Bill of Rights
Recently the news media have supported and campaigned for the current administrations' -- both state and federal -- stands on firearms control.
Though I personally believe my right to own the legal weapon of my choice could possibly be in danger, I quietly agreed with much of the legislation enacted by Congress and the Maryland legislature.
Recently both the press and electronic media ran stories regarding a new policy put forth by the Clinton administration which would allow for unwarranted searches in so-called "projects."
This frightens me. A federal judge in Chicago recently ruled such a program unconstitutional. Why is this administration attempting to circumvent the judicial system, let alone the Bill of Rights?
Perhaps what the National Rifle Association and others have been espousing is not just the rhetoric of a fanatical group of gun owners.
Maybe the claim that gun control is only the beginning of the destruction of American rights is not a scare tactic. Is what is happening in America at the present time a mirror of what happened in Germany prior to World War II?
Think about it, the people most affected by this warrantless search program must be afforded the protection from crime and violence available to every American.
I am sure these "project dwellers," if they could, would pay any costs involved with providing a safe environment for themselves and their children, but will they be able to justify to future generations the loss of a basic right?
In fact, will they be able to justify it to themselves?
What if the next American right to be infringed is the right of free speech? What would happen to the press if this were to happen?
Maybe the news media should take a closer look at some of the policies being considered by our government and re-evaluate the stance it has taken on issues.
Perhaps the media should report more on the facts and 'f consequences of the policies and allow the public to render its own decision. An informed populace is the backbone of this great country.
Please be aware that when one small group of Americans is deprived of constitutional rights, all Americans can be deprived of the same right.
I truly believe if our rights are gradually depleted, sooner or later we will have no rights at all.
Stanley A. Mocarsky
Baltimore
Police Sweeps
I am shocked at your editorial "Those Chicago Police Sweeps" (April 25). "Cutting corners" is the same as violating the law.
If there are "extraordinary circumstances in Chicago," martial law should be declared, but to make people sign leases to allow police to search without a warrant smacks of Hitler's declaration to suspend the rights of a few for the good of the masses.
At least the Gestapo on a midnight search and seizure had the decency to knock first.
The civil libertarians should re-read the history of the U.S. and world and see how dictators dismantled the people's rights.
Walter Cherivtch
Baltimore
Mediocrity in Music
I must take issue with Emily Johnston's (letter, April 22) remark that "WJHU does 'disintegrate' into jazz at night."
Yes, there are types of jazz that are harmonically and rhythmically simple in nature, but as anyone knows who keeps up with such things, there is jazz that is emotionally and intellectually comparable to the compositions of contemporary "classical" masters.
Today's professional jazz artist spends as much time developing his skills as "classical" performers.
The big problem is that in the United States, radio, in its quest for profit, assumes that the average listener can't understand progressive music. One result is that much of the jazz aired is of the "adult contemporary," basically instrumental pop tunes.
Another consequence is the excessive playing of the works of past jazz artists and masters. Their contributions were important, but there is a whole new generation that needs to be heard.
The attitude toward and the myths we have in this country about jazz is going to cause us to fall behind in yet another area, which is especially sad since this is where the art form originated.
I've helped my wife, Jane Lamar-Spicka, with the monthly Jazz Sessions column in Music Monthly magazine, a publication that focuses on the activities of mid-Atlantic artists (popular, jazz and classical).
Those interviewed who have performed in Europe have all commented on how they were treated with the same respect that is given to their "classical" players.
Ed Goldstein, director of the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble, informed us that students at the Moscow Conservatory of Music were required to study American jazz improvisation as an integral part of their studies, and that some of them, even at an early age, were already quite good.
When I competed in the First Theolonius Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, the second place award went to a brilliant young pianist from Czechoslovakia . . .
Interestingly enough, all of my colleagues who are involved in the creative process, whether contemporary, jazz or progressive rock, speak of resistance to their efforts.
It seems that in our society, we would have everyone at the same level of acceptable mediocrity rather an support truly innovative efforts.
George F. Spicka
Baltimore
Time to Support
It is very disappointing to hear African-Americans berating, criticizing and railing at their African-American leaders at town 00 meetings, in the media and in general.
It is time for African-Americans to support their leaders in word, deed and, more importantly, in prayer.
A house divided against itself shall not stand.
tTC Therefore, it is very important, particularly in this day, that African-Americans realize and act upon the fact that there is power and strength in unity.
As a result of being a united group of people, African-Americans will socially progress and accomplish more. Also, they will see and experience the benefits and rewards of harmony.
Now is the time to support.
H. Pearson
Baltimore
Epidemic Crime
A message to all those politicians who are jumping on the popular anti-crime bandwagon with their simplistic non-solutions and the constituencies to which they pander.
Solving the crime problem by building more prisons is like stemming an epidemic by building more hospitals. Get real.
Sig Seidenman
Owings Mills
Richard Nixon's Legacy
As someone who as a young boy revered Richard Nixon, I watched with great interest the response of the American people to the death of our 37th president.
It is a tribute to the character of our citizens that the overwhelming response was one of sympathy and respect.
It speaks to the heart and soul of the American people that we can forgive even if we can not forget. The greatest tragedy for Mr. Nixon is that without Watergate, he would have been regarded as one of the greatest presidents of this century, and perhaps of all time.
While many have followed the gracious and appropriate example of President Clinton and have sought to praise Mr. Nixon for his visionary foreign policy achievements and for his will and determination, the reality is that his political and personal accomplishments will forever remain in the shadow of Watergate.
Now that Richard Nixon is dead, it is probable that for the first time thousands of documents and transcripts from his presidency will be made available to historians and to the general public.
Knowing that Mr. Nixon fought for nearly 20 years to gain custody of these documents and to prevent their disclosure to the public, we can assume that their release will not enhance the legacy of Mr. Nixon as president and statesman.
In the ensuing months, we will hear many arguments pertaining to these historical papers.
Some will say that we should not re-open old wounds, that this material should remain private and that we should respect the departed.
Others will argue, correctly I believe, that the truth must be known. It would be a grave injustice to all generations if our legal system permits the ultimate cover-up.
The truth is that Richard Nixon violated the only true covenant a president has with the American people, the oath of the office of the president of the United States.
And yet the most important aspect of the Nixon presidency that we should remember is not the disgrace it brought a nation or a president, but that the ideals, principles and laws upon which this nation stands survive and protect even when challenged by its most powerful citizen.
America has derived strength from that legacy, and I would submit that Richard Nixon did as well.
Bradford K. Ely
Ellicott City