If our current administration believes in acting against crimes of humanity, why are they not sending troops to Sudan? Genocide is taking place by the Sudanese government-backed militia, with 1,000 dying every day, and that number will increase with time. Seventy percent of the dead are children at age 5 and younger.

We can help with little cost to the United States to ensure safety and food to the people. Please contact your representatives and ask them to help the people of Sudan. Right now 370,000 people are dead or dying, and that number will increase to 1 million if we do not act.

Linda Perrone, Sharonville

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One family's hero marks anniversary

Tuesday was the 60th anniversary of the landing of my father, Frank Linhardt, on Omaha Beach, and a long way from his Northside home. His wasn't the most heroic jobs in the Army Air Corps, just one of the millions that needed to be done. He drove his truck off the landing craft that July morning and onto an enemy-occupied continent. What lay ahead, he couldn't know.

Like so many of his generation, he never talked about it. But lately, he has opened up that chapter of his life to his children and grandchildren. For that we are blessed, and for his service to our country he is our hero.

Patrick Linhardt, Loveland

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Nuns' march undermines our troops

I write this letter with the utmost respect and admiration for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas ("Nuns walk to show opposition to war," July 19). It, however, demonstrates to me their naivete of the real world, and I feel that is unconscionable that these holy and good women made no outcry when several thousand people were killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 by Osama bin Laden; or no outcry when Saddam Hussein murdered tens of thousands of his own people in Iraq; or no outcry when the people of Afghanistan were murdered and cowed by the Taliban.

They are succeeding in undermining the troops that have died and will die to defend their freedom and right to march in such a manner for such a cause. I wholeheartedly defend their right to protest. We should all pray for peace, but not at the expense of our defending troops.

Ed Willwerth, Western Hills

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Many buy cars who can't afford them

I am sure the car dealers appreciated the Enquirer's July 14, front-page free ad to buy a new car ("Auto incentives may be best ever"). You make it sound like they are giving them away. I don't care how big the rebates are. As along as the dealers and manufacturers are making money, and they are, it is just another sales tactic.

With personal debt at an all-time high, maybe you should be encouraging restraint. Rebate or not, a new car is a huge purchase - notice I did not say investment - and the finance companies seem more than willing to give people more credit than they can really afford.

Jeff Monroe, West Chester Township

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In Stewart case, the law is the law

In regard to Martha Stewart's conviction, applause for our government is the only thing appropriate. It's about time the government stop granting leniency for people just because of who they are. Maybe Stewart has money and is up there on the social ladder, but she still made a big mistake and should have to face up to the consequences just like anyone else.

Money and power shouldn't be the key when it comes to anything. I applaud the U.S. government for their decision. It makes me proud to be an American when I see that the law is being executed the way it should be.

Erin Schmutte, Colerain Township

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We have voice through elected leaders

In her syndicated column "The people deserve direct say on gay marriage amendment" (July 17), Kathleen Parker states, "The federal marriage amendment stands as the only certain way Americans can be assured a voice in determining how the American family - and ultimately American culture - are defined."

What she fails to mention is that Americans already had that voice when they elected the senators who voted on this proposed amendment. The people have this choice any time an official is elected. Stop whining - the majority spoke. The current senators in Kentucky do not represent my interests in this state as a gay man (both voted for the amendment); however, they won the right to vote as they did because they won their respective elections. That is something I have to accept, and Parker should as well.

Rob Vasseur, Erlanger