Council's focus belongs on woes facing the city

I just want to vent my anger at the Baltimore City Council for trying to tackle foreign policy issues that it has no influence or control over when it can't even take care of business in its own backyard ("City Council OKs resolution opposing war against Iraq," Dec. 10).

Even with all the efforts to date, we have one of the highest crime rates in the country. We have layoffs coming in our public schools, budget woes and a shrinking tax base.

We have open-air drug markets that are in some cases right next to our schools. We even have people being killed and their house being burned down just for trying to make Baltimore a better place.

I look out my window daily and see prostitutes working the streets. The ones who want help should be receiving mental and physical health services; those who don't should be thrown in jail. We can't figure out a way to do either.

Why don't we stop wasting time on foreign policy issues, (we elect U.S. senators and representatives to do that) and stay focused on making Baltimore better?

Davis Maloy

Baltimore

Now that the City Council has issued a declaration against going to war with Iraq, maybe it will finally have time to get some city business done.

Wendy Estano

Baltimore

Fire the bureaucrats in schools' hierarchy

I have a way to assist the city schools with their budget shortfall ("School budget woes create prospect of more layoffs in city," Dec. 11). Instead of laying off low-paid workers at the bottom of a very large pile, why not begin by firing the chief financial officer and the staff that apparently can't add up costs (for the second year in a row), then fire whoever has oversight of them?

Then start letting go the various area superintendents, assistant area superintendents, their assistants and staff.

This would not only save millions, but stop the flow of useless memos on North Avenue.

Jeff Sattler

Baltimore

Senate should force Trent Lott to resign

So The Sun feels that calls for Republican Senate leader Trent Lott's resignation are as silly as his remarks ("Mississippi burning," editorial, Dec. 11)? I call The Sun's statement incredibly lacking in judgment and understanding.

Mr. Lott's remarks reflect a deeply held antipathy toward blacks and minorities. I am ashamed, but not surprised, that in 2003 this man will represent America as Senate majority leader.

If Mr. Lott does not resign voluntarily, he should be forced to do so. He is a disgrace to this country.

And editorials such as this one only reinforce and validate the thinly veiled racism of the radical right.

Maria Allwine

Baltimore

The soon-to-be Senate majority leader's tacit endorsement of Sen. Strom Thurmond's segregationist platform is unacceptable for a leader of his stature.

The Republican Party and the full Senate must send a message to Mr. Lott and any others who share his anachronistic views, publicly or privately, that the American people are not willing to accept racial intolerance in our elected officials.

Saul Waller

Baltimore

Partisanship distorts innocent remarks

I hate partisan politics. And I think the furor over Senate Republican leader Trent Lott's excessive praise of Sen. Strom Thurmond at his 100th birthday party is almost as stupid as Bill Clinton's impeachment for lying about an extramarital affair ("Lott apologizes again for Thurmond comments," Dec. 12).

But for the country the current controversy is infinitely more stupid, because what was an innocent statement is being advertised by many black leaders as racial hatred.

James F. Guess

Baltimore

How can missiles in Yemen be OK?

Let's see, it's not OK for Iraq to have missiles, but it is OK for North Korea (a member of the "axis of evil") to ship a boatload of them halfway around the world to Yemen, the place where the USS Cole and a French ship were attacked and American sailors were killed ("Missiles allowed to go to Yemen," Dec. 12).

Can we expect a nice man from the government to come and explain this to us?

Rafe Pilgrim

Baltimore

Tax cuts will dig deeper budget hole

Will someone please explain to me why, in the face of a $159 billion federal deficit that is rising and threatens to skyrocket if we go to war against Iraq, President Bush pushes a package of tax cuts aimed at stimulating a sluggish economy ("Treasury pick Snow to sell Bush agenda," Dec. 10)?

Worried about his prospects for re-election in 2004 and mindful of the recession that derailed his father's bid for a second term, Mr. Bush is pulling out all the stops to create an upsurge in the economy before voters go to the polls.

His reasoning defies logic, however, especially when America is spending heavily in the war against world terrorism and faces the possibility of pouring out additional billions if we move against Iraq.

And if that happens, what would be the prospects of ever digging out from under the ensuing deficit? Twofold, I would say - slim and none.

Albert E. Denny

Pikesville

Let chaplains control access to Islam

Correctional chaplains across the country have been observing the increase of inmates practicing Islam for a number of years ("U.S. fears al-Qaida recruiting prisoners," Nov. 25). And I suggest that the best gatekeepers to security and access to legitimate Islamic practice are qualified professional chaplains.

The members of the American Correctional Chaplains Association are very concerned about restricting religious practice of inmates since studies have shown that strong and consistent religious practice in any faith decreases recidivism.

A good chaplain knows his communities of faith and recruits orthodox religious leaders to provide worship and other services. This cannot be done by a volunteer or someone off the street with no knowledge or experience.

The strength of religious programming in prisons is a direct result of good chaplains.

Paul E. Rogers

Naupan, Wis.

The writer is president of the American Correctional Chaplains Association.

More of the same in Maryland politics

I see from my vantage point down here in slower Lower Delaware that politics in my old home state of Maryland is same old, same old ("Target of probe tied to Steele campaign," Dec. 9).

This brings a smile and a chuckle to this aging person.

Randall Miller

Ocean View, Del.