Referring to the editorial "French must struggle with freedoms" (Sept. 3) regarding the new law in France banning religious clothing in schools: I find it shocking because such a prohibition only serves to reinforce people's beliefs, and causes unnecessary dismay and disturbance.

France is aiming to neutralize and conventionalize all its citizens. I am embarrassed, nay horrified, by my ancestral country, which seems to be heading toward Hitler's doctrine of a pure race.

Alice H. Balterman
Hyde Park

If hate is reason for vote, stay home

My head was nodding in told-you-so-fashion as I read the article "Medicare premiums going up" (Sept. 4). It's just another example of how this administration is short-changing Americans. It seems the only groups unscathed by President Bush's self-serving stance on all issues are the elite.

But what really got my proverbial goat is that the "disgusted" 76-year-old Medicare recipient interviewed for the article will vote for Bush again because she "hates" and "despises" John Kerry. In contrast to Bush policies that deny kids, seniors, working people, the poor and sick, what has Kerry ever done to her? If you "hate" Kerry because he resembles Herman Munster or says "idear" instead of "idea," I say do us all a favor and don't vote. The list of ways Bush has betrayed America is long and growing.

Karla Addington-Smith
Maineville

Check Allen's record as county prosecutor

Since Mike Allen is using his "record" as prosecutor to justify his continuing in office, it would be interesting if the Enquirer would publish a record of his performance and that of his office in general.

How many of their decisions have been reversed on appeal? How much time and money have they spent in witch hunts such as the Larry Flynt matter? Where did he and his staff attorneys go to college and law school, and how many times did they take the bar exam before passing?

I'm sure you can find many established indices used to measure the quality of a prosecutor's office. Why not use them to evaluate the quality of Allen's record?

Peter J. Carroll
Indian Hill

Disrespecting all Democrats is wrong

Regarding "County GOPers to discuss Allen scandal, strategy" (Sept. 7): What was Tom Brinkman thinking when he chose to blatantly disrespect the Democratic voters in Hamilton County? He sees the Republican Party as the paragon of virtue and the Democrats as somehow inferior and immoral. I would just like to say that I am a Democrat, proud of the party and what it stands for in the county and in the nation.

Brinkman should be careful of alienating a large population of the county by placing himself above them. Don't we all need to work together to make things better?

Eileen Dempsey
Loveland

Seems like Fiorini's cheating paid off

Regarding the article "Fiorini's Maine vacation approved" (Aug. 31): So "poor" George is entitled to go on a vacation. If something like this would have happen to us, and to all the other average citizens out there, I bet the judge wouldn't let us go.

We guess all those years of he lived in his high-roller lifestyle, while he cheated others, must have paid off. He's sitting by the beach drinking martinis, while we are sitting home, only thinking of our money, which he cheated us out of, helping pay for his vacation.

Mary Ann and Dick Toerner
Green Township

Bad driving reflects today's society

Regarding the letter "Metro's drivers need to obey the laws" (Sept. 3): Poor and overall reckless driving are hardly the habits of just Metro drivers. This is every day on any road. It is a byproduct of our society, and it will not go away anytime soon.

All you can hope for is that a police officer is around when someone pulls a crazy stunt that endangers other drivers.

Phil Spence Jr.
Loveland