Story misrepresented action by Congress on minors and 0) abortion
On July 15, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to make it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines to circumvent a state law requiring parental or judicial involvement in the minor's abortion decision.
From your misleading July 16 headline, "House votes 276-150 to restrict abortions for minors," one would have thought that a federal parental involvement bill had been passed.
A better headline might have been "Statutory rapists restricted from hiding pregnancy and crime" or "Parents' rights and responsibilities in abortion decision upheld."
Minors aren't prevented from having abortions or punished for having abortions under this law. This law would punish adult sexual partners, in-laws and perfect strangers who transport underage girls across state lines to obtain abortions while the parents are kept in the dark. This is not a radical idea that Republicans came up with to "[demonstrate] their election-year commitment to conservative activities."
The public strongly supports the concept of this legislation. A national poll of 1,000 registered voters, conducted June 6-8 by Baseline & Associates, asked: "Should a person be able to take a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion without her parents' knowledge?" Seventy-eight percent strongly disagreed and 7 percent somewhat disagreed, for a total of 85 percent, while 3 percent somewhat agreed and 6 percent strongly agreed.
Apparently this is an idea endorsed by people of all political stripes, including many who identify themselves as "pro-choice." This legislation is only common-sense. The Child Custody Protection Act is much-needed to help parents protect their young daughters from these dangerous situations.
David Lam
Annapolis
The writer is executive director of Maryland Right to Life Inc.
We should have pity for horses on city streets
Horse-drawn carriages and carts have no place on busy Baltimore streets. This "charming" custom is cruel to the horses and presents a danger to humans as well. The horses and ponies cannot speak for themselves.
Exploitation of these beautiful creatures is inhumane. It calls for action on the part of city officials and support of all those who care.
Susan B. Nestler
Towson
Applause for the heroes who saved drowning man
The two Greek sailors who dove into the Inner Harbor to rescue a drowning 79-year-old Baltimorean (Greek visitors help pull man from harbor, July 14) may not have spoken much English, but they understood the more important universal language of courage and compassion.
The pair of Baltimore police officers who responded to the rescue scene and successfully performed CPR on the unconscious victim possessed life-saving skills we should all work to achieve.
The American Red Cross applauds the efforts of those who helped save a life in our city and encourages every citizen to be prepared for emergencies by learning CPR and water-safety skills.
Joan Pankey
Baltimore
The writer is director of health services for the American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter.
Support for candidates who favor phonics urged
A recent Letter to the Editor,"It's time for state officials to act on reading problems" (July 7), correctly pointed out the clear superiority of phonics-based teaching.
However, the letter failed to note the efforts of several elected officials to promote the use of phonics in state schools.
In the past legislative session, Del. Nancy Jacobs, a Harford Republican, introduced a bill sponsored by 22 Republicans that would have made phonics the primary method of teaching reading in Maryland schools. Unfortunately, despite strong Republican support, the bill was killed in committee.
Test results have overwhelmingly proven phonics to be the best method for teaching reading.
In this election year, voters should support candidates who have shown that they want to do what is best for our children.
Janet Greenip
Annapolis
The writer, a Republican delegate in the General Assembly representing the 33rd District, is running for re-election.
Fond remembrances of Kennywood Park
Susan Reimer's delightful article "Park of Memories" about Kennywood Park in the Travel section (July 19) brought back many pleasant memories of my childhood in the 1930s.
I did not live in Pittsburgh but 200 miles away in southeastern Ohio. However, my sister with her husband and young son live in Wilkinsburg.
Summer visits to them always meant a trip to Kennywood. There, my sister took me on my first roller coaster (we pronounced it "roley") ride. I well remember the Old Mill, the man shot out of a cannon, the Whip and the Dodge-em Cars. Kennywood has always been to me the epitome of amusement parks, as the Carnegie is of museums.
Congratulations to Ms. Reimer for a great piece of journalism.
Robert C. Tompkins
Towson
Day-care providers look at issue of responsibility
Your July 13 editorial "What might save more infants' lives" makes some salient points regarding the safety of children in homes providing day care but overlooks an essential aspect of their operation.
You state that inspections "cannot prevent careless day-to-day practices." This in itself is contradictory. The day-to-day operation and service are the province of the social worker, which you fail to mention.
In the recent case involving the death of two infants, the finger of blame can be pointed in several directions. Obviously the Russum family has to assume primary responsibility.
First, more children were under care than regulations permit; second, the two infants were placed in a full-sized bed instead of cribs.
The Department of Human Resources has to assume a share of responsibility along with the community.
We speak as day-care providers for 23 years. The required inspections and visits by the social worker every two years are insufficient to guarantee that homes, particularly those with large numbers of children, can meet all standards. When we became day-care providers, the maximum number of children permitted was six.
About six or seven years ago, we were informed that at the request of social services administrators the number was increased to eight by the legislature, far too many in our opinion to assure adequate care, supervision and stimulation.
We understand also that the General Assembly has failed to approve an increase in the number of social workers responsible for day care.
If so, the legislature needs to revise its priorities. More frequent visits by the social worker, at least semiannually, might well avoid some of the pitfalls into which providers may stumble.
When we became providers in the 1970s, the regulations covered fewer than 25 pages. Currently, they top 120, and, as your editorial points out, are among the strictest in the nation. One hundred percent compliance for many homes, particularly those with six and eight children, is highly unlikely. In fact, we opted out of certification because we were caring for children of friends and neighbors without remuneration, and many of the regulations were inapplicable.
Quite rightly, your editorial advises parents to be more vigilant. Despite the stringent guidelines, some providers will find a way of slipping through the cracks.
&Katharine; and Abner Kaplan
Baltimore
Special interests vs. 'average' taxpayers
I find your July 21 editorial "Windfall burns hole in Congress' pocket" rather disingenuous. There are elements in both political parties in Congress who cannot wait to hand over surplus money to their favorite causes. In most instances, these causes are brought to the members' attention by special-interest groups.
The only recourse that the average tax-paying citizen has is to support tax reductions. In future editorials, you perhaps could list the members of Congress who have made a legitimate effort to use excess funds to reduce our deficit.
Tom Grimes
West Friendship
Pub Date: 7/24/98