In his guest column "George Clooney may be cute, but he and dad are out of touch" (April 18), Marcus Carey, a lawyer and chairman of the Republican Party in Kentucky's 4th District, disparages Nick Clooney as a "TV guy" and his son for being an actor, stating that "here in the heartland of Kentucky, showmanship and statesmanship are not interchangeable terms."

So, does this dictum also apply to former President Reagan, actor Charleton Heston and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, or is it limited to Democratic showmen?

Nick Clooney states his mind with openness and honesty that dignifies him as a man of conscience, as a political leader, and, once elected in November, as a statesman.

Rob Thrun, Covington

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Democratic criticism undermines war

Every time Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. John Kerry, or other Democrats open their mouths criticizing the war on terror, another Marine or soldier dies. As they continue to undermine President Bush, or as I say, give aid to and abet the enemy, they give the enemy reason to doubt our resolve. Please support Bush in this war. I am a proud Marine's mom and aunt.

Dorette Landis, Maineville

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Maupin case no time for 'happiness'

People are using the words "happiness" and "relief" to describe what they felt when they saw the footage of Pfc. Matt Maupin being held captive in Iraq. How are they not infuriated, outraged and disgusted? Our men and women shouldn't even be there. Let the Iraqis rebuild their country. Better yet, send the war-hungry politicians and tell Iraq to keep them.

Julie Murray, Bridgetown

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Can't banks use bulletproof glass?

Wonderful! The Springfield Township Police now have a high-tech way of catching bank robbers ("Police search skies in tech wave," April 18). It would be far simpler to stop the problem at the source - the bank - using technology that was in existence and used 60 years ago. Simply put the tellers behind bulletproof glass. Transactions can be made by passing the necessary papers back and forth through a small depression below the bottom edge.

If the banks cannot find companies with the ability to provide the necessary equipment, I would refer them to the manufacturers of the cashier booths used in many service stations, or, if they cannot find a manufacturer in this country, they can go to Great Britain, where they still use this antiquated idea in their banks.

Richard Engelmann, Sharonville

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Noise, lights would chase any neighbor

Sixty-five out of 71 property owners, 66 of which are residents, want to sell their homes in the Norwood development case. Of the six holdouts, five are small businesses. Three observations:

• 91.5 percent want to sell.

• I live in an apartment in Norwood about a mile and a half on the other side of Interstate 71. Even with my window closed, many nights I lay awake because of the sound of traffic on the expressway. The affected homeowners live right next to I-71. I can't imagine the noise level in their homes from the expressway.

• For want of the correct terminology, the Rookwood "One" and "Two" developments that already there are right next to their neighborhood. The residents have to put up with glaring lights and thousands of vehicles a day.

Sixty-five out of 66 residents want to get out of that noisy, light-saturated neighborhood. If I were deciding this case, I know what my decision would be.

Marvin Asbrock, Norwood

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Schools should sell ad space on buses

Regarding "All names for sale at school" (April 19) about the Brooklawn, N.J., school district selling naming rights to its library and gymnasium: This small town has sold the naming rights to its library to the Flowers family and its gymnasium to the local grocer. School districts across the county repeatedly ask taxpayers for more funds via a tax levy. Brooklawn is just trying to be innovative.

To me, this is no different than Great American Ball Park and U.S. Bank Arena. If a Metro bus can keep its bus fare down by selling ads on the side of a bus, a school district could help its transportation budget by selling ads on the side of a school bus. The major soda companies already have soda machines in our schools - what is the difference if Pepsi's logo is placed on the side of a bus? If local communities are offended by watching their children board a bus that has an advertisement on its side, then vote yes for the next levy.

Chris Lemmon, Milford