Death penalty moratorium thwarts justice

Del. Obie Patterson could not be more wrong when he suggests that Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. should continue the death penalty moratorium ("Before lifting moratorium, end disparity," Opinion Commentary, Dec. 12).

The delegate must not have paid attention to the election results and the actions of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who sent the sniper cases to Virginia because that state actually enforces its laws and punishes criminals.

In November, Marylanders voted for a governor who recognizes that you do not fight crime by making it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves with firearms. You fight crime by punishing criminals.

The 12 men on death row in Maryland are not there because of their race, height, gender, education or some other demographic trait. They are there because they committed heinous crimes that deserve the ultimate penalty.

The families of their victims have suffered long enough. Mr. Ehrlich will do us all a favor when he allows the justice system to work and rid us of this 12-person scourge.

And under Governor Ehrlich, Maryland will no longer be a safe haven for career criminals.

Steven L. Wiseman

Bel Air

Money for inaugural could fund teachers

Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s plan for a Republican inaugural extravaganza party to cost $1 million (possibly the most expensive in history) is out of place at this time ("Ehrlich inauguration to be hearty GOP party," Dec. 12).

The economic downturn and Republican-inspired tax cuts at federal and state levels clearly threaten to gut education funding. Since the Republicans insisted on their support for education during the election, they could take a first step by using most of this million dollars for the state's education budget, and partying less. This money could pay for 20 badly needed teachers for one year and reduce class sizes in schools with special needs.

Werner Gruhl

Columbia

How could Lott miss focus of campaign?

Senate Republican leader Trent Lott has said that he was only praising Sen. Strom Thurmond for his economic and defense policies, but Mr. Thurmond's 1948 campaign was largely about segregation. How could Mr. Lott miss the elephant in the living room?

The Republican Party says that it wants to reach out to African-Americans. If it really wants to do that, it should at least be mindful of black history when its leaders refer to past elections.

The African-American community will find it hard to forgive a politician who forgets the painful history of segregation in this country - especially one who apologizes for it four days too late.

Kevin Brinson

Baltimore

GOP needs to find better leadership

Finally, a prominent Republican, Sen. Don Nickles, has spoken up for the good of the party, asking that Senate Republican leader Trent Lott be replaced ("Key GOP Senator moves to oust Lott," Dec. 16). In another section of Monday's Sun, Mona Charen perhaps put it best, saying that Mr. Lott is either "a moral cretin" or "he's a fool" ("Lott shows he's not fit for the job," Opinion Commentary, Dec. 16).

Just when the Republican Party was beginning to make some inroads with African-Americans, Mr. Lott has set the party back, significantly, especially if he continues in the role of Senate leader.

As a Republican, I certainly hope that we do the right thing and replace Mr. Lott with someone who can provide the leadership the party needs.

Ron Parsons

Glen Burnie

Sen. Lott's remarks carried no animosity

The uproar over the statements by Republican Senate leader Trent Lott about his colleague Sen. Strom Thurmond is regrettable ("Lott apologizes again for Thurmond comments," Dec. 12).

There is no way Mr. Lott's remarks were meant with any animosity or rancor against anyone.

They were a comment about the long and distinguished career of a man who has gone through a political metamorphosis and has become a much wiser legislator over his many years of service.

David J. Petr

Street

Revealing the racism behind GOP policies

I fail to see why Senate Republican leader Trent Lott is being asked to offer repeated, ritual apologies for making a statement that obviously reflected his actual beliefs.

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to thank Mr. Lott for revealing, albeit inadvertently, the undercurrent of racist elitism behind Republican social and economic policies - policies Democratic leaders have done little to oppose?

Jon Swift

Baltimore

Senate should focus on larger issues

I support President Bush's condemnation of Republican Senate leader Trent Lott for his terrible comments at Sen. Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday ("President scolds Lott for remarks," Dec. 13).

I believe Mr. Lott's apology, however, is enough. He's admitted that he made a mistake and he understands that what he said was reprehensible.

What I can't believe is the furor that the Democrats are making - demanding Mr. Lott's resignation as Senate GOP leader. Where were these people when President Clinton lied to the American public and lied under oath?

To the senators I say: Get to work. Help our children, support our schools, our underprivileged and our homeless.

I'm tired of political posturing. I'd like to see our senators do something to make a difference for all men, women and children.

John McConnell

Baltimore

Balto. Co. drug czar didn't deserve ouster

When new county executives or heads of any local or state governments take over, they usually replace the heads of administrative offices.

However, Michael M. Gimbel, the director of Baltimore County Bureau of Substance Abuse, was doing an excellent job ("Baltimore County drug czar is fired," Dec. 13). He, of all people, should not have been ousted.

John L. Allen

Lutherville

Turn speedy ship into a monument

Thank you for your wonderful editorial about the SS United States ("Cool, and still afloat," Dec. 7).

My family and I traveled to Europe on that beautiful ocean liner in 1953, shortly after she was commissioned, and I can testify that all The Sun wrote about it was right on target.

Everything about that ship was elegant, and it is a great sadness to learn that she has been relegated to the junk yard. I hope that the nonprofit group is successful in its attempt to have her declared a national monument.

Gloria L. Hastings

Baltimore