Re the Dec. 5 story Graffiti artists make their Art Basel mark with Primary Flight: Accolades are certainly deserved for the thoughtful graffiti art in Wynwood during Art Basel.

Unfortunately, the graffiti on my properties just around the corner are nothing more than vandalism, subject to fines and repainting.

Now if we could just get the police to be ``thoughtful'' and start patrolling the area regularly to stop the rampant theft of air conditioners that plagues the neighborhood. People with ladders and blow torches can't be that hard to find.

PATRICE TUCKER ABRAMS, Coral Gables

A no-win war

Unfortunately, President Obama announced the administration's decision to send 30,000 more men and women to fight in Afghanistan. Saying that they will be brought home in 18 months is unrealistic.

The assumption that these troops will bring the Taliban to its knees is naïve. No foreign force has been able to win in that region, and our allies are not jumping in to support us. Even the Soviet Union had to leave with its tail between its legs, and Mikhail Gorbachev recently warned against U.S. involvement.

The Taliban will simply bide its time to satisfy its hatred by killing a few Americans from time to time. Then, even if there is a so-called U.S. victory, as soon as our troops are withdrawn, the Taliban will resume control.

With the exception of World War II, troops not fighting on their own soil defending their own country is a recipe for failure.

STEVEN Z. LEVINSON, Miami Beach

Bring jobs home

I have a solution to the unemployment problem. Have Congress stop all incentives for companies that outsourced jobs to foreign countries. Force these great American companies to help reduce unemployment here.

KEN DI MARZO, Homestead

Metrorail woes

Hold on! Did Miami-Dade County just win the Lotto? Otherwise why would we be contemplating a total makeover of the Bicentennial Park Metromover station with the current condition of the county's finances? (Architects compete to dress up Bicentennial Park Metromover station, Dec. 4).

The money would be better spent in keeping the elevators and escalators operating at all the other stations. The $1 million price tag for just reopening the station seems excessive, unless the city has cannibalized the elevator and escalator parts for other stations.

ALFRED SASIADEK, Miami

Promote women

I am at a loss as to why I have yet to see the name of a woman either being demoted or promoted in all the stories about Miami's new police chief.

Perhaps there are women, other than officers, who serve on the force in higher capacities, but every promotion that I have seen reported has gone to men. I cannot believe that there isn't even one woman who is qualified to be promoted and part of the new team being established by the new chief.

The old-boys network seems to be alive and well in Miami's police department. I hope I'm wrong.

ELTON J. KERNESS, North Miami

Racism and Cuba

In her Dec. 6 column, Racism fight in Cuba needs new thinking, Myriam Marquez opined that there are many little indignities suffered by blacks in Cuba, but that the big ones are graphically observable: ``The leadership is overwhelmingly white -- and the upper echelons, gray and olive green. Old white men run things.''

The stinging irony here is that this could describe the situation here in Miami. In the 50 years since we have seen the establishment of the Cuban community and power structure here, there has not been one prominent black face attached to it. It may be that in Miami everything is not being run solely by old white men. But it certainly appears that things are being run by white Cubans.

Could it be that no one is willing to expose Miami's dirty little secret?

It appears that black Cubans in Miami have no place and no voice in politics, local government, business and finance or education. They are conspicuously missing or nonexistent.

How could this be reasonable or possible?

DWIGHT ROLLE, Miami Gardens

Adopt shelter pet

Congratulations to Miami-Dade Animal Services for being named the 2009 Animal Shelter of the year (Dade animal shelter wins state award, Dec. 4). Two-thirds of the 37,000 animals admitted to this shelter are euthanized. With such staggering numbers, the idea of purchasing a dog or cat from a pet store or breeder is unacceptable.

There are many puppies and kittens -- some are purebreds -- at the shelter, in addition to wonderful mutts and domestic cats.

During the holidays, many families will be looking to adopt a pet. Don't support the breeders and pet stores. Adopt from a pet-rescue or county animal shelter. Help save an innocent life.

MONICA BAUGHER, Miami