Sauerbrey's positions prove she would not protect environment

A recent profile of Ellen R. Sauerbrey indicated that she is trying to project a more moderate image.

Yet on the environment, Ms. Sauerbrey is nearly as far right as one can go. It is difficult to believe any of her other positions have moderated.

Ms. Sauerbrey's Web site asks that we "trust" her to preserve the state's environmental resource. However, this statement is buried in the "environmental" section: "I will balance the state's environmental policies and objectives with private property rights," which is consistent with her position on the board of directors of the Frontiers of Freedom Institute (FOFI), an ultra right-wing organization favoring private property rights and "reduced bureaucratic regulations."

FOFI, which frequently criticizes congressional Republicans for not being conservative enough, favors repealing or crippling the highly successful Endangered Species Act.

That's a nice, clear translation of Ms. Sauerbrey's supposedly moderate language.

Also, Ms. Sauerbrey favors completion of the Intercounty Connector, which would bulldoze green space and remaining wetlands in central Montgomery County, including watersheds for both Rock Creek and the Rocky Gorge Reservoir.

And she has recently been courted by wealthy developers in northern Virginia who hope that her pro-business, pro-development tendencies would make her an ally of the Western Bypass, an outer beltway promoting urban sprawl all the way to Point of Rocks and Harper's Ferry.

If this much distance lies between rhetoric and reality on one issue, how can we trust anything Ms. Sauerbrey says as she scrambles to get elected governor?

James Acker

Elkridge

Attacking gun owners doesn't solve problem

I don't belong to the National Rifle Association, and I don't own a gun. With seven grandchildren constantly coming and going, I believe there is a much greater risk of harm to them if I had a gun in the house.

But these stupid Glendening campaign ads attacking the NRA and Ellen R. Sauerbrey instead of going after the criminals who use guns really burns me up. Making sure that responsible, law-abiding citizens can't own guns while slapping the gun-toting criminal on the wrist only encourages lawbreakers and gives them an advantage.

There is a lot of similarity between Gov. Parris N. Glendening and President Clinton. They both use artful diversions to distract people's attention from the real issues.

Ron Parsons

Glen Burnie

Party showed Glendening how Clinton must have felt

It was amusing to read Michael Olesker's column "Glendening intrudes; Schaefer fumes" (Sept. 24).

How sad that Gov. Parris N. Glendening is not even welcome among the leadership of his own party. He had to stoop to crashing William Donald Schaefer's victory party, where he was clearly treated as an outcast.

Now he should know how President Clinton felt after being uninvited to a Glendening fund-raiser.

As the Democratic mayor of Baltimore and Mr. Glendening's successor in Prince George's County say, "It's a matter of trust."

Stuart Lacher

Lutherville

Accusers behaving worse than accused in scandal

Afghanistan has the Taliban. The United States has the GOP in Congress. Base behavior by a president hardly grants license for the leadership of a national political party to behave at an even lower moral level than the accused.

Some German students once wrote, "Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized people as allowing itself to be governed . . . by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct." The clique they wrote about, of course, was the Nazi party, but the insight those students expressed rings equally true today here in the United States.

The irresponsible and self-righteous clique that would govern us, and their slash and burn inquisitor, profane the ideals of our democracy by their unctuous and blatant behavior. God help us if they ever take over our nation's government.

Robert Carbone

Silver Spring

Sons of Confederate Vets foster understanding of war

Michael Olesker has unwisely chosen to compare the Sons of Confederate Veterans with the Ku Klux Klan. His statement that by rededicating a monument in Howard County the SCV favored "the enslavement of human beings" is incorrect and a slap in the face of SCV members.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans exists so that future generations can understand everything that influenced the Southern cause. They meet and discuss the reasons why so many young men went off to fight the bloody battle. Many of those young men fought for the same reasons young men and women go off to fight now, to maintain certain freedoms and land rights.

We may or may not agree with other reasons they may have chosen to fight, but who are we to deny the fact that they did what they thought was their obligation? Should we not remember and honor those who fought in Vietnam or Korea although we disagree with their reasons for going into that war?

Susan W. Chadwick

Shady Side

Restoring the Hippodrome could alter abysmal record

I read with great interest your article about the proposed restoration of the Hippodrome Theater ("Visit reinforces worries on renovating of theater," Sept. 28). I want to add my hope for the restoration and urge the legislature to have the courage and imagination to support this project. Of course, we can just forget the Hippodrome, one of only two nearly intact movie-vaudeville theaters in the city, like we did the Stanley. Baltimore has an abysmal record in theater preservation. This is a wonderful opportunity to set that record straight.

The Hippodrome is probably the best-remembered theater in Baltimore, a symbol of theater-going for more than 70 years. Everyone over 40 who grew up in the city has a story about the Hippodrome. It was a window where we could see and hear the big bands, Frank Sinatra and the Three Stooges.

When Baltimore's movie pioneers Pearce and Scheck built the Hippodrome in 1914, it was too far west. It took 20 years and the expert showmanship of Isidore Rappaport to make it a success. Is it still too far west? Is the only direction for Baltimore toward the harbor?

Howard and Eutaw streets are wastelands. It's going to take bold steps by courageous people to bring them back to their vibrant days. The restoration of the Hippodrome could be a first step.

Robert K. Headley

University Park

Can't believe newspaper doesn't want impeachment

I can't believe your editorial supporting Clinton and saying that he should not be impeached. He is not presidential material. I'm sure you support him because he is pro-choice, but the man is an adulterer, a pathological liar, a perjurer, a draft dodger and a womanizer.

F. Paul Galeone

Timonium

A 'true mensch' showed Yiddish's heritage, value

In today's atmosphere of press-bashing, it was indeed a pleasure to read Ernest Imhoff's masterfully crafted article, "Old language's lover won't let it languish" (Sept. 16). Not only does the article demonstrate the finest example of quality journalism, it also renders the entire community a valuable service.

Due in large part to Mr. Imhoff's extensive research, professional reporting and engaging prose, Baltimore Hebrew University has obtained the financial support to continue offering Yiddish courses and programs to the Baltimore community. In addition, Mr. Imhoff's initial article and his follow-up report ("Students rescue course in Yiddish," Sept. 18) generated a great deal of enthusiasm and interest in these programs.

Baltimore Hebrew University congratulates and thanks Mr. Imhoff -- a true mensch -- for sharing our enthusiasm and supporting our efforts to preserve the rich heritage of Yiddish.

Bruce R. Mendelsohn

Baltimore

The writer is director of university services and communications at the Baltimore Hebrew University.

To our readers

The Sun welcomes letters from readers. They should be no longer than 200 words and should include the name and address of the writer, along with day and evening telephone numbers.

Send letters to Letters to the Editor, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore 21278-0001. Our fax number for letters is 410-332-6977. The e-mail address is letteraltsun.com.

All letters are subject to editing.

Pub Date: 10/04/98