Vatican ignores the concerns of Catholic parents
Former priest Stephen J. Stahley characterized the Vatican's recent decision to reject a zero tolerance policy for child molestation by priests accurately and simply when he stated that because the "Vatican is composed exclusively of nonparents," its officials don't understand the concerns of parents ("Church leaders childless, clueless," Opinion * Commentary, Oct. 25).
To hide behind the church law of due process -- not government due process, mind you -- and to suggest that the priests' rights are as important as the rights of the children is inconceivable to me.
The U.S. Catholic Bishops made a wise decision last June. While that decision doesn't make up for the years of moving abusive clergymen from parish to parish, it does show a sincere willingness to prevent further heinous acts.
And as a teacher with 25 years of experience in both public and private schools, I know that anyone who deals with children on a day-to-day basis must be held strictly accountable for their actions -- with no second chances.
Barbara Blumberg
Baltimore
Zero tolerance policy offends due process
The greatest concern many people have about a zero tolerance policy is the fear that one will be falsely accused by a disgruntled child or adult and quietly dismissed without an opportunity to tell one's side.
This applies not only to priests but to teachers, day care providers and other individuals including volunteers. I have heard teachers say they will not even get on an elevator with a student unless a third party is present. I have heard physical education teachers who once loved their jobs say they are afraid to show a child how to hold a bat.
I have heard some children threaten a chaperone with a false report because they didn't like being disciplined.
Let Stephen J. Stahley become the victim of a false report and see if he still has such a low opinion of due process ("Church leaders childless, clueless," Opinion * Commentary, Oct. 25).
Vatican officials do not claim to be experts on parenting, but they do raise questions on due process. And it is sad when Americans have to be reminded by Rome about due process.
Bernard J. Hayes
Baltimore
Making progress on lead poisoning
In August, three state departments, with input from Baltimore City, submitted a brief report to the Maryland legislature about progress made to end childhood lead poisoning. The results showed that the number of children with elevated blood lead levels in Baltimore had decreased for the eighth straight year ("Officials hail drop in city's lead poisonings," Oct. 31).
On the housing side of the problem, more residential units than ever before received lead risk reduction treatment during the last fiscal year.
Although there's a long way to go before we reduce childhood lead poisoning to zero, our investment in finding and removing lead hazards, testing children and treating those poisoned is paying off.
Margaret E. Williams
Baltimore
The writer chairs the Governor's Commission on Lead Poisoning Prevention.
Let Virginia mete out real justice to killers
If those arrested for the sniper killings are guilty, they deserve to be put to death for the terror and havoc they wreaked. But Maryland's political leaders -- predominantly Democrats -- have enacted weak capital punishment legislation over the past decades, and the current Democratic administration has suspended all executions ("Jurisdictions divided on who gets the case," Oct. 28).
If ever a series of crimes demanded the death penalty, these do. Yet Maryland may be helpless to act.
Maryland prosecutors need to swallow their pride and ego and step aside in the prosecution of the alleged snipers. State law will prevent justice from being done.
The nation cannot risk letting these two suspects live. So let Virginia do what Maryland cannot.
Scott Riekers
Lancaster, Pa.
Battle to execute suspects turns ugly
Is anyone else at all troubled that we have three jurisdictions who are apparently salivating over their competing demands to kill two men who have not yet even gone to court or been tried for the multiple sniper shootings ("Jurisdictions divided on who gets the case," Oct. 28)?
The thirst for savage and swift revenge in this country is frightening and only lowers us to the level those so-called underdeveloped societies that we seek to redeem.
Will we next carry out executions in sports stadiums the way the Taliban did?
Michael S Eckenrode
Baltimore
Handling of Haitians is discriminatory
These days we hear all too often about how some people around the world, especially terrorists, "despise our way of life." But on Oct. 29 Americans got a sobering glimpse of the danger that poor and persecuted Haitians will endure to experience our way of life. Sadly, the dream of freedom for many Haitians is greeted with handcuffs ("Fla. governor is urged to aid Haitian migrants," Oct 31).
When pregnant women seeking a better life for their unborn children are treated as criminals, one must wonder what justifies such a policy.
The Bush administration's policy of detaining Haitians seeking asylum is discriminatory and should be rescinded.
Judy M. Lubin
Silver Spring
Castro was winner of missile crisis
I read with interest Frederick Rasmussen's column recounting the Cuban Missile Crisis ("The high-stakes October of 1962," Oct. 19). But permit me a contrarian view regarding who won.
Before the missile crisis, there were no Soviet offensive missiles in Cuba and the United States was actively plotting the overthrow of Fidel Castro.
As part of the deal for the Soviets to remove the missiles, the United States agreed to stop plotting the overthrow of Mr. Castro.
Thus, 40 years later, while there are no offensive missiles in Cuba, Mr. Castro is still in power.
Leon Reinstein
Baltimore
Continue the legacy of old-school rappers
As a 33-year-old lover of old-school rap -- Run-DMC, KRS-1, Big Daddy Kane, Salt-N-Pepa and many other "old head" artists who presented a clean and certainly entertaining message in their songs -- I am deeply saddened at the tragic loss of a strong, humble and family-oriented man, Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell ("Run-DMC D.J. killed in shooting at studio," Oct. 31).
Let's all pray with his family and for our community to heal and continue the legacy started by these founding fathers and mothers of hip-hop.
Peace and love to the "old school."
Wanda Gresham
Randallstown