State must find ways to reduce its air pollution

The Sun's article on the Southern Appalachian Mountains Initiative (SAMI) unjustly downplayed the importance of the interstate transport of air pollution ("Appalachians pollution report released," Oct. 13).

Although each state can and should improve its air quality by reducing emissions, no state can do enough on its own. And SAMI's studies have confirmed that regions outside the Southern Appalachian Mountains affect mountain visibility, ozone and acid rain pollution.

To ensure a fair and uniform approach, SAMI states agreed to promote strong national legislation controlling sulfur and nitrogen emissions from electric utility plants.

SAMI states also agreed to seek ways to reduce ammonia emissions from animal feeding operations. Ammonia emissions can combine with sulfur emissions from combustion sources to impair visibility and cause fine particulates that are harmful when breathed.

Marylanders must work with the SAMI states to find reasonable ways to reduce ammonia emissions -- both to improve air quality and because ammonia causes excessive nitrogen deposits in the Chesapeake Bay.

Other studies have shown that air pollution sources outside Maryland affect our air quality; SAMI showed that we affect others as well.

Susan S.G. Wierman

Baltimore

The writer is executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association.

Ehrlich won't change culture of corruption

Fraser Smith's column "At heart of campaign is chance for change" (Opinion

Commentary, Oct. 27) stated that the 2002 gubernatorial election presents an opportunity for change. However, Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is not the change Maryland needs.

Mr. Ehrlich's negative campaign has not presented any compelling vision for Maryland's future. His budget proposal has been widely derided, and Mr. Ehrlich's ad-lib approach to complex issues only emphasizes his deficiencies as a leader.

James M. Kehl

Baltimore

Fraser Smith's contention that a vote for Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is a vote for honesty in government is invalid and insulting to Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

Ms. Townsend is widely and rightly admired for her integrity and moral values. And demonstrating her independence from "politics as usual," she selected retired Adm. Charles Larson, an outsider with demonstrated leadership ability and unimpeachable honesty, as her lieutenant governor.

Mr. Ehrlich is the product of old-boy Annapolis politics. He is the candidate of the slot machine interests. He is supported by some of the most distasteful representatives of Annapolis culture -- e.g., state Sen. Clarence Mitchell IV, lobbyist Bruce Bereano and state Del. Tony Fulton.

If you want guns, slots and pollution, fine, vote for Mr. Ehrlich. But don't do it because you want honest government.

Mary Ann E. Mears

Baltimore

Gun check lapse takes untold toll

The revelation that the state archivist temporarily stopped conducting criminal background checks on some prospective gun buyers because of budget constraints is incredible ("Townsend denies fault for lapse on gun checks," Oct. 17).

The governor and the lieutenant governor have devoted much time and energy to implementing gun laws and then informing us that, because of their efforts, Maryland is in the vanguard of states with effective gun control.

It looks like they had trouble putting our money where their mouth is.

John Zotcavage

Millersville

Coverage of protest gives voice to dissent

I applaud The Sun's prominent coverage of the march in Washington opposing war with Iraq ("'No war with Iraq,' chant thousands in Washington," Oct. 27).

Now that Congress has handed over its war-making powers to the president, those opposed to war have no recourse but to take to the streets.

Media coverage of opposition to the war is the only way the voice of almost half of Americans will be heard.

Sarah Bur

Baltimore

Fight for peace, justice continues

Michael Hill's perceptive article comparing protest against the war in Vietnam to protest against the impending war in Iraq leaves out an important historical fact: There is essential continuity between the two protest movements ("Unmoved by war," Oct. 20).

Professors Todd Gitlin and Fred Pincus, who were quoted in Mr. Hill's article, were, like me, part of the "New Left" then and are part of the "Gray Left" now.

Then, as now, we saw U.S. foreign policy driven by the quest for profit and control of key resources. Then, as now, the leaders of the our government brazenly pursued regime change not only in Vietnam, but in places such as the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Greece and Chile.

We of the "Gray Left" have never stopped protesting the imperialistic policies of every administration since World War II.

We may be older and slower now, but our children and grandchildren have inherited our critical perspective.

They will bring new energy and dedication to the fight for peace and justice.

Dean Pappas

Baltimore

Sniper may be gone, but terror still lurks

As citizens of Montgomery County, our fear is only temporarily assuaged by the capture of the alleged snipers. Terrorism still threatens our lives and our children's lives.

The only way to deal with that terrorism is with force -- there should be no negotiation with murderers. But we do not need to attack every country that harbors terrorists to stop them.

We only need to show that we will not tolerate any threat to the United States. And that means we must take aggressive action against Iraq, not pursue mediation through the United Nations.

Let's declare war on Iraq, and show all terrorists that we will be victorious against them.

Susan Crawford

Silver Spring

Leave Halloween to the children

Kevin Cowherd is right: Halloween should be left to the kids ("Halloween should be kids' treat, not adults'," Oct. 28).

I, too, am growing weary of costumes in the workplace. How can you properly rant at an inattentive store clerk who is dressed up as Snow White? And who wants to entrust his or her finances to a banker dressed as Bozo the Clown?

I'll admit it -- I didn't like dressing up as a kid.

And, now that I'm a grown-up, I'd like to be able to keep using that as an excuse for not dressing up.

Dave Reich

Perry Hall