Because a good school district is important to all citizens of the Cincinnati area, we should all look into our attics and closets and donate any "gently used" and usable instruments that could help make the program a success.

Kristen Schwytzer

Green Township

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If Ky. teachers walk, days will be made up

Your editorial concerning a possible Kentucky teacher strike ("Ky. teachers need to talk, not strike," Sept. 16) states that a strike would harm students and parents. Are snow days, holidays or any other off days terribly harmful? The days lost will be made up just as are these days.

The real danger to the educational system of Kentucky will be the exodus of teachers to neighboring states if Gov. Ernie Fletcher continues to try to solve his budget mess by smoke and mirrors.

In your opinion, talking is a better option than striking. If talking worked, we would have a state budget in place. A job action is not a preference, it is the only option available.

Sheldon Mains

Florence

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Activist judges began gay-marriage issue

In the article "Gay issue may energize GOP" (Sept. 14), we learn that Democratic leaders and gay-rights activists are upset about the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage energizing GOP voters. What reason do they have to be upset? After all, it was Democratic activist judges overruling the vote of the people and making pro-gay marriage laws that initiated the whole banning process.

Judges aren't supposed to make laws, just enforce them. So where were their cries of foul play when their judges were destroying the constitutional process?

John Turney

Springdale

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Support gay rights: Buy P&G products

I'd like to thank Focus on the Family and the American Family Association for deciding what toothpaste and laundry detergent I should buy ("Family groups lash out at P&G," Sept. 18).

I hadn't given it much thought before, but since they've told me to boycott Crest and Tide, I've decided to do the exact opposite. Procter & Gamble is right to take a public stand against discrimination based on who people are, and to seek the repeal of Article XII. I agree with their stand and will vote accordingly.

And if this idiotic boycott fails, maybe then Phil Burress and other pseudo-religious, holier-than-thou busybodies will finally mind their own business - for a change.

Doug Pennington

Clifton

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Bush deceived us with war in Iraq

Regarding the editorial "Kerry position in sharper focus" (Sept. 9): If we are better equipped to fight terrorism than we were on Sept. 11, 2001, it is in spite of the war in Iraq and President Bush, not because of those factors.

The war in Iraq was and is a blunder of immense proportions. Bush ignored warnings, manipulated intelligence, and out-and-out lied and misled this nation into a costly ($200 billion and more than 1,000 American lives) and unnecessary struggle in Iraq while ignoring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.

While we've been distracted by Bush's deception in Iraq, al-Qaida grows stronger, bin Laden is still free, Americans and others are being kidnapped and beheaded with impunity, and America has lost great credibility and stature globally. The blame can be laid squarely at the feet of the Bush administration.

What some call "poor judgment" I call Bush's blunder in Iraq. I grant you that many people and agencies have fallen or been pushed onto their swords, including the CIA and George Tenet, but Bush is at the center of the mess in Washington. November 2004 is the time to hold Bush accountable and push him out the White House door.

Bill Adkins

Williamstown