Sigh of relief greets returning Marines

Edith Rye, of Hamilton, smiled Friday, as her husband, Cpl. Frank Rye met his 3-month-old son, Benjamin, for the first time, as he arrived home from Iraq.

Letters to the editor

Reading the latest story ("Cheers, crowds for Marines," Oct. 7) about the returning members of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines as they finally reached Ohio, I felt myself sigh with relief.

Who doesn't shed a tear looking at the picture of these brave young men embracing their loved ones? For their service alone they deserve the hero's welcome they received. A homecoming made even more heartfelt and profound given the loss of 48 fellow Marines. Home at last. Now the question remains. When are the rest of our troops coming home?

- Jeff Sinnard, Anderson Township

Nothing wrong with 'English' sign

In response to the editorial " 'Speak English' a sign of bigotry" (Oct. 8), that's the problem with America today. We have cowed to so many for so long that it is now expected of everyone, especially of those who are born and bred here, and it needs to stop.

British Columbia has the right policy, in its requirements for entrepreneurs and investors wishing to immigrate or do business in their province.

For entrepreneurs, the applicant must have sufficient proven experience in owning or managing a business. The applicant must have sufficient funds to establish and operate a business (at least $500,000 Canadian dollars for those intending to settle in Vancouver or Victoria, and $350,000 for other parts of the province). The applicant must have the ability to communicate effectively in English.

I don't know about you, but it sure makes me wanna move to British Columbia, where they don't suck up to everyone else's ethnic background. If you want to be here, then speak like you want to be here.

- Jimmy Combs, Newport

USA doesn't have official language

John A. Michael's comment that "immigrants should be required to learn English" flies directly in the face of American freedoms and the heritage of this country ("Non-English speech undermines nation," Oct. 9). While it's certainly a good idea to learn English - requiring it would be unnecessary government intervention.

Michael also mustn't look further than the history of Cincinnati for a city with a multi-lingual heritage. Most of the immigrants spoke German that helped build this city. If such bureaucratic English-only rules were in place in the 19th century, then Cincinnati might be about an eighth of the size today.

The USA has no official language. It should stay that way out of deference to the immigrant nature of our country.

- Jeremy Collins, Deer Park

Communication one one-way street

The editorial states: "Communication will never occur if one side refuses to participate in the conversation."

So it's OK if non-English speaking refuse to learn the few English words required for service at Pleasure Inn, but every public entity in America should hire multilingual employees to meet the needs of the Spanish and whoever else might come along?

My grandparents were German immigrants who rapidly learned English to get by. Just who is refusing to participate here?

- Virginia Pitzer, Sharonville

Bush misled country from Cincinnati

Thank you for refreshing my memory regarding the un-true statements made by George W., here in our very city ("The case for war," Oct. 6). Given his lower approval rating, it seems millions of people are realizing what a mistake they made by voting for him. Some people think we did Iraq a big favor by "liberating" them from their dictator. Their whole country has been like one big Hurricane Katrina for three years now, with many more broken families and people killed.

- Eric Schneider, Madeira

Stand up against the PC 'bullies'

Peter Bronson, with whom I generally disagree, courageously stood up against the politically correct bullies, including the Enquirer editorialist who called Bill Bennett a racist. While I am no fan of Bennett or Bronson, they both speak for free speech, of which I am a fan. Bennett's remarks about aborting black babies was a response to an abominable suggestion that such abortion would reduce crime (so would aborting more white babies). Bennett made it clear that the suggestion, however true, was reprehensible.

- William Hanks, Covington