Simplistic plan for redistricting hurts the region

The Court of Appeals' recent decision on redistricting, which isolates Baltimore City and most of Baltimore County, compromises efforts to promote regional cooperation ("Court revises political map," June 22).

While portions of the original map the governor submitted were certainly suspect, the continuation and expansion of shared districts combining "communities of interest" was a legally acceptable principle that recognized the current and future realities of the Baltimore region.

The court's new map issents a simplistic, 19th-century solution for a 21st-century region.

Our recent "Rally for the Region" attracted more than 1,500 citizens from throughout the metropolitan area and demonstrated the growing interest in cooperation across political boundaries.

But unless it is successfully challenged, the new district map will retard the political cooperation our region will require to flourish.

Alfred W. Barry III

Baltimore

The writer is board president for the Citizens Planning and Housing Association.

The Maryland Court of Appeals' revision of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's convoluted legislative map is not merely simple. It is simplistic -- suggesting the court was more interested in a quick solution than a thoughtful one.

What is needed is a thoughtful balance between the governor's plan and this hastily contrived revision.

Howard Bluth

Baltimore

Court's plan protects state's communities

"Why did this happen?" whines Del. James W. Campbell about the Court of Appeals' new redistricting map ("Politicians search for new footing in redrawn districts," June 23).

I'll tell him why. Because our governor arrogantly ignored the rules for redistricting, and set up a map based on his desire to aid his friends and punish his foes, showing complete contempt for the citizens of Maryland in the process.

This new map is not "an abomination," as State Sen. Barbara Hoffman says. Nor is it a blow to regionalism.

Quite the contrary, in fact. It accurately reflects the state and its established communities. Baltimore City has lost population. So it should have less representation.

Under the governor's approach, county residents were made stepchildren of the city as the lines were drawn to bolster the city by taking in parts of Baltimore County.

The courts have done the people of Maryland a great service by overthrowing the last map, a pure example of Glendening-mandering.

D. Keith Henderson

Perry Hall

It's time for a reality check for Baltimore politicians outraged over the Court of Appeals' new redistricting plan ("New plan outrages Baltimore officials," June 22).

Baltimore City continues to experience a sharp decline in population, yet lawmakers seem to expect to maintain the same representation and influence in Annapolis. It's time for them to wake up and realize fewer city residents means fewer people to represent and fewer legislative districts.

The purpose of redistricting is to set up fair districts based on population, not to protect the jobs of political insiders.

Ed Doheny

Bel Air

Freedom and civility go hand in hand

"Lessons on principles and power" (Opinion Commentary, June 21) suggests an inherent contradiction between civility and free speech. Our founding fathers would vehemently disagree and so do I.

The very framework of democracy rests on the ability of plain-old folk to speak their minds and have their opinions heard and considered as decisions that impact them are made. But this in no way contradicts the expectation that people treat one another with respect and civility.

Is it too much to ask to expect citizens to be able to express their opinions firmly and respectfully and to listen to opposing views with just as much patience and respect as they feel they deserve?

As an instructor of conflict resolution and a mediator, I believe we all must model behavior that is both passionately expressive about values and opinions and respectful of one another. This is definitely not an "either-or."

Dana Morris-Jones

Severna Park

Attack on Iraq is recipe for disaster

Pundits such as William Safire and insiders such as Vice President Dick Cheney are setting the stage for a preemptive strike on Iraq, against the advice of key military leaders and the State Department.

But without strong support from our allies and with tensions running high because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, events in the region could easily spin out of control and might even prompt Saddam Hussein to use biological and chemical weapons.

In Afghanistan, the Northern Alliance provided the nuts and bolts for the American offensive, but in Iraq no equivalent indigenous force exists, which means Americans would suffer much heavier casualties in an invasion (more than 200,000, by some estimates). What's more, the loss of life might be in vain, since there is no viable successor for Mr. Hussein waiting in the wings.

Why isn't President Bush listening to the people in his administration who have real military experience and depth in international affairs, like his Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State Colin Powell?

Barbara J. Crain

Phoenix

Murder always shocks conscience

So Baltimore City State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy believes that a murder needs to be "so shocking to the conscience that it cries out for the death penalty" [for her to pursue a death sentence] ("Life or Death," June 23).

Tell me of one murder that isn't shocking to the conscience.

Lee Kennedy

Timonium

Celibacy is root of abuse scandal

The Sun recommends the Catholic Church should screen for sexual predators in selecting new priests ("Cracking down," editorial, June 18). What is the church going to give them -- a test?

The entire mess is rooted in the church's celibacy policy.

Celibacy is not normal human behavior, and it leads to abnormal human behavior.

Annie Wagner

Lutherville

Devoted priests pained by scandal

As long as The Sun prints articles on child abuse by Catholic priests ("City priest put on leave," June 10), I feel compelled to reply that it is only a small percentage of Catholic priests who have been involved in such abuse.

And there are many, many good priests working in all areas of our state, who are helping children and causes. These devoted men feel the shame of this crisis that the Catholic Church is going through. We must remember these people in our prayers and ask God to help all of us.

Marge Griffith

Pasadena