Grateful to politicians who put health over politics during COVID-19 pandemic | Letters

It is easy to forget the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic when we felt every day that we were walking through the valley of the shadow of death. How we Kentuckians clung to the daily report from Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.

In a show of supreme forgetfulness, Republicans now claim overreach by Beshear, forgetting that he closely coordinated his response with Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio. They ignore the numerous reports that Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was framing the federal response in close communication with Beshear and Kentucky's on-the-ground experience.

We who refuse to politicize that terribly difficult time are grateful to Democratic and Republican leaders alike who put our lives ahead of a selfish game of politics.

Elizabeth Marshall, Frankfort, Ky.

Don't let extremist lawmakers make you health care choices

Ohioans won’t allow extremist lawmakers to decide what’s best for our health this November. Abortion is once again on the ballot in Ohio. In August, we submitted 700,000-plus signatures to get Issue 1 on the ballot, exceeding the state’s requirements. We are planning to show up in the same way on Nov. 7 and make our voices heard.

Anti-abortion extremists continue to make the same mistake, underestimating the power of our movement. We, the majority of Ohioans who believe in a person’s right to reproductive freedom, have proven time and time again that we are a powerful force. While extremist leaders prioritize political gains over our best interests, we hold strong at the forefront of this battle for reproductive rights.

I am calling on Ohio voters to join us and vote for reproductive freedom on Nov. 7 with a "Yes" on Issue 1. The power is in our hands. We will not back down until we secure this fundamental right for all Ohioans. None of us are free until all of us are free.

Serita Fontanesi , Integrated Voter Engagement Director for URGE: United for Reproductive and Gender Equity, Clifton

Keep the railroad; renegotiate Norfolk Southern lease

The Enquirer article, "What to know about proposal to sell Cincinnati's railway," (Oct. 24), once again, brings out many questions. To go back to the beginning of the proposal to sell the railroad, talks between city and railroad officials were done behind closed doors, flaunting "open meeting" laws. This should have been the first of many questions concerning this sale by city officials.

The second question should be the amount Norfolk Southern is willing to pay in a lease agreement. The article states the railway is willing to pay a lease agreement of $37.5 million a year. This is a starting number for negotiations. Why wasn't this number negotiated? Would the railway have gone higher?

The third question is, who will control the money? An independent board will be appointed by the mayor and City Council. This board will be puppets of the mayor and council. Do you think this board will go against the wishes of the mayor and council?

The fourth question is, who supports the sale? Supporters are: the mayor; eight of nine council members all waiting to get their hands on this money; five former mayors, two who serve on the railroad board and who will have a huge influence on current council members to spend this money; and the Cincinnati Democratic Committee, who has eight members on council.

The fifth question is, what happens if the sale fails? According to the mayor, the city will die. What the mayor has not addressed is the tax created by the Smale Commission in the 1970s. This tax was passed to fund infrastructure. Is this tax still alive? If it is, what is it being used for?

The citizens of Cincinnati have an opportunity to convey to the mayor and City Council that this current deal is bad for the city. Keep the railroad and go back and renegotiate the lease with Norfolk Southern.

Dennis Daly, Cold Spring

Smoking marijuana should not be a criminal act

I found it interesting, not to mention somewhat disturbing, that opponents of Issue 2, the statute to legalize recreational marijuana, never addressed the constitutionality of the issue. In order for something to be considered a crime, there needs to be a victim. Why should me sitting on my back porch smoking a joint after work be any more of a crime than me sitting on my back porch drinking a beer after work? There is no victim. I may be harming myself, but I am not directly harming others.  Opponents put forth several arguments against my statement, but they do not withstand scrutiny.

One argument is that I may harm others if I get behind the wheel of a car while impaired by marijuana. That is no different than if I get behind the wheel of a car while impaired by alcohol. Laws against driving while impaired already exist.

Another argument is that I could harm my family. This is true. The key word is "could." But this is not unique to marijuana. The same holds true for many other actions, including those involving alcohol, which, as we all know, is legal. I could leave my children fatherless if I decide to go skydiving, or fly ultralights, or ride motorcycles, or go rock climbing. Are we to outlaw these activities so we do not harm our loved ones? Families could be ruined by gambling, a parent throwing away valuable income, leaving him/her unable to pay the rent or properly provide for the family. Families could be ruined and children harmed by a parent having an affair. Consensual sex between two adults is not a crime, yet it "could" harm others.

The bottom line is for something to be a crime, there needs to be a victim, and smoking pot, while it may be inadvisable, does not check the "criminal act" box.

Steve Osterfeld, Maineville

A warning for political sign thieves: 'Don't'

To the individual who has decided it’s a good idea to begin removing political signs (which they apparently don’t agree with) along Hopewell Road in Symmes Township, a word of caution and to quote President Joe Biden: "Don't." You see, I already have one video of your initial efforts. A second one will likely move me in a direction which might become uncomfortable for you. Might want to check the laws around removing political signs, especially when there is actual visible evidence of your illegal efforts.

Andrew Egloff, Kenwood

Time to recognize fiscal power of live entertainment industry

In the birthplace of bluegrass, the live entertainment industry is a powerful economic engine. With a multi-billion dollar impact on the state’s economy, it has woven itself into the cultural fabric of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

As the 2023 Kentucky governor's race approaches, it's time for both candidates to recognize the fiscal power of live entertainment and offer venue owners, promoters and live entertainment experts a seat at the table.

When consumers attend music concerts, festivals, or comedy shows, they not only buy event tickets but restaurant meals, hotel rooms, rideshare services, clothing, drinks and more. Event-related spending ripples through local economies, secures and creates jobs, and drives further tourism, for large and small cities alike.

Nationwide, the nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $151.7 billion of economic activity in 2022. And, it supports 2.6 million American jobs nationwide. Each year, these numbers will only grow.

Morrella Raleigh, Newport

Restaurant owner's stand against abortion is admirable

No matter which side of Issue 1 you support, the response taken by the owner of the Copper Blue Restaurant in Milford (and his employees) exemplifies both the "American Way" and where we are as a country. It's similar in nature to the response of beer drinkers who continue to boycott Bud Light because Anheuser-Busch brought politics into the social equation. I personally admire Mr. Brian Arlinghaus for taking a stand against abortion, particularly since he had to know that there would be some degree of negative reaction, and I'll look forward to dining at his restaurant again when it reopens. If you don't want to join me, that's certainly your prerogative.

Loretta Papes, Blue Ash

Not so crazy about grade-banding craze

I seems like the latest education craze is grade-banding. We have had open classrooms, new math and other ideas, but return to the basics eventually. Eighty years ago, I walked or rode my bike to school every day. All the students at Sayler Park Elementary, except for the bus riders from Anderson Ferry, did this every day. We all got our outdoor exercise on a daily basis. We walked by the same homes, and the neighbors watched us grow up.

Now we are talking about putting children on a bus every day and taking them to a school where all the children are the same age. Certainly the cost of busing alone would be a good reason not to do this. Why do we want our children not to grow up in their own neighborhoods? Probably this phase will pass in time, but meanwhile, our children will lose out on being a part of a neighborhood.

Don’t fix what is not broken.

Carol Graler Law, Kenwood

Palestinians must overthrow Hamas if they want peace

I read Dr. Samina Sohail's column advocating for human rights for the Palestinians in Gaza. I am distressed by the same calls for Israel, when the best outcome for peace and a two-state solution rests in the hands of the Palestinians in Gaza. They need to overthrow their oppressors who are Hamas and its benefactor, Iran.

It is Hamas that has stated a one-state solution with their zealous desire to eliminate Israel. It is Hamas that redirects human aid towards weapons, not hospitals, roads, schools, etc. It is Hamas that restricts economic freedom leading to 45% unemployment. It is Hamas that was elected in 2006 into power and has not allowed another election since. It is Hamas that uses its fellow Palestinians as human shields.

Dr. Sohail, if you wish for peace, prosperity and freedom for the people of Gaza then lead a revolution against Hamas.

Michael Wolf, Oxford

Trust in city government must be restored

I am befuddled about how to vote, for or against the sale of the railroad. I have read many professionally written articles, pro and con, and heard several emotional debates in town halls, etc. Remaining confused, I decided to "go to the streets." I chatted with neighbors, people in bars and restaurants, people at parties and social events, even strangers the street.

My unprofessional, non-data based, conclusion is the the pro-sale folks want the money today for infrastructure, affordable housing, etc. Get it now.

The anti-sale folks say they see the financial advantage of taking the money now and investing it wisely. It looks pretty good on paper, but they don't trust the city leadership to do the right thing with the money. They will use the funds for "pet" projects, squander it away and leave nothing for future generations.

Whichever way the vote goes, I am surprised and saddened to find so many people that feel our City Council, local leaders and other officials are not trustworthy. Where have we lost confidence and trust in the people we should be depending on to do the right thing for of the people in Cincinnati and local communities?

I am not encouraging a vote either way, I am encouraging local citizenry to become aware and involved in all local leadership elections. Trust must be restored.

Ed Hermes, Covedale

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Beshear, DeWine put health over politics during pandemic | Letters