Investing in arts makes region a better place

I concur with The Sun that officials should pay close attention to the Goldseker Foundation report on the region's health ("Region at risk," editorial, Nov. 7). However, in addition to addressing Maryland's weaknesses, building on our assets should be a priority.

The state's arts and cultural scene currently serves as a powerful magnet for tourism, new businesses and the educated young people who make up a strong work force. And arts-related spending by arts organizations and audiences contributed $765 million to the state's economy in 2002.

As budget retrenchment begins, I hope our representatives will broaden the state's support for arts and culture.

Such investment, far from being a drain on the coffers, provides significant returns, and is the kind of creative thinking our region needs.

Ellie Robinson

Baltimore

Getting a late start on budget troubles

How interesting that soon-to-be-former Gov. Parris N. Glendening (aka "Spendening") can address the state's financial woes and deficit in the waning days of his administration ("A plan to erase deficit offered," Nov. 17).

Just where in the heck has he been and what has he been doing for us during the years he has been in office?

Ron Armstrong

Baltimore

Cut state assistance to private schools

In discussing ideas about balancing the budget, Gov. Parris N. Glendening and Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. surely should not have missed talking about the millions that Mr. Glendening put into the budget for the benefit of non-public schools ("A plan to erase deficit offered," Nov. 17).

One would think that money assisting schools over which the public has no control should be among the first of the promised specific spending cuts aimed at balancing the state budget.

I hope the governor-elect does not support any such spending.

Kenneth A. Stevens

Savage

Bookkeeping error shows no corruption

Well, goodness me, Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s campaign apparently (gasp) made an accounting mistake. A Sun editorial terms this evidence of Mr. Ehrlich being "knee-deep in the culture of back-scratching -- the very one he ran against" ("Flying too high," Nov. 21).

In the context of accounting for the record, hard-earned $11 million budget Mr. Ehrlich's campaign raised, bookkeeping mistakes are almost inevitable. The Sun's news pages have adequately informed us about these. In simultaneous stories even the loyal opposition was loath to call this evidence of corruption.

Is it possible the editorial writers will catch up to standards of accuracy and fairness in play elsewhere in Maryland and give an otherwise beautifully run campaign a break before implying deliberate deception and malfeasance?

Anthony Cobb

Baltimore

The writer is a member of the Republican Central Committee of Maryland.

Sniper suspect gets treatment he merits

I think it's time that Lee Boyd Malvo and his attorney realize that Mr. Malvo is not in a country club, he's in a jail cell. And he's in that cell because of the crimes of which he is accused ("Better treatment for Malvo rejected," Nov. 16).

The lawyers are so worried about Mr. Malvo's "basic rights." What about the basic right of the average citizen to be able to pump gas without the fear of being gunned down? Or to take groceries into the house? Or shop at the local Home Depot?

Less focus should be placed on Mr. Malvo's age and more on why he is in that cell. He wasn't arrested for stealing candy bars from the local 7-Eleven. His current "living conditions" are fitting when you consider the seriousness of his alleged offenses.

D. E. Pazourek

Sparks

How dare defense attorneys for Lee Boyd Malvo waste the court's time by complaining that their client is living under inhumane conditions.

If the guards assigned to Mr. Malvo are violating his alleged "basic human rights," then so be it. Where in God's name are the rights of the victims?

Richard Crystal

Baltimore

Hostility to Jews prevents peace

On Nov. 15, two sites holy to both Judaism and Islam were visited by people seeking to pray.

Close to 200,000 Muslims went to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to pray. They did so without interference -- although the Israeli government prevents Jews from praying at this site. Less than 20 miles away, 100 Jews went to pray at the gravesite of the patriarchs -- the second-holiest site in Judaism. The result was a massacre by individuals committed to the destruction of the state of Israel ("12 die, 15 hurt in ambush and firefight in West Bank," Nov. 16).

The reason there has been no peace in the Middle East is that, just as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan and other Arab states prohibit Jews from living in their countries, the Palestinians are not seeking to establish a democratic state. They want a country that is free of Jews, too.

Until the world accepts that Jews have a right to live anywhere, there will be no peace.

Alan A. Abramowitz

Baltimore

New mega-agency adds little to security

I don't get it. The greatest failure related to Sept. 11 was the lack of cooperation and coordination between the three intelligence agencies, the FBI, the CIA and the National Security Agency. But now, instead of bringing just these three agencies under a new security umbrella where critical information linkages would be almost assured, these agencies are not being included in the recently approved 22-agency Department of Homeland Security ("House OKs agency for homeland security," Nov. 14).

Instead of creating such a monstrous multi-agency department, wouldn't our security be far better served by starting with the three intelligence agencies under someone who would be responsible for making sure important information is not stuck in one agency protecting its fiefdom?

Ajax Eastman

Baltimore

Invasion of Iraq isn't worth the cost

Saddam Hussein is a terrible person, but I don't think we should invade Iraq. If we destroy the country, what will happen to its people?

Invading Iraq would cost billions of dollars and distract us from the war on terrorism. And there are more important things that we need to be worrying about, such as catching Osama bin Laden and destroying al-Qaida.

Also, a war would get many soldiers killed and make Muslims mad and encourage more terrorist attacks.

Alec Mitchell

Lutherville

The writer is a fifth-grader at Riderwood Elementary School in Baltimore County.