A number of readers have asked to see State Special Prosecutor Stephen Montanarelli's report on the Hickman-Markle investigation.
As apublic service, The Carroll County Sun has a copy available for public viewing (sorry, we cannot provide individual photocopies) during our normal business hours, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, at 15 E. Main St., Winchester Exchange, Westminster.
DON'T SHUT OUT RELIGION
From: Rev. Shawn N. Hill
Westminster
I want to respond to Jeff Griffith's commentary, "Former NFL star should be flagged for speech," which appeared in the March 22 Carroll County Sun.
In the piece, Griffith strongly criticized a recent series of talks offered inseveral Carroll County schools by former NFL pro, Herman Weaver.
One of Griffith's main complaints was that Weaver specifically told his young listeners that Jesus Christ had changed his life, including helping him say "no" to alcohol.
Griffith suggests that such a presentation, with any religious content, in a public school violates the U.S. Constitution, particularly the "separation of church and state."
First, I am very saddened that our young people, and evidently our adults, believe that the notion of "separation of church and state" is actually in the Constitution. It is not.
While the Constitution does prohibit the establishment of an official state religion, italso seeks to protect the free exercise of religion from state interference, not vice versa. Attempts to eliminateany and all "religion" from the public sector is a relatively contemporary interpretation ofthe Constitution, and is, I believe, often a clear infringement on the free exercise of religion.
Griffith also rightly states that any such messages, "with the implied endorsement of the school . . . come across with tremendous impact." Again, he is correct.
Our children and teen-agers are extremely impressionable. That is why they areso easily seduced by the lure of drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity and other degrading and dangerous activities.
Our young people arebombarded by negative influences on their lives. We must attempt to present positive alternatives to our young people. This must occur athome, at places of worship and in school.
Religion has played a significant role in the development of our nation. Religion and faith are extremely important parts of life for many, many Americans.
Personal faith in God has helped unnumbered people to be happier, healthier and whole. What is wrong with our children knowing that?
To hide these facts from our children is to cheat them of one real and practical option for their young lives.
We cannot continue to attempt to shape the minds of our young people and to instill some positivemoral principles in their lives, all the while pretending that religion and personal faith in God do not play an integral and positive role in the lives of many families and individuals.
LINE IS NOT DEFINED
From: John A. Gebhardt
Westminster
In response to Mr. Jeff Griffith's column of Sunday, March 22, 1992, let me identify myself as the father of one of the East Middle students addressed by Mr. Herman Weaver, former NFC punter.
Mr. Griffith alleges that Mr.Weaver "stepped over the line" and had "run afoul of the U.S. Constitution."
Mr. Griffith fails to identify whose "line" Mr. Weaver stepped over and what that "line" delineates.
As to running afoul of the U.S. Constitution, I have just reviewed the document and I find no specific language in this document that substantiates Mr. Griffith's allegation.
On the contrary, the very first amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees Mr. Weaver the right to freedom of religion and toexpress himself freely through speech. It seems significant to me that both of these freedoms are identified first and together.
I do not agree with every message addressed to my child at school. Therefore, I exercise my obligation to review the information that the school mails directly to me, the information my child brings home from school and my child's thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings about the school experience.
Then I attempt to respond as a responsible, loving parent.
Based on my child's reaction to Mr. Weaver's address, I'd support the Carroll County Board of Education, should it decide toinvite him back.
A STUDENT RESPONDS
From: Tara Gebhardt
Westminster
I would like to discuss Mr. Jeff Griffith's article about Herman Weaver on March 22, 1992.
I attend a Carroll County middle school and totally disagree with Mr. Griffith's comments.
After being reminded of the Constitution by my father, the First Amendment states (rights to) freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. Mr. Weaver had the right to talk about God in our schools, and we had the right tolisten.
As for those students who don't care to listen, they won't trust me, I know, but at least they have an option.
As for the cards, we didn't have to write our address or check if we wanted to besaved or not. In fact, we didn't even have to see them at all if we didn't want to.
Furthermore, things may be different in Mr. Griffith's house. He has the right to say what he wants, and he did. And ifhe wants to be responsible for not giving our youth the whole story,then let that be his problem. But if the Constitution has held up this long without revisions, why change it now, Mr. Griffith?
SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM
From: Charles Main
Woodbine
In the Carroll Countysection under the title of "Dialogue," Mr. Jeff Griffith entered into discussion concerning a former NFL player who gave a presentation concerning drugs and his personal solution to the problem.
I personally want to commend all who participated in bringing that program into our schools. I have two students in the public schools in this county and believe that it is about time that those whom we elect to represent us act out of courage and conviction, providing solutions to the problems, instead of just criticizing those who do have solutions.
Mr. Jeff Griffith, whom I do not know personally, is typical in his objection to this presentation. He presents the Constitution as his basis for objection.
The Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights, allows for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and not from religion as journalism in general and liberal elements would have us believe.
I'm upset when I see students being commended for learning wrongly what our forefathers said and intended. The Constitution guarantees that no establishment of a state-church shall be permitted, which is an outgrowth of that which the early colonists came to America to avoid.
The early colonies, Maryland included, were being formed around religious orders or denominational influences, and by the time the Constitutional Conventions were formed, they understood the difficulty and wrote to prevent this.
The free exercise of religious liberty is guaranteed by the Constitution. Education that excludes the origins of our nation and omits the rights of certain groups to express their convictions is that which is unconstitutional.
I find it hard to believe that a man who mentions the name of Jesus Christ once in a 20- to 25-minute presentation could be regarded as pushyin his or her beliefs.
Another point is this: The school systems of our nation are admittedly humanistic, which has been defined as a religion. The doctrines of Darwinian evolution are religious in nature and require far more faith than Christianity.
My children are inCarroll County schools, receive a measure of humanistic instruction and are held captive by the state which requires them to attend school until 16 years of age.
When I could, I sent them to private school. Now I cannot afford to do so, and now they are prisoners of the state.
GOD NEEDED IN SCHOOLS
From: Chuck Cornell
Finksburg
Jeff Griffith is incensed at bringing God into our schools to help our children deal with the dangers of drugs (The Carroll County Sun, March 22, "Former NFL star should be flagged for speech").
He concludes that the mention of God should have no place before "captive middle-schoolers" and that to do so is not part of the educational process or constitutional.
Perhaps it is just coincidental, but it seems apparent that from the time our government removed God from our schools that our students have been held "captive" by drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and lack of direction.
WouldMr. Griffith have our children further held "captive" for the sake of some false constitutional argument? Our founding fathers had a profound faith in God and recognized His authority and sought His help inall matters, not just in church or Sunday school, but in all affairsand business of government.
They would likely "turn over in theirgraves" to hear someone of Mr. Griffith's "background" cite the separation of church and state as a reason to keep God out of the public schools of the United States.
Fortunately, most Carroll County voters feel the same way about Mr. Griffith. When is The Carroll County Sun going to get this message and find a columnist with ideas that will be more meaningful and helpful to the citizens of Carroll County?
BYRON THANKS DISTRICT
From: Beverly B. Byron
U.S. Representative
Washington
Now that two weeks have passed and the primary election campaign has closed, I wanted to thank the voters of the 6th District for granting me the privilege of serving them for the last 14 years.
To the over 5,000 individual contributors who supported my political efforts over the 14 years, thank you.
And I want to assure them, as my next federal election report will verify, that I expended all contributions that were made on my behalf on the re-election effort. There is no surplus.
With the assistance of my staff, I will continue to serve Western Maryland for the next nine months. Thereis much to be done: individual cases, working with local officials on community projects and legislation to be completed.
I intend to remain very active and accountable and will continue to report to youat regular intervals.
As my career as your representative draws to a close, I reiterate my appreciation to the people of this region for giving me an opportunity to serve them in Washington.
While many of the issues have been difficult, I always attempted to represent my constituents, and I always made the hard decisions that had to be made when voting.
I hope that you will not hesitate to call on me if I may be of service in the remaining months.