Reprimand Baptist leaders for intolerance

Are Southern Baptist leaders out of their collective minds to support the description of the prophet Muhammad as "a demon-possessed pedophile" ("Southern Baptist leaders back man who insulted Islam," June 12)? One can only imagine how such a statement will be received by those who avidly collect ammunition to demonize us.

The Rev. Jerry Vines stated, "Jehovah's not going to turn you into a terrorist that'll ... take the lives of thousands and thousands of people." But neither Jehovah nor Allah has much to do with making people killers; they do that perfectly well by themselves.

For example, Christians slaughtered each other by the hundreds of thousands in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. And let us not forget that Christians often killed Jews during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, or the complicity of some Christians in such killings in more recent times. Or that it took Christians almost 2,000 years to figure out that slavery was not such a good idea.

No religious group stands on high moral ground when judging another's religious beliefs.

The Southern Baptists should immediately apologize for this outrageous statement and reprimand these leaders.

Nothing less than our ability to tolerate various religious beliefs and live together in peace is at stake here.

Laurie Mitchell

Towson

Bush, Sharon pursue same path to peace

The Sun's emphasis on the differences between President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was wrong and misleading ("Bush, Sharon differ on path to peace," June 11).

In reality, the president and the Israeli leader were virtually on the same page on all the important agenda items: that the time for a peace conference hasn't arrived; that Yasser Arafat isn't fit to be an interlocutor with the Israelis; that no reward for terrorism (i.e., a Palestinian state) should be forthcoming and that Palestinian terror must end before any headway can be made on any issues between the parties.

And I should add that Israel's actions against the Palestinians are clearly seen by the president as self-defense.

I believe the groundwork is being laid for the dismissal of Mr. Arafat, probably by exile. Both Israel and the United States recognize that until he has left the scene no real progress toward peace can be made.

David Kross

Columbia

A sure way to bring bitter foes together

It was with great joy that I read about the gay pride parade in Jerusalem, which drew sharp protests from both Orthodox Jews and conservative Muslims there ("Divided Jerusalem holds its 1st gay pride parade," June 8). Finally, a way to reach common ground between these bitter enemies.

I propose we flood the occupied territories with a battalion of gloriously gay Americans. The idea of these heretics sunning themselves on the sacred sands would be enough to erase the petty disputes between these ancient peoples.

Together, they would rise up to rid their shared homeland of these pink infidels. Peace at last.

Mark Weaver

Catonsville

No 1st Amendment for military officers?

I understand the flap over Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Butler's letter to a newspaper calling the president, among other things, a "joke" ("AF colonel suspended for letter criticizing Bush," June 5). But while the colonel may have been a little over the line, what became of his First Amendment rights?

Because he is in the military and the president is his commander in chief, is that right relinquished? And suppose he happens to be right?

Garland L. Crosby Sr.

Baltimore

Showing concern for vulnerable elder

The Sun's articles by Wally Roche and Ivan Penn have been fact-based, detailed and sympathetic to a respected former congressman who finds himself in a position where he is unable to manage his own affairs ("Baltimore leaders setting up fund to help Parren Mitchell with debts," June 1).

And where are the advocates for Parren Mitchell in his family? Instead of launching lawsuits, why are they not asking Michael Mitchell where his uncle's money has gone ?

There is a story here, and I am most grateful to hear it.

Parren Mitchell was heard through The Sun's voice, and many other elderly people will benefit from these articles, because they show an America that cares about its own -- in this case, its vulnerable elderly.

Eula M. Marshall

Reisterstown

The writer is a member of the Baltimore County Commission on Aging.

Ehrlich is wrong to oppose drug plan

I was outraged to read that Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich found Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's proposal for the state to spend $8 million to help reduce prescription drug prices for tens of thousands of Maryland seniors to be "unaffordable and unwise" ("Townsend vows to help seniors with drug costs," June 12).

As president of United Seniors of Maryland, I have heard horror stories across the state of how seniors have to choose between eating and paying for their prescription drugs. And at a recent forum I saw a middle-aged woman with tears in her eyes say she has to choose between educating her kids and keeping her parents alive.

Shame on Mr. Ehrlich for not wanting to do something real to solve this problem.

Ernie Crofoot

Annapolis

City's 'success' no model for state

I read with great interest the lieutenant governor's comments emphasizing how much the Glendening administration has done for Baltimore ("Support pledged for city projects," June 7).

She said, "The success that we're building here can serve as a model for what we can do across the city and across the state." I wonder if she is aware that over the last eight years Baltimore has become a national leader in per-capita murder, heroin addiction and syphilis infection and that this year as many as 46,000 city public school students must attend summer school in order to move on.

Is this the kind of success Maryland really needs?

D. Bowen

Grasonville

Poor sound quality muffles 'The Lyric'

In her criticism of the production of Cabaret, Mary Carole McCauley has pinpointed the reason I have given up on the Lyric Opera House: The dialogue and lyrics are unintelligible and muffled a good bit of the time, both in musicals and opera ("This proves life really is no 'Cabaret,'" June 6). That is why I don't waste my time at the Lyric anymore.

The management of both the Lyric and the Baltimore Opera Company deny that there's any problem. But my companions and I know what we experience from the seats.

A top-notch sound system would even cover up for some of the weak vocal talent.

Stephanie Link

Lutherville