This concerns raising admission standards at Northern Kentucky University ("10% won't make the cut at NKU," July 22). Although I am grateful for the opportunity totally open enrollment gave me at NKU, I was probably one of those students totally naive about what to expect in college.

I probably would have been better off taking more remedial courses in a community college, and perhaps even not going directly to college after high school. I did finally graduate, but barely, and I generally don't like to mention my college experience as a highlight of my life. I do think there needs to be a way to give motivated non-traditional students a way to enroll and graduate college. We all mature at different rates, and not everyone has it all together at age 17 or 18.

Roy Holt
Alexandria

Foreign relations under Bush abysmal

The writer of the letter "Bush has improved foreign relations" (July 27) must be the one living as if he's underground if he truly believes the Bush administration has improved our foreign relations.

The Bush administration had war on Iraq on their agenda from the very beginning. To achieve their goal, they've alienated our allies and created ill will and hatred for Americans in the Middle East. Our foreign relations are at an all-time low, and it will clearly take a new administration to begin repairing the damage that's been done.

This administration has not only done immeasurable damage to our foreign relations; they have endangered us all by focusing on the wrong war.

Karen Leavitt
Madisonville

There's more at stake than election

Who would be the best man to protect our country from terrorists? Nothing else will matter after a dirty bomb or nuke kills multitudes of innocent lives in America because the terrorists only want one thing: to take control of the free world starting with us.

To the Democrats, I say, "Get over it" - we have much more to lose here than an election. Use some common sense. It's not about what party will win; it's our children's and grandchildren's lives we're talking about.

Thank you, President Bush, for being such a strong leader. I am one grateful American that you are our president.

Patricia Santa
Bridgetown

Lawsuit ill serves minorities, unions

Regarding the article "Fire union sued over dues" (July 20): It is a sad commentary that all organized labor has done over the past several decades for the cause of equal representation for minorities that a small group of disgruntled minorities would cast a shadow over all minority members in refusing to pay their "fair share."

Larry Schmolt
Price Hill

Obesity-as-disease is terrible as policy

In response to "Obesity as 'disease' gains new credibility" (July 18): Good grief! When is it going to stop with our government? Since when does my government need to set a new policy to tell people when to push their chair away from the table? The article states, "An estimated 18 percent of the Medicare population meets the official definition of obese ..."

So 18 percent are overweight, but what percentage of that is genetic and what percentage is just plain too much eating? I'm happy to help pay for someone who can't help being obese and earnestly tries to lose weight, but it makes me angry to have to pay for someone who refuses to watch their calories. And you can bet we are going to pay if this policy is enacted into the Medicare program.

Janet L. Oligee
Milford

Hoff left impression on XU grads

Although I graduated from Xavier before Rev. James Hoff's tenure as president, I can unequivocally say that he changed my relationship as an alumna with the university. His commitment not only to the intellectual, but also to the moral and spiritual education of its students, his acumen in providing for the financial stability of the university, and his insistence that Xavier was there to serve the educational needs of both the intellectually gifted and average student (the rise in average SAT scores notwithstanding) inspired me to re-engage with the future of XU on a personal level.

When I represent XU at college fairs, I can wholeheartedly recommend Xavier to students and parents alike. Father Hoff's foundation is being ably built upon by President Michael Graham and the many dedicated individuals at Xavier, and his vision endures.

Beth Anne Jackson
McMurray, Pa.