Destroying Coney Island for another music venue is heartbreaking | Letters

Like so many others, I mourn the destruction of Sunlite Pool.  What a crushing blow to lose this iconic and unique site, home to so many lifelong experiences. I have countless memories of my childhood in the 1950s, tirelessly swimming and cavorting with my parents, siblings and cousins; in the 60s, as a teenager unadvisedly but happily lounging on my towel soaking up the sun with friends; in the 70s and 80s, repeating my wondrous experiences with my own children; and lately creating priceless new memories with my little granddaughter.

Yes, the world is currently plagued with more serious issues, but it is still heartbreaking to lose Coney Island. Not only was Coney Island a piece of Cincinnati history, it was part of the daily fabric of my family’s summers and that of many other families. It is irreplaceable.

It is especially sad to see Coney Island destroyed only to erect yet another music venue. Those responsible may have a talent for making money, but they have no soul.

Kathy Bollmer, Anderson Township

Coney Island closing will have a big impact

So what is with Coney Island? Do we really need another music venue? What about all of the families who now do not have an affordable, safe place to swim? Not everybody can afford a swim club, and they are a totally different experience. Cincinnati Recreation Commission pools are closed on Sundays. What about all the seniors who use Coney Island as a place to be social and hang out with friends? Coney Island also gives swim lessons.

A lot of good-paying jobs will be lost − lifeguards and other jobs young adults have been counting on. Moonlite Gardens will be gone, and what about Summerfair? Traffic will be more horrendous than ever. Has anybody thought about all the effects this has on the community, or I guess nobody cares anymore?

Elly Schupp, Delhi Township

Spending on upgrades at Paycor Stadium 'obvious insanity'

There was another article recently in the Enquirer about how the Bengals were going to be generous and pay $39 million for updates at Paycor Stadium. It also added that there needs to be $293 million in updates over the next 20 years. Nowhere in that article or previous ones do they ever mention the obvious insanity of these sorts of payments.

There are, at best, 10 games played at the stadium each year, so that means that next year each game will have cost an extra $3.9 million. That is the equivalent of $60 per person at each game. Nowhere do they ever mention the facts from when the stadiums were originally built. The Bengals' stadium cost $455 million to be used for 10 games a year, granted there are some "entertainment functions" there each year. But compare that to the Reds' stadium, which cost $295 million and gets used at least 81 times per year. Granted they have updated the video screens at the Reds' stadium, but they are not raving on about how much is going to be spent on updates and additions over the next 20 years.

Overall, it just does not make sense to keep spending that much on a stadium that is used 10 times a year.

Stan Shadwell, Pierce Township

Hatred of US can be traced to social media, educational system

A Pew Research Center study found that 32% of young people (under age 30) trust Chinese-owned TikTok more than national news groups. When you couple those numbers with a recent YouGov/The Economist poll that found roughly 20% of the same age group believe that the Holocaust is a "myth," you can only conclude that high school civics teachers and/or college history professors aren't doing their jobs. It seems to me that the rising level of hatred for America by young people can also be traced to social media and our educational system, so perhaps our enemies will decide to let us destroy ourselves from within, thus saving them millions in missile costs.

Arthur Zimmer, Loveland

America has abandoned its spiritual foundation

Regarding, "America continues to be on a dangerous roadway toward fascism," (Dec. 13): I certainly agree with guest columnist David Hoffman that "American is traveling on a very dangerous road," except for the last word. It's obvious that America has lost it's way. Hoffman mentions our country's inception but seems to know very little about it.

America was founded and built on faith in God. Our Founding Fathers were very concerned about America's future. Our second president, John Adams, said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, said, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are a gift from God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever." President James Madison said, "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the whole future of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the 10 Commandments of God." Ben Franklin, when asked what kind of government we were going to have, replied: "A Republic, if you can keep it."

As you can easily see, we are going in the wrong direction. We started on this road in the 1960s when the Supreme Court of the United States banned prayer in public schools. Once the Bible left the classroom, it wasn't long before American history followed. In 1777, the Continental Congress recommended the Bible for America's schools. This simply proves that when you remove the spiritual foundation and a country's history from a people, you can lead them anywhere. But we didn't stop there.

In 1973, Roe v. Wade was passed and morality took another hit. Since then, over 63 million babies have been killed in the womb. That amounts to 10 times the number of Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.

In the following decades, "Holy matrimony" was the next victim. Today, anything goes when it comes to marriage. Lately a woman married herself. America is self-destructing. We have removed God from our classrooms, our public squares and to the very top of our government. Our politicians sit in Washington, D.C., a city that has more Bible scriptures carved into the government buildings than any city in the  country, and they pass some of the most ungodly legislation imaginable.

Our Founding Fathers had a much better vision for America. No matter what we replace God with, it won't work. The Bible says, "You reap what you sow." We're  having a very bad harvest.

Claude Cornell, Williamsburg

Wenstrup inconsistent in holding 'politically connected' accountable

Regarding, "Lawmakers discuss impeachment inquiry," (Dec. 15): U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup remarked in this article that in regard to the impeachment of President Joe Biden, there has been "an extensive web of email aliases used by then-Vice President Joe Biden...that enriched the Biden family." Wenstrup's justification for proceeding with impeachment is: "The rich and politically connected must be held to the same standard as every American." Really? Why isn't that same standard being applied to former President Donald Trump, a man who faces four criminal court cases and who continues to dodge and delay? Where is the call for his transparency?

Susan Cranley, Mount Washington

Clermont County should prioritize a new animal shelter

The age-old debate of what came first, the chicken or the egg, finds a modern parallel in the proximity of the animal shelter and the sheriff's shooting range in our community of Clermont County. Regardless of which was established first, what's clear is a profound disconnect, neglecting the long-term welfare of the countless dogs entering the shelter system yearly.

Picture a world turned upside down. A once-familiar life, torn away, leaving you alone amid the incessant clamor of kennels, the cold walls echoing with barks, cries and the shuffle of paws. It's a chilling loneliness, each passing day dimming hope a bit more.

Each dog carries its unique, untold story. But unlike us, they can't share where they've been or what they've faced. We rely on their cues, trying to piece together shattered trust and comfort. They didn't choose this fate; it was human hands that landed them here, perpetuating their fear. Why subject them to such cruelty without considering the lasting consequences?

Extended stays alter behaviors, increasing the risk of returning to the shelter or worse, euthanasia. Amid plans for an $18.5 million campus aimed at serving citizens, what about the voiceless dogs of our county?It's time for Clermont County to stand up for these voiceless beings. It's time for a redesigned, modern facility catering to their needs. A well-constructed layout that is both conducive to quarantine needs with an separate outdoor access, as well as a streamlined indoor/outdoor kennel that allows the dogs to come out for fresh air when needed. A hygienic, low-maintenance play area supporting their health and well-being, offering covered spaces for outdoor socialization while ensuring safety.

Let's prioritize their well-being as we do the citizens we’re catering too. They deserve a chance for a better life. But for those inquiring minds wondering, the shelter was in place first. And I think it’s time for a change.

Megan Dashley, Milford

There should be no argument about protecting US border

It's one thing when the "red" state of Texas complains, but when Katie Hobbs, Democratic governor of Arizona, berates the Biden administration for its lack of assistance in securing her state's border, then the problems must be significant. We can legitimately argue about how much money and material we should be sending to Ukraine, but there shouldn't even have to be a discussion about the steps necessary to protect our own country from unvetted illegals. Wake up, Washington.

Jack Peters, West Chester Township

Ban on gender-affirming care the real attack on parental rights

The past two weeks have been a gut-wrenching experience for more Ohio parents and kids than I can count. Ohio legislators willfully ignored their constituents from around the state and decided to outlaw what is considered the standard of care for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming care.

This care only rarely involves the use of medical management and never involves surgery on minors in the state of Ohio. These rarely used medications have been used for years in other conditions and are prescribed by trained medical professionals after thorough evaluation and always with parental consent. That is the current law. Gender-affirming care more commonly involves validating and supporting kids and families through what can be a very scary period in development. As a pediatrician for over 30 years in Greater Cincinnati, I have seen my patients and families work through gender issues when given time and space to do so in a supportive environment.

Instead, Ohio legislators have decided on their own how this condition should be treated and have decided to ignore all the major medical associations in this country and around the state as well as thousands of families. They have passed House Bill 68 using shoddy evidence and outright lies propagated by fringe organizations in this egregious assault on families and their medical care. As only one example, proponents grossly mischaracterized European policies on studying the effectiveness and provision of gender-affirming care as bans on care. Rather than looking at what these countries are actually doing and seeing that the same critical thinking is done in the United States with essentially all medical therapy, legislators chose to single out Ohio families, presumably for political gain.

As a recently retired pediatrician, I have no financial stake in the provision of this care. I have been speaking out on behalf of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in support of these patients and their loving families. These families and patients face a world where many people do not want to even acknowledge their existence. They are not asking for Ohio legislators to support them, tolerate them or even understand them. They are asking legislators to leave them alone. They deserve this freedom from persecution and government overreach to pursue appropriate and standard medical care.Dr. Christopher F. Bolling, North Avondale

Wenstrup didn't hold Trump to same standard as Bidens

It’s a Christmas miracle! U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup seems to have found his voice. In the article, "Lawmakers discuss impeachment inquiry" (Dec. 15), Wenstrup doesn’t hesitate to give his opinion about the investigation of Hunter Biden and voting to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Mr. Wenstrup states, "The rich and politically connected must be held to the same standard as every American."

The irony is that Wenstrup didn’t hold Donald Trump to the same standard as every American during Trump’s four years as president. Wenstrup’s voice was noticeably silent throughout President Trump’s two impeachments and his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Wenstrup has served in the armed forces but never issued a statement when Trump made disparaging remarks about the late Senator John McCain’s military service and the years he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. I absolutely agree that Hunter Biden should be held accountable if he broke the law. I understand right from wrong, regardless of what political party I support. It is important that our elected officials do the same.

Jeanne Ruggieri, Hyde Park

Critics of Biden impeachment silent during Trump witch hunt

I'd be curious if those who are "fed up with the shameless political games played by House Republicans with the Biden impeachment inquiry" felt the same way when Democrats went on a two-year witch hunt against Donald Trump, only to find out that it was Democrats who were behind the Russian collusion hoax. The country was rudderless that entire time, but if letters were sent in complaining about it, I missed it.

Dick Fedders, Oakley

Medical degree should be a requirement for state lawmakers

From now on, state legislators should be required to have a medical degree since they insist on legislating medical issues such as maternity and sexuality − about which they obviously know nothing.

Priscilla O'Donnell, Pendleton

Will St. X keep 'demagogue' Ramaswamy on board of trustees?

I have two things in common with Vivek Ramaswamy. First, both of us graduated from St. Xavier High School in the early 2000s. Second, we’ve both offered views on the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As a presidential candidate, Ramaswamy has spouted conspiracy theories that the riot was an "inside job." As spokesperson for the January 6 Select Committee, I’ve pointed out that there's no evidence whatsoever to support such claims. Ramaswamy won't stop repeating these lies. His ambitions require that he embrace a whitewashed version of Jan. 6.

The real question is for St. X: Will they jeopardize their legacy by allowing such a dangerous demagogue to remain on their board of trustees? No one in the school’s history has posed a greater threat to the so-called "Long Blue Line." It’s decision time on North Bend Road.Tim Mulvey, St. Xavier High School Class of 2001, Former Communications Director, House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coney Island closing a crushing blow to Cincinnati