Over the past few years, the influence of a very well-organized but radical political movement has been growing in Carroll County. The movement I am referring to is often described as "the radical right" and is led by groups such as Pat Robertson's "Christian Coalition." Members of these groups claim they are not political. When you disagree with their narrow political agenda, they often call you Godless and accuse you of Christian-bashing.
In fact, these groups are avidly political and they are aimed at reducing religious freedom in the United States. On the 700 Club, for example, Pat Robertson said, "There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that sanctifies the separation of church and state." Ralph Reed, the executive director of the Christian Coalition, claims that campaigning is like guerrilla warfare. "It is better to move quietly," he says, "with stealth, under cover of night. I paint my face and travel at night. You don't know it's over until you are in a body bag. You do not know until Election Night."
The Christian Coalition and other misnamed groups like "Citizens for Excellence in Education" are committed to using their stealth tactics to take over local school boards and turn public schools into religious battle zones. Robert Simonds, director of CEE, for example, opened a recent fund-raising letter with, "The enclosed information will tell you of our Lord's plan to bring public education back under the control of the Christian community." He goes on to write, "We can take complete control of all local school boards. This would allow us to determine all local policy; select good textbooks, good curriculum programs, superintendents and principals. Our time has come." I ask the reasonable citizens of Carroll County, Christian or otherwise, is this the way you want our school system run?
Because radical political groups like those mentioned are very active in Carroll County, I urge my fellow citizens to pay close attention to all candidates running in this year's elections. Sen. Larry Haines, for example, has introduced legislation to the General Assembly that advocates mandatory prayer and book censorship. According to the legislative yearbook, $10,000, the single largest contribution to Haines' last campaign, came from members of the Church of the Open Door. What is Mr. Haines' political agenda? Do his concerns reflect those of mainstream Carroll countians, or, as The Sun wrote, is he a "religious fanatic" with a private agenda? We all ought to know the answers to these questions before we cast our vote on Nov. 8.
R. Michael Zerner
Westminster
For Muldowney
I have noticed with interest that people are saying that Paul Muldowney and Roscoe Bartlett are a lot alike. From my observations, nothing could be further from the truth.
Roscoe Bartlett voted for $8 billion for the Super Collider and $12 billion for another space station, while refusing to request $400,000 for Garrett County. Paul Muldowney would never do that.
Roscoe Bartlett has consistently voted against funding the Medicare program, Medicaid and Social Security. Paul Muldowney would never do that.
Roscoe Bartlett reneged on his pledge to reduce his congressional staff in half, and he sponsored a bill to reduce the franking privilege. He is within the top 15 percent of members of the House who abuse the franking privileges. Paul Muldowney has never reneged on any promise or pledge. These two men are not even close when it comes to a comparison on their experience. . . .
Jonathan H. Grove
Hagerstown
Church and State
With the school board election just around the corner, I would like to ask my fellow citizens of Carroll County to pause a moment and think about public school in America. One ground rule, one basic principle they might consider is that America's public schools are for all students, regardless of their or their parents' religious beliefs.
For the sake of our children and our schools and the principles that make this country great, please make sure the candidates you choose stand firmly on this principle. If you have your doubts (and in some cases you should), ask your candidates where they stand on issues that indicate a candidate's real stance on the separation between church and state. Ask about issues such as mandatory school prayer and book censorship. If you still feel uncertain about a candidate, ask them what, if they could, would be the first thing they would change about public education. Ask them the last three books they read and if they send their children to public schools.
In short, take the time to know your candidate before you cast your vote. The stakes are high and we do have the right to know.
Wallace M. Thompson
Sykesville
Carroll's Changing
I've heard so many people lately saying how Carroll County is changing and changing rapidly. Yes, this is true. Certainly, growth is inevitable, but at the pace we are going, it would be understandable to envision the inner city in your back yard. This scares me.
We all find Baltimore fun and exciting to visit now and then, but we decided to live here in Carroll County for a reason. Perhaps it was because it still had the country atmosphere, and an $H environment you felt was safe to raise a family. We knew the education that our children would receive would be superior to that of other counties.
But what is happening lately is going against the grain ow what the families here in Carroll have been longing for. The peace of mind we once had, that Carroll County would be all-so-wonderful, could be quickly disappearing. It's sad, but true.
Just about everywhere you look you will see the trees being torn down and the ground replaced by concrete. The county is moving at a pace much too fast for its own good.
What is happening, quite frankly, is that the people we elected and thought would represent our needs and best interests have failed. Apparently, they have gotten caught up in their own self-interests and have forgotten the reality and responsibility of their jobs.
For example, Sen. Larry Haines has done nothing to address the problems of overdevelopment, because as owner of Haines Realty, he is profiting from this poorly managed growth.
I hope that on Nov. 8, the citizens of Carroll County will make their voices heard and elect people who intend on representing all the people and not themselves. I know Cindy Cummings personally, and I know that she will represent all of us. . . .
Karen Proctor
Westminster
Pricey Magazine
The American Legion Magazine became one of my favorites at an early age. The latest issues were on a table at the hole-in-the-wall barbershop I went to as a kid. I immensely enjoyed the articles, and if I did not completely read an issue by the time my hair was cut, the barber always let me stay to finish it.
I was raised in Milwaukee, the home of the 32nd (Red Arrow) Division, which had been in the Mexican border campaign, saw much action in France during World War I and served in the Army of Occupation. Some of its units were descended from the Army of the Potomac's Iron Brigade of Antietam and Gettysburg fame.
Maybe I was too young to understand the significance of it all even when we sometimes went to play on the grounds of the large Veterans Administration domiciliary and hospital at Wood, Wis., which was within walking distance of where I lived.
Naively, I wished for a subscription to the American Legion Magazine. Eventually, though, I learned the price the barber paid for his. One day, the shop door was open, but he was not there. I looked outside to see him crossing the cobblestone road, struggling over the streetcar tracks. He had been to the corner drugstore to buy "a pack of butts." When I asked him why he was limping, he raised a trouser leg to show an artificial limb. He had been in the 32nd and lost half a leg in the Argonne.
Well, "thanks" to a place called Korea, I got my wish about obtaining a subscription to the American Legion Magazine, and I still enjoy reading it.
But, you know, around each Veterans' Day, I cannot help but think what their subscriptions cost so many other veterans.
Arthur J. Brett
Mount Airy
The writer is past commander of American Legion Gold Star Post
Science Program
Kudos to The Sun for reporting the butterfly celebration (Oct. 9) at William Winchester Elementary School. However, your article failed to mention that similar celebrations are observed throughout Carroll County kindergartens due to our science curriculum.
Isn't it wonderful that all kindergarten children can experience the thrill of observing the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and wishing it a safe journey to Mexico.
Celeste Zerner
Westminster
Wrong Snuff
Recent headlines across the nation read like this: "Smokers Addicted to Nicotine Advised to Switch to Snuff." The author of the article in the American Journal of Medical Sciences argues that while cigarette smoking is linked to a host of hazards from heart disease to lung cancer, smokeless tobacco is associated only with an increased risk of oral cancers.
Suggesting this switch is like telling someone to use a rifle instead of an Uzi.
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, I am all too familiar with the ravages of smokeless tobacco. Its devastation is not restricted to the spot in the mouth where smokeless users place the pouch.
According to the American Cancer Society, "the use of chewing tobacco or snuff increases the risk of cancer of the month, larynx, throat and esophagus and is a highly addictive habit."
Some other disheartening information regarding smokeless: While cigarette smoking has declined for the seventh year in a row, consumption of snuff has risen for the fourth consecutive year. And, who's using it? More than 22 million persons age 12 and older have used some form of smokeless. Usage among high school students is as high as 35 percent -- 19 percent use some form daily.
Even more shocking, a recent government survey found that smokeless users pick up the habit at the average age of 9 1/2 years old . . . and more than 25 percent of users start dipping snuff by age five. So, do we want to suggest that smokeless is a "better alternative?"
The answer is a resounding no. We don't want an increase in the more than 29,000 cases of oral cancer that doctors diagnose each year. We don't want to increase the number of persons who die as a result of oral cancer from 8,000 each year to an even larger number.
And, for those who are among the millions of current smokeless users, I advise you to perform a self-examination at least once a month and see a dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a yearly exam.
To learn more about how to perform a self-exam, a free brochure is available by sending for "A Look That Can Save a Life," to AAOMS, 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, IL, 60018.
Dr. Jay I. Chason
Westminster