Mike Allen should resign. The character and motivation of the individuals involved in the affair are irrelevant. I don't know either of them. His betrayal of his family is a personal matter for him and his family to work through.

However, it is naïve to think that in the past five years other employees in the prosecutor's office were not aware, or at least suspicious, of the affair. I can only imagine the "buzz" in the place. The unease, confusion, feelings of betrayal, and indignation among the staff could only drain energy from effectively achieving the purpose of the organization.

The prosecutor's office is a public office. It's not just any public office. It's the office we trust to uphold our social order and ensure that justice is served. As taxpayers, we fund it. Allen betrayed the trust of the people of Hamilton County who elected him to uphold the law. Unfortunately, neither his popularity nor the fine job he has done as Hamilton County prosecutor can be used as justification for him remaining in office.

Kate Williamson
Sycamore Township

Allen can't have morality both ways

Those without sin cast the first stone, or maybe those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. How ironic the morality - do as I say, not as I do. I guess if we fess up our mistake before the first stone is cast, all is forgiven.

Mike Allen hid under a disguise of morality until caught. To live by the sword is to die by the sword. Allen should take his lumps like any other citizen, for we all make mistakes. He should step down, get out of the public eye and spare the people of Cincinnati any more embarrassment.

Helena Brown
Pleasant Ridge

Great cities great question: Go metro?

Congratulations on the Forum on Aug. 29 about the great cities and comparing our sister cities with Cincinnati. It is particularly interesting to read about the vision expressed by other cities' leadership. While Columbus solved its limitations by annexing almost the entire county, Louisville and Indianapolis both chose a metro form of government, and it has been very successful for them both. But it seems that any discussion of a metro government here is a taboo subject. A look into the possible advantages and disadvantages of a metro government here would be an excellent follow-up to your story.

David C. Herriman
Covington

Not all Guard units were goof-offs

In response to the letter "Yesterday's Guard not same as 2004's" (Aug. 29), the writer passes judgment on all National Guard units of that era. But his information, he states, comes from his co-workers that were bragging about their goofing off on duty time.

I served with the 123 AC&W Air National Guard of Blue Ash in the early 1960s. We were activated and sent to Germany for nearly a year during the Berlin crisis and have been activated several times since then. I certainly didn't see any of the goofing off the writer described. We had a job to do, and we did it.

If there was any goofing off, it was done during off-duty hours. There are goof-offs in all areas of our society. I would imagine if his co-workers goofed off during their Guard weekends instead of training, their favorite spot today is standing around the water cooler swapping lies. I hope other people are not judging their companies by what a few braggarts are saying around the water cooler.

Claude Cornell
Monroe Township

Beware of polls that have agendas

Regarding "Gay marriage poll a surprise" (Aug. 26), it didn't surprise me; poll callers have their own agenda. I speak from personal experience.

When I was contacted several years ago about the question of abortion, I had an answer the caller did not wish to hear. Not content to record it, the question was rephrased twice to give me the impression it was "un-American" not to be pro-choice. When I was blunt the third time, there was no "thank you" for participating - just a hang-up.

Poll conductions warrant skepticism. Prescription: Take with a grain of salt.

Anella Roser
Covedale