In the article "Anti-Bush music event coming," (July 27), Patrick Crowley opens his story with the sentence, "A Bush-bashing political circus is coming to town."

I visited the BandagainstBush Web site and found the organization's view much less vitriolic than implied - simply that President Bush should not be re-elected. Are readers to assume that previews of Toby Keith concerts will invite readers to attend a "Dixie Chicks-bashing, you're either with us or you're with the Enemy" country music throw-down?

Sarah Hawkins
Hyde Park

Many undecided voters principled

In his scathing attack on swing voters, Jonah Goldberg ("Ill-informed 'undecideds' don't deserve to run country," July 27) forgets that not all "undecideds" are unprincipled and unengaged - many are forced to consider compromising strongly held beliefs, such as Republicans who consider voting Libertarian or Democrats who go for Ralph Nader. In the light of the 2000 election, I would argue that this type of voter is even more important than Goldberg's swing voter, and that the winner this year will be the candidate who best holds on to these principled but disillusioned voters.

Brian Bowman
Villa Hills

Hold top responsible for intelligence

Regarding the editorial "Revive congressional oversight" (July 25): Let's not put all the blame on Congress for the embarrassing intelligence failures. Congress and the executive performed quite quickly to create the Department of Homeland Security. But now we get willy-nilly "terror alert levels" and half-baked ideas to postpone the presidential election.

Congressional action does not mean reliable results when the actions of Homeland Security are examined. Sensible people who can analyze reliable intelligence objectively will win the day every week. Congress can only do so much. We need well-considered, objective judgments before decisions are then made.

Leo Grote
Downtown

Our nation respects minority rights

Regarding the article "Gay-marriage opponents wary," (July 27), Phil Burress, chairman of Cincinnati-based Ohioans to Protect Marriages, states, "The deeper we dig into this thing, the more concerned I am about this anti-democracy campaign on the other side ..." This just goes to show how little these people understand how our country works. We are not a democracy, nor have we ever been. We are a republic. This country was set up as majority rule, with respect for minority rights. Burress has forgotten that qualifying statement. If the government worked the way he believes, blacks would still be slaves and the Japanese in detainment camps. Let's not add discrimination to our state Constitution.

Dan Riggsby
Wyoming

Make parents pay if kids drive badly

Keeping kids who are under a driving suspension from driving is about impossible. I would like to see the parents be made responsible for calling the police if they see their child get behind the wheel of any of the family cars.

Edward G. Imm
Deerfield Township

Canada gets more for health spending

Walter E. Williams seems to have missed the boat in his article on "Canadian mess shows what 'free' health care really costs" (July 25).

Canadians pay about 11 percent of their gross domestic product for health care; the United States pays about 15 percent. Neither country gets it for free. The Canadians do get better results from their health care system. They live longer; they have better live birthrates, etc. The United States pays the most for health care of the Western industrialized countries, and we rank 12th in results.

It's not about how long you wait, it's about what you pay and what the results are.

Bob Letourneau
West Chester Township

Thanks to all offering to help stranger

On July 23, I drove to Cincinnati to visit my son and play in the College of Mount St. Joseph Football Golf Tournament. On the way to his home my truck stopped running on Covedale Avenue. I was stuck there for about an hour while my son went to get a new battery. Hundreds of cars passed, and I was pleasantly surprised how many people asked if I needed help or if they could do anything.

I would like to thank all those who offered a hand. You have a great city.

Jon Sparhawk
Athens, Ohio