Leaders should show that moral leadership is real, not a myth
It's not a myth that portrays American presidents as models of moral behavior. It's a belief that they in fact should be moral leaders. We vote them into office because we expect them to lead our nation in a responsible manner. As a nation, we require them to lead by example, placing the good of the country over personal gain.
While you can say people don't always agree on what is moral, I think it's safe to say we as Americans believe you should not lie, cheat or steal. I also believe you can't defend the leader of the free world seducing a young intern by telling us the bad things others have done.
Americans should demand their president be moral leaders, and they should not lower their standards to accept anything less.
If the leader doesn't act in an appropriate manner, we as voters should react accordingly.
Michael R. Halstad
Millersville
Your editorial "An end to the myth of the moral leader" was almost rational until the final three paragraphs, in which you suggest we become more mature, more like our European counterparts.
Evidently, you consider infidelity, promiscuity, groping, oral sex in the Oval Office and lying (even under oath) to cover it up mature and acceptable behavior by public officials. To expect more, you say, is myth making, similar, I suppose, to a belief in the tooth fairy or Santa Claus.
You go on to state that if it's moral leadership we want, we should provide it at home or in our religious institutions. Then where would we practice it? I suppose at home or in our religious institutions; sort of a special setting theory of morality for home or religious use only, not for public display, particularly by American presidents.
Alan B. Abramson
Baltimore
Poor performance is at root of behavioral difficulties
The riotous behavior at Southern High School that you reported is more the result of the lack of skills those students bring to the subjects in which they are being instructed than anything else ("It's a school, but the aura is of prison, Oct. 30).
They may have needed the Marine-like instruction in those crucial early grades so they now can perform and enjoy education.
In my own experience, even reluctant students succeeded in English when they saw they could a handle on the subject. Unfortunately some read so poorly, it was a very discouraging experience for me and them. It reinforced their very low opinion of themselves.
Universities that have come up with answers to problems in reading have something concrete to offer. Throwing money and personnel at grades one through three shows that most, if not all, of the poorest students can achieve. And success is a powerful motivator next time around.
I wish The Sun would do an extended series on class size using teachers who have actually taught, not verbose non-experts like Lamar Alexander and William Bennett.
Mary Ann Wickwire
Towson
Choice puts public, private students on equal footing
The Wisconsin Supreme Court stated in its opinion on school vouchers that a child's religion should not determine whether he or she is eligible to attend private, even parochial, schools. Instead, poverty and poor schools should. That was included in Lyle Denniston's article ("Justices allow student vouchers," Nov. 10)).
What was not included was the portion of the opinion by Chief Justice Stienmetz that the voucher program "places on equal footing options of public and private school choice and vests power in the hands of the parents to choose where to direct the funds allocated for their children's benefit."
This statement represents the clearest one to date by a judge as to what the debate is about. It is disappointing that the case was not heard by the United States Supreme Court because it is clear that the parental emancipation statement by Justice Steinmetz would carry the day. That parents have been denied this choice in America is evidence of political power, not justice.
Herman Schmidt
Bradshaw
Tariffs needed to protect products made in U.S.
For 70 years, people of the United States have allowed their leaders to shaft the American public by use of this free-trade baloney ("Dumping could cost Point jobs," Nov. 7).
Anyone with any sense would put a high import duty on foreign products so that the imports are way more expensive than similar items made here.
Someday, the people of our once-great country are going to wake up and take it back from those who have given all our assets away. I hope I live to see it.
Winton Hurley
Baltimore
Public needs a close look at proposed tobacco deal
Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. was quoted in Scott Shane's article as saying he would consult with legislators and public health experts before deciding whether to abandon Maryland's promising lawsuit against tobacco companies in favor of the multi-state deal negotiated in secret with tobacco companies ("State weighs tobacco deal," Nov. 11).
The problem is that the tobacco companies have set an arbitrary seven-day opt-in time limit in order to prevent public scrutiny. It is outrageous that the details of what amounts to long-term public health policy are still secret.
Tobacco industry stocks rose over a few days at the prospect of a deal, which should tell us something. We must demand a minimum of 30 days for the public to evaluate this secret deal.
Dr. Joseph Adams
Towson
The writer is president of Maryland Children's Initiative Education Fund Inc. and past president of Smoke-Free Maryland.
Murder victim deserves people to speak for her
Christine Doerfler was brutally murdered by Tyrone X. Gillian for a paltry $3. She was a lovely young lady poised on the brink of womanhood. On that dark and desperate night, she had no choice and no voice as her life was ended.
Imagine her terror as she contemplated her final moments. As Gilliam waits to be executed, he has become the center of a media blitz. Marylanders have been given a steady diet of efforts to stay his execution. Who speaks for Christine?
I haven't seen any demonstrators from New York or New Jersey line up to celebrate her life. Indeed, news reports and reporters have spent precious little time devoted to the victim in this tragedy, Ms. Doerfler, a caring, family-oriented citizen, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.
I cannot bear another word that mitigates this valuable person's memory. Let us keep her in mind as the final chapter unfolds.
Betty Ciesla
Baltimore
Hate crimes legislation to protect from all bigotry
Michael T. Burns tries to make a case against hate crimes in his letter ("Hate-crime laws promote ideology, not safety," Nov. 2) One big point he misses is that hate crimes legislation can protect everyone from crimes committed based on bigotry.
They can protect homosexuals from homophobes, straight men from rabid gays, Christians from atheists, Jews from anti-Semites, women from men, old folks from young, anyone from anyone else who feels they have cause to hate.
Hate crimes legislation sends a message that it's not OK to harm people because of who they are; that it's not OK to practice bigotry.
Failure to enact hate crimes legislation sends the message that it's all right to hate, which sends a tacit message that the people who are hated are acceptable victims. Ending bigotry is a special interest our nation's people should have a serious interest in promoting and reinforces all standards of equality, morality and human dignity.
Jon Palmer
Honolulu
Pub Date: 11/16/98