Diabetic arrest report and ensuing editorial did not tell everything
I am appalled and angered by your biased editorial "Menace to public safety" (July 6). Your editorial is not really reflective of what actually occurred in Frederick County, and that is disappointing.
The Sun was not represented at a media briefing and news conference a day after the June 18 incident.
On June 26, I discussed the incident in detail with your reporter. If the words "that's our job" were the only ones you saw fit to print from that long and explanatory interview, then rest assured it's my last with Sun reporters.
Those words were used after it was explained to the reporter that we recruit applicants, conduct background investigations and interviews, make selections, schedule police academies, provide recruits with field training and put them on patrol to prevent crime. When they observe violations of laws, we expect them to take action. Sometimes that requires arresting, handcuffing (and please tell me how to do that gently), transporting and processing violators. That's our job -- what we are paid to do.
I must point out that the diabetic identification card was found on the vehicle's rear-view mirror after the operator was removed. Our deputy immediately notified the already responding emergency rescue personnel. They obviously recognized his condition since they already had been told, as was the hospital physician.
Our office is committed to serving citizens of Frederick County. We are sorry whenever anyone feels injured by our actions, and we welcome the FBI's review and investigation.
I am not a regular subscriber to The Sun, but I occasionally buy a copy. In light of your July 6 editorial, those occasions will become rarer.
Francis J. Tully
Frederick
The writer is a major and chief of the operations bureau in the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
No matter how tight it gets, security still can be broken
In 1987, a 19-year-old man flew an airplane into Moscow's Red Square, one of the most heavily guarded places in the former Soviet Union -- during the height of the Cold War. So does it surprise anyone that no matter how tight security is, that there is always a way to breach it?
Philip A. Thayer
Baltimore
Clinton cares for the elderly by getting tough on homes
President Clinton's crackdown on nursing homes ("Clinton calls for tougher oversight of nursing homes," July 22) is long overdue. He has asked Congress for tighter oversight and will use his executive authority, he said, to require that states inspect nursing homes on a random basis "so there is no time to hide neglect and abuse."
This issue cries out for attention. It af- fects 1.6 million residents of nursing homes and their families. Too often these places are operated as profit-making centers, mere warehouses for the elderly who are waiting to die. In many cases, kindness, caring and compassion are lacking from employees who are hired to look after helpless men and women suffering from mental and physical disabilities.
The scarcity of personnel on weekend duty is particularly egregious. Families who visit on a Sunday afternoon may find their loved ones still in bed when inadequate numbers of employees are unable to get all the residents dressed.
Mr. Clinton's severest critics must concede that this president, despite alleged moral indiscretions, cares a great deal about the American people -- far more than most of his predecessors. And that's why he comes up so high in the polls.
Albert E. Denny
Baltimore
Chavez would deny gays right to defend themselves
Columnist Linda Chavez parrots the latest rhetoric cooked up by the religious right in its political war against gay civil rights ("Gays must be tolerant of conservatives' views," July 22).
Apparently, it is OK for the religious right to exercise its right to speak of gays in language that is contrary to scientific knowledge and gay life experiences, but if gay people dare to stand up and defend themselves by speaking the truth of their existence, they are now branded as "intolerant of Christianity."
It seems that Ms. Chavez and her right-wing pals are seeking a special right to have their opinions taken as gospel truth and to have the voices of gay Americans silenced, lest they reveal the propaganda tactics used against them.
Someone needs to tell the Christian right that it holds no monopoly on freedom of speech.
Daniel Jenkins
San Francisco
Discrimination against gays is wrong on many counts
In response to the ads placed by Christian groups stating their disapproval of homosexuality and the resulting debate, I wish to say that homosexuality is normal, good and moral ("Coalition calls on gays to be 'healed,' " July 16).
I recognize Christians' disagreement and their right to express their moral point of view publicly.
They are welcome to their belief (but not fact) that sexual orientation is changeable. My concern arises from the political implications of their ad campaign and their belief. Their message is not just one of "We think gays can change" but that gays "should" change.
Many people often say that no one should be discriminated against because of a characteristic a person can't change (such as race or sex). Thus many religious right followers argue gays have no right to be protected from discrimination because that discrimination could change if they changed.
But this is mistaken logic. Jews can become Christian and Democrats always be made Republicans. Yet members of religious groups and those with differing politics still are protected by civil rights laws. Choice of sexual orientation or religious belief should have nothing to with whether someone has human rights.
I hope that my civil rights are secure, regardless of people's beliefs concerning the sexual orientation God blessed me with.
Matthew H. Vadney
Baltimore
1,800 reasons to feel sour over 1994 election results
The voters who are bothered by Ellen Sauerbrey's questioning the integrity of the 1994 gubernatorial election should be bothered more by the clear evidence of sloppiness in election administration.
Although the court was unable to find "reliable evidence" of fraud, the fact that 1,800 ineligible people were found to have voted suggests there may have been many more. Additional illegal voters in an election as close as the 1994 race would certainly constitute significant voter fraud.
I applaud Ms. Sauerbrey for having the courage and wherewithal to put the past behind her and move forward, and would encourage those voters who still harbor concern over Ms. Sauerbrey's reaction to the 1994 election snafu to do the same.
Ellen Seward
Sparks
Suburbs must take action against threat of pit bulls
The article "Dogfights, attacks raise hackles" (July 16)about the increase in pit bull attacks on children, police and others is cause for major concern. Not only are these dogs being trained and maintained in the city, but an abundance of them are showing up in Baltimore County.
Until recently, I had felt relatively safe walking in the Milford Mill area with no more than a hefty oak stick for protection from stray dogs, but after reading the article, I felt I had virtually no protection had I been confronted by a trained pit bull.
I now find myself more concerned about the dogs than about the thugs who trained them. Finally, we don't need to form any committee to evaluate this problem; we need to take it directly to the people and let them decide what to do about it.
Garland L. Crosby
Baltimore
'Homicide' deserves praise for 100 shows, six seasons
Congratulations to the cast and crew of "Homicide: Life on the Street," which celebrated its 100th episode this past television season.
"Homicide" is my favorite TV show, and I visited Baltimore in March to see where the show is filmed. My expectations were exceeded when I met Clark Johnson, Kyle Secor, Andre Braugher and Jon Seda, all of whom were extremely gracious to this star-struck fan. My thanks to them and best wishes to all those involved in "Homicide" as it begins its seventh season.
Satya Onorato
Modesto, Calif.
Pub Date: 7/29/98