Biden needs to find strength to face the GOP, Putin, Chinese | Letters

I am a lifelong Democrat and will vote for Biden if he runs against Trump next year.

But Biden is weak. He proved that as the chairman for the Senate’s approval of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court way back in the 80s, I think. The committee still had to hear from several people who objected to Thomas. One was a associate named Anita Hill. As her boss, Thomas had tried to get her to play provocative games with him. She refused and had fellow workers to back up her refusals.

A GOP senator convinced Biden to end the hearing early, and Hill’s accusations were ignored. Later the full Senate approved Thomas, but it might not have done so if Biden had been a stronger senator and allowed negative criticism of Thomas as the committee met.

I hope Biden has since found some strength to face the GOP, Putin and the Chinese.

Stanley Smith, Mason

Questioning President Biden's stamina is unreasonable

There have been comments lately questioning President Biden’s stamina looking at a second term of office. The question is reasonable. That is, until I read a recent article titled, “Biden set for busy week of foreign policy talks.”

Remember last week when the president was in India, Vietnam and Alaska before returning to the UAW strike threat and general disarray of Washington? Wow, the man is a dynamo, unstoppable. I wonder if the naysayers could begin to keep up with his schedule?

He doesn’t just show up, he has to discuss national and international issues with knowledge and purpose.

Thank you, sir, I could use some of your stamina.

Joyce Rudowski, Montgomery

Catholic Church showcases irony in protecting the unborn

In reference to The Enquirer story on Sept. 18, "Ohio Catholic Church gave $900,000 to fight abortion," I was struck by the irony of the actions of Archbishop Schnurr and the Catholic Church contributing to the campaign to stop abortions.

The Catholic Church wants to protect the unborn, but what about the living? They didn't care and covered up the heinous acts committed by priests towards children for decades and their despicable acts are still being uncovered to this day.

Susan Cranley, Mt. Washington

Supreme Court decisions do not represent will of American people

I am writing to strongly disagree with the author of the Sept. 17 letter: "Supreme Court decisions do reflect the will of the people." He states that their decisions "are made by justices appointed by the elected president and then confirmed by the elected members of the U.S. Senate," therefore they truly reflect the will of the people.

Let's look at our current Supreme Court. One justice got into the court because Mitch McConnell refused to do his constitutional duty. He refused to even consider former President Obama's appointee Merrick Garland. This vacancy occurred early in the fourth year of Obama's presidency, while former President Trump's nominee was approved very quickly within two weeks of President Biden's election.

Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett were appointed by Trump who lost the popular vote in his election. The U.S. Senate that confirmed these justices does not reflect the will of the people equally. The 40 million people who live in the 22 smallest states get 44 senators to represent their views.

The 40 million people in California get two. Amazing. The U.S. Senate greatly overrepresents the minority views of rural Americans as compared to urban and suburban citizens who make up most of the American population. So don't fool people into thinking that the Supreme Court decisions represent the will of the American people.

Patricia Basler, Reading

Bengals' management has dropped the ball

There are many aspects to a championship team. The last two years the Bengals have had the team. But they lost Vonn Bell, Eli Apple and Jesse Bates on defense and Samaje Perrine and Haydon Hurst on offense.

But in spite of these free agency losses the biggest disappointment is the lack of a back up quarterback to come in and actually move the team. Joe Burrow is hurt and probably needed three months off. But management got too caught up in the last two years of success, it has dropped the ball on valuable positions and a backup QB that has won pro games.

The injury that Burrow has could escalate into an Achilles heel breakdown. Then he's out for the season and might never be the same. High payrolls are always a problem with the football salary cap, but all you had to do is look at game films of last two years and see what kind of players they needed to replace the free agents. They were out there and affordable.

Lee Eyerman, Amelia

DeWine must abide by his oath of office

In reference to Sept. 15 article "Ohio politics explained: Will we draw new maps for statehouse districts on time?" At his inauguration on Jan. 8, 2023, Governor Mike DeWine swore to… “faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office of Governor of Ohio… and to support, protect, and defend … the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Following his swearing-in ceremony in public remarks, Governor DeWine stated, “I will be governor for all the people of Ohio …”

While acting as a member of the Ohio Redistricting Commission (O.R.C.) in his first term, DeWine did not abide by his oath of office to “support, protect, and defend…the Constitution of the State of Ohio.” According to Article XI, Section 6 of the Ohio Constitution, the O.R.C. is charged with drawing a district plan that does not “favor or disfavor a political party.” The O.R.C. drew 7 redistricting plans, and DeWine voted for every one of them. The Ohio Supreme Court declared each plan unconstitutional because every one favored Republicans.

The issue of redistricting is again at the forefront. This time, DeWine must abide by his oath of office, and act, as he stated, as a “governor for all the people of Ohio.” Any vote he casts as a member of the O.R.C. must not favor or disfavor any political party.

Stephen Druffel, Clifton

Closing a segment of a road in Burnet Woods has improved safety for walkers

Referencing a letter to editor on Sept. 17 by Jack Brennan, I must counter the views elaborated in Mr. Brennan's letter. I have lived in Clifton for 35 years and visit Burnet Woods nearly daily to walk my dogs. I usually arrive by 5:45 a.m. on workdays. There was certainly an increase in homeless individuals using the park, including sleeping there. They leave early, when I am there walking. I witnessed a significant increase in trash left on paths, that I pointed out to our mayor. The amount of trash left on steps into the park from Clifton Avenue has since diminished.

The closing of the segment of road he refers to has improved the safety for walkers immensely, since they no longer encounter drivers speeding through the park as a shortcut from MLK to Clifton Avenue. The elimination of cars from that segment has added to the capacity of visitors on foot or bicycles to enjoy the park. The roads in the park are not intended to provide a shortcut for drivers. In no way does the closure affect access to the trails.

Marcia Kaplan, M.D., Clifton

Improvements being made Downtown could get even better

I've been enjoying and appreciating all of the articles about the improvements to downtown Cincinnati and I'm excited to see it all unfold.

As I read the article about the "West End Banks," I couldn't help but wonder if there might be a better name for that project and area seeing as it's not anywhere near water or the river and could be confusing.

Perhaps a consideration should be given to calling it "The Canal District" or something related to the canal as it ran right up Central Parkway.

Also, there's been some talk about extending the streetcar line to go up the hill to Clifton, and perhaps to where the hospitals are located.

Wouldn't it be wonderful for the street car to also have a line extend toward this new district and the soccer stadium?

For people with mobility issues as I have had lately and often look at those daunting steps in front of the stadium, wouldn't it be great to have the street car become elevated and stop at the plaza level of the stadium and perhaps the new hotel? Out-of-town guests could stay at a downtown hotel and take an easy streetcar ride out to watch the soccer game.

I know so many ideas cost lots of money, but we can dream can't we?Mark Friedman, Hyde Park

Altafiber's work in the community is appreciated

I am writing to thank the many phenomenal people from Altafiber and Price Hill, that made Sept. 15, A "Day in Community," a life changing experience for many. Smaller groups such as the Price Hill Safety CAT, local business owners, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, or the Price Hill Recreation center, could not have tackled such monumental projects as we did without Altafiber's help.

An entire hillside of trees, honeysuckle, and brush were removed from the Price Hill Recreation property. The phenomenal Engineering and linesmen team worked until every single pile of wood was properly shredded. Jason Praeter, president of Consumer and Small Business at Altafiber and his team of 12, brought light and determination to clean up the most difficult of areas with their shovels, saws, and sheer determination to beautify Wells and Fairbanks Avenues, and free the streets of tires, garbage, and debris including old couches and toilets. No job was too big for them. Our appreciation for their hard work in never ending.

Altafiber volunteers, saved our city personnel, hours of having to clean up trash and dumpsites that would have taken local groups weeks to clean up. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful crews and organizers, CPD, Department of Public Services, and local volunteers, stepped up to beautify Price Hill with murals, newly planted trees, mulched flower beds participated in the removal of tons of garbage and brush from our neighborhood.

No words can describe how much hope, beauty, and joy you all brought to our Price Hill community. I challenge all of our neighbors to continue to spread their light and continue to care for and beautify all the areas that were improved this past week. I know we can do it.

We know Altafiber's dedication does not stop there. We see the work they do in the schools by tutoring and providing scholarships to Taft High School. We see how they helped provide internet service during covid when educators called and asked for help. I know because they helped my students get connected. We see how they provide care packets for students.

Making long term connections, is something Altafiber did for Price Hill, Fairmount, the West End, and other neighborhoods. Keep doing the great work you do, with your loving and caring hearts. We truly appreciate each and every one of you. You will always be in our hearts.

Susan Bilz, West Price Hill

Blame parents for low CPS ratings

CPS, I just read in the Enquirer of our one and two star CPS ratings. What a shame, considering the money and effort to teach our kids.

Truancy seems to play a major part. If your not there, how do you learn? Have we done away with any penalty for not showing up half the time?

I hear some kids come in, eat breakfast , then leave? We have to hold the parent responsible.

The student must be sent back to the previous grade if they can't catch up. The whole class is being penalized by truant students. It's not the school or the teachers. It, of course, is the parent, who can help the situation and should be held responsible also.

Put the blame where it belongs.

Thomas Fester, Bridgetown

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Biden needs to find strength to face the GOP, Putin, Chinese