In response to James Proffitt's article "New Demographics Don't Necessarily Mean Different Values" (issue of Nov. 22), I couldn't help but notice as I read that in some of these cases the new demographics inherently lead to new values. One thing that needs to be recognized is that simply because something is socially acceptable by no means makes it right.

As it pertains to the article at hand, it would seem relevant to look at more than one side of each of these issues rather than simply taking the "society is on a trend to agree with everything eventually" approach. By not looking at the other side of the coin, so to speak, is it any real wonder why?

Conservative, liberal or indifferent, people should be able to have information to make an informed opinion rather than having their opinion formed by the information.

-- Kevin Robertson, Cincinnati

Make Us See
I read Living Out Loud all the time, and I want you to know I like Larry Gross' stories about real people very much. I live downtown and see people all the time who need some kind of help, and most of the time I think I can do nothing.

Gross' column about Mr. Coy and his envelope ("810 Main Street," issue of Nov. 22) shows me that you can do something even if it's something simple like addressing that envelope.

Stories like this open people's eyes and make them see. At least that's what they do for me.

-- Rhonda Foley, Downtown

Larry Has a Heart
Larry Gross' Living Out Loud columns are a mixed bag for me. I totally hate his rants about this city and how bad it is, but then he turns around and touches me. He did it with his "All Dogs Go to Heaven" piece (issue of July 12), which I have taped to my refrigerator, with his "Lost in Over-the-Rhine" story (issue of Sept. 27) and now with his emotional essay on the man who couldn't read or write ("810 Main Street," issue of Nov. 22).

I can't explain why it got to me so much. I had to read it a second time, and the tears wouldn't stop. It's not that Gross wanted to make it sad; he told it straight, and that was sad enough. He has a side to him that reaches out to those who need help, like that dog hit on the highway, a child slapped in a grocery store and now an old man who needed and got some gentleness in his hard life.

I live and work downtown, and I know where Elgin is. I'm going to stop in next week, shake Gross' hand and get to know who he is. I don't like his opinions on Cincinnati, but I love his heart.

-- Erin Wise, Downtown

Bleeding Hearts Are Worthless
I hope you print this letter in CityBeat, because people need to know the state of downtown Cincinnati.

I'm not a mean person at all, but I also work in a store on Main Street and I'll be back there tomorrow dealing with walk-in customers and the "others" who walk in. To my point of view, the "others" are what's wrong with downtown Cincinnati, and Larry Gross' "810 Main Street" column (issue of Nov. 22) really rubbed me the wrong way.

The "others" downtown are people like the guy with the envelope that needed addressing. It's not like I'm heartless, but I get this stuff all the time -- people coming in looking for help, a conversation or money. Looking for a handout.

I have lost my patience with this, and so have the paying customers who come into the store. When is Cincinnati City Council going to do something about the homeless people or the poor people walking around this city? Believe me, when my day is done, I'm happy to leave downtown and return to the West side and get some peace.

Gross' column encourages this kind of behavior. I guess he's a nice guy and all, but bleeding hearts are worthless when it come to running a business.

-- Betty Shaffer, Price Hill

Superior Sushi
If you're going to review store-bought sushi ("Supermarket Sushi Smackdown," issue of Nov. 22), you should include the best place in town: Skytop Biggs on Beechmont Avenue. Check it out!

Kudos to CityBeat for reviewing sushi during Thanksgiving week.

-- Joan Chrislip, Anderson Twp.