Abuse of children may not be declining in Maryland
Kate Shatzkin's article, "Conditions for Md. children mixed, survey finds" (April 7) was a welcome introduction to the "Maryland Kids Count Fact Book." However, I would caution anyone from concluding that child abuse and neglect are declining in Maryland.
The Kids Count data only indicate a drop in the number of abuse and neglect cases confirmed by Child Protective Service workers. Children's advocates are greatly concerned that Child Protective Service workers are ruling out an increasingly high percentage of these cases.
It is possible that state workers are more accurately screening out erroneous abuse allegations. But there are reasons to think this is not the case.
First, within Maryland the percentage of ruled-out cases varies dramatically from one jurisdiction to another. It is unlikely that the percentage of false reports varies to such an extent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Second, national data indicate that child abuse and neglect is rising. It is unlikely that Maryland has miraculously been spared this unfortunate trend. Third, additional procedural and paperwork requirements have increased the state agency's workload, but its staffing level has risen little.
So, while more analysis is needed, there is reason to believe that overwhelmed and inadequately trained Child Protective Service workers are responding to increased reports by ruling out more and more cases.
Advocates for children last year got legislation passed (House Bill 1133) that mandates lower caseloads and provides for better training for caseworkers. This year advocates have worked to ensure independent review of Child Protective Service cases through Senate Bill 464 and House Bill 958.
The legislature passed these bills. They await action from the governor.
Charlie Cooper, Baltimore
The writer is chair of the Coalition to Protect Maryland's Children.
A taxing time for war resisters
On March 20 you reprinted a 50-year old item ("50 years ago in The Sun") about a Baltimore man named Gelston McNeil who refused to pay the portion of his taxes that would go to military purposes.
The item is old, but Mr. McNeil's is not an isolated incident. Millions of Americans for various religious and moral reasons have determined that war is wrong and that they cannot participate in it. They are conscientious objectors (COs). As April 15 approaches, thousands of COs, who see that today's military system forces us to pay for war rather than to use our bodies in it, struggle with the decision not to pay some or all of their taxes.
There is a solution: the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill would allow COs to pay 100 percent of their taxes toward non-military purposes. Sincere COs would be able to participate in the tax system while the military budget would remain the same. The Treasury would save money through increased revenues and decreased IRS collection efforts.
Many COs impoverish themselves to remain below the taxable level. This bill would allow them to earn full salaries, and obey both the law and their conscience.
Rachel Harrison, Bel Air
New steel mill will benefit many
The Sun's April 11 article on Bethlehem Steel's new Sparrows Point mill ("Cold Mill, hot prospects") noted that the company "made sure it was dealt the best hand possible before it agreed to put the new mill at Sparrows Point."
Isn't that what companies are in business to do: get the best bang for their buck?
Contrary to what your article suggested, the United Steelworkers of America did more than chip in to this process; they showed the way. Job reductions are never easy to deal with, but here at Sparrows Point our union partnership mechanism gave us the framework to handle these changes.
Now we will become the best mill in the steel industry. This will benefit not only the plant's employees but its suppliers, freight haulers and the the community businesses which depend on the plant and its employees.
The Cold Mill plant is a win-win situation.
LeRoy R. McClelland Sr., Essex
Public needs all sides on controversial issues
I was surprised to read in an April 1 editorial ("Senate should approve gay rights legislation") that I had spent "$1,000 in taxpayers dollars" to present a viewpoint contrary to the governor's on a bill that was then before the legislature. I would have thought your duty as a news organization would be to check the facts. As a matter of fact, no taxpayer money was used in my efforts.
However, taxpayers' funds were used by the governor to lobby senators heavily on his gay rights bill. State agencies employ at least 61 legislative liaisons at an annual cost of about $3 million. These liaisons work as defacto lobbyists for the governor's agenda every day.
For you to suggest that the governor's taxpayer-funded, heavy-handed lobbying should go unopposed runs contrary to any understanding of what democracy means. Maryland's citizens deserve to be informed on both sides of an issue, even a difficult one, before decisions are reached.
Alex X. Mooney, Annapolis
The writer represents Frederick and Washington counties in the State Senate.
Light sentence condones abuse of the elderly
As a senior citizen, I have been disturbed by the recent statistics concerning the increase in the physical and mental abuse of the elderly.
Now the light sentence that Baltimore County Circuit Judge John Grason Turnbull II recently gave to Patricia Thomas, who was convicted of manslaughter for abusing an elderly, disabled woman, definitely sends the wrong signal ("Woman gets 3 years in neglect killing," April 8).
The abuse and neglect that Ms. Thomas visited on Marion V. Cusimano, who depended on Thomas for her very survival, is a disgrace. But apparently anyone can do anything to a vulnerable, elderly person.
Lee D. Gudeman, Baltimore
The students of Paraguay deserved more credit
We wish to thank The Sun for its coverage of the recent crisis in Paraguay, especially at a time when dramatic events in the Balkans and other places are filling the news.
Your April 1 editorial ("Convulsion in Paraguay") synthesized the main events but overlooked some important facts and protagonists in the crisis.
The most important of these was the leadership of Paraguay's students in bringing the crisis to a democratic conclusion. In highly charged circumstances, these students called the country's citizens to express in a peaceful and constructive manner their firm opposition to any violation of constitutional procedures.
Braving sniper fire that killed and injured many, but gaining support from the peasants, these students led their nation to a reasonable political course when conditions for a civil war were ominously present.
Their commitment to democratic values, and their sacrifices to help build civil society, added a profound human dimension to the crisis and should be a beacon of real hope for the future of Paraguay and Latin America.
Ana Maria R. Codas
Enrique Codas
Columbia
Enrique Codas is on the faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Ana Maria R. Codas is a writer who has taught Latin American literature at several universities.
Going after speeders would help city
Frances Trupp's letter ("Fine for debris in yard could fill city coffers," April 9) was a great idea for raising money for the city. I agree that by fining people for debris in their yards the city could generate a tremendous amount of money and also improve the quality of city life.
I have an additional suggestion: money could also be generated by more regularly fining speeding motorists. If the way people drive on my street is any indication, Baltimore's coffers would quickly be overfilled with speeding ticket revenues.
More vigorously enforcing speeding laws would also likely mean fewer and less costly auto accidents. This would eliminate the insurance industry's justification for charging outrageous rates to city drivers.
Lower insurance rates would help draw people back into the city.
Dale Gomez, Baltimore
Pub Date: 4/14/99