El Salvador Dollars
Many thanks and kudos to Kenneth E. Sharpe for his on-target March 27 article about El Salvador's March 20 "acceptable" election, and to The Sun for publishing this column.
I try to spend part of each year living in El Salvador, and I could not have said it better.
But just in case our hard-working taxpayers are not yet moved to hold Congress accountable for expenditures of their money, let me reiterate.
During the 12 years of civil war, $4.5 billion went directly and indirectly to death and destruction in El Salvador.
I saw it, I heard it and I have the stories of surviving victims in print and photos.
I will be glad to share these with willing listeners.
The remaining $1.5 billion was the "unaccountable" fund for CIA activities; hence the $6 billion.
Please, on behalf of the poor and still-suffering of El Salvador, let us ask those whom we elect to spend our money to put stringent conditions on further aid to El Salvador.
Let us do our utmost to see that our hard-earned dollars are life-serving, pro-democracy, pro-human rights and pro-judicial reform.
The signed peace accords of 1992 call for land reform, creation of a civilian police force (not a paramilitary force that murders the citizens it should protect) and reform of the judicial system.
To date, none of these have been carried out in compliance with the signed agreements.
Respect for human life and justice and democracy has to begin (( and continue with taxpayers calling for accountability.
We cannot be content to allow our government to spend blindly for us, lest death and destruction result, and our money turns to blood.
The hearts of government and military leaders need to be changed to comply with the peace accords. Withholding U.S. aid until these conditions are met just might help the conversion process.
"Acceptable" elections do not a democracy make.
%Sister Patricia A. Rogucki
Baltimore
No More Loopholes
While I concur with an immigration judge's decision to grant two young girls the right to remain in America because of a barbaric practice they might be subjected to if deported, this should not make female genital mutilation an automatic asylum provision.
The two children involved were American citizens by reason of birth, and therefore should be protected under our laws. However, since this country is presently swamped with asylum seekers and immigrants, isn't it reckless to add more loopholes, no matter how humanitarian?
As much as I deplore the cruel and repugnant practice of genital mutilation (also known as "female circumcision"), we cannot become the destination of choice for every person on the planet who is subject to an unfortunate custom.
Furthermore, and this is a point Ellen Goodman (Opinion * Commentary, March 29) overlooked, female genital mutilation is perpetrated against young girls by women, not men.
This is a case of same sex victimization and should be addressed accordingly. Until women who practice cruelty to their girl children reform, I cannot see this as a feminist issue or a rubber stamp for protective asylum.
osalind Nester
Baltimore
Effective Officer
In response to your April 5 article on Officer Frank Linsenmeyer, who wrote 40 parking tickets for illegal parking during the snow storm in the Federal Hill area, I would like to thank and commend the officer for doing what others should also do.
The people who complain are the same ones who park on curbs, double park overnight, block streets and park beside fire plugs.
The "parking control" agents who are assigned to this area do not do what they are supposed to do. We pay for the residential parking stickers, but they don't enforce the law. Cars remain for 4 to 15 days with no sticker at all.
One should see the mess we have on the Fourth of July and other holidays; nothing is enforced.
I hope Officer Linsenmeyer is on duty when the Fourth of July arrives.
Everett Coates
Baltimore
Civic Art of the Eastern Shore
I am somewhat surprised to find myself adding my humble opinion to the Great Roger Taney Statue Controversy, but when you drag in the Eastern Shore, I feel compelled to respond.
The teacher who writes in complaining that there are no granite statues of Harriet Tubman in Talbot County appears to need to study her history and geography, if not her art appreciation.
There are no statues of Mrs. Tubman in Talbot County for the simple reason that the lady was a native of Dorchester County, Talbot's friendly neighbor to the east.
It was from Dorchester County that she escaped from slavery and to Dorchester County that she returned several times, to gather family and friends for the long trip to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
I have often traveled through those areas around the Great Dorchester Marsh, where Mrs. Tubman operated, seeking some feeling for her spirit and the spirit of her times.
Dorchester County recognizes its most illustrious daughter with a Harriet Tubman Society, a Harriet Tubman Coalition and the Harriet Tubman Museum, which I am sure would welcome the teacher and her students -- and anyone else -- should they care to visit.
It is certainly worth the trip, if only to understand that history is a living thing.
Frederick Douglass was a native of Talbot County, born on one of the Lloyd plantations, possibly fathered by a Lloyd. In other, unhappier times, there was an African-American school in St. Michaels that bore his name, and an oil portrait of the gentleman hangs in the Talbot County Free Library.
Since we have a tax cap in Talbot County that seems to trouble us for the means to finance such basics as our schools, fire and life support services, no statue of Mr. Douglass is likely to be erected any time soon.
However, there has been a resurgence of interest in African-American history in Talbot in the past few years, and anyone who cares to discover more about Mr. Douglass and African-American culture on the Eastern Shore will find rich resources in the Maryland Room at the library.
I would further suggest that granite statues are best left to memorialize our old friends, the dead white European males. As I write this, two fine one-actor shows, respectively about Mrs. Tubman and Mr. Douglass, are touring very successfully.
The life and work of these Eastern Shore natives have achieved immortality through biographies, textbooks and film. They are presented to us as role models, heroes for their bravery and the courage they showed in adversity.
And which of us would not hope to act as well under such horrific circumstances? The Eastern Shore is proud of their native son and daughter.
We're just not real big on civic art, since most of what we have is generally pretty awful. We do have some nice tombstones, though.
Besides, Roger Taney rates only a footnote in most histories.
Render unto Roger that which is Roger's, and let Mrs. Tubman and Mr. Douglass be remembered in ways that inspire by serving the future.
I think they would be more pleased by that than an entire pantheon of marble memorials. And now, having said this, I think it's time for all of us to get a life.
Helen Chappell
Easton
Unreported Facts
In Tony Martin's March 12 appearance at Walbrook High School, The Sun reported that A. Robert Kaufman stood at the door and distributed an open letter to those willing to accept them.
This is true. But Mr. Kaufman did more than that. He sat through the meeting, unmolested or harassed in any way, comfortable to the point where he took off his coat and sweater.
By the way, he was not the only Jew of white skin in the meeting. There were other white Jews one appeared to have his family with him and there were also black Jews in attendance.
During the question and answer period, when it appeared thaone of the organizers was not going to allow Mr. Kaufman to speak, the audience shouted in a loud voice, "Let him speak, let him speak."
I'm in full belief that if other well intended Jews would come to the table of reason, this whole thing between blacks and Jews could be settled.
By the way, the other white Jewish man who spoke thanked Dr. Martin for coming and made other kind remarks to which the people in attendance applauded.
Bob Fountain Sr.
Baltimore