Obama now must take reins in Gaza

In 1963 at American University, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would unilaterally stop the atmospheric testing of nuclear warheads. Coming on the heels of the Cuban Missile Crisis, he realized that someone had to show leadership and say enough is enough, countless lives hang in the balance, someone has to stand up and say stop, we need to talk. That same dynamic exists today between the people of Gaza and the state of Israel. Someone has to say enough killing; countless lives hang in the balance. Implement a cease-fire now. Then we can talk, even if the talking has failed before, we need to try; children are being blown up. It would be gratifying if President Bush would show the kind of vision, leadership, and humanity that President Kennedy showed in 1963. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has vetoed every cease-fire resolution that has recently come before the U.N. Security Council. We can only hope President-elect Obama can feel the pain of millions of Semites and be the leader we so desperately need now. Steve Miller Scottwood Avenue

So 'Cartyville' is not really a good idea?

I just cannot help but write about Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and the controversy that surrounds him. I've always felt that his head is much larger than his hat size. He demonstrates this frequently in his dealings with the public as well as with local government personnel.

A grim thought came to mind recently, as I could imagine that our mayor would love to change the name of Toledo to "Cartyville." Can you visualize his demeanor if that were to happen? Our saving grace to this is that it will not happen. And the mayor should decide to retire away from "Frogtown." Charles Ellenberger 109th Street

Don't blame victims of sexual slavery

It's about time that Ohio's elected officials take a stand on fighting human trafficking. But here in the city where sexual slavery is so prominent, where is the local support? Time and time again, Toledo leaders ignore the problem of sex trafficking and its roots. Homelessness, drug use, dropouts, and neglectful parenting all lead to a high rate of teens being trafficked. Yet Mayor Carty Finkbeiner insists the problem is being handled because victims are being arrested and charged with prostitution. Why are we still blaming the victims, when the underlying problem in prostitution is slavery? Sex trafficking may be good for tourism and the local economy, but turning a blind eye is not acceptable from our politicians. Lives are in danger; our sisters, our daughters, and our mothers are being enslaved. Our local leaders need to work towards ending sex trafficking by putting public programs together to help with homelessness and runaways, to educate young people about sex trafficking, and to encourage other public officials to take a stance on this as well. There is a possibility of rehabilitation for sex workers and victims of sex trafficking for those who need it with programslike Second Chance. We need to show support for them and fight this horrible problem as a community. Allison M. Dow Sylvania