ability to interact with others.

I hope the April 19-25 TV-Turnoff Week becomes a trend.

Susan L. Dineen

Madeira

Clooney shows hypocrisy of the left

I would like to respond to George Clooney's "Your voice" column "Judge Dad, not me, in run for Congress" (April 11) regarding his father, Nick, running for Congress. Apparently, it's OK for George to continually make disparaging remarks about President Bush, and it's OK for George to make fun of actor Charleton Heston for having Alzheimer's.

It seems apparent to me that George wants the freedom to speak his opinion, but wants to be free of the consequences of those opinions, especially when said opinions may hurt his father's run for office. The hypocrisy of the left never ceases to amaze me.

Cynthia Bass

Covington

Frailey, teachers need to grow up

As a 14-year Cincinnati Public Schools parent with three children, I am sick and tired of reading about Superintendent Alton Frailey and Cincinnati Federation of Teachers President Sue Taylor bickering and arguing in public. Grow up and stop the name-calling and negotiating in the media ("President of union assails Frailey," April 14).

Be role models for our children and treat each other with dignity and respect. Work out your differences fairly, quietly and in good faith. Let's get back to our goal of educating our children in a positive and nurturing environment.

Mary Judge

Northside

Officer's acts 3 years ago irrelevant

I was disturbed regarding the coverage of the shooting of Jonathan Crenshaw ("Officer shoots, kills suspect," April 14). The coverage indicated that Officer John Mercado, who works in the Regional Enforcement Narcotics Unit, was one of the officers who fired beanbags into a crowd during the April 2001 riots. Could you truly find a reason to connect his protecting his life from an armed suspect with his doing his job during a riot? What do the two have in common?

It is unfortunate that every move our police officers carry out is tied to the racial tensions in our area. Let our police officers protect themselves and us without constantly muddying the story and the waters by bringing up unrelated events to sensationalize.

Judith Hunt

Fairfax

Ohio should allow joint tax returns

A joint return for federal tax purposes is one that is signed by both spouses and for which each spouse is held jointly and severally liable for the tax reported. Joint returns usually result in a lower tax liability. A tax return filed with the state of Ohio however, even though signed by both spouses, gets nothing, not even a joint filing credit unless each spouse has a separate income of his or her own reported on the return. When is a joint return not a joint return? When the taxpayer lives in Ohio.

Charles Hughes

Golf Manor

Ban politicians from our ballparks

When are we going to stop putting politicians' names on our buildings and streets? Who would you rather see throw out the first pitch on Opening Day, a legend like Joe Morgan or Dick Cheney? Whether these guys have a D after their names or an R, they lie to us, and for some reason still expect our gratitude by a vote.

Until politicians show they deserve honor and respect, we shouldn't give them another photo op on Opening Day. If we can't kick them out of Washington, we should at least ban them from our ballparks.

Jerry Mouch Carthage