In a speech in Dayton, Vice President Dick Cheney mocked Sen. John Kerry for using the word "sensitive" in connection with his plans for fighting the war on terror ("Cheney in Dayton to ridicule Kerry," Aug. 13).
Cheney would do well in thinking before he mocks someone regarding fighting any war. For a man who received five deferments so as to avoid the war in Vietnam, and who said he had more important things to do, he certainly seemed very sensitive to that war. At the same time, it seems totally insensitive for a man to mock Kerry - who fought in Vietnam - on behalf of a man who would not join the same fight.
Forrest Buckley, Westwood
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Enough's enough, Cincinnati schools
I read "49 schools in city fail U.S. tests" (Aug. 12) regarding Cincinnati Public Schools not meeting the federal No Child Left Behind Act criteria. Enquirer staff writer Jennifer Mrozowski quotes unnamed Cincinnati Public Schools officials as blaming poverty as the underlying reason.
Well, if that's true, then no matter how much money I throw at CPS - and Superintendent Alton Frailey is asking for a 2005 budget of $454 million - I can expect at best mediocre results. And yet CPS isn't even mediocre; it has only elevated itself recently to academic watch.
As I consider the CPS school board's appeal for a $65 million renewal levy in November, I have no confidence that it gets any better than this. Enough is enough! No more money for CPS until they've earned my trust and confidence.
Christopher Kearney, Westwood
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Follow 9/11 report's advice: Read it
It is time for us as Americans to begin taking responsibility for our government and stop expecting that they are just going to do the right thing ("Intelligence chief belongs inside," Aug. 3). The 9/11 commission released its findings and recommendations not only to the government but also to the American public.
One of the recommendations is that the American public hold the government accountable to the reforms that need to be made to have a more efficient and effective intelligence community. To do this, we need to know what those recommendations are. If you don't want to buy the entire book, look it up online.
Jennifer Mazzuckelli, West Chester Township
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Gay marriage remains a moral issue
In response to the "Your voice" column by Rich Schmaltz ("Gay marriage - what's all the fuss," Aug. 4), I disagree. The thrust of his opinion is focused on downplaying the morality and the religious matter of gay marriage.
Sorry, but this is what all the fuss is about. Each side of the issue has unshakeable moral positions they think are right. Schmaltz's attempt to logically analyze the gay proponent's side of the argument is not enough to overcome one's fundamental rule of what's right and wrong.
Unless being homosexual is found to be an immutable trait (the jury is out on this), similar to being African-American, I'm in favor of people voting on whether they want same-sex unions to be recognized as marriage.
Greg Patterson, Anderson Township
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Where would U.S. doctors leave to?
Regarding the syndicated column by Walter Williams ("Canadian mess shows what 'free' health care really costs," July 25): Once again Williams gave us all a basic lesson in supply and demand. He explained how when Canada adopted socialized medicine that 200,000-plus doctors would leave - I don't know where.
Much of the European Union has adopted socialized medicine to some extent, and the rest seems to be heading that way. The rest of the developed world seems to have an adequate number of doctors who don't live nearly as well as their American counterparts. So a quarter of a million doctors would hardly be welcome in the rest of the developed world. I think the vast majority of U.S. doctors would probably sit tight and take their chances.
Ron Gallagher, Guilford, Ind.
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Tax those near highways, not drivers
Thanks for reporting on the 27 studies concerning automobile pollution, and in particular the one causing human health effects around main highways ("Auto pollution increases health risk," July 29).
For something even more ambitious than E-check, how about a tax of $19.95 in even years for those living, let's say, 250 yards east of a major highway, and a similar tax in odd years for those living west? This is something the politicians have not thought of yet. Please don't bother my chariot, as I have become fond of the darn thing.
Wayne Knepper, Mason
